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: 0.76% permanent crops: 0% other: 99.24% (2005)
Irrigated land:840 sq km (2003)
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:2,832,224 (July 2006 est.)
Age structure:0-14 years: 27.9% (male 402,448/female 387,059)15-64 years: 68.4% (male 967,546/female 969,389)65 years and over: 3.7% (male 45,859/female 59,923) (2006 est.)
Median age:total: 24.6 yearsmale: 24.3 yearsfemale: 25 years (2006 est.)
Population growth rate:1.46% (2006 est.)
Birth rate:21.59 births/1,000 population (2006 est.)
Death rate:6.95 deaths/1,000 population (2006 est.)
Net migration rate:0 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: 1 male(s)/female65 years and over: 0.77 male(s)/femaletotal population: 1 male(s)/female (2006 est.)
Infant mortality rate:total: 52.12 deaths/1,000 live birthsmale: 55.51 deaths/1,000 live birthsfemale: 48.57 deaths/1,000 live births (2006 est.)
Life expectancy at birth:total population: 64.89 yearsmale: 62.64 yearsfemale: 67.25 years (2006 est.)
Total fertility rate:2.25 children born/woman (2006 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:name: Ulaanbaatargeographic coordinates: 47 55 N, 106 53 Etime difference: UTC+8 (13 hours ahead of Washington, DC duringStandard Time)daylight saving time: +1hr, begins last Saturday in March; ends lastSaturday in September
Administrative divisions:21 provinces (aymguud, singular - aymag) and 1 municipality*(singular - hot); Arhangay, Bayanhongor, Bayan-Olgiy, Bulgan,Darhan-Uul, Dornod, Dornogovi, Dundgovi, Dzavhan, Govi-Altay,Govisumber, 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 Miegombyn ENKHBOLD (since 25January 2006); Deputy Prime Minister Mendsaikhan ENKHSAIKHAN (since28 January 2006)cabinet: Cabinet nominated by the prime minister in consultationwith the president and confirmed by the State Great Hural(parliament)elections: presidential candidates nominated by political partiesrepresented in State Great Hural and elected by popular vote for afour-year term (eligible for a second term); election last held 22May 2005 (next to be held in May 2009); following legislativeelections, leader of majority party or majority coalition is usuallyelected prime minister by State Great Huralelection 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%; Miegombyn ENKHBOLD elected primeminister by the State Great Hural 56 to 10
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 MDC collapsed; as of 1 December 2005 composition oflegislature was MPRP 38, DP 25, M-MNSDP 6, CWRP 2, MRP 1, PP 1,independents 3
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 [Tsakhiagiyn ELBEGDORJ]; Motherland-Mongolian New SocialistDemocratic Party or M-MNSDP [Badarchyn ERDENEBAT]; MongolianPeople's Revolutionary Party or MPRP [Miegombyn ENKHBOLD]; MongolianRepublican Party or MRP [Bazarsadyn JARGALSAIKHAN]; People's Partyor PP [Lamjav GUNDALAI]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, ICCt, ICFTU,ICRM, IDA, IFAD, IFC, IFRCS, ILO, IMF, IMO, Interpol, IOC, IPU, ISO,ITU, MIGA, MINURSO, MONUC, NAM, OPCW, OSCE (partner), SCO(observer), UN, UNCTAD, UNESCO, UNIDO, UNMIL, UNMIS, UPU, WCO, WHO,WIPO, WMO, WToO, WTO
Diplomatic representation in the US:chief of mission: Ambassador Ravdan BOLDchancery: 2833 M Street NW, Washington, DC 20007telephone: [1] (202) 333-7117FAX: [1] (202) 298-9227
Diplomatic representation from the US:chief of mission: Ambassador Mark C. MINTONembassy: Big Ring Road, 11th Micro Region, Ulaanbaatarmailing address: PSC 461, Box 300, FPO AP 96521-0002; P.O. Box 1021,Ulaanbaatar-13telephone: [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 because ofreform-embracing, free-market economics and extensive privatizationof the formerly state-run economy. Severe winters and summerdroughts in 2000-2002 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 was 10.6% in 2004 and 5.5% in 2005, largelybecause of high copper prices and new gold production. Mongolia'seconomy continues to be heavily influenced by its neighbors. Forexample, Mongolia purchases 80% of its petroleum products and asubstantial amount of electric power from Russia, leaving itvulnerable to price increases. China is Mongolia's chief exportpartner and a main source of the "shadow" or "grey" economy. TheWorld Bank and other international financial institutions estimatethe grey economy to be at least equal to that of the officialeconomy, but the former's actual size is difficult to calculatesince the money does not pass through the hands of tax authoritiesor the banking sector. Remittances from Mongolians working abroadboth legally and illegally are sizeable, and money laundering is agrowing concern. Mongolia settled its $11 billion debt with Russiaat the end of 2003 on favorable terms. Mongolia, which joined theWorld Trade Organization in 1997, seeks to expand its participationand integration into Asian regional economic and trade regimes.
GDP (purchasing power parity):$5.272 billion (2005 est.)
GDP (official exchange rate):$1.4 billion (2005 est.)
GDP - real growth rate:6.2% according to official estimate (2005 est.)
GDP - per capita (PPP):$1,900 (2005 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% (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):9.5% (2005 est.)
Budget:revenues: $702 millionexpenditures: $651 million; including capital expenditures of $NA(2005 est.)
Agriculture - products:wheat, barley, vegetables, forage crops; sheep, goats, cattle,camels, horses
Industries:construction and construction materials; mining (coal, copper,molybdenum, fluorspar, tin, tungsten, and gold); oil; food andbeverages; processing of animal products, cashmere and natural fibermanufacturing
Industrial production growth rate:4.1% (2002 est.)
Electricity - production:3.24 billion kWh (2005 est.)
Electricity - production by source: fossil fuel: 100% hydro: 0% nuclear: 0% other: 0% (2001)
Electricity - consumption:3.37 billion kWh (2005 est.)
Electricity - exports:18 million kWh (2005 est.)
Electricity - imports:130 million kWh (2005 est.)
Oil - production:548.8 bbl/day (2005 est.)
Oil - consumption:11,220 bbl/day (2005 est.)
Oil - exports:515 bbl/day (2005 est.)
Oil - imports:11,210 bbl/day (2005 est.)
Natural gas - production:0 cu m (2003 est.)
Natural gas - consumption:0 cu m (2003 est.)
Exports:$852 million f.o.b. (2004 est.)
Exports - commodities:copper, apparel, livestock, animal products, cashmere, wool, hides,fluorspar, other nonferrous metals
Exports - partners:China 56.2%, Canada 15.6%, US 14.7% (2005)
Imports:$1.011 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 35.8%, China 25.7%, Japan 6.3%, South Korea 6%, Germany 4.2%(2005)
Debt - external:$1.36 billion (2004)
Economic aid - recipient:$215 million (2003)
Currency (code):togrog/tugrik (MNT)
Currency code:MNT
Exchange rates:togrogs/tugriks per US dollar - 1,187.17 (2005), 1,185.3 (2004),1,146.5 (2003), 1,110.3 (2002), 1,097.7 (2001)
Fiscal year:calendar year
Communications Mongolia
Telephones - main lines in use:156,000 (2005)
Telephones - mobile cellular:557,200 (2005)
Telephone system:general assessment: network is improving with international directdialing available in many areasdomestic: very low density of about 5.5 main lines per 100 persons;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:272 (2006)
Internet Service Providers (ISPs):5 (2001)
Internet users:268,300 (2005)
Transportation Mongolia
Airports: 44 (2006)
Airports - with paved runways: total: 12 over 3,047 m: 1 2,438 to 3,047 m: 10 1,524 to 2,437 m: 1 (2006)
Airports - with unpaved runways: total: 32 over 3,047 m: 2 2,438 to 3,047 m: 3 1,524 to 2,437 m: 24 914 to 1,523 m: 2 under 914 m: 1 (2006)
Heliports: 2 (2006)
Railways: total: 1,810 km broad gauge: 1,810 km 1.524-m gauge (2005)
Roadways: total: 49,250 km paved: 1,724 km unpaved: 47,526 km (2002)
Waterways:580 kmnote: only waterway in operation is Lake Hovsgol (135 km); SelengeRiver (270 km) and Orhon River (175 km) are navigable but carrylittle traffic; lakes and rivers freeze in winter, are open from Mayto September (2004)
Merchant marine:total: 61 ships (1000 GRT or over) 319,053 GRT/479,190 DWTby type: bulk carrier 8, cargo 49, passenger/cargo 1, roll on/rolloff 3foreign-owned: 49 (China 4, Japan 1, North Korea 3, Lebanon 1,Malaysia 1, Russia 13, Singapore 10, Syria 1, Thailand 1, UAE 5,Ukraine 1, Vietnam 8) (2006)
Military Mongolia
Military branches:Mongolian People's Army (MPA), Mongolian People's Air Force (MPAF);there is no navy (2005)
Military service age and obligation: 18-25 years of age for compulsory military service; conscript service obligation - 12 months in land or air defense forces or police; a small portion of Mongolian land forces (2.5 percent) is comprised of contract soldiers (2004)
Manpower available for military service:males age 18-49: 736,182females age 18-49: 734,679 (2005 est.)
Manpower fit for military service:males age 18-49: 570,435females age 18-49: 607,918 (2005 est.)
Manpower reaching military service age annually:males age 18-49: 34,674females age 18-49: 34,251 (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 19 December, 2006
======================================================================
@Montenegro
Introduction Montenegro
Background:The use of the name Montenegro began in the 15th century when theCrnojevic dynasty began to rule the Serbian principality of Zeta;over subsequent centuries it was able to maintain its independencefrom the Ottoman Empire. From the 16th to 19th centuries, Montenegrobecame a theocratic state ruled by a series of bishop princes; in1852, it was transformed into a secular principality. After WorldWar I, Montenegro was part of the Kingdom of Yugoslavia, and, at theconclusion of World War II, it became a constituent republic of theSocialist Federal Republic of Yugoslavia. When the latter dissolvedin 1992, Montenegro federated with Serbia, first as the FederalRepublic of Yugoslavia and, after 2003, in a looser union of Serbiaand Montenegro. Following a three-year postponement, Montenegro heldan independence referendum in the spring of 2006 under rules set bythe EU. The vote for severing ties with Serbia exceeded the 55%threshold, allowing Montenegro to formally declare its independenceon 3 June 2006.
Geography Montenegro
Location:Southeastern Europe, between the Adriatic Sea and Serbia
Geographic coordinates:42 30 N, 19 18 E
Map references:Europe
Area:total: 14,026 sq kmland: 13,812 sq kmwater: 214 sq km
Area - comparative:slightly smaller than Connecticut
Land boundaries:total: 625 kmborder countries: Albania 172 km, Bosnia and Herzegovina 225 km,Croatia 25 km, Serbia 203 km
Coastline:293.5 km
Maritime claims:NA
Climate:Mediterranean climate, hot dry summers and autumns and relativelycold winters with heavy snowfalls inland
Terrain:highly indented coastline with narrow coastal plain backed byrugged high limestone mountains and plateaus
Elevation extremes:lowest point: Adriatic Sea 0 mhighest point: Bobotov Kuk 2,522 m
Natural resources:bauxite, hydroelectricity
Land use:arable land: 13.7%permanent crops: 1%other: 85.3%
Irrigated land:NA
Natural hazards:destructive earthquakes
Environment - current issues: pollution of coastal waters from sewage outlets, especially in tourist-related areas such as Kotor
Geography - note: strategic location along the Adriatic coast
People Montenegro
Population:630,548 (2004)
Population growth rate:3.5% (2004)
Birth rate:12.6 births/1,000 population (2004)
Death rate:9.2 deaths/1,000 population (2004)
Nationality:noun: Montenegrin(s)adjective: Montenegrin
Ethnic groups:Montenegrin 43%, Serbian 32%, Bosniak 8%, Albanian 5%, other(Muslims, Croats, Roma) 12%
Religions:Orthodox, Muslim, Roman Catholic
Languages:Serbian (Ijekavian dialect - official), Bosnian, Albanian, Croatian
Government Montenegro
Country name:conventional long form: Republic of Montenegroconventional short form: Montenegrolocal long form: Republika Crna Goralocal short form: Crna Goraformer: People's Republic of Montenegro, Socialist Republic ofMontenegro
Government type:republic
Capital:name: Podgorica (administrative capital)geographic coordinates: 42 26 N, 19 16 Etime difference: UTC+1 (6 hours ahead of Washington, DC duringStandard Time)daylight saving time: +1 hr, begins last Sunday in March; ends lastSunday in Octobernote: Cetinje (capital city)
Administrative divisions:21 municipalities (opstini, singular - opstina); Andrijevia, Bar,Berane, Bijelo Polje, Budva, Cetinje, Danilovgrad, Herceg Novi,Kolasin, Kotor, Mojkovac, Niksic, Plav, Pluzine, Pljevlja,Podgornica, Rozaje, Savnik, Tivat, Ulcinj, Zabljak
Independence:3 June 2006 (from Serbia and Montenegro); note - a referendum onindependence was held 21 May 2006
National holiday:National Day, 13 July
Constitution:12 October 1992 (was approved by the Assembly)
Legal system:based on civil law system
Suffrage:18 years of age; universal
Executive branch:chief of state: President Filip VUJANOVIC (since 11 May 2003)head of government: Prime Minister Zeljko STURANOVIC (since 10November 2006)cabinet: Ministries act as cabinetelections: president elected by direct vote for five-year term(eligible for a second term); election last held 11 May 2003 (nextto be held in 2008); prime minister proposed by president, acceptedby Assemblyelection results: Filip VUJANOVIC elected on the third round; FilipVUJANOVIC 63.3%, Miodrag ZIVKOVIC 30.8%
Legislative branch:unicameral Assembly (81 seats, elected by direct vote for four-yearterms; changed from 74 seats at the time of the elections)elections: last held 10 September 2006 (next to be held 2010)election results: percent of vote by party - NA; seats by party -Coalition for a European Montenegro 41, SNS 12, Coalition SPP/NS/DSS11, PZP 11, Liberals and Bosniaks 3, Democratic League-DemocraticProsperity 1, Democratic Union of Albanians 1, Albanian Alternative 1
Judicial branch:Constitutional Court (five judges with nine-year terms); SupremeCourt (judges have life tenure)
Political parties and leaders:Albanian Alternative or AA; Bosniak Party or BS [Rafet HUSOVIC];Coalition for a European Montenegro (Democratic Party of Socialistsor DPS and Social Democratic Party or SDP) [Milo DJUKANOVIC];Coalition SPP/NS/DSS; Democratic League-Party of DemocraticProsperity [Mehmet BARHDI]; Democratic Serbian Party of Montenegroor DSS; Democratic Union of Albanians or DUA [Ferhat DINOSA];Liberal Party of Montenegro or LP [Miodrag ZIVKOVIC]; Movement forChanges or PZP [Nebojsa MEDOJEVIC]; People's Party of Montenegro orNS [Predrag POPOVIC]; Serbian People's Party of Montenegro or SNS[Andrija MANDIC]; Social Democratic Party or SDP [Ranko KRIVOKAPIC];Social Democratic Party of Montenegro or DPS [Milo DJUKANOVIC];Socialist People's Party or SNP [Predrag BULATOVIC]
International organization participation:CEI, EBRD, FAO, IAEA, ICFTU, ILO, Interpol, IPU, ITU, OSCE, UN,UPU, WHO, WTO (observer)
Diplomatic representation in the US:chief of mission: Ambassador Miodrag VLAHOVIC
Flag description:a red field bordered by a narrow golden-yellow stripe with theMontenegrin coat of arms centered
Economy Montenegro
Economy - overview:The republic of Montenegro severed its economy from federal controland from Serbia during the MILOSEVIC era and continues to maintainits own central bank, uses the euro instead of the Yugoslav dinar asofficial currency, collects customs tariffs, and manages its ownbudget. The dissolution of the loose political union between Serbiaand Montenegro in 2006 led to separate membership in severalinternational financial institutions, such as the IMF, World Bank,and the European Bank for Reconstruction and Development. Montenegrois pursuing its own membership in the World Trade Organization aswell as negotiating a Stabilization and Association agreement withthe European Union in anticipation of eventual membership. Severeunemployment remains a key political and economic problem for thisentire region. Montenegro has privatized its large aluminum complex- the dominant industry - as well as most of its financial sector,and has begun to attract foreign direct investment in the tourismsector.
GDP (purchasing power parity):$2.412 billion (2005 est.)
GDP (official exchange rate):$1.125 billion (2005 est.)
GDP - real growth rate:NA
GDP - per capita (PPP):$3,800 (2005 est.)
GDP - composition by sector: agriculture: % NA industry: % NA services: % NA
Labor force: 259,100 (2004)
Labor force - by occupation: agriculture: 2% industry: 30% services: 68% (2004)
Unemployment rate:27.7% (2005)
Population below poverty line:12.2% (2003)
Inflation rate (consumer prices):3.4% (2004)
Investment (gross fixed):% of GDP NA
Budget: revenues: NA expenditures: NA
Public debt: % of GDP NA
Agriculture - products: grains, tobacco, potatoes, citrus fruits, olives, grapes; sheepherding; commercial fishing negligible
Industries:steelmaking, agricultural processing, consumer goods, tourism
Electricity - production:2.864 billion kWh 2.864 billion kWh (2005 est.)
Electricity - consumption:NA
Oil - production:NA
Oil - consumption:NA
Natural gas - consumption:NA
Current account balance:NA
Exports:$171.3 million (2003)
Exports - partners:Switzerland 83.9%, Italy 6.1%, Bosnia and Herzegovina 1.3% (2003)
Imports:$601.7 million (2003)
Imports - partners:Greece 10.2%, Italy 10.2%, Germany 9.6%, Bosnia and Herzegovina9.2% (2003)
Reserves of foreign exchange and gold:NA
Debt - external:NA
Economic aid - recipient:NA
Currency (code):euro (EUR)
Exchange rates:euros per US dollar - 0.8041 (2005), 0.8089 (2004), 0.886 (2003),1.0626 (2002), 1.1175 (2001)
Fiscal year:calendar year
Communications Montenegro
Telephones - main lines in use:177,663 (2005)
Telephones - mobile cellular:543,220 (2005)
Telephone system:general assessment: modern telecommunications system with access toEuropean satellitesdomestic: GSM wireless service, available through two providers withnational coverage, is growing rapidlyinternational: country code - 382 (the old code of 381 used bySerbia and Montenegro will also remain in use until Feb 2007); twointernational switches connect the national system
Radio broadcast stations:31 (2004)
Television broadcast stations:13 (2004)
Internet country code:.me
Internet users:50,000 (2004)
Transportation Montenegro
Airports:5 (2006)
Airports - with paved runways:total: 32,438 to 3,047 m: 11,524 to 2,437 m: 2 (2006)
Airports - with unpaved runways:total: 2914 to 1,523 m: 1under 914 m: 1 (2006)
Railways: total: 250 km standard gauge: 250 km 1.435-m gauge (electrified 169 km) (2005)
Roadways: total: 7,353 km paved: 4,274 km unpaved: 3,079 km (2005)
Merchant marine:total: 4 ships (1000 GRT or over) 9,458 GRT/10,172 DWTby type: cargo 4registered in other countries: 4 (Bahamas 2, Saint Vincent and theGrenadines 2) (2006)
Ports and terminals:Bar
Military Montenegro
Military service age and obligation:compulsory national military service abolished August 2006
Military expenditures - dollar figure:$2.306 billion
Military - note:Montenegrin plans call for the establishment of a fullyprofessional armed forces
Transnational Issues Montenegro
Disputes - international:ethnic Albanians in Kosovo refuse demarcation of the boundary withMacedonia in accordance with the 2000 Macedonia-Serbia andMontenegro delimitation agreement, which includes a section ofboundary with Montenegro
This page was last updated on 19 December, 2006
======================================================================
@Montserrat
Introduction Montserrat
Background:English and Irish colonists from St. Kitts first settled onMontserrat in 1632; the first African slaves arrived three decadeslater. The British and French fought for possesion of the island formost of the 18th century, but it finally was confirmed as a Britishpossession in 1783. The island's sugar plantation economy wasconverted to small farm landholdings in the mid 19th century. Muchof this island was devastated and two-thirds of the population fledabroad because of the eruption of the Soufriere Hills Volcano thatbegan 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: lava dome in English's Crater (in the Soufriere Hillsvolcanic complex) estimated at over 930 m (2006)
Natural resources:NEGL
Land use:arable land: 20%permanent crops: 0%other: 80% (2005)
Irrigated land:NA
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 comprised of threemajor volcanic centers of differing ages
People Montserrat
Population:9,439note: an estimated 8,000 refugees left the island following theresumption of volcanic activity in July 1995; some have returned(July 2006 est.)
Age structure:0-14 years: 23.3% (male 1,125/female 1,079)15-64 years: 65.7% (male 2,957/female 3,245)65 years and over: 10.9% (male 532/female 501) (2006 est.)
Median age:total: 28.9 yearsmale: 28.6 yearsfemale: 29.2 years (2006 est.)
Population growth rate:1.05% (2006 est.)
Birth rate:17.59 births/1,000 population (2006 est.)
Death rate:7.1 deaths/1,000 population (2006 est.)
Net migration rate:0 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: 0.91 male(s)/female65 years and over: 1.06 male(s)/femaletotal population: 0.96 male(s)/female (2006 est.)
Infant mortality rate:total: 7.19 deaths/1,000 live birthsmale: 8.35 deaths/1,000 live birthsfemale: 5.97 deaths/1,000 live births (2006 est.)
Life expectancy at birth:total population: 78.85 yearsmale: 76.67 yearsfemale: 81.14 years (2006 est.)
Total fertility rate:1.77 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: 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:name: Plymouthgeographic coordinates: 16 44 N, 62 14 Wtime difference: UTC-4 (1 hour ahead of Washington, DC duringStandard Time)note: Plymouth was abandoned in 1997 due to volcanic activity;interim government buildings have been built at Brades Estate, inthe Carr's Bay/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 Lowell LEWIS (since 2 June 2006)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 31 May 2006 (next to be held by 2011)election results: percent of vote by party - MCAP 36.1%, NPLM 29.4%,MDP 24.4%, independents 10.1%; seats by party - MCAP 4, NPLM 3, MDP1, independents 1note: 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:Montserrat Democratic Party or MDP [Lowell LEWIS]; Movement forChange and Prosperity or MCAP [Roselyn CASSELL-SEALY]; 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 volcanic activity and on public sector construction activity.The UK has 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 (official exchange rate):NA
GDP - real growth rate:-1% (2002 est.)
GDP - per capita (PPP):$3,400 (2002 est.)
GDP - composition by sector: agriculture: 5.4% industry: 13.6% services: 81% (1996 est.)
Labor force: 4,521 note: lowered by flight of people from volcanic activity (2000 est.)
Unemployment rate:6% (1998 est.)
Population below poverty line:NA%
Household income or consumption by percentage share:lowest 10%: NA%highest 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:2 million kWh (2003)
Electricity - production by source: fossil fuel: 100% hydro: 0% nuclear: 0% other: 0% (2001)
Electricity - consumption:1.86 million kWh (2003)
Electricity - exports:0 kWh (2003)
Electricity - imports:0 kWh (2003)
Oil - production:0 bbl/day (2003 est.)
Oil - consumption:380 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:0 cu m (2003 est.)
Exports:$700,000 (2001)
Exports - commodities:electronic components, plastic bags, apparel; hot peppers, limes,live plants; cattle
Exports - partners:US, Antigua and Barbuda (2004)
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 (2004)
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 (2005), 2.7 (2004), 2.7(2003), 2.7 (2002), 2.7 (2001)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 hosts:386 (2006)
Internet Service Providers (ISPs):17 (2000)
Internet users:NA
Transportation Montserrat
Airports: 2 (2006)
Airports - with paved runways: total: 2 under 914 m: 2 (2006)
Roadways:total: 227 kmnote: volcanic eruptions that began in 1995 destroyed most of theroad system (2003)
Ports and terminals:Plymouth
Military Montserrat
Military branches:no regular military forces; Royal Montserrat Police Force (2005)
Manpower available for military service:males age 18-49: 2,298 (2005 est.)
Manpower fit for military service:males age 18-49: 1,899 (2005 est.)
Manpower reaching military service age annually:males age 18-49: 84 (2005 est.)
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 19 December, 2006
======================================================================
@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 erode; 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, whichfirst met in 1997. Parliamentary elections were held for the secondtime in September 2002 and municipal elections were held inSeptember 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% permanent crops: 2% other: 79% (2005)
Irrigated land:14,450 sq km (2003)
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:33,241,259 (July 2006 est.)
Age structure:0-14 years: 31.6% (male 5,343,976/female 5,145,019)15-64 years: 63.4% (male 10,505,018/female 10,580,599)65 years and over: 5% (male 725,116/female 941,531) (2006 est.)
Median age:total: 23.9 yearsmale: 23.4 yearsfemale: 24.5 years (2006 est.)
Population growth rate:1.55% (2006 est.)
Birth rate:21.98 births/1,000 population (2006 est.)
Death rate:5.58 deaths/1,000 population (2006 est.)
Net migration rate:-0.87 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: 0.99 male(s)/female65 years and over: 0.77 male(s)/femaletotal population: 0.99 male(s)/female (2006 est.)
Infant mortality rate:total: 40.24 deaths/1,000 live birthsmale: 43.99 deaths/1,000 live birthsfemale: 36.3 deaths/1,000 live births (2006 est.)
Life expectancy at birth:total population: 70.94 yearsmale: 68.62 yearsfemale: 73.37 years (2006 est.)
Total fertility rate:2.68 children born/woman (2006 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) (2005)
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:name: Rabatgeographic coordinates: 34 02 N, 6 51 Wtime difference: UTC 0 (5 hours ahead of Washington, DC duringStandard Time)
Administrative divisions:15 regions; Grand Casablanca, Chaouia-Ouardigha, Doukkala-Abda,Fes-Boulemane, Gharb-Chrarda-Beni Hssen, Guelmim-Es Smara,Laayoune-Boujdour-Sakia El Hamra, Marrakech-Tensift-Al Haouz,Meknes-Tafilalet, Oriental, Rabat-Sale-Zemmour-Zaer,Souss-Massa-Draa, Tadla-Azilal, Tanger-Tetouan, Taza-AlHoceima-Taounatenote: Morocco claims the territory of Western Sahara, the politicalstatus of which is considered undetermined by the US Government;portions of the regions Guelmim-Es Smara and Laayoune-Boujdour-SakiaEl Hamra as claimed by Morocco lie within Western Sahara; Moroccoclaims another region, Oued Eddahab-Lagouira, which falls entirelywithin Western Sahara
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 in 2006); Chamber of Representatives - last held 27September 2002 (next to be held in 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]