Imports - commodities:metalworking machines, steel mill products, agricultural machinery,electrical equipment, car parts for assembly, repair parts for motorvehicles, aircraft, and aircraft parts
Imports - partners:US 53.4%, China 8%, Japan 5.9% (2005)
Reserves of foreign exchange and gold:$74.1 billion (2005 est.)
Debt - external:$137.2 billion (2005 est.)
Economic aid - recipient:$1.166 billion (1995)
Currency (code):Mexican peso (MXN)
Currency code:MXN
Exchange rates:Mexican pesos per US dollar - 10.898 (2005), 11.286 (2004), 10.789(2003), 9.656 (2002), 9.342 (2001)
Fiscal year:calendar year
Communications Mexico
Telephones - main lines in use:19.512 million (2005)
Telephones - mobile cellular:47.462 million (2005)
Telephone system:general assessment: low telephone density with about 18 main linesper 100 persons; privatized in December 1990; the opening tocompetition in January 1997 improved prospects for development, butTelmex remains dominantdomestic: adequate telephone service for business and government,but the population is poorly served; mobile subscribers faroutnumber fixed-line subscribers; domestic satellite system with 120earth stations; extensive microwave radio relay network;considerable use of fiber-optic cable and coaxial cableinternational: country code - 52; satellite earth stations - 32Intelsat, 2 Solidaridad (giving Mexico improved access to SouthAmerica, Central America, and much of the US as well as enhancingdomestic communications), 1 Panamsat, numerous Inmarsat mobile earthstations; linked to Central American Microwave System of trunkconnections; high capacity Columbus-2 fiber-optic submarine cablewith access to the US, Virgin Islands, Canary Islands, Morocco,Spain, and Italy (2005)
Radio broadcast stations:AM 850, FM 545, shortwave 15 (2003)
Radios:31 million (1997)
Television broadcast stations:236 (plus repeaters) (1997)
Televisions:25.6 million (1997)
Internet country code:.mx
Internet hosts:3,426,680 (2006)
Internet Service Providers (ISPs):51 (2000)
Internet users:18,622,500 (2005)
Transportation Mexico
Airports: 1,839 (2006)
Airports - with paved runways:total: 228over 3,047 m: 122,438 to 3,047 m: 281,524 to 2,437 m: 82914 to 1,523 m: 77under 914 m: 29 (2006)
Airports - with unpaved runways:total: 1,611over 3,047 m: 12,438 to 3,047 m: 11,524 to 2,437 m: 68914 to 1,523 m: 460under 914 m: 1,081 (2006)
Heliports:1 (2006)
Pipelines:gas 22,705 km; liquid petroleum gas 1,875 km; oil 8,688 km;oil/gas/water 228 km; refined products 6,520 km (2006)
Railways:total: 17,562 kmstandard gauge: 17,562 km 1.435-m gauge (2005)
Roadways:total: 349,038 kmpaved: 116,928 km (including 6,979 km of expressways)unpaved: 232,110 km (2003)
Waterways:2,900 km (navigable rivers and coastal canals) (2005)
Merchant marine:total: 56 ships (1000 GRT or over) 751,607 GRT/1,129,234 DWTby type: bulk carrier 2, cargo 6, chemical tanker 6, liquefied gas4, passenger/cargo 9, petroleum tanker 25, roll on/roll off 4foreign-owned: 5 (Denmark 2, France 1, Norway 1, UAE 1)registered in other countries: 15 (Belize 1, Honduras 1, Liberia 1,Panama 5, Portugal 1, Spain 3, Venezuela 3) (2006)
Ports and terminals:Altamira, Manzanillo, Morro Redondo, Salina Cruz, Tampico,Topolobampo, Veracruz
Military Mexico
Military branches:Secretariat of National Defense (Secretaria de Defensa Nacional,Sedena): Army (Ejercito), Mexican Air Force (Fuerza Aerea Mexicana,FAM); Secretariat of the Navy (Secretaria de Marina, Semar): MexicanNavy (Armada de Mexico, ARM, includes Naval Air Force (FAN) andMarines) (2006)
Military service age and obligation: 18 years of age for compulsory military service, conscript service obligation - 12 months; 16 years of age with consent for voluntary enlistment (2004)
Manpower available for military service:males age 18-49: 24,488,008females age 18-49: 26,128,046 (2005 est.)
Manpower fit for military service:males age 18-49: 19,058,337females age 18-49: 21,966,796 (2005 est.)
Manpower reaching military service age annually:males age 18-49: 1,063,233females age 18-49: 1,043,816 (2005 est.)
Military expenditures - dollar figure:$6.07 billion (2005 est.)
Military expenditures - percent of GDP:0.8% (2005 est.)
Transnational Issues Mexico
Disputes - international:prolonged drought, population growth, and outmoded practices andinfrastructure in the border region have strained water-sharingarrangements with the US; the US has stepped up efforts to stemnationals from Mexico, Central America, and other parts of the worldfrom illegally crossing the border with Mexico
Refugees and internally displaced persons:IDPs: 12,000 (government's quashing of Zapatista uprising in 1994in eastern Chiapas Region) (2005)
Trafficking in persons:current situation: Mexico is a source, transit, and destinationcountry for persons trafficked for sexual exploitation and labor;while the vast majority of victims are Central Americans traffickedalong Mexico's southern border, other source regions include SouthAmerica, the Caribbean, Eastern Europe, Africa, and Asia; women andchildren are trafficked from rural regions to urban centers andtourist areas for sexual exploitation, often through fraudulentoffers of employment or through threats of physical violence; theMexican trafficking problem is often conflated with alien smuggling,and frequently the same criminal networks are involved; pervasivecorruption among state and local law enforcement often impedesinvestigationstier rating: Tier 2 Watch List - Mexico remains on the Tier 2 WatchList for the third consecutive year based on future commitments toundertake additional efforts in prosecution, protection, andprevention of trafficking in persons, and the failure of thegovernment to provide critical law enforcement data
Illicit drugs:major drug-producing nation; cultivation of opium poppy in 2004amounted to 3,500 hectares, but opium cultivation stayed within therange - between 3,500 and 5,500 hectares - observed in nine of thelast 12 years; potential production of 9 metric tons of pure heroin,or 23 metric tons of "black tar" heroin, the dominant form ofMexican heroin in the western United States; marijuana cultivationdecreased 23% to 5,800 hectares in 2004 after decade-highcultivation peak in 2003; potential production of 10,400 metric tonsof marijuana in 2004; government conducts the largest independentillicit-crop eradication program in the world; major supplier ofheroin and largest foreign supplier of marijuana and methamphetamineto the US market; continues as the primary transshipment country forUS-bound cocaine from South America, accounting for about 90% ofestimated annual cocaine movement to the US; major drug syndicatescontrol majority of drug trafficking throughout the country;producer and distributor of ecstasy; significant money-launderingcenter
This page was last updated on 19 December, 2006
======================================================================
@Micronesia, Federated States of
Introduction Micronesia, Federated States of
Background:In 1979 the Federated States of Micronesia, a UN Trust Territoryunder US administration, adopted a constitution. In 1986independence was attained under a Compact of Free Association withthe US, which was amended and renewed in 2004. Present concernsinclude large-scale unemployment, overfishing, and overdependence onUS aid.
Geography Micronesia, Federated States of
Location:Oceania, island group in the North Pacific Ocean, aboutthree-quarters of the way from Hawaii to Indonesia
Geographic coordinates:6 55 N, 158 15 E
Map references:Oceania
Area:total: 702 sq kmland: 702 sq kmwater: 0 sq km (fresh water only)note: includes Pohnpei (Ponape), Chuuk (Truk) Islands, Yap Islands,and Kosrae (Kosaie)
Area - comparative:four times the size of Washington, DC (land area only)
Land boundaries:0 km
Coastline:6,112 km
Maritime claims:territorial sea: 12 nmexclusive economic zone: 200 nm
Climate:tropical; heavy year-round rainfall, especially in the easternislands; located on southern edge of the typhoon belt withoccasionally severe damage
Terrain:islands vary geologically from high mountainous islands to low,coral atolls; volcanic outcroppings on Pohnpei, Kosrae, and Chuuk
Elevation extremes:lowest point: Pacific Ocean 0 mhighest point: Dolohmwar (Totolom) 791 m
Natural resources:forests, marine products, deep-seabed minerals, phosphate
Land use:arable land: 5.71%permanent crops: 45.71%other: 48.58% (2005)
Irrigated land:NA
Natural hazards:typhoons (June to December)
Environment - current issues:overfishing, climate change, pollution
Environment - international agreements:party to: Biodiversity, Climate Change, Climate Change-KyotoProtocol, Desertification, Hazardous Wastes, Law of the Sea, OzoneLayer Protectionsigned, but not ratified: none of the selected agreements
Geography - note:four major island groups totaling 607 islands
People Micronesia, Federated States of
Population:108,004 (July 2006 est.)
Age structure:0-14 years: 36.6% (male 20,116/female 19,391)15-64 years: 60.4% (male 32,620/female 32,659)65 years and over: 3% (male 1,413/female 1,805) (2006 est.)
Median age:total: 20.9 yearsmale: 20.5 yearsfemale: 21.4 years (2006 est.)
Population growth rate:-0.11% (2006 est.)
Birth rate:24.68 births/1,000 population (2006 est.)
Death rate:4.75 deaths/1,000 population (2006 est.)
Net migration rate:-21.03 migrant(s)/1,000 population (2006 est.)
Sex ratio:NA
Infant mortality rate:total: 29.16 deaths/1,000 live birthsmale: 32.17 deaths/1,000 live birthsfemale: 26.01 deaths/1,000 live births (2006 est.)
Life expectancy at birth:total population: 70.05 yearsmale: 68.24 yearsfemale: 71.95 years (2006 est.)
Total fertility rate:3.16 children born/woman (2006 est.)
HIV/AIDS - adult prevalence rate:NA
HIV/AIDS - people living with HIV/AIDS:NA
HIV/AIDS - deaths:NA
Nationality: noun: Micronesian(s) adjective: Micronesian; Chuukese, Kosraen(s), Pohnpeian(s), Yapese
Ethnic groups:nine ethnic Micronesian and Polynesian groups
Religions:Roman Catholic 50%, Protestant 47%, other 3%
Languages:English (official and common language), Trukese, Pohnpeian, Yapese,Kosrean, Ulithian, Woleaian, Nukuoro, Kapingamarangi
Literacy:definition: age 15 and over can read and writetotal population: 89%male: 91%female: 88% (1980 est.)
Government Micronesia, Federated States of
Country name:conventional long form: Federated States of Micronesiaconventional short form: nonelocal long form: Federated States of Micronesialocal short form: noneformer: Trust Territory of the Pacific Islands, Ponape, Truk, andYap Districtsabbreviation: FSM
Government type:constitutional government in free association with the US; theCompact of Free Association entered into force 3 November 1986 andthe Amended Compact entered into force May 2004
Capital:name: Palikirgeographic coordinates: 6 55 N, 158 08 Etime difference: UTC+10 (15 hours ahead of Washington, DC duringStandard Time)
Administrative divisions:4 states; Chuuk (Truk), Kosrae (Kosaie), Pohnpei (Ponape), Yap
Independence:3 November 1986 (from the US-administered UN Trusteeship)
National holiday:Constitution Day, 10 May (1979)
Constitution:10 May 1979
Legal system:based on adapted Trust Territory laws, acts of the legislature,municipal, common, and customary laws
Suffrage:18 years of age; universal
Executive branch:chief of state: President Joseph J. URUSEMAL (since 11 May 2003);Vice President Redley KILLION (11 May 2003); note - the president isboth the chief of state and head of governmenthead of government: President Joseph J. URUSEMAL (since 11 May2003); Vice President Redley KILLION (11 May 2003)cabinet: Cabinet includes the vice president and the heads of theeight executive departmentselections: president and vice president elected by Congress fromamong the four senators at large for a four-year term (eligible fora second term); election last held 11 May 2003 (next to be held May2007); note - a proposed constitutional amendment to establishpopular elections for president and vice president failedelection results: Joseph J. URUSEMAL elected president; percent ofCongress vote - NA%; Redley KILLION elected vice president; percentof Congress vote - NA%
Legislative branch:unicameral Congress (14 seats; 4 - one elected from each state toserve four-year terms and 10 - elected from single-member districtsdelineated by population to serve two-year terms; members elected bypopular vote)elections: elections for four-year term seats last held 4 March 2003(next to be held March 2007); elections for two-year term seats lastheld 8 March 2005 (next to be held March 2007)election results: percent of vote - NA%; seats - independents 14
Judicial branch:Supreme Court
Political parties and leaders:no formal parties
International organization participation:ACP, AsDB, FAO, G-77, IBRD, ICAO, ICRM, IDA, IFC, IFRCS, IMF, IOC,ITU, MIGA, OPCW, PIF, Sparteca, SPC, UN, UNCTAD, UNESCO, WHO, WMO
Diplomatic representation in the US:chief of mission: Ambassador Jesse Bibiano MAREHALAUchancery: 1725 N Street NW, Washington, DC 20036telephone: [1] (202) 223-4383FAX: [1] (202) 223-4391consulate(s) general: Honolulu, Tamuning (Guam)
Diplomatic representation from the US:chief of mission: Ambassador Suzanne K. HALEembassy: 101 Upper Pics Road, Koloniamailing address: P. O. Box 1286, Kolonia, Pohnpei, 96941telephone: [691] 320-2187FAX: [691] 320-2186
Flag description:light blue with four white five-pointed stars centered; the starsare arranged in a diamond pattern
Economy Micronesia, Federated States of
Economy - overview:Economic activity consists primarily of subsistence farming andfishing. The islands have few mineral deposits worth exploiting,except for high-grade phosphate. The potential for a touristindustry exists, but the remote location, a lack of adequatefacilities, and limited air connections hinder development. TheAmended Compact of Free Association with the US guarantees theFederated States of Micronesia (FSM) millions of dollars in annualaid through 2023, and establishes a Trust Fund into which the US andthe FSM make annual contributions in order to provide annual payoutsto the FSM in perpetuity after 2023. The country's medium-termeconomic outlook appears fragile due not only to the reduction in USassistance but also to the slow growth of the private sector.
GDP (purchasing power parity): $277 million; note - supplemented by grant aid, averaging perhaps $100 million annually (2002 est.)
GDP (official exchange rate):$232 million
GDP - real growth rate:0.3% (2005 est.)
GDP - per capita (PPP):$2,300 (2005 est.)
GDP - composition by sector: agriculture: 28.9% industry: 15.2% services: 55.9% (2000 est.)
Labor force:37,410
Labor force - by occupation:note: 0.9% two-thirds are government employees, 34.4%, 64.7%
Unemployment rate:22% (2000 est.)
Population below poverty line:26.7%
Household income or consumption by percentage share:lowest 10%: NA%highest 10%: NA%
Inflation rate (consumer prices):2.2% (2005)
Budget:revenues: $127.3 million ($69 million less grants)expenditures: $144.2 million; including capital expenditures of$17.9 million $NA (1998 est.)
Agriculture - products:black pepper, tropical fruits and vegetables, coconuts, cassava(tapioca), betel nuts, sweet potatoes; pigs, chickens; fish
Industries:tourism, construction; fish processing, specialized aquaculture;craft items from shell, wood, and pearls
Industrial production growth rate:NA%
Electricity - production:192 million kWh (2002)
Electricity - production by source:NA
Electricity - consumption:178.6 million kWh (2002)
Electricity - exports:0 kWh (2002)
Electricity - imports:0 kWh (2002)
Current account balance:$-34.3 million
Exports:$14 million (f.o.b.) (2004 est.)
Exports - commodities:fish, garments, bananas, black pepper
Exports - partners:Japan, US, Guam (2004)
Imports:$132.7 million f.o.b. (2004)
Imports - commodities:food, manufactured goods, machinery and equipment, beverages
Imports - partners:US, Japan, Hong Kong (2004)
Debt - external:$60.8 million (FY05 est.)
Economic aid - recipient:$86.3 million under terms of the Compact of Free Association, theUS pledged $1.3 billion in grant aid during the period 1986-2001;the level of aid has been subsequently reduced
Currency (code):US dollar (USD)
Currency code:USD
Exchange rates:the US dollar is used
Fiscal year:1 October - 30 September
Communications Micronesia, Federated States of
Telephones - main lines in use:12,400 (2005)
Telephones - mobile cellular:14,100 (2005)
Telephone system:general assessment: adequate systemdomestic: islands interconnected by shortwave radiotelephone (usedmostly for government purposes), satellite (Intelsat) groundstations, and some coaxial and fiber-optic cable; cellular serviceavailable on Kosrae, Pohnpei, and Yapinternational: country code - 691; satellite earth stations - 5Intelsat (Pacific Ocean) (2002)
Radio broadcast stations:AM 5, FM 1, shortwave 0 (2004)
Radios:9,400 (1996)
Television broadcast stations:3; note - cable TV also available (2004)
Televisions:2,800 (1999)
Internet country code:.fm
Internet hosts:550 (2006)
Internet Service Providers (ISPs):1 (2000)
Internet users:14,000 (2005)
Transportation Micronesia, Federated States of
Airports:6 (2006)
Airports - with paved runways:total: 61,524 to 2,437 m: 4914 to 1,523 m: 2 (2006)
Roadways:total: 240 kmpaved: 42 kmunpaved: 198 km (1999)
Merchant marine:total: 2 ships (1000 GRT or over) 2,423 GRT/1,551 DWTby type: cargo 1, passenger/cargo 1 (2006)
Ports and terminals:Tomil Harbor
Military Micronesia, Federated States of
Military branches:no ministry of defense and no standing armed forces; theparamilitary Maritime Wing, a small maritime law enforcement unit,is responsible to the Division of Maritime Surveillance within theOffice of the Attorney General (2003)
Manpower available for military service:males age 18-49: 23,816 (2005 est.)
Manpower fit for military service:males age 18-49: 18,914 (2005 est.)
Manpower reaching military service age annually:males age 18-49: 1,305 (2005 est.)
Military - note:defense is the responsibility of the US
Transnational Issues Micronesia, Federated States of
Disputes - international: none
This page was last updated on 19 December, 2006
======================================================================
@Moldova
Introduction Moldova
Background:Formerly part of Romania, Moldova was incorporated into the SovietUnion at the close of World War II. Although independent from theUSSR since 1991, Russian forces have remained on Moldovan territoryeast of the Dniester River supporting the Slavic majoritypopulation, mostly Ukrainians and Russians, who have proclaimed a"Transnistria" republic. The poorest nation in Europe, Moldovabecame the first former Soviet state to elect a Communist as itspresident in 2001.
Geography Moldova
Location:Eastern Europe, northeast of Romania
Geographic coordinates:47 00 N, 29 00 E
Map references:Europe
Area:total: 33,843 sq kmland: 33,371 sq kmwater: 472 sq km
Area - comparative:slightly larger than Maryland
Land boundaries: total: 1,389 km border countries: Romania 450 km, Ukraine 939 km
Coastline:0 km (landlocked)
Maritime claims:none (landlocked)
Climate:moderate winters, warm summers
Terrain:rolling steppe, gradual slope south to Black Sea
Elevation extremes: lowest point: Dniester River 2 m highest point: Dealul Balanesti 430 m
Natural resources: lignite, phosphorites, gypsum, arable land, limestone
Land use: arable land: 54.52% permanent crops: 8.81% other: 36.67% (2005)
Irrigated land:3,000 sq km (2003)
Natural hazards:landslides (57 cases in 1998)
Environment - current issues:heavy use of agricultural chemicals, including banned pesticidessuch as DDT, has contaminated soil and groundwater; extensive soilerosion from poor farming methods
Environment - international agreements:party to: Air Pollution, Air Pollution-Persistent OrganicPollutants, Biodiversity, Climate Change, Climate Change-KyotoProtocol, Desertification, Endangered Species, Hazardous Wastes,Ozone Layer Protectionsigned, but not ratified: none of the selected agreements
Geography - note:landlocked; well endowed with various sedimentary rocks andminerals including sand, gravel, gypsum, and limestone
People Moldova
Population:4,466,706 (July 2006 est.)
Age structure:0-14 years: 20% (male 455,673/female 438,934)15-64 years: 69.7% (male 1,498,078/female 1,613,489)65 years and over: 10.3% (male 170,456/female 290,076) (2006 est.)
Median age:total: 32.3 yearsmale: 30.3 yearsfemale: 34.3 years (2006 est.)
Population growth rate:0.28% (2006 est.)
Birth rate:15.7 births/1,000 population (2006 est.)
Death rate:12.64 deaths/1,000 population (2006 est.)
Net migration rate:-0.23 migrant(s)/1,000 population (2006 est.)
Sex ratio:at birth: 1.05 male(s)/femaleunder 15 years: 1.04 male(s)/female15-64 years: 0.93 male(s)/female65 years and over: 0.59 male(s)/femaletotal population: 0.91 male(s)/female (2006 est.)
Infant mortality rate:total: 38.38 deaths/1,000 live birthsmale: 41.44 deaths/1,000 live birthsfemale: 35.17 deaths/1,000 live births (2006 est.)
Life expectancy at birth:total population: 65.65 yearsmale: 61.61 yearsfemale: 69.88 years (2006 est.)
Total fertility rate:1.85 children born/woman (2006 est.)
HIV/AIDS - adult prevalence rate:0.2% (2001 est.)
HIV/AIDS - people living with HIV/AIDS:5,500 (2001 est.)
HIV/AIDS - deaths:less than 300 (2001 est.)
Nationality:noun: Moldovan(s)adjective: Moldovan
Ethnic groups:Moldovan/Romanian 78.2%, Ukrainian 8.4%, Russian 5.8%, Gagauz 4.4%,Bulgarian 1.9%, other 1.3% (2004 census)note: internal disputes with ethnic Slavs in the Transnistrian region
Religions:Eastern Orthodox 98%, Jewish 1.5%, Baptist and other 0.5% (2000)
Languages:Moldovan (official, virtually the same as the Romanian language),Russian, Gagauz (a Turkish dialect)
Literacy:definition: age 15 and over can read and writetotal population: 99.1%male: 99.6%female: 98.7% (2003 est.)
Government Moldova
Country name:conventional long form: Republic of Moldovaconventional short form: Moldovalocal long form: Republica Moldovalocal short form: Moldovaformer: Moldavian Soviet Socialist Republic; Moldovan SovietSocialist Republic
Government type:republic
Capital:name: Chisinau (Kishinev)geographic coordinates: 47 00 N, 28 50 Etime difference: UTC+2 (7 hours ahead of Washington, DC duringStandard Time)daylight saving time: +1hr, begins last Sunday in March; ends lastSunday in October
Administrative divisions:32 raions (raioane, singular - raionul), 3 municipalities(municipiul), 1 autonomous territorial unit (unitatea teritorialaautonoma), and 1 territorial unit (unitatea teritoriala)raions: Anenii Noi, Basarabeasca, Briceni, Cahul, Cantemir,Calarasi, Causeni, Cimislia, Criuleni, Donduseni, Drochia, Dubasari,Edinet, Falesti, Floresti, Glodeni, Hincesti, Ialoveni, Leova,Nisporeni, Ocnita, Orhei, Rezina, Riscani, Singerei, Soldanesti,Soroca, Stefan-Voda, Straseni, Taraclia, Telenesti, Unghenimunicipalities: Balti, Bender, Chisinauautonomous territorial unit: Gagauziaterritorial unit: Stinga Nistrului
Independence:27 August 1991 (from Soviet Union)
National holiday:Independence Day, 27 August (1991)
Constitution:new constitution adopted 29 July 1994, effective 27 August 1994;replaced old Soviet constitution of 1979
Legal system:based on civil law system; Constitutional Court reviews legality oflegislative acts and governmental decisions of resolution; acceptsmany UN and Organization for Security and Cooperation in Europe(OSCE) documents
Suffrage:18 years of age; universal
Executive branch:chief of state: President Vladimir VORONIN (since 4 April 2001)head of government: Prime Minister Vasile TARLEV (since 15 April2001), First Deputy Prime Minister Zinaida GRECIANII (since 10October 2005)cabinet: Cabinet selected by president, subject to approval ofParliamentelections: president elected by Parliament for a four-year term(eligible for a second term); election last held 4 April 2005 (nextto be held in 2009); note - prime minister designated by thepresident, upon consultation with Parliament; within 15 days fromdesignation, the prime minister-designate must request a vote ofconfidence from the Parliament regarding his/her work program andentire cabinet; prime minister designated 15 April 2001, cabinetreceived a vote of confidence 19 April 2001election results: Vladimir VORONIN reelected president;parliamentary votes - Vladimir VORONIN 75, Gheorghe DUCA 1; VasileTARLEV designated prime minister; parliamentary votes of confidence- 75 of 101
Legislative branch:unicameral Parliament or Parlamentul (101 seats; parties andelectoral blocs elected by popular vote to serve four-year terms)elections: last held 6 March 2005 (next to be held in 2009)election results: percent of vote by party - PCRM 46.1%, DemocraticMoldova Bloc 28.4%, PPCD 9.1%, other parties 16.4%; seats by party -PCRM 56, Democratic Moldova Bloc 34, PPCD 11
Judicial branch:Supreme Court; Constitutional Court (the sole authority forconstitutional judicature)
Political parties and leaders:Braghis Faction [Dumitru BRAGHIS]; Christian Democratic People'sParty or PPCD [Iurie ROSCA]; Communist Party of the Republic ofMoldova or PCRM [Vladimir VORONIN, first chairman]; DemocraticMoldova Bloc (comprised of the AMN, Democratic Party, and PSL);Democratic Party [Dumitru DIACOV]; Our Moldova Alliance or AMN[Serafim URECHEANU]; Social Liberal Party or PSL [Oleg SEREBRIAN]
Political pressure groups and leaders:NA
International organization participation:ACCT, BSEC, CE, CEI, CIS, EAPC, EBRD, FAO, GUAM, IAEA, IBRD, ICAO,ICCt (signatory), ICFTU, IDA, IFAD, IFC, IFRCS, ILO, IMF, IMO,Interpol, IOC, IOM, IPU, ISO (correspondent), ITU, MIGA, OIF, OPCW,OSCE, PFP, SECI, UN, UNCTAD, UNESCO, UNIDO, UNMIL, UNMIS, UNOCI,UPU, WCO, WHO, WIPO, WMO, WToO, WTO
Diplomatic representation in the US: chief of mission: Ambassador Nicolae CHIRTOACA chancery: 2101 S Street NW, Washington, DC 20008 telephone: [1] (202) 667-1130 FAX: [1] (202) 667-1204
Diplomatic representation from the US: chief of mission: Ambasador Michael D. KIRBY embassy: 103 Mateevici Street, Chisinau MD-2009 mailing address: use embassy street address telephone: [373] (22) 40-8300 FAX: [373] (22) 23-3044
Flag description:same color scheme as Romania - three equal vertical bands of blue(hoist side), yellow, and red; emblem in center of flag is of aRoman eagle of gold outlined in black with a red beak and talonscarrying a yellow cross in its beak and a green olive branch in itsright talons and a yellow scepter in its left talons; on its breastis a shield divided horizontally red over blue with a stylized oxhead, star, rose, and crescent all in black-outlined yellow
Economy Moldova
Economy - overview:Moldova remains one of the poorest countries in Europe despiterecent progress from its small economic base. It enjoys a favorableclimate and good farmland but has no major mineral deposits. As aresult, the economy depends heavily on agriculture, featuringfruits, vegetables, wine, and tobacco. Moldova must import almostall of its energy supplies. Energy shortages contributed to sharpproduction declines after the breakup of the Soviet Union inDecember 1991. As part of an ambitious reform effort afterindependence, Moldova introduced a convertible currency, freedprices, stopped issuing preferential credits to state enterprises,backed steady land privatization, removed export controls, and freedinterest rates. The government entered into agreements with theWorld Bank and the IMF to promote growth and reduce poverty. Theeconomy returned to positive growth in 2000, and has remained at orabove 6% every year since. Further reforms will come slowly becauseof strong political forces backing government controls. The economyremains vulnerable to higher fuel prices, poor agricultural weather,and the skepticism of foreign investors.
GDP (purchasing power parity):$8.41 billion (2005 est.)
GDP (official exchange rate):$2.416 billion (2005 est.)
GDP - real growth rate:7.1% (2005 est.)
GDP - per capita (PPP):$1,900 (2005 est.)
GDP - composition by sector: agriculture: 21.3% industry: 23.3% services: 55.5% (2005 est.)
Labor force: 1.34 million (2005 est.)
Labor force - by occupation: agriculture: 40% industry: 14% services: 46% (1998)
Unemployment rate:8%; note - roughly 25% of working age Moldovans are employed abroad(2002 est.)
Population below poverty line:80% (2001 est.)
Household income or consumption by percentage share: lowest 10%: 2.2% highest 10%: 30.7% (1997)
Distribution of family income - Gini index:36.2 (2001)
Inflation rate (consumer prices):11.9% (2005 est.)
Investment (gross fixed):24.4% of GDP (2005 est.)
Budget:revenues: $1.069 billionexpenditures: $1.065 billion; including capital expenditures of $NA(2005 est.)
Public debt:79.6% of GDP (2005 est.)
Agriculture - products:vegetables, fruits, wine, grain, sugar beets, sunflower seed,tobacco; beef, milk
Industries:sugar, vegetable oil, food processing, agricultural machinery;foundry equipment, refrigerators and freezers, washing machines;hosiery, shoes, textiles
Industrial production growth rate:17% (2003 est.)
Electricity - production:2.942 billion kWh (2003)
Electricity - production by source: fossil fuel: 90.6% hydro: 9.4% nuclear: 0% other: 0% (2001)
Electricity - consumption:3.036 billion kWh (2003)
Electricity - exports:300 million kWh (2003)
Electricity - imports:600 million kWh (2003)
Oil - production:0 bbl/day (2003 est.)
Oil - consumption:37,000 bbl/day (2003 est.)
Oil - exports:NA bbl/day
Oil - imports:NA bbl/day
Natural gas - production:0 cu m (2003 est.)
Natural gas - consumption:2.38 billion cu m (2003 est.)
Natural gas - exports:0 cu m (2001 est.)
Natural gas - imports:2.05 billion cu m (2001 est.)
Current account balance:$-285 million (2005 est.)
Exports:$1.04 billion f.o.b. (2005 est.)
Exports - commodities:foodstuffs, textiles, machinery
Exports - partners:Russia 32.9%, Italy 12.7%, Romania 10.6%, Ukraine 9.5%, Belarus6.7%, Germany 4.5% (2005)
Imports:$2.23 billion f.o.b. (2005 est.)
Imports - commodities:mineral products and fuel, machinery and equipment, chemicals,textiles (2000)
Imports - partners:Ukraine 20.9%, Russia 11.7%, Romania 11.2%, Germany 8.3%, Italy6.6%, Turkey 4.1% (2005)
Reserves of foreign exchange and gold:$597.5 million (2005 est.)
Debt - external:$1.986 billion (2005 est.)
Economic aid - recipient:$100 million (2000)
Currency (code):Moldovan leu (MDL)
Currency code:MDL
Exchange rates:lei per US dollar - 12.6 (2005), 12.33 (2004), 13.945 (2003),13.571 (2002), 12.865 (2001)
Fiscal year:calendar year
Communications Moldova
Telephones - main lines in use:929,400 (2005)
Telephones - mobile cellular:1.09 million (2005)
Telephone system:general assessment: inadequate, outmoded, poor service outsideChisinau; some modernization is under waydomestic: new subscribers face long wait for service; mobilecellular telephone service being introducedinternational: country code - 373; service through Romania andRussia via landline; satellite earth stations - Intelsat, Eutelsat,and Intersputnik
Radio broadcast stations:AM 7, FM 50, shortwave 3 (1998)
Radios:3.22 million (1997)
Television broadcast stations:1 (plus 30 repeaters) (1995)
Televisions:1.26 million (1997)
Internet country code:.md
Internet hosts:58,886 (2006)
Internet Service Providers (ISPs):2 (1999)
Internet users:406,000 (2005)
Transportation Moldova
Airports: 12 (2006)
Airports - with paved runways: total: 6 over 3,047 m: 1 2,438 to 3,047 m: 2 1,524 to 2,437 m: 2 under 914 m: 1 (2006)
Airports - with unpaved runways:total: 6914 to 1,523 m: 3under 914 m: 3 (2006)
Pipelines:gas 606 km (2006)
Railways:total: 1,138 kmbroad gauge: 1,124 km 1.520-m gaugestandard gauge: 14 km 1.435-m gauge (2005)
Roadways:total: 12,730 kmpaved: 10,973 kmunpaved: 1,757 km (2003)
Waterways:424 km (on Dniester River) (2005)
Merchant marine: total: 7 ships (1000 GRT or over) 13,831 GRT/15,003 DWT by type: cargo 7 foreign-owned: 3 (Ukraine 3) (2006)
Military Moldova
Military branches:National Army: Ground Forces, Rapid Reaction Forces, Air and AirDefense Forces (2006)
Military service age and obligation:18 years of age for compulsory military service; national serviceobligation - 12 months (2004)
Manpower available for military service:males age 18-49: 1,066,459females age 18-49: 1,117,070 (2005 est.)
Manpower fit for military service:males age 18-49: 693,913females age 18-49: 911,568 (2005 est.)
Manpower reaching military service age annually:males age 18-49: 43,729females age 18-49: 42,354 (2005 est.)
Military expenditures - dollar figure:$8.7 million (2004)
Military expenditures - percent of GDP:0.4% (FY02)
Transnational Issues Moldova
Disputes - international:Moldova and Ukraine have established joint customs posts to monitortransit through Moldova's break-away Transnistria region whichremains under OSCE supervision
Refugees and internally displaced persons:IDPs: 1,000 (internal secessionist uprising in Transnistrian regionin 1991) (2005)
Illicit drugs:limited cultivation of opium poppy and cannabis, mostly for CISconsumption; transshipment point for illicit drugs from SouthwestAsia via Central Asia to Russia, Western Europe, and possibly theUS; widespread crime and underground economic activity
This page was last updated on 19 December, 2006
======================================================================
@Monaco
Introduction Monaco
Background:The Genoese built a fortress on the site of present-day Monaco in1215. The current ruling Grimaldi family secured control in the late13th century, and a principality was established in 1338. Economicdevelopment was spurred in the late 19th century with a railroadlinkup to France and the opening of a casino. Since then, theprincipality's mild climate, splendid scenery, and gamblingfacilities have made Monaco world famous as a tourist and recreationcenter.
Geography Monaco
Location:Western Europe, bordering the Mediterranean Sea on the southerncoast of France, near the border with Italy
Geographic coordinates:43 44 N, 7 24 E
Map references:Europe
Area:total: 1.95 sq kmland: 1.95 sq kmwater: 0 sq km
Area - comparative:about three times the size of The Mall in Washington, DC
Land boundaries: total: 4.4 km border countries: France 4.4 km
Coastline:4.1 km
Maritime claims:territorial sea: 12 nm
Climate:Mediterranean with mild, wet winters and hot, dry summers
Terrain:hilly, rugged, rocky
Elevation extremes: lowest point: Mediterranean Sea 0 m highest point: Mont Agel 140 m
Natural resources: none
Land use: arable land: 0% permanent crops: 0% other: 100% (urban area) (2005)
Irrigated land:NA
Natural hazards:NA
Environment - current issues:NA
Environment - international agreements:party to: Air Pollution, Air Pollution-Volatile Organic Compounds,Biodiversity, Climate Change, Desertification, Endangered Species,Hazardous Wastes, Law of the Sea, Marine Dumping, Ozone LayerProtection, Ship Pollution, Wetlands, Whalingsigned, but not ratified: Climate Change-Kyoto Protocol
Geography - note:second-smallest independent state in the world (after Holy See);almost entirely urban
People Monaco
Population:32,543 (July 2006 est.)
Age structure:0-14 years: 15.2% (male 2,539/female 2,417)15-64 years: 62.1% (male 9,959/female 10,266)65 years and over: 22.6% (male 3,015/female 4,347) (2006 est.)
Median age:total: 45.4 yearsmale: 43.3 yearsfemale: 47.3 years (2006 est.)
Population growth rate:0.4% (2006 est.)
Birth rate:9.19 births/1,000 population (2006 est.)
Death rate:12.91 deaths/1,000 population (2006 est.)
Net migration rate:7.68 migrant(s)/1,000 population (2006 est.)
Sex ratio:at birth: 1.05 male(s)/femaleunder 15 years: 1.05 male(s)/female15-64 years: 0.97 male(s)/female65 years and over: 0.69 male(s)/femaletotal population: 0.91 male(s)/female (2006 est.)
Infant mortality rate:total: 5.35 deaths/1,000 live birthsmale: 6.19 deaths/1,000 live birthsfemale: 4.46 deaths/1,000 live births (2006 est.)
Life expectancy at birth:total population: 79.69 yearsmale: 75.85 yearsfemale: 83.74 years (2006 est.)
Total fertility rate:1.76 children born/woman (2006 est.)
HIV/AIDS - adult prevalence rate:NA
HIV/AIDS - people living with HIV/AIDS:NA
HIV/AIDS - deaths:NA
Nationality:noun: Monegasque(s) or Monacan(s)adjective: Monegasque or Monacan
Ethnic groups:French 47%, Monegasque 16%, Italian 16%, other 21%
Religions:Roman Catholic 90%
Languages:French (official), English, Italian, Monegasque
Literacy:definition: age 15 and over can read and writetotal population: 99%male: 99%female: 99% (2003 est.)
Government Monaco
Country name:conventional long form: Principality of Monacoconventional short form: Monacolocal long form: Principaute de Monacolocal short form: Monaco
Government type:constitutional monarchy
Capital:name: Monacogeographic coordinates: 43 44 N, 7 25 Etime difference: UTC+1 (6 hours ahead of Washington, DC duringStandard Time)daylight saving time: +1hr, begins last Sunday in March; ends lastSunday in October
Administrative divisions:none; there are no first-order administrative divisions as definedby the US Government, but there are four quarters (quartiers,singular - quartier); Fontvieille, La Condamine, Monaco-Ville,Monte-Carlo
Independence:1419 (beginning of the rule by the House of Grimaldi)
National holiday:National Day (Prince of Monaco Holiday), 19 November
Constitution:17 December 1962
Legal system:based on French law; has not accepted compulsory ICJ jurisdiction
Suffrage:18 years of age; universal
Executive branch:chief of state: Prince ALBERT II (since 6 April 2005)head of government: Minister of State Jean-Paul PROUST (since 1 June2005)cabinet: Council of Government is under the authority of the monarchelections: none; the monarchy is hereditary; minister of stateappointed by the monarch from a list of three French nationalcandidates presented by the French Government
Legislative branch:unicameral National Council or Conseil National (24 seats; 16members elected by list majority system, 8 by proportionalrepresentation; to serve five-year terms)elections: last held 9 February 2003 (next to be held February 2008)election results: percent of vote by party - NA%; seats by party -UNAM 21, UND 3
Judicial branch:Supreme Court or Tribunal Supreme (judges appointed by the monarchon the basis of nominations by the National Council)
Political parties and leaders:National and Democratic Union or UND [Guy MAGNAN]; Union for Monacoor UPM (including National Union for the Future of Monaco or UNAM)
Political pressure groups and leaders:NA
International organization participation:ACCT, CE, FAO, IAEA, ICAO, ICC, ICCt (signatory), ICRM, IFRCS, IHO,IMO, Interpol, IOC, IPU, ITU, OIF, OPCW, OSCE, UN, UNCTAD, UNESCO,UNIDO, UNITAR, UPU, WHO, WIPO, WMO, WToO
Diplomatic representation in the US:Monaco does not have an embassy in the USconsulate(s) general: New York
Diplomatic representation from the US:the US does not have an embassy in Monaco; the US Consul General inMarseille (France) under the authority of the US ambassador toFrance is accredited to Monaco
Flag description:two equal horizontal bands of red (top) and white; similar to theflag of Indonesia which is longer and the flag of Poland which iswhite (top) and red
Economy Monaco
Economy - overview:Monaco, bordering France on the Mediterranean coast, is a popularresort, attracting tourists to its casino and pleasant climate. In2001, a major construction project extended the pier used by cruiseships in the main harbor. The principality has successfully soughtto diversify into services and small, high-value-added, nonpollutingindustries. The state has no income tax and low business taxes andthrives as a tax haven both for individuals who have establishedresidence and for foreign companies that have set up businesses andoffices. The state retains monopolies in a number of sectors,including tobacco, the telephone network, and the postal service.Living standards are high, roughly comparable to those in prosperousFrench metropolitan areas.
GDP (purchasing power parity):$870 millionnote: Monaco does not publish national income figures; the estimatesare extremely rough (2000 est.)
GDP (official exchange rate):NA
GDP - real growth rate:0.9% (2000 est.)
GDP - per capita (PPP):$27,000 (2000 est.)
GDP - composition by sector: agriculture: 17% industry: NA% services: NA%
Labor force: 41,110 note: includes workers from all foreign countries (2004)
Unemployment rate:22% (1999)
Population below poverty line:NA%
Household income or consumption by percentage share:lowest 10%: NA%highest 10%: NA%
Inflation rate (consumer prices):1.9% (2000)
Budget:revenues: $719.2 millionexpenditures: $864.1 million; including capital expenditures of$283.1 million (2004)
Agriculture - products:none
Industries:tourism, construction, small-scale industrial and consumer products
Industrial production growth rate:NA%
Electricity - consumption:NA kWh
Electricity - imports:NA kWh; note - electricity supplied by France
Exports:$656.5 million $NAnote: full customs integration with France, which collects andrebates Monegasque trade duties; also participates in EU marketsystem through customs union with France
Imports:$636.6 million $NAnote: full customs integration with France, which collects andrebates Monegasque trade duties; also participates in EU marketsystem through customs union with France
Debt - external:$18 billion (2000 est.)
Economic aid - recipient:$NA
Currency (code):euro (EUR)
Currency code:EUR
Exchange rates:euros per US dollar - 0.8041 (2005), 0.8054 (2004), 0.886 (2003),1.0626 (2002), 1.1175 (2001)
Fiscal year:calendar year
Communications Monaco
Telephones - main lines in use:33,700 (2002)
Telephones - mobile cellular:19,300 (2002)
Telephone system:general assessment: modern automatic telephone systemdomestic: NAinternational: country code - 377; no satellite earth stations;connected by cable into the French communications system
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:12,720 (2006)
Internet Service Providers (ISPs):2 (2000)
Internet users:16,000 (2002)
Transportation Monaco
Heliports: 1 (2006)
Roadways: total: 50 km paved: 50 km (1999)
Merchant marine:registered in other countries: 77 (Bahamas 17, Barbados 1, Bermuda2, France 1, Georgia 13, Isle of Man 3, Liberia 10, Malta 1,Marshall Islands 8, Norway 4, Panama 9, Saint Kitts and Nevis 1,Saint Vincent and the Grenadines 4, Switzerland 2, unknown 1) (2006)
Ports and terminals:Monaco
Military Monaco
Manpower available for military service:males age 18-49: 6,256 (2005 est.)
Manpower fit for military service:males age 18-49: 4,971 (2005 est.)
Manpower reaching military service age annually:males age 18-49: 148 (2005 est.)
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 19 December, 2006
======================================================================
@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. The ex-Communist MongolianPeople's Revolutionary Party (MPRP) won elections in 1990 and 1992,but was defeated by the Democratic Union Coalition (DUC) in the 1996parliamentary election. Since then, parliamentary elections returnedthe MPRP overwhelmingly to power in 2000 and produced a coalitiongovernment in 2004.