1.9% (2000)
Agriculture - products:
none
Industries:
tourism, construction, small-scale industrial and consumer products
Industrial production growth rate:
Electricity - consumption:
NA kWh
Electricity - imports:
NA kWh; note - electricity supplied by France
Exports:
$716.3 million note: full customs integration with France, which collects and rebates Monegasque trade duties; also participates in EU market system through customs union with France (2005)
Imports:
$916.1 million note: full customs integration with France, which collects and rebates Monegasque trade duties; also participates in EU market system through customs union with France (2005)
Economic aid - recipient:
Debt - external:
$18 billion (2000 est.)
Market value of publicly traded shares:
Currency (code):
euro (EUR)
Currency code:
Exchange rates:
euros (EUR) per US dollar - 0.7345 (2007), 0.7964 (2006), 0.8041 (2005), 0.8054 (2004), 0.886 (2003)
CommunicationsMonaco
Telephones - main lines in use:
34,000 (2005)
Telephones - mobile cellular:
17,200 (2005)
Telephone system:
general assessment: modern automatic telephone system domestic: NA international: country code - 377; no satellite earth stations; connected by cable into the French communications system
Radio broadcast stations:
AM 1, FM NA, shortwave 8 (1998)
Radios:
34,000 (1997)
Television broadcast stations:
5 (1998)
Televisions:
25,000 (1997)
Internet country code:
.mc
Internet hosts:
21,058 (2008)
Internet Service Providers (ISPs):
2 (2000)
Internet users:
20,000 (2006)
TransportationMonaco
Heliports:
1 (2007)
Roadways:
total: 50 km paved: 50 km (2007)
Merchant marine:
registered in other countries: 70 (Bahamas 15, Georgia 4, Isle of Man 3, Liberia 8, Marshall Islands 13, Norway 5, Panama 16, Saint Vincent and the Grenadines 5, Vanuatu 1) (2008)
Ports and terminals:
Monaco
MilitaryMonaco
Military branches:
no regular military forces; the Palace Guard performs ceremonial duties
Manpower available for military service:
males age 16-49: 6,687 (2008 est.)
Manpower fit for military service:
males age 16-49: 5,376 (2008 est.)
Manpower reaching militarily significant age annually:
male: 191 female: 182 (2008 est.)
Military - note:
defense is the responsibility of France
Transnational IssuesMonaco
Disputes - international:
none
This page was last updated on 18 December, 2008
======================================================================
@Mongolia
IntroductionMongolia
Background:
The Mongols gained fame in the 13th century when under Chinggis KHAN they conquered a huge Eurasian empire. After his death the empire was divided into several powerful Mongol states, but these broke apart in the 14th century. The Mongols eventually retired to their original steppe homelands and in the late 17th century came under Chinese rule. Mongolia won its independence in 1921 with Soviet backing. A Communist regime was installed in 1924. Following a peaceful democratic revolution, the ex-Communist Mongolian People's Revolutionary Party (MPRP) won elections in 1990 and 1992, but was defeated by the Democratic Union Coalition (DUC) in the 1996 parliamentary election. Since then, parliamentary elections returned the MPRP overwhelmingly to power in 2000, but 2004 elections reduced MPRP representation and, therefore, its authority.
GeographyMongolia
Location:
Northern Asia, between China and Russia
Geographic coordinates:
Map references:
Asia
Area:
total: 1,564,116 sq km land: 1,554,731 sq km water: 9,385 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 west and southwest; Gobi Desert in south-central
Elevation extremes:
lowest point: Hoh Nuur 518 m highest 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)
Total renewable water resources:
34.8 cu km (1999)
Freshwater withdrawal (domestic/industrial/agricultural):
total: 0.44 cu km/yr (20%/27%/52%) per capita: 166 cu m/yr (2000)
Natural hazards:
dust storms, grassland and forest fires, drought, and "zud," which is harsh winter conditions
Environment - current issues:
limited natural fresh water resources in some areas; the policies of former Communist regimes promoted rapid urbanization and industrial growth that had negative effects on the environment; the burning of soft coal in power plants and the lack of enforcement of environmental laws severely polluted the air in Ulaanbaatar; deforestation, overgrazing, and the converting of virgin land to agricultural production increased soil erosion from wind and rain; desertification and mining activities had a deleterious effect on the environment
Environment - international agreements:
party to: Biodiversity, Climate Change, Climate Change-Kyoto Protocol, Desertification, Endangered Species, Environmental Modification, Hazardous Wastes, Law of the Sea, Ozone Layer Protection, Ship Pollution, Wetlands, Whaling signed, but not ratified: none of the selected agreements
Geography - note:
landlocked; strategic location between China and Russia
PeopleMongolia
Population:
2,996,081 (July 2008 est.)
Age structure:
0-14 years: 28.4% (male 433,835/female 416,549) 15-64 years: 67.7% (male 1,013,215/female 1,015,221) 65 years and over: 3.9% (male 51,093/female 66,168) (2008 est.)
Median age:
total: 24.9 years male: 24.6 years female: 25.3 years (2008 est.)
Population growth rate:
1.493% (2008 est.)
Birth rate:
21.09 births/1,000 population (2008 est.)
Death rate:
6.16 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 male(s)/female 65 years and over: 0.77 male(s)/female total population: 1 male(s)/female (2008 est.)
Infant mortality rate:
total: 41.24 deaths/1,000 live births male: 44.41 deaths/1,000 live births female: 37.92 deaths/1,000 live births (2008 est.)
Life expectancy at birth:
total population: 67.32 years male: 64.92 years female: 69.84 years (2008 est.)
Total fertility rate:
2.24 children born/woman (2008 est.)
HIV/AIDS - adult prevalence rate:
less than 0.1% (2003 est.)
HIV/AIDS - people living with HIV/AIDS:
fewer than 500 (2003 est)
HIV/AIDS - deaths:
fewer 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%, Shamanist and Christian 6%, Muslim 4%, none 40% (2004)
Languages:
Khalkha Mongol 90%, Turkic, Russian (1999)
Literacy:
definition: age 15 and over can read and write total population: 97.8% male: 98% female: 97.5% (2000 census)
School life expectancy (primary to tertiary education):
total: 13 years male: 12 years female: 14 years (2006)
Education expenditures:
5% of GDP (2004)
GovernmentMongolia
Country name:
conventional long form: none conventional short form: Mongolia local long form: none local short form: Mongol Uls former: Outer Mongolia
Government type:
mixed parliamentary/presidential
Capital:
name: Ulaanbaatar geographic coordinates: 47 55 N, 106 55 E time difference: UTC+8 (13 hours ahead of Washington, DC during Standard Time)
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 on judicial review of legislative acts; has not accepted compulsory ICJ jurisdiction
Suffrage:
18 years of age; universal
Executive branch:
chief of state: President Nambaryn ENKHBAYAR (since 24 June 2005) head of government: Prime Minister Sanjaa BAYAR (since 22 November 2007); First Deputy Prime Minister (Norov ALTANKHUYAG (since 27 September 2008); Vice Prime Minister Miegombyn ENKHBOLD (since 6 December 2007) cabinet: Cabinet nominated by the prime minister in consultation with the president and confirmed by the State Great Hural (parliament) elections: presidential candidates nominated by political parties represented in State Great Hural and elected by popular vote for a four-year term (eligible for a second term); election last held 22 May 2005 (next to be held in May 2009); following legislative elections, leader of majority party or majority coalition is usually elected prime minister by State Great Hural election results: Nambaryn ENKHBAYAR elected president; percent of vote - Nambaryn ENKHBAYAR 53.44%, Mendsaikhanin ENKHSAIKHAN 20.05%, Bazarsadyn JARGALSAIKHAN 13.92%, Badarchyn ERDENEBAT 12.59%; Miegombyn ENKHBOLD elected prime minister by the State Great Hural 56 to 10
Legislative branch:
unicameral State Great Hural 76 seats; members elected by popular vote to serve four-year terms elections: last held 29 June 2008 (next to be held in June 2012) election results: percent of vote by party - NA; seats by party - MPRP 47, DP 26, others 3; note - results are disputed
Judicial branch:
Supreme Court (serves as appeals court for people's and provincial courts but rarely overturns verdicts of lower courts; judges are nominated by the General Council of Courts and approved by the president)
Political parties and leaders:
Democratic Party or DP [Norovyn ALTANHUYAG]; Mongolian People'sRevolutionary Party or MPRP [Sanji BAYAR]
Political pressure groups and leaders:
other: human rights groups; women's groups
International organization participation:
ADB, ARF, CP, EBRD, FAO, G-77, IAEA, IBRD, ICAO, ICCt, ICRM, IDA,IFAD, IFC, IFRCS, ILO, IMF, IMO, Interpol, IOC, IOM, IPU, ISO, ITSO,ITU, ITUC, MIGA, MINURSO, MONUC, NAM, OPCW, OSCE (partner), SCO(observer), UN, UNCTAD, UNESCO, UNIDO, UNMIL, UNMIS, UNOMIG, UNWTO,UPU, WCO, WFTU, WHO, WIPO, WMO, WTO
Diplomatic representation in the US:
chief of mission: Ambassador Khasbazaryn BEKHBAT chancery: 2833 M Street NW, Washington, DC 20007 telephone: [1] (202) 333-7117 FAX: [1] (202) 298-9227
Diplomatic representation from the US:
chief of mission: Ambassador Mark C. MINTON embassy: Big Ring Road, 11th Micro Region, Ulaanbaatar mailing address: PSC 461, Box 300, FPO AP 96521-0002; P.O. Box 1021, Ulaanbaatar-13 telephone: [976] (11) 329-095 FAX: [976] (11) 320-776
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 geometric representation for fire, sun, moon, earth, water, and the yin-yang symbol)
EconomyMongolia
Economy - overview:
Economic activity in Mongolia has traditionally been based on herding and agriculture. Mongolia has extensive mineral deposits. Copper, coal, gold, molybdenum, fluorspar, uranium, tin, and tungsten account for a large part of industrial production and foreign direct investment. Soviet assistance, at its height one-third of GDP, disappeared almost overnight in 1990 and 1991 at the time of the dismantlement of the USSR. The following decade saw Mongolia endure both deep recession because of political inaction and natural disasters, as well as economic growth because of reform-embracing, free-market economics and extensive privatization of the formerly state-run economy. Severe winters and summer droughts in 2000-02 resulted in massive livestock die-off and zero or negative GDP growth. This was compounded by falling prices for Mongolia's primary sector exports and widespread opposition to privatization. Growth was 10.6% in 2004, 5.5% in 2005, 7.5% in 2006, and 9.9% in 2007 largely because of high copper prices and new gold production. Mongolia is experiencing its highest inflation rate in over a decade as consumer prices in 2007 rose 15%, largely because of increased fuel and food costs. Mongolia's economy continues to be heavily influenced by its neighbors. For example, Mongolia purchases 95% of its petroleum products and a substantial amount of electric power from Russia, leaving it vulnerable to price increases. Trade with China represents more than half of Mongolia's total external trade - China receives about 70% of Mongolia's exports. Remittances from Mongolians working abroad both legally and illegally are sizable, and money laundering is a growing concern. Mongolia settled its $11 billion debt with Russia at the end of 2003 on favorable terms. Mongolia, which joined the World Trade Organization in 1997, seeks to expand its participation and integration into Asian regional economic and trade regimes.
GDP (purchasing power parity):
$8.542 billion (2007 est.)
GDP (official exchange rate):
$3.905 billion (2007 est.)
GDP - real growth rate:
9.9% (2007 est.)
GDP - per capita (PPP):
$2,900 (2007 est.)
GDP - composition by sector:
agriculture: 18.8% industry: 40.4% services: 40.8% (2006)
Labor force:
1.042 million (2006)
Labor force - by occupation:
agriculture: 39.9% industry: 11.7% services: 49.4% (2006)
Unemployment rate:
3% (2007)
Population below poverty line:
36.1% (2004)
Household income or consumption by percentage share:
lowest 10%: 3% highest 10%: 24.6% (2002)
Distribution of family income - Gini index:
32.8 (2002)
Budget:
revenues: $1.58 billion expenditures: $1.497 billion (2007)
Fiscal year:
calendar year
Inflation rate (consumer prices):
9% (2007)
Central bank discount rate:
9.87% (31 December 2007)
Commercial bank prime lending rate:
17.54% (31 December 2007)
Stock of money:
$504.7 million (31 December 2007)
Stock of quasi money:
$1.539 billion (31 December 2007)
Stock of domestic credit:
$1.191 billion (31 December 2007)
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 and beverages; processing of animal products, cashmere and natural fiber manufacturing
Industrial production growth rate:
3% (2006 est.)
Electricity - production:
3.078 billion kWh (2007 est.)
Electricity - consumption:
2.638 billion kWh (2006 est.)
Electricity - exports:
10 million kWh (2007 est.)
Electricity - imports:
195 million 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:
12,860 bbl/day (2006 est.)
Oil - exports:
0 bbl/day (2005 est.)
Oil - imports:
12,630 bbl/day (2005 est.)
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:
-$23 million (2007 est.)
Exports:
$1.889 billion f.o.b. (2007)
Exports - commodities:
copper, apparel, livestock, animal products, cashmere, wool, hides, fluorspar, other nonferrous metals
Exports - partners:
China 71.9%, Canada 10.7%, US 4.8% (2007)
Imports:
$2.117 billion c.i.f. (2007)
Imports - commodities:
machinery and equipment, fuel, cars, food products, industrial consumer goods, chemicals, building materials, sugar, tea
Imports - partners:
China 32%, Russia 29.4%, South Korea 7.9%, Japan 7.2% (2007)
Economic aid - recipient:
$159.5 million (2006)
Debt - external:
$1.438 billion (2007)
Stock of direct foreign investment - at home:
Stock of direct foreign investment - abroad:
Market value of publicly traded shares:
$613.3 million (2007)
Currency (code):
togrog/tugrik (MNT)
Currency code:
Exchange rates:
togrog/tugriks (MNT) per US dollar - 1,170 (2007), 1,179.6 (2006), 1,205 (2005), 1,185.3 (2004), 1,146.5 (2003)
CommunicationsMongolia
Telephones - main lines in use:
158,900 (2006)
Telephones - mobile cellular:
775,300 (2006)
Telephone system:
general assessment: network is improving with international direct dialing available in many areas domestic: very low fixed-line density; there are multiple mobile cellular service providers and subscribership is increasing rapidly; a fiber-optic network is also being installed that will improve broadband and communication services between major urban centers international: country code - 976; satellite earth stations - 7
Radio broadcast stations:
AM 7, FM 115 (includes 20 National radio broadcaster repeaters), shortwave 4 (2006)
Radios:
155,900 (1999)
Television broadcast stations:
456 (including provincial and low-power repeaters) (2006)
Televisions:
168,800 (1999)
Internet country code:
.mn
Internet hosts:
356 (2008)
Internet Service Providers (ISPs):
5 (2001)
Internet users:
320,000 (2007)
TransportationMongolia
Airports:
44 (2007)
Airports - with paved runways:
total: 13 over 3,047 m: 1 2,438 to 3,047 m: 10 1,524 to 2,437 m: 2 (2007)
Airports - with unpaved runways:
total: 31 over 3,047 m: 1 2,438 to 3,047 m: 5 1,524 to 2,437 m: 23 914 to 1,523 m: 1 under 914 m: 1 (2007)
Heliports:
1 (2007)
Railways:
total: 1,810 km broad gauge: 1,810 km 1.524-m gauge (2006)
Roadways:
total: 49,250 km paved: 1,724 km unpaved: 47,526 km (2002)
Waterways:
580 km note: only waterway in operation is Lake Hovsgol (135 km); Selenge River (270 km) and Orhon River (175 km) are navigable but carry little traffic; lakes and rivers freeze in winter, are open from May to September (2004)
Merchant marine:
total: 77 by type: bulk carrier 20, cargo 44, chemical tanker 2, liquefied gas 1, passenger/cargo 1, petroleum tanker 2, roll on/roll off 6, vehicle carrier 1 foreign-owned: 53 (China 1, Germany 4, Indonesia 1, North Korea 1, South Korea 1, Lebanon 2, Russia 9, Singapore 9, Thailand 1, Ukraine 1, Vietnam 23) (2008)
MilitaryMongolia
Military branches:
Mongolian Armed Forces: Mongolian Army, Mongolian Air Force; there is no navy (2008)
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; women cannot be deployed overseas for military operations (2006)
Manpower available for military service:
males age 16-49: 865,425 females age 16-49: 860,669 (2008 est.)
Manpower fit for military service:
males age 16-49: 696,652 females age 16-49: 731,480 (2008 est.)
Manpower reaching militarily significant age annually:
male: 29,990 female: 29,256 (2008 est.)
Military expenditures:
1.4% of GDP (2006)
Transnational IssuesMongolia
Disputes - international:
none
This page was last updated on 18 December, 2008
======================================================================
@Montenegro
IntroductionMontenegro
Background:
The use of the name Montenegro began in the 15th century when the Crnojevic dynasty began to rule the Serbian principality of Zeta; over subsequent centuries Montenegro was able to maintain its independence from the Ottoman Empire. From the 16th to 19th centuries, Montenegro became a theocracy ruled by a series of bishop princes; in 1852, it was transformed into a secular principality. After World War I, Montenegro was absorbed by the Kingdom of Serbs, Croats, and Slovenes, which became the Kingdom of Yugoslavia in 1929; at the conclusion of World War II, it became a constituent republic of the Socialist Federal Republic of Yugoslavia. When the latter dissolved in 1992, Montenegro federated with Serbia, first as the Federal Republic of Yugoslavia and, after 2003, in a looser union of Serbia and Montenegro. In May 2006, Montenegro invoked its right under the Constitutional Charter of Serbia and Montenegro to hold a referendum on independence from the state union. The vote for severing ties with Serbia exceeded 55% - the threshold set by the EU - allowing Montenegro to formally declare its independence on 3 June 2006.
GeographyMontenegro
Location:
Southeastern Europe, between the Adriatic Sea and Serbia
Geographic coordinates:
Map references:
Europe
Area:
total: 14,026 sq km land: 13,812 sq km water: 214 sq km
Area - comparative:
slightly smaller than Connecticut
Land boundaries:
total: 625 km border countries: Albania 172 km, Bosnia and Herzegovina 225 km, Croatia 25 km, Kosovo 79 km, Serbia 124 km
Coastline:
293.5 km
Maritime claims:
territorial sea: 12 nm continental shelf: defined by treaty
Climate:
Mediterranean climate, hot dry summers and autumns and relatively cold winters with heavy snowfalls inland
Terrain:
highly indented coastline with narrow coastal plain backed by rugged high limestone mountains and plateaus
Elevation extremes:
lowest point: Adriatic Sea 0 m highest point: Bobotov Kuk 2,522 m
Natural resources:
bauxite, hydroelectricity
Land use:
arable land: 13.7% permanent crops: 1% other: 85.3%
Irrigated land:
Natural hazards:
destructive earthquakes
Environment - current issues:
pollution of coastal waters from sewage outlets, especially in tourist-related areas such as Kotor
Environment - international agreements:
party to: Climate Change, Climate Change-Kyoto Protocol, Hazardous Wastes, Law of the Sea, Marine Dumping, Ship Pollution
Geography - note:
strategic location along the Adriatic coast
PeopleMontenegro
Population:
678,177 (July 2008 est.)
Population growth rate:
-0.925% (2008 est.)
Birth rate:
11.17 births/1,000 population (2008 est.)
Death rate:
8.51 deaths/1,000 population (2008 est.)
Major infectious diseases:
degree of risk: intermediate food or waterborne diseases: bacterial diarrhea and hepatitis A vectorborne disease: Crimean Congo hemorrhagic fever (2008)
Nationality:
noun: Montenegrin(s) adjective: Montenegrin
Ethnic groups:
Montenegrin 43%, Serbian 32%, Bosniak 8%, Albanian 5%, other(Muslims, Croats, Roma (Gypsy)) 12% (2003 census)
Religions:
Orthodox 74.2%, Muslim 17.7%, Catholic 3.5%, other 0.6%, unspecified 3%, atheist 1% (2003 census)
Languages:
Serbian 63.6%, Montenegrin (official) 22%, Bosnian 5.5%, Albanian 5.3%, unspecified 3.7% (2003 census)
Education expenditures:
GovernmentMontenegro
Country name:
conventional long form: none conventional short form: Montenegro local long form: none local short form: Crna Gora former: People's Republic of Montenegro, Socialist Republic of Montenegro, Republic of Montenegro
Government type:
republic
Capital:
name: Podgorica geographic coordinates: 42 26 N, 19 16 E time difference: UTC+1 (6 hours ahead of Washington, DC during Standard Time) daylight saving time: +1 hr, begins last Sunday in March; ends last Sunday in October
Administrative divisions:
21 municipalities (opstine, singular - opstina); Andrijevica, Bar,Berana, Bijelo Polje, Budva, Cetinje, Danilovgrad, Herceg Novi,Kolasin, Kotor, Mojkovac, Niksic, Plav, Pljevlja, Pluzine,Podgorica, Rozaje, Savnik, Tivat, Ulcinj, Zabljak
Independence:
3 June 2006 (from Serbia and Montenegro)
National holiday:
National Day, 13 July (1878)
Constitution:
19 October 2007 (approved by the Assembly)
Legal system:
based on civil law system; has not accepted compulsory ICJ jurisdiction
Suffrage:
18 years of age; universal
Executive branch:
chief of state: President Filip VUJANOVIC (since 11 May 2003) head of government: Prime Minister Milo DJUKANOVIC (since 29 February 2008) cabinet: Ministries act as cabinet elections: president elected by direct vote for five-year term (eligible for a second term); election last held 6 April 2008 (next to be held in 2013); prime minister proposed by president, accepted by Assembly election results: Filip VUJANOVIC reelected president; Filip VUJANOVIC 51.89%, Andrija MANDIC 19.55%, Nebojsa MEDOJEVIC 16.64%, Srdan MILIC 11.92%
Legislative branch:
unicameral Assembly (81 seats; members elected by direct vote for four-year terms; changed from 74 seats in 2006) elections: last held 10 September 2006 (next to be held 2010) election results: percent of vote by party - Coalition for European Montenegro 47.7%, Serbian List 14.4%, Coalition SNP-NS-DSS 13.8%, PZP 12.9%, Liberals and Bosniaks 3.7%, other (including Albanian minority parties) 7.5%; seats by party - Coalition for European Montenegro 41, Serbian List 12, Coalition SNP/NS/DSS 11, PZP 11, Liberals and Bosniaks 3, Albanian minority parties 3
Judicial branch:
Constitutional Court (five judges with nine-year terms); SupremeCourt (judges have life tenure)
Political parties and leaders:
Albanian Alternative or AA [Vesel SINISHTAJ]; Coalition for EuropeanMontenegro or DPS-SDP (bloc) [Milo DJUKANOVIC] (includes DemocraticParty of Socialists or DPS [Milo DJUKANOVIC] and Social DemocraticParty of SDP [Ranko KRIVOKAPIC]); Coalition SNP-NS-DSS (bloc)(includes Socialist People's Party or SNP [Srdjan MILIC], People'sParty of Montenegro or NS [Predrag POPOVIC], and Democratic SerbianParty of Montenegro or DSS [Ranko KADIC]); Democratic League-Partyof Democratic Prosperity or SPP [Mehmet BARHDI]; Democratic Union ofAlbanians or DUA [Ferhat DINOSA]; Liberals and the Bosniak Party(bloc) [Miodrag ZIVKOVIC] (includes Liberal Party of Montenegro orLP [Miodrag ZIVKOVIC] and Bosniak Party or BS [Rafet HUSOVIC]);Movement for Changes or PZP [Nebojsa MEDOJEVIC]; Serbian List (bloc)[Andrija MANDIC] (includes Party of Serb Radicals or SSR [DuskoSEKULIC], People's Socialist Party or NSS [Emilo LABUDOVIC], andSerbian People's Party of Montenegro or SNS [Andrija MANDIC])
Political pressure groups and leaders:
Sandzak People's Movement [Cemal SULFEJIC]
International organization participation:
CE, CEI, EAPC, EBRD, FAO, IAEA, IBRD, ICAO, ICCt, ICRM, IDA, IFC,IFRCS, ILO, IMF, IMO, IMSO, Interpol, IOC, IOM, IPU, ISO(correspondent), ITU, ITUC, MIGA, OPCW, OSCE, PCA, PFP, SECI, UN,UNESCO, UNHCR, UNIDO, UNMIL, UNWTO, UPU, WCO, WFTU, WHO, WIPO, WMO,WTO (observer)
Diplomatic representation in the US:
chief of mission: Ambassador Miodrag VLAHOVIC chancery: 1610 New Hampshire Avenue NW, Washington, DC, 20009 telephone: [1] (202) 234-6108 FAX: [1] (202) 234-6109 consulate(s) general: New York
Diplomatic representation from the US:
chief of mission: Ambassador Roderick W. MOORE embassy: Ljubljanska bb, 81000 Podgorica, Montenegro mailing address: use embassy street address telephone: [382] 81 225 417 FAX: [382] 81 241 358
Flag description:
a red field bordered by a narrow golden-yellow stripe with the Montenegrin coat of arms centered
EconomyMontenegro
Economy - overview:
Montenegro severed its economy from federal control and from Serbia during the MILOSEVIC era and maintained its own central bank, used the euro instead of the Yugoslav dinar as official currency, collected customs tariffs, and managed its own budget. The dissolution of the loose political union between Serbia and Montenegro in 2006 led to separate membership in several international financial institutions, such as the European Bank for Reconstruction and Development. On 18 January 2007, Montenegro joined the World Bank and IMF. Montenegro is pursuing its own membership in the World Trade Organization as well as negotiating a Stabilization and Association agreement with the European Union in anticipation of eventual membership. Severe unemployment remains a key political and economic problem for this entire 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 tourism sector.
GDP (purchasing power parity):
$5.918 billion (2007 est.)
GDP (official exchange rate):
$2.974 billion (2007 est.)
GDP - real growth rate:
7.5% (2007 est.)
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:
14.7% (2007 est.)
Population below poverty line:
7% (2007 est.)
Distribution of family income - Gini index:
30 (2003)
Investment (gross fixed):
30.5% of GDP (2006 est.)
Budget:
revenues: NA expenditures: NA
Fiscal year:
calendar year
Public debt:
38% of GDP (2006)
Inflation rate (consumer prices):
3.4% (2007)
Commercial bank prime lending rate:
9.09% (31 December 2007)
Stock of money:
$1.172 billion (31 December 2007)
Stock of quasi money:
$1.446 billion (31 December 2007)
Stock of domestic credit:
$3.083 billion (31 December 2007)
Agriculture - products:
grains, tobacco, potatoes, citrus fruits, olives, grapes; sheepherding; commercial fishing negligible
Industries:
steelmaking, aluminum, agricultural processing, consumer goods, tourism
Electricity - production:
2.864 billion kWh (2005 est.)
Electricity - consumption:
18.6 million kWh (2005)
Electricity - exports:
0 kWh (2005)
Electricity - imports:
0 kWh (2005)
Oil - production:
0 bbl/day (2007 est.)
Oil - consumption:
450 bbl/day (2004)
Oil - proved reserves:
0 bbl (1 January 2006 est.)
Natural gas - consumption:
NA cu m
Current account balance:
Exports:
$171.3 million (2003)
Exports - partners:
Switzerland 83.9%, Italy 6.1%, Bosnia and Herzegovina 1.3% (2006)
Imports:
$601.7 million (2003)
Imports - partners:
Greece 10.2%, Italy 10.2%, Germany 9.6%, Bosnia and Herzegovina 9.2% (2006)
Economic aid - recipient:
Reserves of foreign exchange and gold:
Debt - external:
$650 million (2006)
Market value of publicly traded shares:
Currency (code):
euro (EUR)
Exchange rates:
euros (EUR) per US dollar - 0.7345 (2007), 0.7964 (2006), 0.8041 (2005), 0.8054 (2004), 0.886 (2003)
CommunicationsMontenegro
Telephones - main lines in use:
353,300 (2006)
Telephones - mobile cellular:
643,700 (2006)
Telephone system:
general assessment: modern telecommunications system with access to European satellites domestic: GSM wireless service, available through 2 providers with national coverage, is growing rapidly international: country code - 382; 2 international switches connect the national system
Radio broadcast stations:
31 (station types NA) (2004)
Television broadcast stations:
13 (2004)
Internet country code:
.me
Internet users:
280,000 (2007)
TransportationMontenegro
Airports:
5 (2007)
Airports - with paved runways:
total: 3 2,438 to 3,047 m: 2 1,524 to 2,437 m: 1 (2007)
Airports - with unpaved runways:
total: 2 914 to 1,523 m: 1 under 914 m: 1 (2007)
Heliports:
1 (2007)
Railways:
total: 250 km standard gauge: 250 km 1.435-m gauge (electrified 169 km) (2006)
Roadways:
total: 7,368 km paved: 4,742 km unpaved: 2,626 km (2006)
Merchant marine:
total: 6 by type: cargo 5, passenger/cargo 1 registered in other countries: 3 (Bahamas 2, Saint Vincent and the Grenadines 1) (2008)
Ports and terminals:
Bar
MilitaryMontenegro
Military branches:
Armed Forces of the Republic of Montenegro: Army, Navy (serves asCoast Guard), Air Force (2008)
Military service age and obligation:
compulsory national military service abolished August 2006
Manpower reaching militarily significant age annually:
male: 4,426 female: 4,201 (2008 est.)
Military - note:
Montenegrin plans call for the establishment of a fully professional armed forces
Transnational IssuesMontenegro
Disputes - international:
none
Refugees and internally displaced persons:
refugees (country of origin): 7,000 (Kosovo); note - mostly ethnic Serbs and Roma who fled Kosovo in 1999 IDPs: 16,192 (ethnic conflict in 1999 and riots in 2004) (2007)
Trafficking in persons:
current situation: Montenegro is primarily a transit country for the trafficking of women and girls to Western Europe for the purpose of commercial sexual exploitation; women and girls from the Balkans and Eastern Europe are trafficked across Montenegro to Western European countries tier rating: Tier 2 Watch List - Montenegro is on the Tier 2 Watch List for its failure to provide evidence of increasing efforts to combat trafficking in persons in 2007; public attention to the issue of trafficking has diminished considerably in Montenegro in recent years (2008)
This page was last updated on 18 December, 2008
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@Montserrat
IntroductionMontserrat
Background:
English and Irish colonists from St. Kitts first settled on Montserrat in 1632; the first African slaves arrived three decades later. The British and French fought for possession of the island for most of the 18th century, but it finally was confirmed as a British possession in 1783. The island's sugar plantation economy was converted to small farm landholdings in the mid 19th century. Much of this island was devastated and two-thirds of the population fled abroad because of the eruption of the Soufriere Hills Volcano that began on 18 July 1995. Montserrat has endured volcanic activity since, with the last eruption occurring in July 2003.
GeographyMontserrat
Location:
Caribbean, island in the Caribbean Sea, southeast of Puerto Rico
Geographic coordinates:
Map references:
Central America and the Caribbean
Area:
total: 102 sq km land: 102 sq km water: 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 m highest point: lava dome in English's Crater (in the Soufriere Hills volcanic complex) estimated at over 930 m (2006)
Natural resources:
Land use:
arable land: 20% permanent crops: 0% other: 80% (2005)
Irrigated land:
Natural hazards:
severe hurricanes (June to November); volcanic eruptions (Soufriere Hills 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 three major volcanic centers of differing ages
PeopleMontserrat
Population:
5,079 note: an estimated 8,000 refugees left the island following the resumption of volcanic activity in July 1995; some have returned (July 2008 est.)
Age structure:
0-14 years: 27.8% (male 738/female 675) 15-64 years: 64.8% (male 1,575/female 1,716) 65 years and over: 7.4% (male 245/female 130) (2008 est.)
Median age:
total: 28.1 years male: 28 years female: 28.1 years (2008 est.)
Population growth rate:
0.315% (2008 est.)
Birth rate:
12.01 births/1,000 population (2008 est.)
Death rate:
8.86 deaths/1,000 population (2008 est.)
Net migration rate:
NA (2008 est.)
Sex ratio:
at birth: 1.05 male(s)/female under 15 years: 1.09 male(s)/female 15-64 years: 0.92 male(s)/female 65 years and over: 1.88 male(s)/female total population: 1.01 male(s)/female (2008 est.)
Infant mortality rate: