Radio broadcast stations:AM 1, FM NA, shortwave 8 (1998)
Radios:34,000 (1997)
Television broadcast stations:5 (1998)
Televisions:25,000 (1997)
Internet country code:.mc
Internet hosts:533 (2004)
Internet Service Providers (ISPs):2 (2000)
Internet users:16,000 (2002)
Transportation Monaco
Highways: total: 50 km paved: 50 km unpaved: 0 km (1999 est.)
Ports and harbors:Monaco
Merchant marine:registered in other countries: 54 (2005)
Airports:none; linked to the airport at Nice, France by helicopter service(2004 est.)
Heliports:1 (shuttle service between the international airport at Nice,France, and Monaco's heliport at Fontvieille) (2004 est.)
Military Monaco
Military - note:defense is the responsibility of France; the Palace Guard performsceremonial duties (2003)
Transnational Issues Monaco
Disputes - international: none
This page was last updated on 20 October, 2005
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@Mongolia
Introduction Mongolia
Background:The Mongols gained fame in the 13th century when under ChinggisKHAN they conquered a huge Eurasian empire. After his death theempire was divided into several powerful Mongol states, but thesebroke apart in the 14th century. The Mongols eventually retired totheir original steppe homelands and later came under Chinese rule.Mongolia won its independence in 1921 with Soviet backing. ACommunist regime was installed in 1924. During the early 1990s, theex-Communist Mongolian People's Revolutionary Party (MPRP) graduallyyielded its monopoly on power to the Democratic Union Coalition(DUC), which defeated the MPRP in a national election in 1996. Sincethen, parliamentary elections returned the MPRP overwhelmingly topower in 2000 and produced a coalition government in 2004.
Geography Mongolia
Location:Northern Asia, between China and Russia
Geographic coordinates:46 00 N, 105 00 E
Map references:Asia
Area:total: 1,564,116 sq km
Area - comparative:slightly smaller than Alaska
Land boundaries: total: 8,220 km border countries: China 4,677 km, Russia 3,543 km
Coastline:0 km (landlocked)
Maritime claims:none (landlocked)
Climate:desert; continental (large daily and seasonal temperature ranges)
Terrain:vast semidesert and desert plains, grassy steppe, mountains in westand southwest; Gobi Desert in south-central
Elevation extremes:lowest point: Hoh Nuur 518 mhighest point: Nayramadlin Orgil (Huyten Orgil) 4,374 m
Natural resources:oil, coal, copper, molybdenum, tungsten, phosphates, tin, nickel,zinc, fluorspar, gold, silver, iron
Land use: arable land: 0.77% permanent crops: 0% other: 99.23% (2001)
Irrigated land:840 sq km (1998 est.)
Natural hazards:dust storms, grassland and forest fires, drought, and "zud," whichis harsh winter conditions
Environment - current issues:limited natural fresh water resources in some areas; the policiesof former Communist regimes promoted rapid urbanization andindustrial growth that had negative effects on the environment; theburning of soft coal in power plants and the lack of enforcement ofenvironmental laws severely polluted the air in Ulaanbaatar;deforestation, overgrazing, and the converting of virgin land toagricultural production increased soil erosion from wind and rain;desertification and mining activities had a deleterious effect onthe environment
Environment - international agreements:party to: Biodiversity, Climate Change, Climate Change-KyotoProtocol, Desertification, Endangered Species, EnvironmentalModification, Hazardous Wastes, Law of the Sea, Ozone LayerProtection, Wetlandssigned, but not ratified: none of the selected agreements
Geography - note:landlocked; strategic location between China and Russia
People Mongolia
Population:2,791,272 (July 2005 est.)
Age structure:0-14 years: 28.7% (male 407,547/female 392,440)15-64 years: 67.7% (male 943,418/female 945,063)65 years and over: 3.7% (male 44,413/female 58,391) (2005 est.)
Median age:total: 24.28 yearsmale: 23.93 yearsfemale: 24.64 years (2005 est.)
Population growth rate:1.45% (2005 est.)
Birth rate:21.52 births/1,000 population (2005 est.)
Death rate:7.03 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: 1.04 male(s)/female15-64 years: 1 male(s)/female65 years and over: 0.76 male(s)/femaletotal population: 1 male(s)/female (2005 est.)
Infant mortality rate:total: 53.79 deaths/1,000 live birthsmale: 57.25 deaths/1,000 live birthsfemale: 50.16 deaths/1,000 live births (2005 est.)
Life expectancy at birth:total population: 64.52 yearsmale: 62.3 yearsfemale: 66.86 years (2005 est.)
Total fertility rate:2.26 children born/woman (2005 est.)
HIV/AIDS - adult prevalence rate:less than 0.1% (2003 est.)
HIV/AIDS - people living with HIV/AIDS:less than 500 (2003 est)
HIV/AIDS - deaths:less than 200 (2003 est.)
Nationality:noun: Mongolian(s)adjective: Mongolian
Ethnic groups:Mongol (mostly Khalkha) 94.9%, Turkic (mostly Kazakh) 5%, other(including Chinese and Russian) 0.1% (2000)
Religions:Buddhist Lamaist 50%, none 40%, Shamanist and Christian 6%, Muslim4% (2004)
Languages:Khalkha Mongol 90%, Turkic, Russian (1999)
Literacy:definition: age 15 and over can read and writetotal population: 97.8%male: 98%female: 97.5% (2002)
Government Mongolia
Country name:conventional long form: noneconventional short form: Mongolialocal long form: nonelocal short form: Mongol Ulsformer: Outer Mongolia
Government type:mixed parliamentary/presidential
Capital:Ulaanbaatar
Administrative divisions:21 provinces (aymguud, singular - aymag) and 1 municipality*(singular - hot); Arhangay, Bayanhongor, Bayan-Olgiy, Bulgan, DarhanUul, Dornod, Dornogovi, Dundgovi, Dzavhan, Govi-Altay, Govi-Sumber,Hentiy, Hovd, Hovsgol, Omnogovi, Orhon, Ovorhangay, Selenge,Suhbaatar, Tov, Ulaanbaatar*, Uvs
Independence:11 July 1921 (from China)
National holiday:Independence Day/Revolution Day, 11 July (1921)
Constitution:12 February 1992
Legal system:blend of Soviet, German, and US systems that combine "continental"or "civil" code and case-precedent; constitution ambiguous onjudicial review of legislative acts; has not accepted compulsory ICJjurisdiction
Suffrage:18 years of age; universal
Executive branch:chief of state: President Nambaryn ENKHBAYAR (since 24 June 2005)head of government: Prime Minister Tsakhi ELBEGDORJ (since 20 August2004); Deputy Prime Minister Chultem ULAAN (since 28 September 2004)cabinet: Cabinet appointed by the State Great Hural (parliament) inconsultation with the presidentelections: presidential candidates nominated by political partiesrepresented in State Great Hural and elected by popular vote for afour-year term; presidential tenure limited to two four-year terms;election last held 22 May 2005 (next to be held in May 2009);following legislative elections, leader of majority party ormajority coalition is usually elected prime minister by State GreatHuralelection results: Nambaryn ENKHBAYAR elected president; percent ofvote - Nambaryn ENKHBAYAR (MPRP) 53.44%, Mendsaikhanin ENKHSAIKHAN(DP) 20.05%, Bazarsadyn JARGALSAIKHAN (MRP) 13.92%, BadarchynERDENEBAT (M-MNSDP) 12.59%; Tsakhi ELBEGDORJ elected prime ministerby the State Great Hural 74 to 0
Legislative branch:unicameral State Great Hural 76 seats; members elected by popularvote to serve four-year termselections: last held 27 June 2004 (next to be held in June 2008)election results: percent of vote by party - MPRP 48.78%, MDC 44.8%,independents 3.5%, Republican Party 1.5%, others 1.42%; seats byparty - MPRP 36, MDC 34, others 4; note - following June 2004election, two seats in dispute and unoccupied
Judicial branch:Supreme Court (serves as appeals court for people's and provincialcourts but rarely overturns verdicts of lower courts; judges arenominated by the General Council of Courts and approved by thepresident)
Political parties and leaders:Citizens' Will Republican Party or CWRP (also called Civil CourageRepublican Party or CCRP) [Sanjaasurengiin OYUN]; Democratic Partyor DP [R. GONCHIKDORJ]; Motherland-Mongolian New SocialistDemocratic Party or M-MNSDP [Badarchyn ERDENEBAT]; MongolianPeople's Revolutionary Party or MPRP [Nambaryn ENKHBAYAR]; MongolianRepublican Party or MRP [Bazarsadyn JARGALSAIKHAN]note: DP and M-MNSDP formed Motherland-Democracy Coalition (MDC) in2003 and with CWRP contested June 2004 elections as single party;MDC's leadership dissolved coalition in December 2004
Political pressure groups and leaders:NA
International organization participation:ARF, AsDB, CP, EBRD, FAO, G-77, IAEA, IBRD, ICAO, ICC, ICCt, ICFTU,ICRM, IDA, IFAD, IFC, IFRCS, ILO, IMF, IMO, Interpol, IOC, ISO, ITU,MIGA, MINURSO, MONUC, NAM, OPCW, OSCE (partner), SCO (observer), UN,UNCTAD, UNESCO, UNIDO, UPU, WCO, WHO, WIPO, WMO, WToO, WTO
Diplomatic representation in the US:chief of mission: Ambassador Ravdangiyn BOLDchancery: 2833 M Street NW, Washington, DC 20007telephone: [1] (202) 333-7117FAX: [1] (202) 298-9227consulate(s) general: New York
Diplomatic representation from the US:chief of mission: Ambassador Pamela J. SLUTZembassy: Micro Region 11, Big Ring Road, C.P.O. 1021, Ulaanbaatar 13mailing address: PSC 461, Box 300, FPO AP 96521-0002telephone: [976] (11) 329095FAX: [976] (11) 320776
Flag description:three equal, vertical bands of red (hoist side), blue, and red;centered on the hoist-side red band in yellow is the national emblem("soyombo" - a columnar arrangement of abstract and geometricrepresentation for fire, sun, moon, earth, water, and the yin-yangsymbol)
Economy Mongolia
Economy - overview:Economic activity in Mongolia has traditionally been based onherding and agriculture. Mongolia has extensive mineral deposits;copper, coal, molybdenum, tin, tungsten and gold account for a largepart of industrial production. Soviet assistance, at its heightone-third of GDP, disappeared almost overnight in 1990 and 1991 atthe time of the dismantlement of the USSR. The following decade sawMongolia endure both deep recession due to political inaction andnatural disasters, as well as economic growth due to reformembracing free-market economics and extensive privatization of theformerly state-run economy. Severe winters and summer droughts in2000, 2001, and 2002 resulted in massive livestock die-off and zeroor negative GDP growth. This was compounded by falling prices forMongolia's primary sector exports and widespread opposition toprivatization. Growth improved from 2002 at 4% to 2003 at 5%, duelargely to high copper prices and new gold production, with thegovernment claiming a 10.6% growth rate for 2004 that isunconfirmed. Mongolia's economy continues to be heavily impacted byits neighbors. For example, Mongolia purchases 80% of its petroleumproducts and a substantial amount of electric power from Russia,leaving it vulnerable to price increases. China is Mongolia's chiefexport partner and a main source of the "shadow" or "grey" economy.The World Bank and other international financial institutionsestimate the grey economy to be at least equal to that of theofficial economy. The actual size of this grey - largely cash -economy is difficult to calculate since the money does not passthrough the hands of tax authorities or the banking sector.Remittances from Mongolians working abroad both legally andillegally constitute a sizeable portion. Money laundering is growingas an accompanying concern. Mongolia settled its $11 billion debtwith Russia at the end of 2003 on very favorable terms. Mongolia,which joined the World Trade Organization in 1997, seeks to expandits participation and integration into Asian regional economic andtrade regimes.
GDP (purchasing power parity):$5.332 billion (2004 est.)
GDP - real growth rate:10.6% according to official estimate (2004 est.)
GDP - per capita:purchasing power parity - $1,900 (2004 est.)
GDP - composition by sector: agriculture: 20.6% industry: 21.4% services: 58% (2003 est.)
Labor force: 1.488 million (2003)
Labor force - by occupation: herding/agriculture 42%, mining 4%, manufacturing 6%, trade 14%, services 29%, public sector 5%, other 3.7% (2003)
Unemployment rate:6.7% (2003)
Population below poverty line:36.1% (2004 est.)
Household income or consumption by percentage share: lowest 10%: 2.1% highest 10%: 37% (1995)
Distribution of family income - Gini index:44 (1998)
Inflation rate (consumer prices):11% (2004 est.)
Budget:revenues: $582 millionexpenditures: $602 million, including capital expenditures of NA(2004 est.)
Agriculture - products:wheat, barley, vegetables, forage crops, sheep, goats, cattle,camels, horses
Industries:construction and construction materials; mining (coal, copper,molybdenum, fluorspar, and gold); oil; food and beverages;processing of animal products, cashmere and natural fibermanufacturing
Industrial production growth rate:4.1% (2002 est.)
Electricity - production:2.692 billion kWh (2004 est.)
Electricity - production by source: fossil fuel: 100% hydro: 0% nuclear: 0% other: 0% (2001)
Electricity - consumption:2.209 billion kWh (2004 est.)
Electricity - exports:8.2 million kWh (2004 est.)
Electricity - imports:130.5 million kWh (2004 est.)
Oil - production:542 bbl/day (2004 est.)
Oil - consumption:11,000 bbl/day (2004 est.)
Oil - exports:497 bbl/day (2004 est.)
Oil - imports:11,000 bbl/day (2004 est.)
Exports:$853 million f.o.b. (2004 est.)
Exports - commodities:copper, apparel, livestock, animal products, cashmere, wool, hides,fluorspar, other nonferrous metals
Exports - partners:China 47.8%, US 17.9%, UK 15.7% (2004)
Imports:$1 billion c.i.f. (2004 est.)
Imports - commodities:machinery and equipment, fuel, cars, food products, industrialconsumer goods, chemicals, building materials, sugar, tea
Imports - partners:Russia 33.3%, China 23.6%, Japan 7.4%, South Korea 6%, US 4.6%(2004)
Debt - external:$1.191 billion (2004 est.)
Economic aid - recipient:$215 million (2003)
Currency (code):togrog/tugrik (MNT)
Currency code:MNT
Exchange rates:togrogs/tugriks per US dollar - 1,185.3 (2004), 1,146.5 (2003),1,110.3 (2002), 1,097.7 (2001), 1,076.7 (2000)
Fiscal year:calendar year
Communications Mongolia
Telephones - main lines in use:142,300 (2004)
Telephones - mobile cellular:404,400 (2004)
Telephone system:general assessment: network is improving with international directdialing available in many areasdomestic: very low density of about 6.5 telephones for each thousandpersons; two wireless providers cover all but two provincesinternational: country code - 976; satellite earth station - 1Intersputnik (Indian Ocean Region)
Radio broadcast stations:AM 7, FM 62, shortwave 3 (2004)
Radios:155,900 (1999)
Television broadcast stations: 52 (plus 21 provincial repeaters and many low power repeaters) (2004)
Televisions:168,800 (1999)
Internet country code:.mn
Internet hosts:1,000 (2004)
Internet Service Providers (ISPs):5 (2001)
Internet users:220,000 (2004)
Transportation Mongolia
Railways: total: 1,810 km broad gauge: 1,810 km 1.524-m gauge (2004)
Highways: total: 49,256 km paved: 8,874 km unpaved: 40,376 km (2002)
Waterways:580 kmnote: only waterway in operation is Lake Khovsgol (135 km); SelengeRiver (270 km) and Orkhon River (175 km) are navigable but carrylittle traffic; lakes and rivers freeze in winter, are open from Mayto September (2004)
Merchant marine:total: 65 ships (1,000 GRT or over) 339,423 GRT/533,853 DWTby type: bulk carrier 6, cargo 54, liquefied gas 2, passenger/cargo1, refrigerated cargo 1, roll on/roll off 1foreign-owned: 38 (China 2, Lebanon 1, Philippines 1, Russia 10,Singapore 10, South Korea 1, Syria 1, Thailand 1, Ukraine 1, UAE 4,Vietnam 6) (2005)
Airports:46 (2004 est.)
Airports - with paved runways: total: 15 over 3,047 m: 1 2,438 to 3,047 m: 11 1,524 to 2,437 m: 3 (2004 est.)
Airports - with unpaved runways: total: 31 over 3,047 m: 1 2,438 to 3,047 m: 5 1,524 to 2,437 m: 18 914 to 1,523 m: 4 under 914 m: 3 (2004 est.)
Heliports: 2 (2004 est.)
Military Mongolia
Military branches:Mongolian Armed Forces: Mongolian People's Army (MPA), MongolianPeople's Air Force (MPAF) (2005)
Military service age and obligation:18-25 years of age for compulsory military service; conscriptservice obligation - 12 months (2004)
Manpower available for military service:males age 18-49: 736,182 (2005 est.)
Manpower fit for military service:males age 18-49: 570,435 (2005 est.)
Manpower reaching military service age annually:males: 34,674 (2005 est.)
Military expenditures - dollar figure:$23.1 million (FY02)
Military expenditures - percent of GDP:2.2% (FY02)
Transnational Issues Mongolia
Disputes - international: none
This page was last updated on 20 October, 2005
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@Montserrat
Introduction Montserrat
Background:Much of this island was devastated and two-thirds of the populationfled abroad because of the eruption of the Soufriere Hills Volcanothat began on 18 July 1995. Montserrat has endured volcanic activitysince, with the last eruption occurring in July 2003.
Geography Montserrat
Location:Caribbean, island in the Caribbean Sea, southeast of Puerto Rico
Geographic coordinates:16 45 N, 62 12 W
Map references:Central America and the Caribbean
Area:total: 102 sq kmland: 102 sq kmwater: 0 sq km
Area - comparative:about 0.6 times the size of Washington, DC
Land boundaries:0 km
Coastline:40 km
Maritime claims: territorial sea: 3 nm exclusive fishing zone: 200 nm
Climate:tropical; little daily or seasonal temperature variation
Terrain:volcanic island, mostly mountainous, with small coastal lowland
Elevation extremes:lowest point: Caribbean Sea 0 mhighest point: Chances Peak (in the Soufriere Hills volcaniccomplex) 914 m
Natural resources:NEGL
Land use:arable land: 20%permanent crops: 0%other: 80% (2001)
Irrigated land:NA sq km
Natural hazards:severe hurricanes (June to November); volcanic eruptions (SoufriereHills volcano has erupted continuously since 1995)
Environment - current issues:land erosion occurs on slopes that have been cleared for cultivation
Geography - note:the island is entirely volcanic in origin and contains seven activevolcanoes
People Montserrat
Population:9,341note: an estimated 8,000 refugees left the island following theresumption of volcanic activity in July 1995; some have returned(July 2005 est.)
Age structure:0-14 years: 23.3% (male 1,109/female 1,072)15-64 years: 65.6% (male 2,923/female 3,201)65 years and over: 11.1% (male 536/female 500) (2005 est.)
Median age:total: 28.56 yearsmale: 28.29 yearsfemale: 28.79 years (2005 est.)
Population growth rate:1.04% (2005 est.)
Birth rate:17.56 births/1,000 population (2005 est.)
Death rate:7.17 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: 1.04 male(s)/female15-64 years: 0.91 male(s)/female65 years and over: 1.07 male(s)/femaletotal population: 0.96 male(s)/female (2005 est.)
Infant mortality rate:total: 7.35 deaths/1,000 live birthsmale: 8.55 deaths/1,000 live birthsfemale: 6.1 deaths/1,000 live births (2005 est.)
Life expectancy at birth:total population: 78.71 yearsmale: 76.54 yearsfemale: 80.98 years (2005 est.)
Total fertility rate:1.78 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: Montserratian(s) adjective: Montserratian
Ethnic groups:black, white
Religions:Anglican, Methodist, Roman Catholic, Pentecostal, Seventh-DayAdventist, other Christian denominations
Languages:English
Literacy:definition: age 15 and over has ever attended schooltotal population: 97%male: 97%female: 97% (1970 est.)
Government Montserrat
Country name: conventional long form: none conventional short form: Montserrat
Dependency status:overseas territory of the UK
Government type:NA
Capital:Plymouth (abandoned in 1997 due to volcanic activity; interimgovernment buildings have been built at Brades Estate, in the Carr'sBay/Little Bay vicinity at the northwest end of Montserrat)
Administrative divisions:3 parishes; Saint Anthony, Saint Georges, Saint Peter
Independence:none (overseas territory of the UK)
National holiday:Birthday of Queen ELIZABETH II, second Saturday in June (1926)
Constitution:effective 19 December 1989
Legal system:English common law and statutory law
Suffrage:18 years of age; universal
Executive branch:chief of state: Queen ELIZABETH II (since 6 February 1952),represented by Governor Deborah BARNES-JONES (since 10 May 2004)head of government: Chief Minister John OSBORNE (since 5 April 2001)cabinet: Executive Council consists of the governor, the chiefminister, three other ministers, the attorney general, and thefinance secretaryelections: the monarch is hereditary; governor appointed by themonarch; following legislative elections, the leader of the majorityparty usually becomes chief minister
Legislative branch:unicameral Legislative Council (11 seats, 9 popularly elected;members serve five-year terms)note: expanded in 2001 from 7 to 9 elected members with attorneygeneral and financial secretary sitting as ex-officio memberselections: last held April 2001 (next to be held by November 2006)election results: percent of vote by party - NA%; seats by party -NPLM 7, NPP 2note: in 2001, the Elections Commission instituted a singleconstituency/voter-at-large system whereby all eligible voters castballots for all nine seats of the Legislative Council
Judicial branch:Eastern Caribbean Supreme Court (based in Saint Lucia, one judge ofthe Supreme Court is a resident of the islands and presides over theHigh Court)
Political parties and leaders:National Progressive Party or NPP [Reuben T. MEADE]; New People'sLiberation Movement or NPLM [John A. OSBORNE]
Political pressure groups and leaders:NA
International organization participation:Caricom, CDB, ICFTU, Interpol (subbureau), OECS, UPU
Diplomatic representation in the US:none (overseas territory of the UK)
Diplomatic representation from the US:none (overseas territory of the UK)
Flag description:blue, with the flag of the UK in the upper hoist-side quadrant andthe Montserratian coat of arms centered in the outer half of theflag; the coat of arms features a woman standing beside a yellowharp with her arm around a black cross
Economy Montserrat
Economy - overview:Severe volcanic activity, which began in July 1995, has put adamper on this small, open economy. A catastrophic eruption in June1997 closed the airports and seaports, causing further economic andsocial dislocation. Two-thirds of the 12,000 inhabitants fled theisland. Some began to return in 1998, but lack of housing limitedthe number. The agriculture sector continued to be affected by thelack of suitable land for farming and the destruction of crops.Prospects for the economy depend largely on developments in relationto the volcano and on public sector construction activity. The UKhas launched a three-year $122.8 million aid program to helpreconstruct the economy. Half of the island is expected to remainuninhabitable for another decade.
GDP (purchasing power parity):$29 million (2002 est.)
GDP - real growth rate:-1% (2002 est.)
GDP - per capita:purchasing power parity - $3,400 (2002 est.)
GDP - composition by sector:agriculture: 5.4%industry: 13.6%services: 81% (1996 est.)
Labor force:4,521 (lowered by flight of people from volcanic activity) (2000est.)
Labor force - by occupation:agriculture NA%, industry NA%, services NA%
Unemployment rate:6% (1998 est.)
Population below poverty line:NA
Household income or consumption by percentage share:lowest 10%: NAhighest 10%: NA
Inflation rate (consumer prices):2.6% (2002 est.)
Budget:revenues: $31.4 millionexpenditures: $31.6 million, including capital expenditures of $8.4million (1997 est.)
Agriculture - products: cabbages, carrots, cucumbers, tomatoes, onions, peppers, livestock products
Industries:tourism, rum, textiles, electronic appliances
Industrial production growth rate:NA%
Electricity - production:1.8 million kWh (2002)
Electricity - production by source: fossil fuel: 100% hydro: 0% nuclear: 0% other: 0% (2001)
Electricity - consumption:1.674 million kWh (2002)
Electricity - exports:0 kWh (2002)
Electricity - imports:0 kWh (2002)
Oil - production:0 bbl/day (2001 est.)
Oil - consumption:400 bbl/day (2001 est.)
Oil - exports:NA
Oil - imports:NA
Exports:$700,000 (2001)
Exports - commodities:electronic components, plastic bags, apparel, hot peppers, liveplants, cattle
Exports - partners:US, Antigua and Barbuda
Imports:$17 million (2001)
Imports - commodities:machinery and transportation equipment, foodstuffs, manufacturedgoods, fuels, lubricants, and related materials
Imports - partners:US, UK, Trinidad and Tobago, Japan, Canada
Debt - external:$8.9 million (1997)
Economic aid - recipient:Country Policy Plan (2001) is a three-year program for spending$122.8 million in British budgetary assistance (2002 est.)
Currency (code):East Caribbean dollar (XCD)
Currency code:XCD
Exchange rates:East Caribbean dollars per US dollar - 2.7 (2004), 2.7 (2003), 2.7(2002), 2.7 (2001), 2.7 (2000)note: fixed rate since 1976
Fiscal year:1 April - 31 March
Communications Montserrat
Telephones - main lines in use:NA
Telephones - mobile cellular:70 (1994)
Telephone system:general assessment: modern and fully digitalizeddomestic: NAinternational: country code - 1-664
Radio broadcast stations:AM 1, FM 2, shortwave 0 (1998)
Radios:7,000 (1997)
Television broadcast stations:1 (1997)
Televisions:3,000 (1997)
Internet country code:.ms
Internet Service Providers (ISPs):17 (2000)
Internet users:NA
Transportation Montserrat
Highways:total: 227 kmpaved: NA kmunpaved: NA kmnote: volcanic eruptions beginning in 1995 destroyed most of theroad system (2003)
Ports and harbors:Plymouth
Airports:1 (2004 est.)
Airports - with paved runways: total: 1 under 914 m: 1 (2004 est.)
Military Montserrat
Military branches:no regular military forces; Royal Montserrat Police Force (2005)
Military - note:defense is the responsibility of the UK
Transnational Issues Montserrat
Disputes - international:none
Illicit drugs:transshipment point for South American narcotics destined for theUS and Europe
This page was last updated on 20 October, 2005
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@Morocco
Introduction Morocco
Background:In 788, about a century after the Arab conquest of North Africa,successive Moorish dynasties began to rule in Morocco. In the 16thcentury, the Sa'adi monarchy, particularly under Ahmad AL-MANSUR(1578-1603), repelled foreign invaders and inaugurated a golden age.In 1860, Spain occupied northern Morocco and ushered in a halfcentury of trade rivalry among European powers that saw Morocco'ssovereignty steadily eroded; in 1912, the French imposed aprotectorate over the country. A protracted independence strugglewith France ended successfully in 1956. The internationalized cityof Tangier and most Spanish possessions were turned over to the newcountry that same year. Morocco virtually annexed Western Saharaduring the late 1970s, but final resolution on the status of theterritory remains unresolved. Gradual political reforms in the 1990sresulted in the establishment of a bicameral legislature in 1997.Parliamentary elections were held for the second time in September2002 and municipal elections were held in September 2003.
Geography Morocco
Location:Northern Africa, bordering the North Atlantic Ocean and theMediterranean Sea, between Algeria and Western Sahara
Geographic coordinates:32 00 N, 5 00 W
Map references:Africa
Area:total: 446,550 sq kmland: 446,300 sq kmwater: 250 sq km
Area - comparative:slightly larger than California
Land boundaries:total: 2,017.9 kmborder countries: Algeria 1,559 km, Western Sahara 443 km, Spain(Ceuta) 6.3 km, Spain (Melilla) 9.6 km
Coastline:1,835 km
Maritime claims: territorial sea: 12 nm contiguous zone: 24 nm exclusive economic zone: 200 nm continental shelf: 200-m depth or to the depth of exploitation
Climate:Mediterranean, becoming more extreme in the interior
Terrain:northern coast and interior are mountainous with large areas ofbordering plateaus, intermontane valleys, and rich coastal plains
Elevation extremes:lowest point: Sebkha Tah -55 mhighest point: Jebel Toubkal 4,165 m
Natural resources:phosphates, iron ore, manganese, lead, zinc, fish, salt
Land use: arable land: 19.61% permanent crops: 2.17% other: 78.22% (2001)
Irrigated land:12,910 sq km (1998 est.)
Natural hazards:northern mountains geologically unstable and subject toearthquakes; periodic droughts
Environment - current issues: land degradation/desertification (soil erosion resulting from farming of marginal areas, overgrazing, destruction of vegetation); water supplies contaminated by raw sewage; siltation of reservoirs; oil pollution of coastal waters
Environment - international agreements:party to: Biodiversity, Climate Change, Climate Change-KyotoProtocol, Desertification, Endangered Species, Hazardous Wastes,Marine Dumping, Ozone Layer Protection, Ship Pollution, Wetlands,Whalingsigned, but not ratified: Environmental Modification, Law of the Sea
Geography - note:strategic location along Strait of Gibraltar
People Morocco
Population:32,725,847 (July 2005 est.)
Age structure:0-14 years: 32.1% (male 5,349,247/female 5,150,497)15-64 years: 63% (male 10,259,808/female 10,346,608)65 years and over: 4.9% (male 708,921/female 910,766) (2005 est.)
Median age:total: 23.61 yearsmale: 23.11 yearsfemale: 24.13 years (2005 est.)
Population growth rate:1.57% (2005 est.)
Birth rate:22.29 births/1,000 population (2005 est.)
Death rate:5.64 deaths/1,000 population (2005 est.)
Net migration rate:-0.92 migrant(s)/1,000 population (2005 est.)
Sex ratio:at birth: 1.05 male(s)/femaleunder 15 years: 1.04 male(s)/female15-64 years: 0.99 male(s)/female65 years and over: 0.78 male(s)/femaletotal population: 1 male(s)/female (2005 est.)
Infant mortality rate:total: 41.62 deaths/1,000 live birthsmale: 45.42 deaths/1,000 live birthsfemale: 37.63 deaths/1,000 live births (2005 est.)
Life expectancy at birth:total population: 70.66 yearsmale: 68.35 yearsfemale: 73.07 years (2005 est.)
Total fertility rate:2.73 children born/woman (2005 est.)
HIV/AIDS - adult prevalence rate:0.1% (2001 est.)
HIV/AIDS - people living with HIV/AIDS:15,000 (2001 est.)
HIV/AIDS - deaths:NA
Major infectious diseases: degree of risk: intermediate food or waterborne diseases: bacterial diarrhea, and hepatitis A vectorborne diseases: may be a significant risk in some locations during the transmission season (typically April through November) (2004)
Nationality: noun: Moroccan(s) adjective: Moroccan
Ethnic groups:Arab-Berber 99.1%, other 0.7%, Jewish 0.2%
Religions:Muslim 98.7%, Christian 1.1%, Jewish 0.2%
Languages:Arabic (official), Berber dialects, French often the language ofbusiness, government, and diplomacy
Literacy:definition: age 15 and over can read and writetotal population: 51.7%male: 64.1%female: 39.4% (2003 est.)
Government Morocco
Country name:conventional long form: Kingdom of Moroccoconventional short form: Moroccolocal long form: Al Mamlakah al Maghribiyahlocal short form: Al Maghrib
Government type:constitutional monarchy
Capital:Rabat
Administrative divisions:14 regions: Grand Casablanca, Chaouia-Ouardigha, Doukkala-Abda,Fes-Boulemane, Gharb-Chrarda-Beni Hssen, Guelmim-Es Smara,Marrakech-Tensift-Al Haouz, Meknes-Tafilalet, Oriental,Rabat-Sale-Zemmour-Zaer, Souss-Massa-Draa, Tadla-Azilal,Tanger-Tetouan, Taza-Al Hoceima-Taounatenote: Morocco claims the territory of Western Sahara, the politicalstatus of which is considered undetermined by the United StatesGovernment; one additional region, Oued Eddahab-Lagouira, fallsentirely within Western Sahara; another region,Laayoune-Boujdour-Sahia El Hamra, falls mostly within WesternSahara; a small portion of this region, in the southwestern part ofthe country, falls within Moroccan-administered territory asrecognized by the United States; the province of Guelmim-Es Smaralies in both entities
Independence:2 March 1956 (from France)
National holiday:Throne Day (accession of King MOHAMED VI to the throne), 30 July(1999)
Constitution:10 March 1972; revised 4 September 1992, amended (to createbicameral legislature) September 1996
Legal system:based on Islamic law and French and Spanish civil law system;judicial review of legislative acts in Constitutional Chamber ofSupreme Court
Suffrage:18 years of age; universal (as of January 2003)
Executive branch:chief of state: King MOHAMED VI (since 30 July 1999)head of government: Prime Minister Driss JETTOU (since 9 October2002)cabinet: Council of Ministers appointed by the monarchelections: none; the monarch is hereditary; prime minister appointedby the monarch following legislative elections
Legislative branch:bicameral Parliament consists of an upper house or Chamber ofCounselors (270 seats; members elected indirectly by local councils,professional organizations, and labor syndicates for nine-yearterms; one-third of the members are renewed every three years) and alower house or Chamber of Representatives (325 seats; 295 bymulti-seat constituencies and 30 from national lists of women;members elected by popular vote for five-year terms)elections: Chamber of Counselors - last held 6 October 2003 (next tobe held NA 2006); Chamber of Representatives - last held 27September 2002 (next to be held NA 2007)election results: Chamber of Counselors - percent of vote by party -NA%; seats by party - RNI 42, MDS 33, UC 28, MP 27, PND 21, PI 21,USFP 16, MNP 15, PA 13, FFD 12, other 42; Chamber of Representatives- percent of vote by party - NA%; seats by party - USFP 50, PI 48,PJD 42, RNI 41, MP 27, MNP 18, UC 16, PND 12, PPS 11, UD 10, other 50
Judicial branch:Supreme Court (judges are appointed on the recommendation of theSupreme Council of the Judiciary, presided over by the monarch)
Political parties and leaders:Action Party or PA [Muhammad EL IDRISSI]; Alliance of Liberties orADL [Ali BELHAJ]; Annahj Addimocrati or Annahj [Abdellah EL HARIF];Avant Garde Social Democratic Party or PADS [Ahmed BENJELLOUN];Citizen Forces or FC [Abderrahman LAHJOUJI]; Citizen's Initiativesfor Development [Mohamed BENHAMOU]; Constitutional Union or UC[Mohamed ABIED (interim)]; Democratic and Independence Party or PDI[Abdelwahed MAACH]; Democratic and Social Movement or MDS [MahmoudARCHANE]; Democratic Socialist Party or PSD [Aissa OUARDIGHI];Democratic Union or UD [Bouazza IKKEN]; Environment and DevelopmentParty or PED [Ahmed EL ALAMI]; Front of Democratic Forces or FFD[Thami EL KHYARI]; Istiqlal Party (Independence Party) or PI [AbbasEl FASSI]; Justice and Development Party or PJD [Saad EddineOTHMANI]; Moroccan Liberal Party or PML [Mohamed ZIANE]; NationalDemocratic Party or PND [Abdallah KADIRI]; National IttihadiCongress Party or CNI [Abdelmajid BOUZOUBAA]; National PopularMovement or MNP [Mahjoubi AHERDANE]; National Rally of Independentsor RNI [Ahmed OSMAN]; National Union of Popular Forces or UNFP[Abdellah IBRAHIM]; Parti Al Ahd or Al Ahd [Najib EL OUAZZANI,chairman]; Party of Progress and Socialism or PPS [Ismail ALAOUI];Party of Renewal and Equity or PRE [Chakir ACHABAR]; Party of theUnified Socialist Left or GSU [Mohamed Ben Said AIT IDDER]; PopularMovement or MP [Mohamed LAENSER]; Reform and Development Party orPRD [Abderrahmane EL KOUHEN]; Social Center Party or PSC [LahcenMADIH]; Socialist Union of Popular Forces or USFP [MohammedEl-YAZGHI]
Political pressure groups and leaders:Democratic Confederation of Labor or CDT [Noubir AMAOUI]; GeneralUnion of Moroccan Workers or UGTM [Abderrazzak AFILAL]; MoroccanEmployers Association or CGEM [Hassan CHAMI]; National Labor Unionof Morocco or UNMT [Abdelslam MAATI]; Union of Moroccan Workers orUMT [Mahjoub BENSEDDIK]
International organization participation:ABEDA, ACCT, AfDB, AFESD, AMF, AMU, EBRD, FAO, G-77, IAEA, IBRD,ICAO, ICC, ICCt (signatory), ICFTU, ICRM, IDA, IDB, IFAD, IFC,IFRCS, IHO, ILO, IMF, IMO, Interpol, IOC, IOM, ISO, ITU, LAS, MIGA,MINUSTAH, MONUC, NAM, OAS (observer), OIC, OPCW, OSCE (partner),PCA, UN, UNCTAD, UNESCO, UNHCR, UNIDO, UNITAR, UNOCI, UPU, WCL, WCO,WHO, WIPO, WMO, WToO, WTO
Diplomatic representation in the US: chief of mission: Ambassador Aziz MEKOUAR chancery: 1601 21st Street NW, Washington, DC 20009 telephone: [1] (202) 462-7979 through 7982 FAX: [1] (202) 265-0161 consulate(s) general: New York
Diplomatic representation from the US: chief of mission: Ambassador Thomas T. RILEY embassy: 2 Avenue de Mohamed El Fassi, Rabat mailing address: PSC 74, Box 021, APO AE 09718 telephone: [212] (37) 76 22 65 FAX: [212] (37) 76 56 61 consulate(s) general: Casablanca
Flag description:red with a green pentacle (five-pointed, linear star) known asSulayman's (Solomon's) seal in the center of the flag; red and greenare traditional colors in Arab flags, although the use of red ismore commonly associated with the Arab states of the Persian gulf;design dates to 1912
Economy Morocco
Economy - overview:Morocco faces problems typical for developing countries:restraining government spending, reducing constraints on privateactivity and foreign trade, and achieving sustainable growth.Despite structural adjustment programs supported by the IMF, theWorld Bank, and the Paris Club, the dirham is only fully convertiblefor current account transactions. In 2004 Moroccan authoritiesinstituted measures to boost foreign direct investment and trade bysigning a free trade agreement with the US and selling governmentshares in the state telecommunications company and in the largeststate-owned bank. Favorable rainfall over the past two years hasboosted agricultural output and GDP growth passed 4% in 2004. In2005 the budget deficit is expected to rise sharply - from 1.9% ofGDP in 2004 - because of substantial increases in wages and oilsubsidies. Long-term challenges include preparing the economy forfreer trade with the US and European Union, improving education andjob prospects for Morocco's youth, and raising living standards.
GDP (purchasing power parity):$134.6 billion (2004 est.)
GDP - real growth rate:4.4% (2004 est.)
GDP - per capita:purchasing power parity - $4,200 (2004 est.)
GDP - composition by sector: agriculture: 21.2% industry: 35.8% services: 43% (2004 est.)
Labor force:11.02 million (2004 est.)
Labor force - by occupation:agriculture 40%, industry 15%, services 45% (2003 est.)
Unemployment rate:12.1% (2004 est.)
Population below poverty line:19% (1999 est.)
Household income or consumption by percentage share: lowest 10%: 2.6% highest 10%: 30.9% (1998-99)
Distribution of family income - Gini index:39.5 (1998-99)
Inflation rate (consumer prices):2.1% (2004 est.)
Investment (gross fixed):22.4% of GDP (2004 est.)
Budget:revenues: $12.86 billionexpenditures: $15.4 billion, including capital expenditures of $2.19billion (2004 est.)
Public debt:70.2% of GDP (2004 est.)
Agriculture - products:barley, wheat, citrus, wine, vegetables, olives; livestock
Industries:phosphate rock mining and processing, food processing, leathergoods, textiles, construction, tourism
Industrial production growth rate:NA
Electricity - production:13.91 billion kWh (2002)
Electricity - production by source: fossil fuel: 95.4% hydro: 4.6% nuclear: 0% other: 0% (2001)
Electricity - consumption:14.24 billion kWh (2002)
Electricity - exports:0 kWh (2002)
Electricity - imports:1.3 billion kWh (2002)
Oil - production:1,000 bbl/day (2004 est.)
Oil - consumption:167,000 bbl/day (2001 est.)
Oil - exports:NA
Oil - imports:NA
Oil - proved reserves:300 million bbl (2004 est.)
Natural gas - production:50 million cu m (2001 est.)
Natural gas - consumption:50 million cu m (2001 est.)
Natural gas - exports:0 cu m (2001 est.)
Natural gas - imports:0 cu m (2001 est.)
Natural gas - proved reserves:665.4 million cu m (2004)
Current account balance:$765.4 million (2004 est.)
Exports:$9.754 billion f.o.b. (2004 est.)
Exports - commodities:clothing, fish, inorganic chemicals, transistors, crude minerals,fertilizers (including phosphates), petroleum products, fruits,vegetables
Exports - partners:France 33.6%, Spain 17.4%, UK 7.7%, Italy 4.7%, US 4.1% (2004)
Imports:$15.63 billion f.o.b. (2004 est.)
Imports - commodities:crude petroleum, textile fabric, telecommunications equipment,wheat, gas and electricity, transistors, plastics
Imports - partners:France 18.2%, Spain 12.1%, Italy 6.6%, Germany 6%, Russia 5.7%,Saudi Arabia 5.4%, China 4.2%, US 4.1% (2004)
Reserves of foreign exchange and gold:$15.14 billion (2004 est.)
Debt - external:$17.07 billion (2004 est.)
Economic aid - recipient:ODA $218 million (2002)
Currency (code):Moroccan dirham (MAD)
Currency code:MAD
Exchange rates:Moroccan dirhams per US dollar - 8.868 (2004), 9.574 (2003), 11.021(2002), 11.303 (2001), 10.626 (2000)
Fiscal year:calendar year
Communications Morocco
Telephones - main lines in use:1,219,200 (2003)
Telephones - mobile cellular:7,332,800 (2003)
Telephone system:general assessment: modern system with all important capabilities;however, density is low with only 4.6 main lines available for each100 personsdomestic: good system composed of open-wire lines, cables, andmicrowave radio relay links; Internet available but expensive;principal switching centers are Casablanca and Rabat; nationalnetwork nearly 100% digital using fiber-optic links; improved ruralservice employs microwave radio relayinternational: country code - 212; 7 submarine cables; satelliteearth stations - 2 Intelsat (Atlantic Ocean) and 1 Arabsat;microwave radio relay to Gibraltar, Spain, and Western Sahara;coaxial cable and microwave radio relay to Algeria; participant inMedarabtel; fiber-optic cable link from Agadir to Algeria andTunisia (1998)
Radio broadcast stations:AM 27, FM 25, shortwave 6 (1998)
Radios:6.64 million (1997)
Television broadcast stations:35 (plus 66 repeaters) (1995)
Televisions:3.1 million (1997)
Internet country code:.ma
Internet hosts:3,627 (2004)
Internet Service Providers (ISPs):8 (2000)
Internet users:800,000 (2003)
Transportation Morocco
Railways: total: 1,907 km standard gauge: 1,907 km 1.435-m gauge (1,003 km electrified) (2004)
Highways:total: 57,694 kmpaved: 32,551 km (including 481 km of expressways)unpaved: 25,143 km (2002)
Pipelines:gas 695 km; oil 285 km (2004)
Ports and harbors:Agadir, Casablanca, Mohammedia, Nador, Safi, Tangier
Merchant marine:total: 41 ships (1,000 GRT or over) 236,131 GRT/252,367 DWTby type: cargo 6, chemical tanker 6, container 8, passenger/cargo13, petroleum tanker 1, refrigerated cargo 2, roll on/roll off 5foreign-owned: 6 (France 1, Germany 2, Switzerland 2, United Kingdom1) (2005)
Airports:63 (2004 est.)
Airports - with paved runways: total: 25 over 3,047 m: 11 2,438 to 3,047 m: 4 1,524 to 2,437 m: 8 914 to 1,523 m: 1 under 914 m: 1 (2004 est.)
Airports - with unpaved runways: total: 38 2,438 to 3,047 m: 2 1,524 to 2,437 m: 10 914 to 1,523 m: 15 under 914 m: 11 (2004 est.)
Heliports: 1 (2004 est.)
Military Morocco
Military branches:Royal Armed Forces: Army, Navy, Air Force (Force Aerienne RoyaleMarocaine)
Military service age and obligation:18 years of age for compulsory and voluntary military service;conscript service obligation - 18 months (2004)
Manpower available for military service:males age 18-49: 7,908,864 (2005 est.)
Manpower fit for military service:males age 18-49: 6,484,787 (2005 est.)
Manpower reaching military service age annually:males: 353,377 (2005 est.)
Military expenditures - dollar figure:$2,305.6 million (2003)
Military expenditures - percent of GDP:5% (2004)
Transnational Issues Morocco
Disputes - international:claims and administers Western Sahara whose sovereignty remainsunresolved - UN-administered cease-fire has remained in effect sinceSeptember 1991, but attempts to hold a referendum have failed andparties thus far have rejected all brokered proposals; Moroccoprotests Spain's control over the coastal enclaves of Ceuta,Melilla, and Penon de Velez de la Gomera, the islands of Penon deAlhucemas and Islas Chafarinas, and surrounding waters; discussionshave not progressed on a comprehensive maritime delimitation settinglimits on exploration and refugee interdiction since Morocco's 2002rejection of Spain's unilateral designation of a median line fromthe Canary Islands; Morocco serves as one of the primary launchingareas of illegal migration into Spain from North Africa
Illicit drugs:illicit producer of hashish; shipments of hashish mostly directedto Western Europe; transit point for cocaine from South Americadestined for Western Europe
This page was last updated on 20 October, 2005