Chapter 85

15-64 years: 67.9% (male 1,031,819/female 1,033,806)

65 years and over: 4% (male 52,430/female 67,773) (2009 est.)

Median age:

total: 25.3 years

male: 24.9 years

female: 25.7 years (2009 est.)

Population growth rate:

1.493% (2009 est.) country comparison to the world: 89

Birth rate:

21.05 births/1,000 population (2009 est.) country comparison to the world: 91

Death rate:

6.12 deaths/1,000 population (July 2009 est.) country comparison to the world: 159

Net migration rate:

NA (2009 est.)

Urbanization:

urban population: 57% of total population (2008)

rate of urbanization: 1.2% annual rate of change (2005-10 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 (2009 est.)

Infant mortality rate:

total: 39.88 deaths/1,000 live births country comparison to the world: 67 male: 42.99 deaths/1,000 live births

female: 36.61 deaths/1,000 live births (2009 est.)

Life expectancy at birth:

total population: 67.65 years country comparison to the world: 154 male: 65.23 years

female: 70.19 years (2009 est.)

Total fertility rate:

2.23 children born/woman (2009 est.) country comparison to the world: 114

HIV/AIDS - adult prevalence rate:

less than 0.1% (2007 est.) country comparison to the world: 133

HIV/AIDS - people living with HIV/AIDS:

fewer than 500 (2007 est.) country comparison to the world: 149

HIV/AIDS - deaths:

fewer than 200 (2003 est.) country comparison to the world: 108

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) country comparison to the world: 73

Government ::Mongolia

Country name:

conventional long form: none

conventional short form: Mongolia

local long form: none

local short form: Mongol Uls

former: Outer Mongolia

Government type:

parliamentary

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 (Zavkhan), 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:

13 January 1992

Legal system:

blend of Soviet and German systems that employ "continental" or "civil" code; case-precedent may be used to inform judges, but all decisions must refer to the law as written; 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 Tsakhia ELBEGDORJ (since 18 June 2009)

head of government: Prime Minister Sukhbaatar BATBOLD (since 29 October 2009); First Deputy Prime Minister (Norov ALTANKHUYAG (since 20 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 24 May 2009 (next to be held in May 2013); following legislative elections, leader of majority party or majority coalition is usually elected prime minister by State Great Hural

election results: in elections in May 2009, Tsakhia ELBEGDORJ elected president; percent of vote - Tsakhia ELBEGDORJ 51.24%, Nambaryn ENKHBAYAR 47.44%, others 1.32%

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 45, DP 27, others 4; note - 1 seat disputed and unfilled

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 [Norov ALTANHUYAG]; Mongolian People'sRevolutionary Party or MPRP [Sanjaa 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

consulate(s) general: New York

Diplomatic representation from the US:

chief of mission: Ambassador Mark C. MINTON

embassy: Big Ring Road, 11th Micro Region, Ulaanbaatar, 14171 Mongolia

mailing address: PSC 461, Box 300, FPO AP 96521-0002; P.O. Box 1021, Ulaanbaatar-13

telephone: [976] (11) 329-095

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)

Economy ::Mongolia

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 averaged nearly 9% per year in 2004-08 largely because of high copper prices and new gold production. Until late 2008 Mongolia experienced a soaring inflation rate with year-to-year inflation reaching nearly 40% - the highest inflation rate in over a decade. In late 2008 falling commodity prices in this import-reliant country helped lower inflation but by that time, the country had begun to feel the effects of the global financial crisis. Falling prices for copper and other mineral exports have reduced government revenues and are forcing cuts in spending. The global credit crisis has stalled growth in key sectors, especially those that had been fueled by foreign investment. Mongolia's economy continues to be heavily influenced by its neighbors. 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 but have fallen due to the economic crisis; 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):

$9.499 billion (2008 est.) country comparison to the world: 151 $8.714 billion (2007 est.)

$7.929 billion (2006 est.)

note: data are in 2008 US dollars

GDP (official exchange rate):

$5.243 billion (2008 est.)

GDP - real growth rate:

9% (2008 est.) country comparison to the world: 19 9.9% (2007 est.)

8.6% (2006 est.)

GDP - per capita (PPP):

$3,200 (2008 est.) country comparison to the world: 163 $3,000 (2007 est.)

$2,700 (2006 est.)

note: data are in 2008 US dollars

GDP - composition by sector:

agriculture: 18.8%

industry: 38.5%

services: 42.7% (2008)

Labor force:

1.068 million (2008) country comparison to the world: 138

Labor force - by occupation:

agriculture: 34%

industry: 5%

services: 61% (2008)

Unemployment rate:

2.8% (2008) country comparison to the world: 31 3% (2007)

Population below poverty line:

36.1% (2004)

Household income or consumption by percentage share:

lowest 10%: 2.9%

highest 10%: 24.9% (2005)

Distribution of family income - Gini index:

32.8 (2002) country comparison to the world: 97 44 (1998)

Budget:

revenues: $1.71 billion

expenditures: $1.95 billion (2008)

Inflation rate (consumer prices):

28% (2008 est.) country comparison to the world: 218 9% (2007 est.)

Central bank discount rate:

14.78% (31 December 2008) country comparison to the world: 44 9.87% (31 December 2007)

Commercial bank prime lending rate:

18% (31 December 2008) country comparison to the world: 26 17.54% (31 December 2007)

Stock of money:

$521.2 million (31 December 2008) country comparison to the world: 93 $504.7 million (31 December 2007)

Stock of quasi money:

$1.288 billion (31 December 2008) country comparison to the world: 91 $1.53 billion (31 December 2007)

Stock of domestic credit:

$1.743 billion (31 December 2008) country comparison to the world: 95 $1.183 billion (31 December 2007)

Market value of publicly traded shares:

$412 million (31 December 2008) country comparison to the world: 101 $612.2 million (31 December 2007)

$112.6 million (31 December 2006)

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.) country comparison to the world: 82

Electricity - production:

3.979 billion kWh (2008) country comparison to the world: 118

Electricity - consumption:

3.491 billion kWh (2008) country comparison to the world: 118

Electricity - exports:

15.8 million kWh (2008)

Electricity - imports:

197.5 million kWh (2008)

Oil - production:

3,216 bbl/day (2008) country comparison to the world: 101

Oil - consumption:

15,000 bbl/day (2008 est.) country comparison to the world: 135

Oil - exports:

0 bbl/day (2007 est.) country comparison to the world: 186

Oil - imports:

17,680 bbl/day (2008) country comparison to the world: 116

Oil - proved reserves:

0 bbl country comparison to the world: 106

Natural gas - production:

0 cu m (2008 est.) country comparison to the world: 161

Natural gas - consumption:

0 cu m (2008 est.) country comparison to the world: 161

Natural gas - exports:

0 cu m (2008) country comparison to the world: 156

Natural gas - imports:

0 cu m (2008 est.) country comparison to the world: 97

Natural gas - proved reserves:

0 cu m (1 January 2009 est.) country comparison to the world: 113

Current account balance:

-$1 billion (2008 est.) country comparison to the world: 118 -$23 million (2007 est.)

Exports:

$2.539 billion (2008) country comparison to the world: 127 $1.889 billion (2007)

Exports - commodities:

copper, apparel, livestock, animal products, cashmere, wool, hides, fluorspar, other nonferrous metals, coal

Exports - partners:

China 74%, Canada 9.4%, Russia 3.3% (2008)

Imports:

$3.615 billion (2008) country comparison to the world: 132 $2.117 billion (2007)

Imports - commodities:

machinery and equipment, fuel, cars, food products, industrial consumer goods, chemicals, building materials, sugar, tea

Imports - partners:

Russia 34.1%, China 29.1%, South Korea 7.6%, Japan 7.4% (2008)

Debt - external:

$1.6 billion (2008) country comparison to the world: 142 $1.438 billion (2007)

Stock of direct foreign investment - at home:

Stock of direct foreign investment - abroad:

Exchange rates:

togrog/tugriks (MNT) per US dollar - 1,267.51 (2008), 1,170 (2007), 1,165 (2006), 1,205 (2005), 1,185.3 (2004)

Communications ::Mongolia

Telephones - main lines in use:

165,000 (2008) country comparison to the world: 129

Telephones - mobile cellular:

1.796 million (2008) country comparison to the world: 126

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 has been installed that is improving broadband and communication services between major urban centers with multiple companies providing inter-city fiber-optic cable services

international: country code - 976; satellite earth stations - 7

Radio broadcast stations:

AM 7, FM 115 (includes 20 national radio broadcaster repeaters), shortwave 4 (2006)

Television broadcast stations:

68 (2008)

Internet country code:

.mn

Internet hosts:

524 (2009) country comparison to the world: 170

Internet users:

330,000 (2008) country comparison to the world: 122

Transportation ::Mongolia

Airports:

45 (2009) country comparison to the world: 95

Airports - with paved runways:

total: 14

over 3,047 m: 1

2,438 to 3,047 m: 11

1,524 to 2,437 m: 2 (2009)

Airports - with unpaved runways:

total: 31

over 3,047 m: 1

2,438 to 3,047 m: 4

1,524 to 2,437 m: 24

914 to 1,523 m: 1

under 914 m: 1 (2009)

Heliports:

1 (2009)

Railways:

total: 1,810 km country comparison to the world: 76 broad gauge: 1,810 km 1.520-m gauge (2008)

Roadways:

total: 49,249 km country comparison to the world: 80 paved: 2,671 km

unpaved: 46,578 km (2008)

Waterways:

580 km country comparison to the world: 82 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 (2007)

Merchant marine:

total: 77 country comparison to the world: 57 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)

Military ::Mongolia

Military branches:

Mongolian Armed Forces: Mongolian Army, Mongolian Air Force; there is no navy (2009)

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: 706,774

females age 16-49: 740,550 (2009 est.)

Manpower reaching militarily significant age annually:

male: 28,251

female: 27,344 (2009 est.)

Military expenditures:

1.4% of GDP (2006) country comparison to the world: 116

Transnational Issues ::Mongolia

Disputes - international:

none

page last updated on November 11, 2009

======================================================================

@Montenegro (Europe)

Introduction ::Montenegro

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.

Geography ::Montenegro

Location:

Southeastern Europe, between the Adriatic Sea and Serbia

Geographic coordinates:

Map references:

Europe

Area:

total: 13,812 sq km country comparison to the world: 161 land: 13,452 sq km

water: 360 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: Air Pollution, Biodiversity, Climate Change, ClimateChange-Kyoto Protocol, Desertification, Hazardous Wastes, Law of theSea, Marine Dumping, Marine Life Conservation, Ozone LayerProtection, Ship Pollution

signed, but not ratified: none of the selected agreements

Geography - note:

strategic location along the Adriatic coast

People ::Montenegro

Population:

672,180 (July 2009 est.) country comparison to the world: 164

Age structure:

0-14 years: 16% (male 52,645/female 54,846)

15-64 years: 70.3% (male 244,949/female 227,794)

65 years and over: 13.7% (male 37,217/female 54,729) (2009 est.)

Median age:

total: 36.7 years

male: 35.2 years

female: 38.4 years (2009 est.)

Population growth rate:

-0.851% (2009 est.) country comparison to the world: 232

Birth rate:

11.14 births/1,000 population (2009 est.) country comparison to the world: 173

Death rate:

8.63 deaths/1,000 population (July 2009 est.) country comparison to the world: 90

Urbanization:

urban population: 60% of total population (2008)

rate of urbanization: -0.8% annual rate of change (2005-10 est.)

Sex ratio:

at birth: 1.08 male(s)/female

under 15 years: 0.96 male(s)/female

15-64 years: 1.08 male(s)/female

65 years and over: 0.68 male(s)/female

total population: 0.99 male(s)/female (2009 est.)

Major infectious diseases:

degree of risk: intermediate

food or waterborne diseases: bacterial diarrhea

vectorborne disease: Crimean Congo hemorrhagic fever (2009)

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:

Government ::Montenegro

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,Berane, 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:

approved 19 October 2007 (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 6 April 2008)

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 29 March 2009 (next to be held in 2013)

election results: percent of vote by party - Coalition for European Montenegro 51.94%, SNP 16.83%, NSD 9.22%, PZP 6.03%, other (including Albanian minority parties) 15.98%; seats by party - Coalition for European Montenegro 48, SNP 16, NSD 8, PZP 5, Albanian minority parties 4

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 European Montenegro or DPS-SDP (bloc) [Milo DJUKANOVIC] (includes Democratic Party of Socialists or DPS [Milo DJUKANOVIC] and Social Democratic Party or SDP [Ranko KRIVOKAPIC]); Coalition SNP-NS-DSS (bloc) (includes Socialist People's Party or SNP [Srdjan MILIC], People's Party of Montenegro or NS [Predrag POPOVIC], and Democratic Serbian Party of Montenegro or DSS [Ranko KADIC]); Democratic League-Party of Democratic Prosperity or SPP [Mehmet BARDHIJ]; Democratic Union of Albanians or DUA [Ferhat DINOSA]; Liberals and the Bosniak Party (bloc) [Miodrag ZIVKOVIC] (includes Liberal Party of Montenegro or LP [Miodrag ZIVKOVIC] and Bosniak Party or BS [Rafet HUSOVIC]); Movement for Changes or PZP [Nebojsa MEDOJEVIC]; New Serb Democracy or NSD [Andrija MANDIC]; Serbian List (bloc) [Andrija MANDIC] (includes Party of Serb Radicals or SSR [Dusko SEKULIC], People's Socialist Party or NSS [Emilo LABUDOVIC], and Serbian People's Party of Montenegro or SNS [Andrija MANDIC]); Socialist People's Party of Montenegro or SNP [Srdjan MILIC]

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

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

Flag description:

a red field bordered by a narrow golden-yellow stripe with the Montenegrin coat of arms centered

Economy ::Montenegro

Economy - overview:

Montenegro severed its economy from federal control and from Serbia during the MILOSEVIC era and maintained its own central bank, adopted the Deutchmark, then the euro - rather than 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 and signed a Stabilization and Association agreement with the European Union in October 2007. On December 15, 2008, Montenegro submitted an EU membership application. Unemployment and regional disparities in development are key political and economic problems. 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. The global financial crisis is likely to have a significant negative impact on the economy.

GDP (purchasing power parity):

$6.832 billion (2008 est.) country comparison to the world: 153 $6.355 billion (2007 est.)

$5.804 billion (2006 est.)

note: data are in 2008 US dollars

GDP (official exchange rate):

$4.848 billion (2008 est.)

GDP - real growth rate:

7.5% (2008 est.) country comparison to the world: 27 9.5% (2007 est.)

8.6% (2006 est.)

GDP - per capita (PPP):

$10,100 (2008 est.) country comparison to the world: 104 $9,300 (2007 est.)

$8,400 (2006 est.)

note: data are in 2008 US dollars

GDP - composition by sector:

agriculture: NA%

industry: NA%

services: NA%

Labor force:

259,100 (2004) country comparison to the world: 162

Labor force - by occupation:

agriculture: 2%

industry: 30%

services: 68% (2004 est.)

Unemployment rate:

14.7% (2007 est.) country comparison to the world: 152

Population below poverty line:

7% (2007 est.)

Distribution of family income - Gini index:

30 (2003) country comparison to the world: 115

Investment (gross fixed):

30.5% of GDP (2006 est.) country comparison to the world: 22

Budget:

revenues: NA

expenditures: NA

Public debt:

38% of GDP (2006) country comparison to the world: 59

Inflation rate (consumer prices):

3.4% (2007) country comparison to the world: 43

Commercial bank prime lending rate:

9.24% (31 December 2008) country comparison to the world: 92 9.09% (31 December 2007)

Stock of money:

$NA (31 December 2008)

$1.172 billion (31 December 2007)

Stock of quasi money:

$NA (31 December 2008)

$1.446 billion (31 December 2007)

Stock of domestic credit:

$NA (31 December 2008)

$3.083 billion (31 December 2007)

Market value of publicly traded shares:

$NA (31 December 2008) country comparison to the world: 90 $3.699 billion (31 December 2007)

$1.754 billion (31 December 2006)

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.) country comparison to the world: 128

Electricity - consumption:

18.6 million kWh (2005) country comparison to the world: 206

Electricity - exports:

0 kWh (2005)

Electricity - imports:

0 kWh (2005)

Oil - production:

0 bbl/day (2008 est.) country comparison to the world: 165

Oil - consumption:

bbl/day NA

Oil - exports:

313.6 bbl/day (2005) country comparison to the world: 127

Oil - imports:

6,093 bbl/day (2005) country comparison to the world: 152

Oil - proved reserves:

0 bbl (1 January 2009 est.) country comparison to the world: 103

Natural gas - consumption:

NA cu m

Current account balance:

-$1.102 billion (2007 est.) country comparison to the world: 124

Exports:

$171.3 million (2003) country comparison to the world: 183

Imports:

$601.7 million (2003) country comparison to the world: 182

Reserves of foreign exchange and gold:

Debt - external:

$650 million (2006) country comparison to the world: 160

Exchange rates:

euros (EUR) per US dollar - 0.6827 (2008 est.), 0.7345 (2007), 0.7964 (2006), 0.8041 (2005), 0.8054 (2004)

Communications ::Montenegro

Telephones - main lines in use:

362,000 (2008) country comparison to the world: 105

Telephones - mobile cellular:

735,000 (2008) country comparison to the world: 147

Telephone system:

general assessment: modern telecommunications system with access to European satellites

domestic: GSM wireless service, available through 3 providers with national coverage, is growing

international: country code - 382; 2 international switches connect the national system

Radio broadcast stations:

31 (station frequency types NA) (2004)

Television broadcast stations:

13 (2004)

Internet country code:

.me

Internet hosts:

3,245 (2009) country comparison to the world: 141

Internet users:

294,000 (2008) country comparison to the world: 128

Transportation ::Montenegro

Airports:

5 (2009) country comparison to the world: 182

Airports - with paved runways:

total: 3

2,438 to 3,047 m: 2

1,524 to 2,437 m: 1 (2009)

Airports - with unpaved runways:

total: 2

914 to 1,523 m: 1

under 914 m: 1 (2009)

Heliports:

1 (2007)

Railways:

total: 250 km country comparison to the world: 126 standard gauge: 250 km 1.435-m gauge (electrified 169 km) (2007)

Roadways:

total: 7,368 km country comparison to the world: 146 paved: 4,742 km

unpaved: 2,626 km (2006)

Merchant marine:

total: 6 country comparison to the world: 129 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

Military ::Montenegro

Military branches:

Armed Forces of the Republic of Montenegro: Army, Navy, Air Force (2009)

Military service age and obligation:

compulsory national military service abolished August 2006

Manpower fit for military service:

males age 16-49: 154,029

females age 16-49: 136,847 (2009 est.)

Manpower reaching militarily significant age annually:

male: 3,945

female: 3,907 (2009 est.)

Military - note:

Montenegrin plans call for the establishment of a fully professional armed forces

Transnational Issues ::Montenegro

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)

page last updated on November 11, 2009

======================================================================

@Montserrat (Central America and Caribbean)

Introduction ::Montserrat

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.

Geography ::Montserrat

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 country comparison to the world: 225 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:


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