arable land: 5.46% permanent crops: 17.54% other: 77% (2005)
Irrigated land:
3,650 sq km (2003)
Total renewable water resources:
580 cu km (1999)
Freshwater withdrawal (domestic/industrial/agricultural):
total: 9.02 cu km/yr (17%/21%/62%) per capita: 356 cu m/yr (2000)
Natural hazards:
flooding, landslides, forest fires
Environment - current issues:
air pollution from industrial and vehicular emissions; water pollution from raw sewage; deforestation; smoke/haze from Indonesian forest fires
Environment - international agreements:
party to: Biodiversity, Climate Change, Climate Change-Kyoto Protocol, Desertification, Endangered Species, Hazardous Wastes, Law of the Sea, Marine Life Conservation, Ozone Layer Protection, Ship Pollution, Tropical Timber 83, Tropical Timber 94, Wetlands
Geography - note:
strategic location along Strait of Malacca and southern South China Sea
PeopleMalaysia
Population:
25,274,132 (July 2008 est.)
Age structure:
0-14 years: 31.8% (male 4,135,013/female 3,898,761) 15-64 years: 63.3% (male 8,026,755/female 7,965,332) 65 years and over: 4.9% (male 548,970/female 699,302) (2008 est.)
Median age:
total: 24.6 years male: 24 years female: 25.3 years (2008 est.)
Population growth rate:
1.742% (2008 est.)
Birth rate:
22.44 births/1,000 population (2008 est.)
Death rate:
5.02 deaths/1,000 population (2008 est.)
Net migration rate:
NA note: does not reflect net flow of an unknown number of illegal immigrants from other countries in the region (2008 est.)
Sex ratio:
at birth: 1.07 male(s)/female under 15 years: 1.06 male(s)/female 15-64 years: 1.01 male(s)/female 65 years and over: 0.78 male(s)/female total population: 1.01 male(s)/female (2008 est.)
Infant mortality rate:
total: 16.39 deaths/1,000 live births male: 18.92 deaths/1,000 live births female: 13.68 deaths/1,000 live births (2008 est.)
Life expectancy at birth:
total population: 73.03 years male: 70.32 years female: 75.94 years (2008 est.)
Total fertility rate:
2.98 children born/woman (2008 est.)
HIV/AIDS - adult prevalence rate:
0.4% (2003 est.)
HIV/AIDS - people living with HIV/AIDS:
52,000 (2003 est.)
HIV/AIDS - deaths:
2,000 (2003 est.)
Major infectious diseases:
degree of risk: high food or waterborne diseases: bacterial diarrhea, hepatitis A, and typhoid fever vectorborne diseases: dengue fever and malaria note: highly pathogenic H5N1 avian influenza has been identified in this country; it poses a negligible risk with extremely rare cases possible among US citizens who have close contact with birds (2008)
Nationality:
noun: Malaysian(s) adjective: Malaysian
Ethnic groups:
Malay 50.4%, Chinese 23.7%, indigenous 11%, Indian 7.1%, others 7.8% (2004 est.)
Religions:
Muslim 60.4%, Buddhist 19.2%, Christian 9.1%, Hindu 6.3%, Confucianism, Taoism, other traditional Chinese religions 2.6%, other or unknown 1.5%, none 0.8% (2000 census)
Languages:
Bahasa Malaysia (official), English, Chinese (Cantonese, Mandarin, Hokkien, Hakka, Hainan, Foochow), Tamil, Telugu, Malayalam, Panjabi, Thai note: in East Malaysia there are several indigenous languages; most widely spoken are Iban and Kadazan
Literacy:
definition: age 15 and over can read and write total population: 88.7% male: 92% female: 85.4% (2000 census)
School life expectancy (primary to tertiary education):
total: 13 years male: 12 years female: 13 years (2005)
Education expenditures:
6.2% of GDP (2004)
GovernmentMalaysia
Country name:
conventional long form: none conventional short form: Malaysia local long form: none local short form: Malaysia former: Federation of Malaya
Government type:
constitutional monarchy note: nominally headed by paramount ruler and a bicameral Parliament consisting of a nonelected upper house and an elected lower house; all Peninsular Malaysian states have hereditary rulers except Melaka and Pulau Pinang (Penang); those two states along with Sabah and Sarawak in East Malaysia have governors appointed by government; powers of state governments are limited by federal constitution; under terms of federation, Sabah and Sarawak retain certain constitutional prerogatives (e.g., right to maintain their own immigration controls); Sabah holds 25 seats in House of Representatives; Sarawak has 31 seats
Capital:
name: Kuala Lumpur geographic coordinates: 3 10 N, 101 42 E time difference: UTC+8 (13 hours ahead of Washington, DC during Standard Time) note: Putrajaya is referred to as administrative center not capital; Parliament meets in Kuala Lumpur
Administrative divisions:
13 states (negeri-negeri, singular - negeri) Johor, Kedah, Kelantan, Melaka, Negeri Sembilan, Pahang, Perak, Perlis, Pulau Pinang, Sabah, Sarawak, Selangor, and Terengganu; and one federal territory (wilayah persekutuan) with three components, city of Kuala Lumpur, Labuan, and Putrajaya
Independence:
31 August 1957 (from UK)
National holiday:
Independence Day/Malaysia Day, 31 August (1957)
Constitution:
31 August 1957 (amended many times, latest in 2007)
Legal system:
based on English common law; judicial review of legislative acts in the Supreme Court at request of supreme head of the federation; Islamic law is applied to Muslims in matters of family law and religion; has not accepted compulsory ICJ jurisdiction
Suffrage:
21 years of age; universal
Executive branch:
chief of state: Paramount Ruler Sultan MIZAN Zainal Abidin (since 13 December 2006) head of government: Prime Minister ABDULLAH bin Ahmad Badawi (since 31 October 2003); Deputy Prime Minister Mohamed NAJIB bin Abdul Razak (since 7 January 2004) cabinet: Cabinet appointed by the prime minister from among the members of Parliament with consent of the paramount ruler elections: paramount ruler elected by and from the hereditary rulers of nine of the states for five-year terms; election last held on 3 November 2006 (next to be held in 2011); prime minister designated from among the members of the House of Representatives; following legislative elections, the leader of the party that wins a plurality of seats in the House of Representatives becomes prime minister election results: Sultan MIZAN Zainal Abidin elected paramount ruler note: position of paramount ruler is primarily ceremonial; in practice, selection is based on principle of rotation among rulers of states
Legislative branch:
bicameral Parliament or Parlimen consists of Senate or Dewan Negara (70 seats; 44 appointed by paramount ruler, 26 elected by 13 state legislatures; to serve three-year terms with limit of two terms) and House of Representatives or Dewan Rakyat (222 seats; members elected by popular vote to serve five-year terms) elections: House of Representatives - last held on 8 March 2008 (next to be held by March 2013) election results: House of Representatives - percent of vote - BN coalition 50.3%, opposition parties 46.8%, others 2.9%; seats - BN coalition 140, opposition parties 82
Judicial branch:
Civil Courts include Federal Court, Court of Appeal, High Court of Malaya on peninsula Malaysia, and High Court of Sabah and Sarawak in states of Borneo (judges appointed by the paramount ruler on the advice of the prime minister); Sharia Courts include Sharia Appeal Court, Sharia High Court, and Sharia Subordinate Courts at state-level and deal with religious and family matters such as custody, divorce, and inheritance, only for Muslims; decisions of Sharia courts cannot be appealed to civil courts
Political parties and leaders:
National Front (Barisan Nasional) or BN (ruling coalition) consistsof the following parties: Gerakan Rakyat Malaysia Party or PGRM [KOHTsu Koon - acting]; Liberal Democratic Party (Parti LiberalDemokratik - Sabah) or LDP [LIEW Vui Keong]; Malaysian ChineseAssociation (Persatuan China Malaysia) or MCA [ONG Ka Ting];Malaysian Indian Congress (Kongres India Malaysia) or MIC [S. SamyVELLU]; Parti Bersatu Rakyat Sabah or PBRS [Joseph KURUP]; PartiBersatu Sabah or PBS [Joseph PAIRIN Kitingan]; Parti PesakaBumiputera Bersatu or PBB [Abdul TAIB Mahmud]; Parti Rakyat Sarawakor PRS [James MASING]; Sabah Progressive Party (Parti ProgresifSabah) or SAPP [YONG Teck Lee]; Sarawak United People's Party (PartiBersatu Rakyat Sarawak) or SUPP [George CHAN Hong Nam]; UnitedMalays National Organization or UMNO [ABDULLAH bin Ahmad Badawi];United Pasokmomogun Kadazandusun Murut Organization (PertubuhanPasko Momogun Kadazan Dusun Bersatu) or UPKO [Bernard DOMPOK];People's Progressive Party (Parti Progresif Penduduk Malaysia) orPPP [M.Kayveas]; Sarawak Progressive Democratic Party or SPDP[William MAWAN])People's Alliance (Pakatan Rakyat) or PR (opposition coalition)consists of the following parties:: Democratic Action Party (PartiTindakan Demokratik) or DAP [KARPAL Singh]; Islamic Party ofMalaysia (Parti Islam se Malaysia) or PAS [Abdul HADI Awang];People's Justice Party (Parti Keadilan Rakyat) or PKR [WAN AZIZAHWan Ismael]; Sarawak National Party or SNAP [Edwin DUNDANG]
Political pressure groups and leaders:
Bersih (electoral reform); Sharia High Court other: religious groups; women's groups; youth groups
International organization participation:
ADB, APEC, APT, ARF, ASEAN, BIS, C, CP, EAS, FAO, G-15, G-77, IAEA,IBRD, ICAO, ICC, ICRM, IDA, IDB, IFAD, IFC, IFRCS, IHO, ILO, IMF,IMO, IMSO, Interpol, IOC, IPU, ISO, ITSO, ITU, ITUC, MIGA, MINURSO,MONUC, NAM, OIC, OPCW, PCA, PIF (partner), UN, UNCTAD, UNESCO,UNIDO, UNIFIL, UNMIL, UNMIS, UNMIT, UNWTO, UPU, WCL, WCO, WFTU, WHO,WIPO, WMO, WTO
Diplomatic representation in the US:
chief of mission: Ambassador (vacant); Charge d'Affaires Ilango KARUPPANNAN chancery: 3516 International Court NW, Washington, DC 20008 telephone: [1] (202) 572-9700 FAX: [1] (202) 572-9882 consulate(s) general: Los Angeles, New York
Diplomatic representation from the US:
chief of mission: Ambassador James R. KEITH embassy: 376 Jalan Tun Razak, 50400 Kuala Lumpur mailing address: US Embassy Kuala Lumpur, APO AP 96535-8152 telephone: [60] (3) 2168-5000 FAX: [60] (3) 2142-2207
Flag description:
14 equal horizontal stripes of red (top) alternating with white (bottom); there is a blue rectangle in the upper hoist-side corner bearing a yellow crescent and a yellow 14-pointed star; the crescent and the star are traditional symbols of Islam; the design was based on the flag of the US
EconomyMalaysia
Economy - overview:
Malaysia, a middle-income country, has transformed itself since the 1970s from a producer of raw materials into an emerging multi-sector economy. Since coming to office in 2003, Prime Minister ABDULLAH has tried to move the economy farther up the value-added production chain by attracting investments in high technology industries, medical technology, and pharmaceuticals. The Government of Malaysia is continuing efforts to boost domestic demand to wean the economy off of its dependence on exports. Nevertheless, exports - particularly of electronics - remain a significant driver of the economy. As an oil and gas exporter, Malaysia has profited from higher world energy prices, although the rising cost of domestic gasoline and diesel fuel forced Kuala Lumpur to reduce government subsidies. Malaysia "unpegged" the ringgit from the US dollar in 2005 and the currency appreciated 6% per year against the dollar in 2006-07. Although this has helped to hold down the price of imports, inflationary pressures began to build in 2007. Healthy foreign exchange reserves and a small external debt greatly reduce the risk that Malaysia will experience a financial crisis over the near term similar to the one in 1997. The government presented its five-year national development agenda in April 2006 through the Ninth Malaysia Plan, a comprehensive blueprint for the allocation of the national budget from 2006-10. With national elections expected within the year, ABDULLAH has unveiled a series of ambitious development schemes for several regions that have had trouble attracting business investment. Real GDP growth has averaged about 6% per year under ABDULLAH, but regions outside of Kuala Lumpur and the manufacturing hub Penang have not fared as well.
GDP (purchasing power parity):
$361.2 billion (2007 est.)
GDP (official exchange rate):
$186.5 billion (2007 est.)
GDP - real growth rate:
6.3% (2007 est.)
GDP - per capita (PPP):
$14,500 (2007 est.)
GDP - composition by sector:
agriculture: 9.9% industry: 45.3% services: 44.8% (2007 est.)
Labor force:
10.94 million (2007 est.)
Labor force - by occupation:
agriculture: 13% industry: 36% services: 51% (2005 est.)
Unemployment rate:
3.2% (2007 est.)
Population below poverty line:
5.1% (2002 est.)
Household income or consumption by percentage share:
lowest 10%: 1.4% highest 10%: 39.2% (2003 est.)
Distribution of family income - Gini index:
46.1 (2002)
Investment (gross fixed):
21.7% of GDP (2007 est.)
Budget:
revenues: $40.69 billion expenditures: $46.7 billion (2007 est.)
Fiscal year:
calendar year
Public debt:
41.6% of GDP (2007 est.)
Inflation rate (consumer prices):
2% note: approximately 30% of goods are price-controlled (2007 est.)
Commercial bank prime lending rate:
6.41% (31 December 2007)
Stock of money:
$49.41 billion (31 December 2007)
Stock of quasi money:
$187.6 billion (31 December 2007)
Stock of domestic credit:
$220 billion (31 December 2007)
Agriculture - products:
Peninsular Malaysia - rubber, palm oil, cocoa, rice; Sabah - subsistence crops, rubber, timber, coconuts, rice; Sarawak - rubber, pepper, timber
Industries:
Peninsular Malaysia - rubber and oil palm processing and manufacturing, light manufacturing, electronics, tin mining and smelting, logging, timber processing; Sabah - logging, petroleum production; Sarawak - agriculture processing, petroleum production and refining, logging
Industrial production growth rate:
3.3% (2007 est.)
Electricity - production:
102.9 billion kWh (2007 est.)
Electricity - consumption:
95.98 billion kWh (2006 est.)
Electricity - exports:
2.524 billion kWh (2006 est.)
Electricity - imports:
0 kWh (2007 est.)
Electricity - production by source:
fossil fuel: 89.5% hydro: 10.5% nuclear: 0% other: 0% (2001)
Oil - production:
753,700 bbl/day (2008 est.)
Oil - consumption:
501,100 bbl/day (2006 est.)
Oil - exports:
546,300 bbl/day (2005)
Oil - imports:
308,500 bbl/day (2005)
Oil - proved reserves:
4 billion bbl (1 January 2008 est.)
Natural gas - production:
64.5 billion cu m (2007 est.)
Natural gas - consumption:
32.9 billion cu m (2007 est.)
Natural gas - exports:
31.6 billion cu m (2007 est.)
Natural gas - imports:
0 cu m (2007 est.)
Natural gas - proved reserves:
2.35 trillion cu m (1 January 2008 est.)
Current account balance:
$28.93 billion (2007 est.)
Exports:
$176.4 billion f.o.b. (2007 est.)
Exports - commodities:
electronic equipment, petroleum and liquefied natural gas, wood and wood products, palm oil, rubber, textiles, chemicals
Exports - partners:
US 15.6%, Singapore 14.6%, Japan 9.1%, China 8.8%, Thailand 5%, HongKong 4.6% (2007)
Imports:
$139.1 billion f.o.b. (2007 est.)
Imports - commodities:
electronics, machinery, petroleum products, plastics, vehicles, iron and steel products, chemicals
Imports - partners:
Japan 13%, China 12.9%, Singapore 11.5%, US 10.8%, Taiwan 5.7%,Thailand 5.3%, South Korea 4.9%, Germany 4.6%, Indonesia 4.2% (2007)
Economic aid - recipient:
$31.6 million (2005)
Reserves of foreign exchange and gold:
$101.1 billion (31 December 2007 est.)
Debt - external:
$53.09 billion (31 December 2007)
Stock of direct foreign investment - at home:
$86.16 billion (2007 est.)
Stock of direct foreign investment - abroad:
$42.55 billion (2007 est.)
Market value of publicly traded shares:
$235.4 billion (2006)
Currency (code):
ringgit (MYR)
Currency code:
Exchange rates:
ringgits (MYR) per US dollar - 3.46 (2007), 3.6683 (2006), 3.8 (2005), 3.8 (2004), 3.8 (2003)
CommunicationsMalaysia
Telephones - main lines in use:
4.35 million (2007)
Telephones - mobile cellular:
23.347 million (2007)
Telephone system:
general assessment: modern system; international service excellent domestic: good intercity service provided on Peninsular Malaysia mainly by microwave radio relay; adequate intercity microwave radio relay network between Sabah and Sarawak via Brunei; domestic satellite system with 2 earth stations; combined fixed-line and mobile cellular teledensity exceeds 110 per 100 persons international: country code - 60; landing point for several major international submarine cable networks that provide connectivity to Asia, Middle East, and Europe; satellite earth stations - 2 Intelsat (1 Indian Ocean, 1 Pacific Ocean) (2007)
Radio broadcast stations:
AM 35, FM 391, shortwave 15 (2001)
Radios:
10.9 million (1999)
Television broadcast stations:
88 (mainland Malaysia 51, Sabah 16, and Sarawak 21) (2006)
Televisions:
10.8 million (1999)
Internet country code:
.my
Internet hosts:
377,716 (2008)
Internet Service Providers (ISPs):
7 (2000)
Internet users:
15.868 million (2007)
TransportationMalaysia
Airports:
116 (2007)
Airports - with paved runways:
total: 36 over 3,047 m: 5 2,438 to 3,047 m: 9 1,524 to 2,437 m: 8 914 to 1,523 m: 8 under 914 m: 6 (2007)
Airports - with unpaved runways:
total: 80 1,524 to 2,437 m: 1 914 to 1,523 m: 7 under 914 m: 72 (2007)
Heliports:
2 (2007)
Pipelines:
condensate 282 km; gas 5,273 km; oil 1,750 km; oil/gas/water 19 km; refined products 114 km (2007)
Railways:
total: 1,890 km standard gauge: 57 km 1.435-m gauge (57 km electrified) narrow gauge: 1,833 km 1.000-m gauge (150 km electrified) (2006)
Roadways:
total: 98,721 km paved: 80,280 km (includes 1,821 km of expressways) unpaved: 18,441 km (2004)
Waterways:
7,200 km note: Peninsular Malaysia 3,200 km; Sabah 1,500 km; Sarawak 2,500 km (2005)
Merchant marine:
total: 306 by type: bulk carrier 12, cargo 97, carrier 1, chemical tanker 34, container 46, liquefied gas 33, passenger/cargo 5, petroleum tanker 71, roll on/roll off 3, vehicle carrier 4 foreign-owned: 40 (Germany 1, Hong Kong 14, Japan 4, Russia 2, Singapore 16, Sweden 3) registered in other countries: 68 (Bahamas 13, Marshall Islands 3, Norway 1, Panama 12, Philippines 1, Saint Kitts and Nevis 1, Singapore 27, Thailand 3, Tuvalu 1, US 2, unknown 4) (2008)
Ports and terminals:
Bintulu, Johor Bahru, Kuantan, Labuan, George Town (Penang), PortKelang, Tanjung Pelepas
Transportation - note:
the International Maritime Bureau reports the territorial and offshore waters in the Strait of Malacca and South China Sea as high risk for piracy and armed robbery against ships; numerous commercial vessels have been attacked and hijacked both at anchor and while underway; hijacked vessels are often disguised and cargo diverted to ports in East Asia; crews have been murdered or cast adrift
MilitaryMalaysia
Military branches:
Malaysian Armed Forces (Angkatan Tentera Malaysia, ATM): MalaysianArmy (Tentera Darat Malaysia), Royal Malaysian Navy (Tentera LautDiraja Malaysia, TLDM), Royal Malaysian Air Force (Tentera UdaraDiraja Malaysia, TUDM) (2008)
Military service age and obligation:
18 years of age for voluntary military service (2005)
Manpower available for military service:
males age 16-49: 6,440,338 females age 16-49: 6,280,826 (2008 est.)
Manpower fit for military service:
males age 16-49: 5,374,006 females age 16-49: 5,316,865 (2008 est.)
Manpower reaching militarily significant age annually:
male: 260,725 female: 247,309 (2008 est.)
Military expenditures:
2.03% of GDP (2005 est.)
Transnational IssuesMalaysia
Disputes - international:
Malaysia has asserted sovereignty over the Spratly Islands together with China, Philippines, Taiwan, Vietnam, and possibly Brunei; while the 2002 "Declaration on the Conduct of Parties in the South China Sea" has eased tensions over the Spratly Islands, it is not the legally binding "code of conduct" sought by some parties; Malaysia was not party to the March 2005 joint accord among the national oil companies of China, the Philippines, and Vietnam on conducting marine seismic activities in the Spratly Islands; disputes continue over deliveries of fresh water to Singapore, Singapore's land reclamation, bridge construction, and maritime boundaries in the Johor and Singapore Straits; in November 2007, the ICJ will hold public hearings in response to the Memorials and Countermemorials filed by the parties in 2003 and 2005 over sovereignty of Pedra Branca Island/Pulau Batu Puteh, Middle Rocks and South Ledge; ICJ awarded Ligitan and Sipadan islands, also claimed by Indonesia and Philippines, to Malaysia but left maritime boundary and sovereignty of Unarang rock in the hydrocarbon-rich Celebes Sea in dispute; separatist violence in Thailand's predominantly Muslim southern provinces prompts measures to close and monitor border with Malaysia to stem terrorist activities; Philippines retains a dormant claim to Malaysia's Sabah State in northern Borneo; Brunei and Malaysia agreed in September 2008 to resolve their offshore and deepwater seabed dispute, resume hydrocarbon exploration and renounce any territorial claims on land; piracy remains a problem in the Malacca Strait
Refugees and internally displaced persons:
refugees (country of origin): 15,174 (Indonesia); 21,544 (Burma) (2007)
Trafficking in persons:
current situation: Malaysia is a destination and, to a lesser extent, a source and transit country for women and children trafficked for the purpose of commercial sexual exploitation, and men, women, and children for forced labor; Malaysia is mainly a destination country for men, women, and children who migrate willingly from South and Southeast Asia to work, some of whom are subjected to conditions of involuntary servitude by Malaysian employers in the domestic, agricultural, construction, plantation, and industrial sectors; to a lesser extent, some Malaysian women, primarily of Chinese ethnicity, are trafficked abroad for commercial sexual exploitation tier rating: Tier 2 Watch List - Malaysia improved from Tier 3 to the Tier 2 Watch List for 2008 when it enacted comprehensive anti-trafficking legislation in July 2007; however, it did not take action against exploitative employers or labor traffickers in 2007; the government has not ratified the 2000 UN TIP Protocol (2008)
Illicit drugs:
drug trafficking prosecuted vigorously and carries severe penalties; heroin still primary drug of abuse, but synthetic drug demand remains strong; continued ecstasy and methamphetamine producer for domestic users and, to a lesser extent, the regional drug market
This page was last updated on 18 December, 2008
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@Maldives
IntroductionMaldives
Background:
The Maldives was long a sultanate, first under Dutch and then under British protection. It became a republic in 1968, three years after independence. President Maumoon Abdul GAYOOM dominated the islands' political scene for 30 years, elected to six successive terms by single-party referendums. Following riots in the capital Male in August 2004, the president and his government pledged to embark upon democratic reforms including a more representative political system and expanded political freedoms. Progress was sluggish, however, and many promised reforms were slow to be realized. Nonetheless, political parties were legalized in 2005. In June 2008, a constituent assembly - termed the "Special Majlis" - finalized a new constitution, which was ratified by the president in August. The first-ever presidential elections under a multi-candidate, multi-party system were held in October 2008. GAYOOM was defeated in a runoff poll by Mohamed NASHEED, a political activist who had been jailed several years earlier by the former regime. Challenges facing the new president include strengthening democracy and combating poverty and drug abuse.
GeographyMaldives
Location:
Southern Asia, group of atolls in the Indian Ocean, south-southwest of India
Geographic coordinates:
Map references:
Asia
Area:
total: 300 sq km land: 300 sq km water: 0 sq km
Area - comparative:
about 1.7 times the size of Washington, DC
Land boundaries:
0 km
Coastline:
644 km
Maritime claims:
measured from claimed archipelagic straight baselines territorial sea: 12 nm contiguous zone: 24 nm exclusive economic zone: 200 nm
Climate:
tropical; hot, humid; dry, northeast monsoon (November to March); rainy, southwest monsoon (June to August)
Terrain:
flat, with white sandy beaches
Elevation extremes:
lowest point: Indian Ocean 0 m highest point: unnamed location on Wilingili island in the Addu Atoll 2.4 m
Natural resources:
fish
Land use:
arable land: 13.33% permanent crops: 30% other: 56.67% (2005)
Irrigated land:
Total renewable water resources:
0.03 cu km (1999)
Freshwater withdrawal (domestic/industrial/agricultural):
total: 0.003 cu km/yr (98%/2%/0%) per capita: 9 cu m/yr (1987)
Natural hazards:
low level of islands makes them sensitive to sea level rise
Environment - current issues:
depletion of freshwater aquifers threatens water supplies; global warming and sea level rise; coral reef bleaching
Environment - international agreements:
party to: Biodiversity, Climate Change, Climate Change-Kyoto Protocol, Desertification, Hazardous Wastes, Law of the Sea, Ozone Layer Protection, Ship Pollution signed, but not ratified: none of the selected agreements
Geography - note:
1,190 coral islands grouped into 26 atolls (200 inhabited islands, plus 80 islands with tourist resorts); archipelago with strategic location astride and along major sea lanes in Indian Ocean
PeopleMaldives
Population:
385,925 (July 2008 est.)
Age structure:
0-14 years: 23.5% (male 46,174/female 44,396) 15-64 years: 72.7% (male 172,279/female 108,152) 65 years and over: 3.9% (male 7,510/female 7,414) (2008 est.)
Median age:
total: 25.1 years male: 26 years female: 23.7 years (2008 est.)
Population growth rate:
5.566% (2008 est.)
Birth rate:
14.84 births/1,000 population (2008 est.)
Death rate:
3.66 deaths/1,000 population (2008 est.)
Net migration rate:
NA (2008 est.)
Sex ratio:
at birth: 1.05 male(s)/female under 15 years: 1.04 male(s)/female 15-64 years: 1.59 male(s)/female 65 years and over: 1.01 male(s)/female total population: 1.41 male(s)/female (2008 est.)
Infant mortality rate:
total: 30.63 deaths/1,000 live births male: 33.15 deaths/1,000 live births female: 27.98 deaths/1,000 live births (2008 est.)
Life expectancy at birth:
total population: 73.72 years male: 71.55 years female: 76.01 years (2008 est.)
Total fertility rate:
1.97 children born/woman (2008 est.)
HIV/AIDS - adult prevalence rate:
0.1% (2001 est.)
HIV/AIDS - people living with HIV/AIDS:
fewer than 100 (2001 est.)
HIV/AIDS - deaths:
Nationality:
noun: Maldivian(s) adjective: Maldivian
Ethnic groups:
South Indians, Sinhalese, Arabs
Religions:
Sunni Muslim
Languages:
Maldivian Dhivehi (dialect of Sinhala, script derived from Arabic),English spoken by most government officials
Literacy:
definition: age 15 and over can read and write total population: 96.3% male: 96.2% female: 96.4% (2000 census)
School life expectancy (primary to tertiary education):
total: 12 years male: 12 years female: 12 years (2006)
Education expenditures:
8% of GDP (2006)
GovernmentMaldives
Country name:
conventional long form: Republic of Maldives conventional short form: Maldives local long form: Dhivehi Raajjeyge Jumhooriyyaa local short form: Dhivehi Raajje
Government type:
republic
Capital:
name: Male geographic coordinates: 4 10 N, 73 30 E time difference: UTC+5 (10 hours ahead of Washington, DC during Standard Time)
Administrative divisions:
19 atolls (atholhu, singular and plural) and the capital city*;Alifu, Baa, Dhaalu, Faafu, Gaafu Alifu, Gaafu Dhaalu, Gnaviyani, HaaAlifu, Haa Dhaalu, Kaafu, Laamu, Lhaviyani, Maale* (Male), Meemu,Noonu, Raa, Seenu, Shaviyani, Thaa, Vaavu
Independence:
26 July 1965 (from UK)
National holiday:
Independence Day, 26 July (1965)
Constitution:
new constitution ratified 7 August 2008
Legal system:
based on Islamic law with admixtures of English common law primarily in commercial matters; has not accepted compulsory ICJ jurisdiction
Suffrage:
21 years of age; universal
Executive branch:
chief of state: President Mohamed NASHEED (since 11 November 2008); Vice President (vacant); note - the president is both the chief of state and head of government head of government: President Mohamed NASHEED (since 11 November 2008); Vice President (vacant) cabinet: Cabinet of Ministers appointed by the president elections: under the new constitution, the president is elected by direct vote; president elected for a five-year term (eligible for a second term); election last held 8 and 28 October 2008 (next to be held in 2013) election results: Mohamed NASHEED elected president; percent of vote - NASHEED 54.25%, Maumoon Abdul GAYOOM 45.75%; note - NASHEED is expected to assume office on 11 November 2008
Legislative branch:
unicameral People's Council or Majlis (50 seats; 42 members elected by popular vote, 8 appointed by the president; to serve five-year terms) elections: last held 22 January 2005 (next to be held in 2010) election results: percent of vote - NA; seats - independents 50
Judicial branch:
Supreme Court; Supreme Court judges are appointed by the Presidentwith approval of voting members of the People's Council; High Court;Trial Courts; all lower court judges are appointed by the JudicialService Commission
Political parties and leaders:
Adhaalath (Justice) Party or AP [Abdul Majeed Abdul BARI]; DhivehiRayyithunge Party (Maldivian People's Party) or DRP [Maumoon AbdulGAYOOM]; Islamic Democratic Party or IDP [Omar NASEER]; MaldivianDemocratic Party or MDP [Mohamed NASHEED]; note - political partieswere allowed to register in June 2005
Political pressure groups and leaders:
other: various unregistered political parties
International organization participation:
ADB, C, CP, FAO, G-77, IBRD, ICAO, IDA, IDB, IFAD, IFC, IMF, IMO,Interpol, IOC, IPU, ITU, MIGA, NAM, OIC, OPCW, SAARC, SACEP, UN,UNCTAD, UNESCO, UNIDO, UNWTO, UPU, WCO, WFTU, WHO, WIPO, WMO, WTO
Diplomatic representation in the US:
chief of mission: Ambassador Mohamed Hussain MANIKU chancery: 800 2nd Avenue, Suite 400E, New York, NY 10017 telephone: [1] (212) 599-6194 FAX: [1] (212) 599-6195
Diplomatic representation from the US:
the US does not have an embassy in Maldives; the US Ambassador to Sri Lanka is accredited to Maldives and makes periodic visits
Flag description:
red with a large green rectangle in the center bearing a vertical white crescent; the closed side of the crescent is on the hoist side of the flag
EconomyMaldives
Economy - overview:
Tourism, Maldives' largest industry, accounts for 28% of GDP and more than 60% of the Maldives' foreign exchange receipts. Over 90% of government tax revenue comes from import duties and tourism-related taxes. Fishing is the second leading sector. Agriculture and manufacturing continue to play a lesser role in the economy, constrained by the limited availability of cultivable land and the shortage of domestic labor. Most staple foods must be imported. Industry, which consists mainly of garment production, boat building, and handicrafts, accounts for about 7% of GDP. The Maldivian Government began an economic reform program in 1989 initially by lifting import quotas and opening some exports to the private sector. Subsequently, it has liberalized regulations to allow more foreign investment. Real GDP growth averaged over 7.5% per year for more than a decade. In late December 2004, a major tsunami left more than 100 dead, 12,000 displaced, and property damage exceeding $300 million. As a result of the tsunami, the GDP contracted by about 3.6% in 2005. A rebound in tourism, post-tsunami reconstruction, and development of new resorts helped the economy recover quickly. The trade deficit has expanded sharply as a result of high oil prices and imports of construction material. Diversifying beyond tourism and fishing and increasing employment are the major challenges facing the government. Over the longer term Maldivian authorities worry about the impact of erosion and possible global warming on their low-lying country; 80% of the area is 1 meter or less above sea level.
GDP (purchasing power parity):
$1.588 billion (2007 est.)
GDP (official exchange rate):
$1.049 billion (2007 est.)
GDP - real growth rate:
6.6% (2007 est.)
GDP - per capita (PPP):
$4,600 (2007 est.)
GDP - composition by sector:
agriculture: 16% industry: 7% services: 77% (2006 est.)
Labor force:
101,300 (2004)
Labor force - by occupation:
agriculture: 22% industry: 18% services: 60% (1995)
Unemployment rate:
NEGL% (2003 est.)
Population below poverty line:
21% (2004)
Household income or consumption by percentage share:
lowest 10%: NA% highest 10%: NA%
Budget:
revenues: $508 million (including foreign grants) expenditures: $671 million (2006 est.)
Fiscal year:
calendar year
Inflation rate (consumer prices):
5% (2007 est.)
Central bank discount rate:
12.5% (31 December 2007)
Commercial bank prime lending rate:
13% (31 December 2007)
Stock of money:
$344.1 million (31 December 2007)
Stock of quasi money:
$434.9 million (31 December 2007)
Stock of domestic credit:
$1.08 billion (31 December 2007)
Agriculture - products:
coconuts, corn, sweet potatoes; fish
Industries:
tourism, fish processing, shipping, boat building, coconut processing, garments, woven mats, rope, handicrafts, coral and sand mining
Industrial production growth rate:
-0.9% (2004 est.)
Electricity - production:
230 million kWh (2007 est.)
Electricity - consumption:
203.7 million kWh (2006 est.)
Electricity - exports:
0 kWh (2007 est.)
Electricity - imports:
0 kWh (2007 est.)
Electricity - production by source:
fossil fuel: 100% hydro: 0% nuclear: 0% other: 0% (2001)
Oil - production:
0 bbl/day (2007 est.)
Oil - consumption:
5,490 bbl/day (2006 est.)
Oil - exports:
1,499 bbl/day (2005)
Oil - imports:
5,362 bbl/day (2005)
Oil - proved reserves:
0 bbl (1 January 2006 est.)
Natural gas - production:
0 cu m (2007 est.)
Natural gas - consumption:
0 cu m (2007 est.)
Natural gas - exports:
0 cu m (2007 est.)
Natural gas - imports:
0 cu m (2007 est.)
Natural gas - proved reserves:
0 cu m (1 January 2006 est.)
Current account balance:
-$472 million (2007)
Exports:
$167 million f.o.b. (2006)
Exports - commodities:
fish
Exports - partners:
Thailand 28.3%, UK 17.6%, France 8.8%, Sri Lanka 8.6%, Algeria 8.2%,Japan 6.4%, Italy 4.1% (2007)
Imports:
$930 million f.o.b. (2006)
Imports - commodities:
petroleum products, ships, foodstuffs, clothing, intermediate and capital goods
Imports - partners:
Canada 35.2%, Singapore 15%, UAE 10.2%, India 7.4%, Malaysia 7.1% (2007)
Economic aid - recipient:
$66.83 million (2005)
Debt - external:
$482 million (2006 est.)
Market value of publicly traded shares:
Currency (code):
rufiyaa (MVR)
Currency code:
Exchange rates:
rufiyaa (MVR) per US dollar - NA (2007), 12.8 (2006), 12.8 (2005), 12.8 (2004), 12.8 (2003)
CommunicationsMaldives
Telephones - main lines in use:
33,200 (2007)
Telephones - mobile cellular:
317,800 (2007)
Telephone system:
general assessment: telephone services have improved; each island now has at least 1 public telephone, and there are mobile cellular networks with a rapidly expanding subscribership approaching 90 per 100 persons domestic: interatoll communication through microwave links; all inhabited islands and resorts are connected with telephone and fax service international: country code - 960; linked to international submarine cable Fiber-Optic Link Around the Globe (FLAG); satellite earth station - 3 Intelsat (Indian Ocean) (2007)
Radio broadcast stations:
AM 1, FM 1, shortwave 1 (1998)
Radios:
35,000 (1999)
Television broadcast stations:
1 (2006)
Televisions:
10,000 (1999)
Internet country code:
.mv
Internet hosts:
1,600 (2008)
Internet Service Providers (ISPs):
1 (2000)
Internet users:
33,000 (2007)
TransportationMaldives
Airports:
5 (2007)
Airports - with paved runways:
total: 3 over 3,047 m: 1 2,438 to 3,047 m: 1 914 to 1,523 m: 1 (2007)
Airports - with unpaved runways:
total: 2 914 to 1,523 m: 2 (2007)
Roadways:
total: 88 km paved roads: 88 km - 60 km in Male; 14 km on Addu Atolis; 14 km on Laamu note: village roads are mainly compacted coral (2006)
Merchant marine:
total: 29 by type: bulk carrier 1, cargo 23, petroleum tanker 3, refrigerated cargo 2 foreign-owned: 1 (Greece 1) registered in other countries: 2 (Panama 1, Tuvalu 1) (2008)
Ports and terminals:
Male
MilitaryMaldives
Military branches:
Maldives National Defense Force (MNDF): Quick Reaction Force,Security Protection Group, Coast Guard (2007)
Military service age and obligation:
18 years of age for voluntary military service; no conscription (2008)
Manpower available for military service:
males age 16-49: 89,505 females age 16-49: 85,745 (2008 est.)
Manpower fit for military service:
males age 16-49: 72,150 females age 16-49: 69,058 (2008 est.)
Manpower reaching militarily significant age annually:
male: 4,749 female: 4,084 (2008 est.)
Military expenditures:
5.5% of GDP (2005 est.)
Military - note:
the Maldives National Defense Force (MNDF), with its small size and with little serviceable equipment, is inadequate to prevent external aggression and is primarily tasked to reinforce the Maldives Police Service (MPS) and ensure security in the exclusive economic zone (2008)
Transnational IssuesMaldives
Disputes - international:
none
Refugees and internally displaced persons:
IDPs: 1,000-10,000 (December 2004 tsunami victims) (2007)
This page was last updated on 18 December, 2008
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@Mali
IntroductionMali
Background:
The Sudanese Republic and Senegal became independent of France in 1960 as the Mali Federation. When Senegal withdrew after only a few months, what formerly made up the Sudanese Republic was renamed Mali. Rule by dictatorship was brought to a close in 1991 by a military coup - led by the current president Amadou TOURE - enabling Mali's emergence as one of the strongest democracies on the continent. President Alpha KONARE won Mali's first democratic presidential election in 1992 and was reelected in 1997. In keeping with Mali's two-term constitutional limit, KONARE stepped down in 2002 and was succeeded by Amadou TOURE, who was subsequently elected to a second term in 2007. The elections were widely judged to be free and fair.
GeographyMali
Location:
Western Africa, southwest of Algeria
Geographic coordinates:
Map references:
Africa
Area:
total: 1.24 million sq km land: 1.22 million sq km water: 20,000 sq km
Area - comparative:
slightly less than twice the size of Texas
Land boundaries:
total: 7,243 km border countries: Algeria 1,376 km, Burkina Faso 1,000 km, Guinea 858 km, Cote d'Ivoire 532 km, Mauritania 2,237 km, Niger 821 km, Senegal 419 km
Coastline:
0 km (landlocked)
Maritime claims:
none (landlocked)
Climate:
subtropical to arid; hot and dry (February to June); rainy, humid, and mild (June to November); cool and dry (November to February)
Terrain:
mostly flat to rolling northern plains covered by sand; savanna in south, rugged hills in northeast
Elevation extremes:
lowest point: Senegal River 23 m highest point: Hombori Tondo 1,155 m
Natural resources:
gold, phosphates, kaolin, salt, limestone, uranium, gypsum, granite, hydropower note: bauxite, iron ore, manganese, tin, and copper deposits are known but not exploited
Land use:
arable land: 3.76% permanent crops: 0.03% other: 96.21% (2005)
Irrigated land:
2,360 sq km (2003)