International organization participation:CEI, EBRD, FAO, IAEA, IBRD, ICCt, ILO, IMF, IMO, Interpol, IOM,IPU, ITU, ITUC, OPCW, OSCE, PFP, UN, UNIDO, UPU, WCO, WHO, WIPO,WMO, WTO (observer)
Diplomatic representation in the US:chief of mission: Ambassador Miodrag VLAHOVIC
Diplomatic representation from the US:chief of mission: Ambassador (vacant); Charge d'Affaires ArleneFERRILLembassy: Ljubljanska bb, 82000 Podgorica, Montenegromailing address: (use street address)telephone: [381] 81 225 417FAX: [381] 81 241 358
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 European Bank forReconstruction and Development. On January 18, 2007, Montenegrojoined the World Bank and IMF. Montenegro is pursuing its ownmembership in the World Trade Organization as well as negotiating aStabilization and Association agreement with the European Union inanticipation of eventual membership. Severe unemployment remains akey political and economic problem for this entire region.Montenegro has privatized its large aluminum complex - the dominantindustry - as well as most of its financial sector, and has begun toattract foreign direct investment in the tourism sector.
GDP (purchasing power parity):$3.394 billion (2006 est.)
GDP (official exchange rate):$4.744 billion (2006 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 est.)
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:18.6 million kWh
Oil - production:0 bbl/day
Oil - consumption:450 bbl/day
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 - 0.79669 (2006), 0.8041 (2005), 0.8089 (2004),0.886 (2003), 1.0626 (2002)
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: none
This page was last updated on 8 February, 2007
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@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, 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: 1.2% industry: 23.1% services: 75.7% (1999 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 (2001)
Oil - imports:NA bbl/day (2001)
Natural gas - production:0 cu m (2004 est.)
Natural gas - consumption:0 cu m (2004 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), 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 8 February, 2007
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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 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. Lower house elections were last held held inSeptember 2002 and upper house elections were last held in September2006.
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) (2007)
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 Eddine ElOTHMANI]; 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 Union or UMP [Mohamed LAENSER]; Reform and DevelopmentParty or PRD [Abderrahmane EL KOUHEN]; Social Center Party or PSC[Lahcen MADIH]; 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), ICRM, IDA, IDB, IFAD, IFC, IFRCS, IHO,ILO, IMF, IMO, Interpol, IOC, IOM, IPU, ISO, ITU, ITUC, LAS, MIGA,MINUSTAH, MONUC, NAM, OAS (observer), OIC, OIF, OPCW, OSCE(partner), PCA, UN, UNCTAD, UNESCO, UNHCR, UNIDO, UNITAR, UNOCI,UNWTO, UPU, WCL, WCO, WHO, WIPO, WMO, 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 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:Moroccan economic policies brought macroeconomic stability to thecountry in the early 1990s but have not spurred growth sufficient toreduce unemployment that nears 20% in urban areas. Poverty hasincreased due to the volatile nature of GDP, Morocco's continueddependence on foreign energy, and its inability to promote thegrowth of small and medium size enterprises. However, GDP growthrebounded to 6.7% in 2006 due to high rainfall, which resulted in astrong second harvest. Despite structural adjustment programssupported by the IMF, the World Bank, and the Paris Club, the dirhamis only fully convertible for current account transactions andMorocco's financial sector is rudimentary. Moroccan authoritiesunderstand that reducing poverty and providing jobs is key todomestic security and development. In 2004, Moroccan authoritiesinstituted measures to boost foreign direct investment and trade bysigning a free trade agreement with the US, which entered into forcein January 2006, and sold government shares in the statetelecommunications company and in the largest state-owned bank.Long-term challenges include preparing the economy for freer tradewith the US and European Union, improving education and jobprospects for Morocco's youth, and raising living standards, whichthe government hopes to achieve by increasing tourist arrivals andboosting competitiveness in textiles.
GDP (purchasing power parity):$147 billion (2006 est.)
GDP (official exchange rate):$56.72 billion (2006 est.)
GDP - real growth rate:6.7% (2006 est.)
GDP - per capita (PPP):$4,400 (2006 est.)
GDP - composition by sector: agriculture: 13.3% industry: 31.2% services: 55.5% (2006 est.)
Labor force: 11.25 million (2006 est.)
Labor force - by occupation: agriculture: 40% industry: 15% services: 45% (2003 est.)
Unemployment rate:7.7% (2006 est.)
Population below poverty line:19% (2005 est.)
Household income or consumption by percentage share: lowest 10%: 2.6% highest 10%: 30.9% (1998-99)
Distribution of family income - Gini index:40 (2005 est.)
Inflation rate (consumer prices):2.8% (2006 est.)
Investment (gross fixed):21.7% of GDP (2006 est.)
Budget:revenues: $15.85 billionexpenditures: $20.39 billion; including capital expenditures of$2.19 billion (2006 est.)
Public debt:70.9% of GDP (2006 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:4% (2004 est.)
Electricity - production:18.48 billion kWh (2004)
Electricity - production by source: fossil fuel: 95.4% hydro: 4.6% nuclear: 0% other: 0% (2001)
Electricity - consumption:18.89 billion kWh (2004)
Electricity - exports:0 kWh (2004)
Electricity - imports:1.7 billion kWh (2004)
Oil - production:300 bbl/day (2005 est.)
Oil - consumption:170,000 bbl/day (2004 est.)
Oil - exports:0 bbl/day (2000 est.)
Oil - imports:147,800 bbl/day (2000 est.)
Oil - proved reserves:100 million bbl (2006 est.)
Natural gas - production:50 million cu m (2004 est.)
Natural gas - consumption:50 million cu m (2004 est.)
Natural gas - exports:0 cu m
Natural gas - imports:0 cu m
Natural gas - proved reserves:1.218 billion cu m (1 January 2005 est.)
Current account balance:$389 million (2006 est.)
Exports:$11.72 billion f.o.b. (2006 est.)
Exports - commodities:clothing, fish, inorganic chemicals, transistors, crude minerals,fertilizers (including phosphates), petroleum products, fruits,vegetables
Exports - partners:France 30.3%, Spain 18%, UK 6.2%, Italy 5.2%, India 4.1% (2005)
Imports:$21.22 billion f.o.b. (2006 est.)
Imports - commodities:crude petroleum, textile fabric, telecommunications equipment,wheat, gas and electricity, transistors, plastics
Imports - partners:France 18.2%, Spain 11%, Saudi Arabia 6.8%, Russia 6.8%, Italy6.1%, China 5.2%, Germany 4.7% (2005)
Reserves of foreign exchange and gold:$18.21 billion (2006 est.)
Debt - external:$17.9 billion (2006 est.)
Economic aid - recipient:ODA, $706 million (2004)
Currency (code):Moroccan dirham (MAD)
Currency code:MAD
Exchange rates:Moroccan dirhams per US dollar - 8.77508 (2006), 8.865 (2005),8.868 (2004), 9.574 (2003), 11.021 (2002)
Fiscal year:calendar year
Communications Morocco
Telephones - main lines in use:1,341,200 (2005)
Telephones - mobile cellular:12.393 million (2005)
Telephone system:general assessment: modern system with all important capabilities;however, density is low with only 4 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:3,218 (2006)
Internet Service Providers (ISPs):8 (2000)
Internet users:4.6 million (2005)
Transportation Morocco
Airports: 60 (2006)
Airports - with paved runways: total: 26 over 3,047 m: 11 2,438 to 3,047 m: 5 1,524 to 2,437 m: 7 914 to 1,523 m: 1 under 914 m: 2 (2006)
Airports - with unpaved runways: total: 34 2,438 to 3,047 m: 2 1,524 to 2,437 m: 9 914 to 1,523 m: 12 under 914 m: 11 (2006)
Heliports:1 (2006)
Pipelines:gas 715 km; oil 285 km (2006)
Railways:total: 1,907 kmstandard gauge: 1,907 km 1.435-m gauge (1,003 km electrified) (2005)
Roadways:total: 57,493 kmpaved: 32,716 km (including 507 km of expressways)unpaved: 24,777 km (2004)
Merchant marine:total: 41 ships (1000 GRT or over) 382,781 GRT/285,435 DWTby type: cargo 5, chemical tanker 6, container 9, passenger/cargo13, petroleum tanker 1, refrigerated cargo 2, roll on/roll off 5foreign-owned: 5 (France 1, Germany 2, Switzerland 1, UK 1)registered in other countries: 1 (Panama 1) (2006)
Ports and terminals:Agadir, Casablanca, Mohammedia, Nador, Safi, Tangier
Military Morocco
Military branches:Royal Armed Forces (Forces Armees Royales, FAR): Royal MoroccanArmy (includes Air Defense), Navy (includes Marines), Royal MoroccanAir Force (Force Aerienne Royale Marocaine) (2006)
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: 7,908,864females age 18-49: 7,882,879 (2005 est.)
Manpower fit for military service:males age 18-49: 6,484,787females age 18-49: 6,675,729 (2005 est.)
Manpower reaching military service age annually:males age 18-49: 353,377females age 18-49: 341,677 (2005 est.)
Military expenditures - dollar figure:$2.31 billion (2003 est.)
Military expenditures - percent of GDP:5% (2003 est.)
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 resource exploration and refugee interdiction sinceMorocco's 2002 rejection of Spain's unilateral designation of amedian line from the Canary Islands; Morocco serves as one of theprimary launching areas of illegal migration into Spain from NorthAfrica
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 8 February, 2007
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@Mozambique
Introduction Mozambique
Background:Almost five centuries as a Portuguese colony came to a close withindependence in 1975. Large-scale emigration by whites, economicdependence on South Africa, a severe drought, and a prolonged civilwar hindered the country's development. The ruling Front for theLiberation of Mozambique (FRELIMO) party formally abandoned Marxismin 1989, and a new constitution the following year provided formultiparty elections and a free market economy. A UN-negotiatedpeace agreement between FRELIMO and rebel Mozambique NationalResistance (RENAMO) forces ended the fighting in 1992. In December2004, Mozambique underwent a delicate transition as Joaquim CHISSANOstepped down after 18 years in office. His newly elected successor,Armando Emilio GUEBUZA, has promised to continue the sound economicpolicies that have encouraged foreign investment.
Geography Mozambique
Location:Southeastern Africa, bordering the Mozambique Channel, betweenSouth Africa and Tanzania
Geographic coordinates:18 15 S, 35 00 E
Map references:Africa
Area:total: 801,590 sq kmland: 784,090 sq kmwater: 17,500 sq km
Area - comparative:slightly less than twice the size of California
Land boundaries:total: 4,571 kmborder countries: Malawi 1,569 km, South Africa 491 km, Swaziland105 km, Tanzania 756 km, Zambia 419 km, Zimbabwe 1,231 km
Coastline:2,470 km
Maritime claims: territorial sea: 12 nm exclusive economic zone: 200 nm
Climate:tropical to subtropical
Terrain:mostly coastal lowlands, uplands in center, high plateaus innorthwest, mountains in west
Elevation extremes:lowest point: Indian Ocean 0 mhighest point: Monte Binga 2,436 m
Natural resources:coal, titanium, natural gas, hydropower, tantalum, graphite
Land use: arable land: 5.43% permanent crops: 0.29% other: 94.28% (2005)
Irrigated land:1,180 sq km (2003)
Natural hazards:severe droughts; devastating cyclones and floods in central andsouthern provinces
Environment - current issues: a long civil war and recurrent drought in the hinterlands have resulted in increased migration of the population to urban and coastal areas with adverse environmental consequences; desertification; pollution of surface and coastal waters; elephant poaching for ivory is a problem
Environment - international agreements: party to: Biodiversity, Climate Change, Climate Change-Kyoto Protocol, Desertification, Endangered Species, Hazardous Wastes, Law of the Sea, Ozone Layer Protection, Wetlands signed, but not ratified: none of the selected agreements
Geography - note:the Zambezi flows through the north-central and most fertile partof the country
People Mozambique
Population:19,686,505note: estimates for this country explicitly take into account theeffects of excess mortality due to AIDS; this can result in lowerlife expectancy, higher infant mortality and death rates, lowerpopulation and growth rates, and changes in the distribution ofpopulation by age and sex than would otherwise be expected; the 1997Mozambican census reported a population of 16,099,246 (July 2006est.)
Age structure:0-14 years: 42.7% (male 4,229,802/female 4,177,235)15-64 years: 54.5% (male 5,207,149/female 5,519,291)65 years and over: 2.8% (male 230,616/female 322,412) (2006 est.)
Median age:total: 18.3 yearsmale: 17.8 yearsfemale: 18.8 years (2006 est.)
Population growth rate:1.38% (2006 est.)
Birth rate:35.18 births/1,000 population (2006 est.)
Death rate:21.35 deaths/1,000 population (2006 est.)
Net migration rate:0 migrant(s)/1,000 population (2006 est.)
Sex ratio:at birth: 1.03 male(s)/femaleunder 15 years: 1.01 male(s)/female15-64 years: 0.94 male(s)/female65 years and over: 0.72 male(s)/femaletotal population: 0.97 male(s)/female (2006 est.)
Infant mortality rate:total: 129.24 deaths/1,000 live birthsmale: 134.31 deaths/1,000 live birthsfemale: 124.02 deaths/1,000 live births (2006 est.)
Life expectancy at birth:total population: 39.82 yearsmale: 39.53 yearsfemale: 40.13 years (2006 est.)
Total fertility rate:4.62 children born/woman (2006 est.)
HIV/AIDS - adult prevalence rate:12.2% (2003 est.)
HIV/AIDS - people living with HIV/AIDS:1.3 million (2003 est.)
HIV/AIDS - deaths:110,000 (2003 est.)
Major infectious diseases:degree of risk: very highfood or waterborne diseases: bacterial and protozoal diarrhea,hepatitis A, and typhoid fevervectorborne diseases: malaria and plague are high risks in somelocationswater contact disease: schistosomiasis (2007)
Nationality:noun: Mozambican(s)adjective: Mozambican
Ethnic groups:African 99.66% (Makhuwa, Tsonga, Lomwe, Sena, and others),Europeans 0.06%, Euro-Africans 0.2%, Indians 0.08%
Religions:Catholic 23.8%, Muslim 17.8%, Zionist Christian 17.5%, other 17.8%,none 23.1% (1997 census)
Languages:Emakhuwa 26.1%, Xichangana 11.3%, Portuguese 8.8% (official; spokenby 27% of population as a second language), Elomwe 7.6%, Cisena6.8%, Echuwabo 5.8%, other Mozambican languages 32%, other foreignlanguages 0.3%, unspecified 1.3% (1997 census)
Literacy:definition: age 15 and over can read and writetotal population: 47.8%male: 63.5%female: 32.7% (2003 est.)
Government Mozambique
Country name:conventional long form: Republic of Mozambiqueconventional short form: Mozambiquelocal long form: Republica de Mocambiquelocal short form: Mocambiqueformer: Portuguese East Africa
Government type:republic
Capital:name: Maputogeographic coordinates: 25 58 S, 32 35 Etime difference: UTC+2 (7 hours ahead of Washington, DC duringStandard Time)
Administrative divisions:10 provinces (provincias, singular - provincia), 1 city (cidade)*;Cabo Delgado, Gaza, Inhambane, Manica, Maputo, Cidade de Maputo*,Nampula, Niassa, Sofala, Tete, Zambezia
Independence:25 June 1975 (from Portugal)
National holiday:Independence Day, 25 June (1975)
Constitution:30 November 1990
Legal system:based on Portuguese civil law system and customary law
Suffrage:18 years of age; universal
Executive branch:chief of state: President Armando GUEBUZA (since 2 February 2005)head of government: Prime Minister Luisa DIOGO (since 17 February2004)cabinet: Cabinetelections: president elected by popular vote for a five-year term(eligible for a second term); election last held 1-2 December 2004(next to be held December 2009); prime minister appointed by thepresidentelection results: Armando GUEBUZA elected president; percent of vote- Armando GUEBUZA 63.7%, Afonso DHLAKAMA 31.7%
Legislative branch:unicameral Assembly of the Republic or Assembleia da Republica (250seats; members are directly elected by popular vote on a secretballot to serve five-year terms)elections: last held 1-2 December 2004 (next to be held December2009)election results: percent of vote by party - FRELIMO 62%, RENAMO29.7%; seats by party - FRELIMO 160, RENAMO 90
Judicial branch:Supreme Court (the court of final appeal; some of its professionaljudges are appointed by the president and some are elected by theAssembly); other courts include an Administrative Court, customscourts, maritime courts, courts marshal, labor courtsnote: although the constitution provides for a separateConstitutional Court, one has never been established; in its absencethe Supreme Court reviews constitutional cases
Political parties and leaders:Front for the Liberation of Mozambique (Frente de Liberatacao deMocambique) or FRELIMO [Armando Emilio GUEBUZA, president];Mozambique National Resistance-Electoral Union (Resistencia NacionalMocambicana-Uniao Eleitoral) or RENAMO-UE [Afonso DHLAKAMA,president]
Political pressure groups and leaders:Institute for Peace and Democracy (Instituto para Paz e Democracia)or IPADE [Raul DOMINGOS, president]; Etica [Abdul CARIMO Issa,chairman]; Movement for Peace and Citizenship (Movimento para Paz eCidadania); Mozambican League of Human Rights (Liga Mocambicana dosDireitos Humanos) or LDH [Alice MABOTE, president]; Human Rights andDevelopment (Direitos Humanos e Desenvolvimento) or DHD [ArtemisiaFRANCO, secretary general]
International organization participation:ACP, AfDB, AU, C, FAO, G-77, IAEA, IBRD, ICAO, ICCt (signatory),ICRM, IDA, IDB, IFAD, IFC, IFRCS, IHO, ILO, IMF, IMO, Interpol, IOC,IOM (observer), IPU, ISO (correspondent), ITU, ITUC, MIGA, MONUC,NAM, OIC, OIF (observer), OPCW, SADC, UN, UNCTAD, UNESCO, UNHCR,UNIDO, UNMIS, UNWTO, UPU, WCO, WFTU, WHO, WIPO, WMO, WTO
Diplomatic representation in the US: chief of mission: Ambassador Armando PANGUENE chancery: 1990 M Street NW, Suite 570, Washington, DC 20036 telephone: [1] (202) 293-7146 FAX: [1] (202) 835-0245
Diplomatic representation from the US:chief of mission: Ambassador Helen LA LIMEembassy: Avenida Kenneth Kuanda 193, Maputomailing address: P. O. Box 783, Maputotelephone: [258] (1) 492797FAX: [258] (1) 490448
Flag description:three equal horizontal bands of green (top), black, and yellow witha red isosceles triangle based on the hoist side; the black band isedged in white; centered in the triangle is a yellow five-pointedstar bearing a crossed rifle and hoe in black superimposed on anopen white book
Economy Mozambique
Economy - overview:At independence in 1975, Mozambique was one of the world's poorestcountries. Socialist mismanagement and a brutal civil war from1977-92 exacerbated the situation. In 1987, the government embarkedon a series of macroeconomic reforms designed to stabilize theeconomy. These steps, combined with donor assistance and withpolitical stability since the multi-party elections in 1994, haveled to dramatic improvements in the country's growth rate. Inflationwas reduced to single digits during the late 1990s although itreturned to double digits in 2000-06. Fiscal reforms, including theintroduction of a value-added tax and reform of the customs service,have improved the government's revenue collection abilities. Inspite of these gains, Mozambique remains dependent upon foreignassistance for much of its annual budget, and the majority of thepopulation remains below the poverty line. Subsistence agriculturecontinues to employ the vast majority of the country's work force. Asubstantial trade imbalance persists although the opening of theMozal aluminum smelter, the country's largest foreign investmentproject to date, has increased export earnings. In late 2005, andafter years of negotiations, the government signed an agreement togain Portugal's majority share of the Cahora Bassa Hydroelectricity(HCB) company, a dam that was not transferred to Mozambique atindependence because of the ensuing civil war and unpaid debts. Morepower is needed for additional investment projects in titaniumextraction and processing and garment manufacturing that couldfurther close the import/export gap. Mozambique's once substantialforeign debt has been reduced through forgiveness and reschedulingunder the IMF's Heavily Indebted Poor Countries (HIPC) and EnhancedHIPC initiatives, and is now at a manageable level.
GDP (purchasing power parity):$29.32 billion (2006 est.)
GDP (official exchange rate):$6.431 billion (2006 est.)
GDP - real growth rate:9.8% (2006 est.)