$19.29 billion (2010 est.) country comparison to the world: 70 $16.48 billion (2009 est.)
Exports - commodities:
mineral products 22%, machinery and equipment 10%, chemicals 9%, textiles 7%, foodstuffs 7%, plastics 7%
Exports - partners:
Russia 13.2%, Latvia 10%, Germany 9.6%, Poland 7.1%, Estonia 7.1%,Belarus 4.7%, UK 4.3% (2009)
Imports:
$20.34 billion (2010 est.) country comparison to the world: 71 $17.56 billion (2009 est.)
Imports - commodities:
mineral products, machinery and equipment, transport equipment, chemicals, textiles and clothing, metals
Imports - partners:
Russia 30.1%, Germany 11.1%, Poland 9.9%, Latvia 6.3% (2009)
Reserves of foreign exchange and gold:
$6.418 billion (31 December 2010 est.) country comparison to the world: 61 $6.66 billion (31 December 2009 est.)
Debt - external:
$27.6 billion (31 December 2010 est.) country comparison to the world: 66 $28.69 billion (31 December 2009 est.)
Stock of direct foreign investment - at home:
$14.11 billion (31 December 2010 est.) country comparison to the world: 75 $13.81 billion (31 December 2009 est.)
Stock of direct foreign investment - abroad:
$2.507 billion (31 December 2010 est.) country comparison to the world: 64 $2.307 billion (31 December 2009 est.)
Exchange rates:
litai (LTL) per US dollar - 2.6637 (2010), 2.4787 (2009), 2.3251 (2008), 2.5362 (2007), 2.7498 (2006)
Communications ::Lithuania
Telephones - main lines in use:
747,400 (2009) country comparison to the world: 89
Telephones - mobile cellular:
4.962 million (2009) country comparison to the world: 96
Telephone system:
general assessment: adequate; being modernized to provide improved international capability and better residential access
domestic: rapid expansion of mobile-cellular services has resulted in a steady decline in the number of fixed-line connections; mobile-cellular teledensity stands at about 140 per 100 persons
international: country code - 370; major international connections to Denmark, Sweden, and Norway by submarine cable for further transmission by satellite; landline connections to Latvia and Poland (2008)
Broadcast media:
public broadcaster operates 3 channels with the third channel - a satellite channel - introduced in 2007; various privately-owned commercial TV broadcasters operate national and multiple regional channels; large number of privately-owned local TV stations; multi-channel cable and satellite TV services are available; publicly-owned broadcaster operates 3 radio networks; large number of privately-owned commercial broadcasters, many with repeater stations in various regions throughout the country (2007)
Internet country code:
.lt
Internet hosts:
1.17 million (2010) country comparison to the world: 40
Internet users:
1.964 million (2009) country comparison to the world: 75
Transportation ::Lithuania
Airports:
81 (2010) country comparison to the world: 69
Airports - with paved runways:
total: 26
over 3,047 m: 3
2,438 to 3,047 m: 1
1,524 to 2,437 m: 7
914 to 1,523 m: 2
under 914 m: 13 (2010)
Airports - with unpaved runways:
total: 55
over 3,047 m: 1
914 to 1,523 m: 3
under 914 m: 51 (2010)
Pipelines:
gas 1,695 km; refined products 114 km (2009)
Railways:
total: 1,768 km country comparison to the world: 78 broad gauge: 1,746 km 1.524-m gauge (122 km electrified)
standard gauge: 22 km 1.435-m gauge (2009)
Roadways:
total: 81,030 km country comparison to the world: 58 paved: 71,563 km (includes 309 km of expressways)
unpaved: 9,467 km (2008)
Waterways:
441 km (navigable year round) (2007) country comparison to the world: 88
Merchant marine:
total: 42 country comparison to the world: 75 by type: cargo 22, container 1, passenger/cargo 6, refrigerated cargo 11, roll on/roll off 2
foreign-owned: 8 (Denmark 8)
registered in other countries: 29 (Antigua and Barbuda 4, Belize 2, Comoros 3, Cook Islands 2, Norway 1, Panama 4, Saint Vincent and the Grenadines 10, unknown 3) (2010)
Ports and terminals:
Butinge, Klaipeda
Military ::Lithuania
Military branches:
Ground Forces, Naval Forces, Air Forces (Karines Oro Pajegos, KOP),National Defense Volunteer Forces (2010)
Military service age and obligation:
19-26 years of age for compulsory military service; 18 years of age for volunteers; 12-month conscript service obligation; male registration required at age 16 (2009)
Manpower available for military service:
males age 16-49: 900,746
females age 16-49: 887,843 (2010 est.)
Manpower fit for military service:
males age 16-49: 674,265
females age 16-49: 734,806 (2010 est.)
Manpower reaching militarily significant age annually:
male: 21,606
female: 20,536 (2010 est.)
Military expenditures:
1.2% of GDP (2007 est.) country comparison to the world: 125
Transnational Issues ::Lithuania
Disputes - international:
Lithuania and Russia committed to demarcating their boundary in 2006 in accordance with the land and maritime treaty ratified by Russia in May 2003 and by Lithuania in 1999; Lithuania operates a simplified transit regime for Russian nationals traveling from the Kaliningrad coastal exclave into Russia, while still conforming, as a EU member state having an external border with a non-EU member, to strict Schengen border rules; the Latvian parliament has not ratified its 1998 maritime boundary treaty with Lithuania, primarily due to concerns over potential hydrocarbons; as of January 2007, ground demarcation of the boundary with Belarus was complete and mapped with final ratification documents in preparation
Illicit drugs:
transshipment and destination point for cannabis, cocaine, ecstasy, and opiates from Southwest Asia, Latin America, Western Europe, and neighboring Baltic countries; growing production of high-quality amphetamines, but limited production of cannabis, methamphetamines; susceptible to money laundering despite changes to banking legislation
page last updated on January 19, 2011
======================================================================
@Luxembourg (Europe)
Introduction ::Luxembourg
Background:
Founded in 963, Luxembourg became a grand duchy in 1815 and an independent state under the Netherlands. It lost more than half of its territory to Belgium in 1839 but gained a larger measure of autonomy. Full independence was attained in 1867. Overrun by Germany in both world wars, it ended its neutrality in 1948 when it entered into the Benelux Customs Union and when it joined NATO the following year. In 1957, Luxembourg became one of the six founding countries of the European Economic Community (later the European Union), and in 1999 it joined the euro currency area.
Geography ::Luxembourg
Location:
Western Europe, between France and Germany
Geographic coordinates:
Map references:
Europe
Area:
total: 2,586 sq km country comparison to the world: 178 land: 2,586 sq km
water: 0 sq km
Area - comparative:
slightly smaller than Rhode Island
Land boundaries:
total: 359 km
border countries: Belgium 148 km, France 73 km, Germany 138 km
Coastline:
0 km (landlocked)
Maritime claims:
none (landlocked)
Climate:
modified continental with mild winters, cool summers
Terrain:
mostly gently rolling uplands with broad, shallow valleys; uplands to slightly mountainous in the north; steep slope down to Moselle flood plain in the southeast
Elevation extremes:
lowest point: Moselle River 133 m
highest point: Buurgplaatz 559 m
Natural resources:
iron ore (no longer exploited), arable land
Land use:
arable land: 27.42%
permanent crops: 0.69%
other: 71.89% (includes Belgium) (2005)
Irrigated land:
Total renewable water resources:
1.6 cu km (2005)
Freshwater withdrawal (domestic/industrial/agricultural):
total: 0.06 cu km/yr (42%/45%/13%)
per capita: 121 cu m/yr (1999)
Natural hazards:
Environment - current issues:
air and water pollution in urban areas, soil pollution of farmland
Environment - international agreements:
party to: Air Pollution, Air Pollution-Nitrogen Oxides, AirPollution-Persistent Organic Pollutants, Air Pollution-Sulfur 85,Air Pollution-Sulfur 94, Air Pollution-Volatile Organic Compounds,Biodiversity, Climate Change, Climate Change-Kyoto Protocol,Desertification, Endangered Species, Hazardous Wastes, Law of theSea, Marine Dumping, Ozone Layer Protection, Ship Pollution,Tropical Timber 83, Tropical Timber 94, Wetlands
signed, but not ratified: Environmental Modification
Geography - note:
landlocked; the only Grand Duchy in the world
People ::Luxembourg
Population:
497,538 (July 2010 est.) country comparison to the world: 170
Age structure:
0-14 years: 18.5% (male 46,918/female 44,052)
15-64 years: 66.7% (male 165,342/female 162,681)
65 years and over: 14.8% (male 29,839/female 42,943) (2010 est.)
Median age:
total: 39.3 years
male: 38.3 years
female: 40.3 years (2010 est.)
Population growth rate:
1.158% (2010 est.) country comparison to the world: 109
Birth rate:
11.7 births/1,000 population (2010 est.) country comparison to the world: 168
Death rate:
8.46 deaths/1,000 population (July 2010 est.) country comparison to the world: 85
Net migration rate:
8.34 migrant(s)/1,000 population (2010 est.) country comparison to the world: 11
Urbanization:
urban population: 82% of total population (2008)
rate of urbanization: 1% annual rate of change (2005-10 est.)
Sex ratio:
at birth: 1.066 male(s)/female
under 15 years: 1.07 male(s)/female
15-64 years: 1.01 male(s)/female
65 years and over: 0.7 male(s)/female
total population: 0.97 male(s)/female (2010 est.)
Infant mortality rate:
total: 4.49 deaths/1,000 live births country comparison to the world: 194 male: 4.51 deaths/1,000 live births
female: 4.48 deaths/1,000 live births (2010 est.)
Life expectancy at birth:
total population: 79.48 years country comparison to the world: 35 male: 76.22 years
female: 82.95 years (2010 est.)
Total fertility rate:
1.78 children born/woman (2010 est.) country comparison to the world: 159
HIV/AIDS - adult prevalence rate:
0.2% (2007 est.) country comparison to the world: 99
HIV/AIDS - people living with HIV/AIDS:
fewer than 500 (2003 est.) country comparison to the world: 150
HIV/AIDS - deaths:
fewer than 100 (2003 est.) country comparison to the world: 139
Nationality:
noun: Luxembourger(s)
adjective: Luxembourg
Ethnic groups:
Luxembourger 63.1%, Portuguese 13.3%, French 4.5%, Italian 4.3%,German 2.3%, other EU 7.3%, other 5.2% (2000 census)
Religions:
Roman Catholic 87%, other (includes Protestant, Jewish, and Muslim) 13% (2000)
Languages:
Luxembourgish (national language), German (administrative language),French (administrative language)
Literacy:
definition: age 15 and over can read and write
total population: 100%
male: 100%
female: 100% (2000 est.)
School life expectancy (primary to tertiary education):
total: 13 years
male: 13 years
female: 13 years (2006)
Education expenditures:
3.7% of GDP (2001) country comparison to the world: 125
Government ::Luxembourg
Country name:
conventional long form: Grand Duchy of Luxembourg
conventional short form: Luxembourg
local long form: Grand Duche de Luxembourg
local short form: Luxembourg
Government type:
constitutional monarchy
Capital:
name: Luxembourg
geographic coordinates: 49 36 N, 6 07 E
time difference: UTC+1 (6 hours ahead of Washington, DC during Standard Time)
daylight saving time: +1hr, begins last Sunday in March; ends last Sunday in October
Administrative divisions:
3 districts; Diekirch, Grevenmacher, Luxembourg
Independence:
1839 (from the Netherlands)
National holiday:
National Day (Birthday of Grand Duchess Charlotte) 23 June; note - the actual date of birth was 23 January 1896, but the festivities were shifted by five months to allow observance during a more favorable time of year
Constitution:
17 October 1868; occasional revisions
Legal system:
based on civil law system; accepts compulsory ICJ jurisdiction
Suffrage:
18 years of age; universal and compulsory
Executive branch:
chief of state: Grand Duke HENRI (since 7 October 2000); Heir Apparent Prince GUILLAUME (son of the monarch, born 11 November 1981)
head of government: Prime Minister Jean-Claude JUNCKER (since 20 January 1995); Deputy Prime Minister Jean ASSELBORN (since 31 July 2004)
cabinet: Council of Ministers recommended by the prime minister and appointed by the monarch (For more information visit the World Leaders website ) elections: the monarchy is hereditary; following popular elections to the Chamber of Deputies, the leader of the majority party or the leader of the majority coalition usually appointed prime minister by the monarch; the deputy prime minister appointed by the monarch; they are responsible to the Chamber of Deputies
note: government coalition - CSV and LSAP
Legislative branch:
unicameral Chamber of Deputies or Chambre des Deputes (60 seats; members elected by popular vote to serve five-year terms)
elections: last held on 7 June 2009 (next to be held by June 2014)
election results: percent of vote by party - CSV 38%, LSAP 21.6%, DP 15%, Green Party 11.7%, ADR 8.1%, The Left 3.3%, other 2.3%; seats by party - CSV 26, LSAP 13, DP 9, Green Party 7, ADR 4, The Left 1
note: there is also a Council of State that serves as an advisory body to the Chamber of Deputies; the Council of State has 21 members appointed by the Grand Duke on the advice of the prime minister
Judicial branch:
judicial courts and tribunals (three Justices of the Peace, two district courts, and one Supreme Court of Appeals); administrative courts and tribunals (State Prosecutor's Office, administrative courts and tribunals, and the Constitutional Court); judges for all courts are appointed for life by the monarch
Political parties and leaders:
Alternative Democratic Reform Party or ADR [Robert MEHLEN];Christian Social People's Party or CSV [Michel WOLTER]; dei Lenk/laGauche (the Left); Democratic Party or DP [Claude MEISCH]; GreenParty [Francois BAUSCH]; Luxembourg Socialist Workers' Party or LSAP[Alex BODRY]; other minor parties
Political pressure groups and leaders:
ABBL (bankers' association); ALEBA (financial sector trade union); Centrale Paysanne (federation of agricultural producers); CEP (professional sector chamber); CGFP (trade union representing civil service); Chambre de Commerce (Chamber of Commerce); Chambre des Metiers (Chamber of Artisans); FEDIL (federation of industrialists); Greenpeace (environment protection); LCGP (center-right trade union); Mouvement Ecologique (protection of ecology); OGBL (center-left trade union)
International organization participation:
ADB (nonregional member), Australia Group, Benelux, CE, EAPC, EBRD,EIB, EMU, ESA, EU, FAO, FATF, IAEA, IBRD, ICAO, ICC, ICCt, ICRM,IDA, IEA, IFAD, IFC, IFRCS, ILO, IMF, IMO, Interpol, IOC, IOM, IPU,ISO, ITSO, ITU, ITUC, MIGA, NATO, NEA, NSG, OAS (observer), OECD,OIF, OPCW, OSCE, PCA, Schengen Convention, UN, UNCTAD, UNESCO,UNHCR, UNIDO, UPU, WCO, WHO, WIPO, WMO, WTO, ZC
Diplomatic representation in the US:
chief of mission: Ambassador Jean-Paul SENNINGER
chancery: 2200 Massachusetts Avenue NW, Washington, DC 20008
telephone: [1] (202) 265-4171 through 72
consulate(s) general: New York, San Francisco
Diplomatic representation from the US:
chief of mission: Ambassador Cynthia STROUM
embassy: 22 Boulevard Emmanuel Servais, L-2535 Luxembourg City
mailing address: American Embassy Luxembourg, Unit 1410, APO AE 09126-1410 (official mail); American Embassy Luxembourg, PSC 9, Box 9500, APO AE 09123 (personal mail)
telephone: [352] 46 01 23
Flag description:
three equal horizontal bands of red (top), white, and light blue; similar to the flag of the Netherlands, which uses a darker blue and is shorter; the coloring is derived from the Grand Duke's coat of arms (a red lion on a white and blue striped field)
National anthem:
name: "Ons Heemecht" (Our Motherland); "De Wilhelmus" (The William)
lyrics/music: Michel LENTZ/Jean-Antoine ZINNEN; Nikolaus WELTER/unknown
note: "Ons Heemecht," adopted 1864, is the national anthem, while "De Wilhelmus," adopted 1919, serves as a royal anthem for use when members of the grand ducal family enter or exit a ceremony in Luxembourg
Economy ::Luxembourg
Economy - overview:
This small, stable, high-income economy - benefiting from its proximity to France, Belgium, and Germany - has historically featured solid growth, low inflation, and low unemployment. The industrial sector, initially dominated by steel, has become increasingly diversified to include chemicals, rubber, and other products. Growth in the financial sector, which now accounts for about 28% of GDP, has more than compensated for the decline in steel. Most banks are foreign owned and have extensive foreign dealings, but Luxembourg has lost some of its advantages as a tax haven because of OECD and EU pressure. The economy depends on foreign and cross-border workers for about 60% of its labor force. Luxembourg, like all EU members, suffered from the global economic crisis that began in late 2008, but unemployment has trended below the EU average. Following strong expansion from 2004 to 2007, Luxembourg's economy contracted and 3.4% in 2009, but rebounded 2.6% in 2010. The country continues to enjoy an extraordinarily high standard of living - GDP per capita ranks third in the world, after Liechtenstein and Qatar, and is the highest in the EU. Turmoil in the world financial markets and lower global demand during 2008-09 prompted the government to inject capital into the banking sector and implement stimulus measures to boost the economy. Government stimulus measures and support for the banking sector, however, led to a 5% government budget deficit in 2009, however, the deficit was cut below 3% in 2010.
GDP (purchasing power parity):
$40.81 billion (2010 est.) country comparison to the world: 97 $39.55 billion (2009 est.)
$41.07 billion (2008 est.)
note: data are in 2010 US dollars
GDP (official exchange rate):
$52.43 billion (2010 est.)
GDP - real growth rate:
3.2% (2010 est.) country comparison to the world: 112 -3.7% (2009 est.)
1.4% (2008 est.)
GDP - per capita (PPP):
$81,800 (2010 est.) country comparison to the world: 3 $80,700 (2009 est.)
$84,500 (2008 est.)
note: data are in 2010 US dollars
GDP - composition by sector:
agriculture: 0.4%
industry: 13.6%
services: 86% (2007 est.)
Labor force:
206,000 of whom 125,400 are foreign cross-border workers commuting primarily from France, Belgium, and Germany (2010 est.) country comparison to the world: 167
Labor force - by occupation:
agriculture: 2.2%
industry: 17.2%
services: 80.6% (2007 est.)
Unemployment rate:
5.5% (2010 est.) country comparison to the world: 53 5.7% (2009 est.)
Population below poverty line:
Household income or consumption by percentage share:
lowest 10%: 3.5%
highest 10%: 23.8% (2000)
Distribution of family income - Gini index:
26 (2005) country comparison to the world: 132
Investment (gross fixed):
16.8% of GDP (2010 est.) country comparison to the world: 119
Public debt:
16.2% of GDP (2010 est.) country comparison to the world: 116 14.6% of GDP (2009 est.)
Inflation rate (consumer prices):
2.1% (2010 est.) country comparison to the world: 58 0.4% (2009 est.)
Central bank discount rate:
1.75% (31 December 2009) country comparison to the world: 128 3% (31 December 2008)
note: this is the European Central Bank's rate on the marginal lending facility, which offers overnight credit to banks in the euro area
Stock of narrow money:
$120.8 billion (31 December 2010 est) country comparison to the world: 28 $121 billion (31 December 2009 est)
note: see entry for the European Union for money supply in the euro area; the European Central Bank (ECB) controls monetary policy for the 16 members of the Economic and Monetary Union (EMU); individual members of the EMU do not control the quantity of money circulating within their own borders
Stock of broad money:
$255.5 billion (31 December 2010 est.) country comparison to the world: 35 $231.7 billion (31 December 2009 est.)
Stock of domestic credit:
$395.1 billion (31 December 2009 est.) country comparison to the world: 28 $369.6 billion (31 December 2008 est.)
Market value of publicly traded shares:
$105.6 billion (31 December 2009) country comparison to the world: 45 $66.46 billion (31 December 2008)
$166.1 billion (31 December 2007)
Agriculture - products:
grapes, barley, oats, potatoes, wheat, fruits; dairy and livestock products
Industries:
banking and financial services, iron and steel, information technology, telecommunications, cargo transportation, food processing, chemicals, metal products, engineering, tires, glass, aluminum, tourism
Industrial production growth rate:
1.7% (2009 est.) country comparison to the world: 136
Electricity - production:
2.696 billion kWh (2007 est.) country comparison to the world: 127
Electricity - consumption:
6.525 billion kWh (2007 est.) country comparison to the world: 103
Electricity - exports:
2.483 billion kWh (2008 est.)
Electricity - imports:
6.83 billion kWh (2008 est.)
Oil - production:
0 bbl/day (2009 est.) country comparison to the world: 149
Oil - consumption:
50,720 bbl/day (2009 est.) country comparison to the world: 96
Oil - exports:
63 bbl/day (2008 est.) country comparison to the world: 133
Oil - imports:
59,210 bbl/day (2008 est.) country comparison to the world: 78
Oil - proved reserves:
0 bbl (1 January 2010 est.) country comparison to the world: 145
Natural gas - production:
0 cu m (2008 est.) country comparison to the world: 162
Natural gas - consumption:
1.268 billion cu m (2009 est.) country comparison to the world: 86
Natural gas - exports:
0 cu m (2008 est.) country comparison to the world: 159
Natural gas - imports:
1.263 billion cu m (2009 est.) country comparison to the world: 51
Natural gas - proved reserves:
0 cu m (1 January 2010 est.) country comparison to the world: 165
Current account balance:
$3.396 billion (2010 est.) country comparison to the world: 36 $2.985 billion (2009 est.)
Exports:
$17.82 billion (2010 est.) country comparison to the world: 71 $15.5 billion (2009 est.)
Exports - commodities:
machinery and equipment, steel products, chemicals, rubber products, glass
Exports - partners:
Germany 19.78%, France 15.87%, Belgium 11.07%, UK 7.96%, Italy 7.49%, Netherlands 4.31% (2009)
Imports:
$23.67 billion (2010 est.) country comparison to the world: 65 $19.76 billion (2009 est.)
Imports - commodities:
minerals, metals, foodstuffs, quality consumer goods
Imports - partners:
Belgium 27.22%, Germany 23.14%, China 18.62%, France 8.85%,Netherlands 5.06% (2009)
Reserves of foreign exchange and gold:
$NA (31 December 2010 est.)
$810 million (31 December 2009 est.)
Debt - external:
$1.892 trillion (30 June 2010) country comparison to the world: 11 $2.02 trillion (31 December 2008)
Stock of direct foreign investment - at home:
$NA (31 December 2009 est.)
$11.21 billion (31 December 2008 est.)
Stock of direct foreign investment - abroad:
Exchange rates:
euros (EUR) per US dollar - 0.7715 (2010), 0.7179 (2009), 0.6827 (2008), 0.7345 (2007), 0.7964 (2006)
Communications ::Luxembourg
Telephones - main lines in use:
273,600 (2009) country comparison to the world: 119
Telephones - mobile cellular:
719,000 (2009) country comparison to the world: 152
Telephone system:
general assessment: highly developed, completely automated and efficient system, mainly buried cables
domestic: fixed line teledensity over 50 per 100 persons; nationwide mobile-cellular telephone system with market for mobile-cellular phones virtually saturated
international: country code - 352 (2008)
Broadcast media:
Luxembourg has a long tradition of operating radio and TV services to pan-European audiences and is home to Europe's largest privately-owned broadcast media group, the RTL group, which operates 45 television stations and 31 radio stations in Europe; also home to Europe's largest satellite operator, Societe Europeenne des Satellites (SES); domestically, the RTL group operates TV and radio networks; other domestic private radio and TV operators and French and German stations are available; satellite and cable TV services are accessible (2008)
Internet country code:
.lu
Internet hosts:
244,225 (2010) country comparison to the world: 63
Internet users:
424,500 (2009) country comparison to the world: 121
Transportation ::Luxembourg
Airports:
2 (2010) country comparison to the world: 197
Airports - with paved runways:
total: 1
over 3,047 m: 1 (2010)
Airports - with unpaved runways:
total: 1
under 914 m: 1 (2010)
Heliports:
1 (2010)
Pipelines:
gas 155 km (2009)
Railways:
total: 275 km country comparison to the world: 124 standard gauge: 275 km 1.435-m gauge (243 km electrified) (2008)
Roadways:
total: 5,227 km country comparison to the world: 152 paved: 5,227 km (includes 147 km of expressways) (2008)
Waterways:
37 km (on Moselle River) (2008) country comparison to the world: 106
Merchant marine:
total: 47 country comparison to the world: 72 by type: bulk carrier 3, cargo 3, chemical tanker 16, container 10, passenger 3, petroleum tanker 2, roll on/roll off 10
foreign-owned: 45 (Belgium 9, France 16, Germany 9, Netherlands 2, Switzerland 1, UK 5, US 3)
registered in other countries: 16 (Italy 12, Malta 3, Panama 1) (2010)
Ports and terminals:
Mertert
Military ::Luxembourg
Military branches:
Army (2010)
Military service age and obligation:
17-25 years of age for male and female voluntary military service; soldiers under 18 are not deployed into combat or with peacekeeping missions; no conscription; Luxembourg citizen or EU citizen with 3-year residence in Luxembourg (2010)
Manpower available for military service:
males age 16-49: 117,892
females age 16-49: 116,517 (2010 est.)
Manpower fit for military service:
males age 16-49: 96,585
females age 16-49: 95,519 (2010 est.)
Manpower reaching militarily significant age annually:
male: 3,211
female: 3,057 (2010 est.)
Military expenditures:
0.9% of GDP (2005 est.) country comparison to the world: 144
Transnational Issues ::Luxembourg
Disputes - international:
none
page last updated on January 20, 2011
======================================================================
@Macau (East & Southeast Asia)
Introduction ::Macau
Background:
Colonized by the Portuguese in the 16th century, Macau was the first European settlement in the Far East. Pursuant to an agreement signed by China and Portugal on 13 April 1987, Macau became the Macau Special Administrative Region (SAR) of the People's Republic of China on 20 December 1999. In this agreement, China promised that, under its "one country, two systems" formula, China's socialist economic system would not be practiced in Macau, and that Macau would enjoy a high degree of autonomy in all matters except foreign and defense affairs for the next 50 years.
Geography ::Macau
Location:
Eastern Asia, bordering the South China Sea and China
Geographic coordinates:
Map references:
Southeast Asia
Area:
total: 28.2 sq km country comparison to the world: 236 land: 28.2 sq km
water: 0 sq km
Area - comparative:
less than one-sixth the size of Washington, DC
Land boundaries:
total: 0.34 km
regional border: China 0.34 km
Coastline:
41 km
Maritime claims:
not specified
Climate:
subtropical; marine with cool winters, warm summers
Terrain:
generally flat
Elevation extremes:
lowest point: South China Sea 0 m
highest point: Coloane Alto 172 m
Natural resources:
Land use:
arable land: 0%
permanent crops: 0%
other: 100% (2005)
Irrigated land:
Natural hazards:
typhoons
Environment - current issues:
Environment - international agreements:
party to: Marine Dumping (associate member), Ship Pollution (associate member)
Geography - note:
essentially urban; an area of land reclaimed from the sea measuring 5.2 sq km and known as Cotai now connects the islands of Coloane and Taipa; the island area is connected to the mainland peninsula by three bridges
People ::Macau
Population:
567,957 (July 2010 est.) country comparison to the world: 167
Age structure:
0-14 years: 16.1% (male 47,853/female 42,019)
15-64 years: 76.2% (male 199,593/female 227,010)
65 years and over: 7.7% (male 20,245/female 23,126) (2010 est.)
Median age:
total: 35.6 years
male: 36.3 years
female: 35 years (2010 est.)
Population growth rate:
0.89% (2010 est.) country comparison to the world: 129
Birth rate:
8.98 births/1,000 population (2010 est.) country comparison to the world: 210
Death rate:
3.6 deaths/1,000 population (July 2010 est.) country comparison to the world: 214
Net migration rate:
3.52 migrant(s)/1,000 population (2010 est.) country comparison to the world: 26
Urbanization:
urban population: 100% of total population (2008)
rate of urbanization: 0.7% annual rate of change (2005-10 est.)
Sex ratio:
at birth: 1.05 male(s)/female
under 15 years: 1.14 male(s)/female
15-64 years: 0.88 male(s)/female
65 years and over: 0.88 male(s)/female
total population: 0.92 male(s)/female (2010 est.)
Infant mortality rate:
total: 3.2 deaths/1,000 live births country comparison to the world: 217 male: 3.36 deaths/1,000 live births
female: 3.04 deaths/1,000 live births (2010 est.)
Life expectancy at birth:
total population: 84.38 years country comparison to the world: 2 male: 81.42 years
female: 87.49 years (2010 est.)
Total fertility rate:
0.91 children born/woman (2010 est.) country comparison to the world: 224
HIV/AIDS - adult prevalence rate:
HIV/AIDS - people living with HIV/AIDS:
HIV/AIDS - deaths:
Nationality:
noun: Chinese
adjective: Chinese
Ethnic groups:
Chinese 94.3%, other 5.7% (includes Macanese - mixed Portuguese andAsian ancestry) (2006 census)
Religions:
Buddhist 50%, Roman Catholic 15%, none or other 35% (1997 est.)
Languages:
Cantonese 85.7%, Hokkien 4%, Mandarin 3.2%, other Chinese dialects 2.7%, English 1.5%, Tagalog 1.3%, other 1.6% (2001 census)
Literacy:
definition: age 15 and over can read and write
total population: 91.3%
male: 95.3%
female: 87.8% (2001 census)
School life expectancy (primary to tertiary education):
total: 14 years
male: 15 years
female: 14 years (2008)
Education expenditures:
2.2% of GDP (2008) country comparison to the world: 166
Government ::Macau
Country name:
conventional long form: Macau Special Administrative Region
conventional short form: Macau
local long form: Aomen Tebie Xingzhengqu (Chinese); Regiao Administrativa Especial de Macau (Portuguese)
local short form: Aomen (Chinese); Macau (Portuguese)
Dependency status:
special administrative region of China
Government type:
limited democracy
Administrative divisions:
none (special administrative region of the People's Republic of China)
Independence:
none (special administrative region of China)
National holiday:
National Day (Anniversary of the Founding of the People's Republic of China), 1 October (1949); note - 20 December 1999 is celebrated as Macau Special Administrative Region Establishment Day
Constitution:
Basic Law, approved on 31 March 1993 by China's National People'sCongress, is Macau's charter
Legal system:
based on Portuguese civil law system
Suffrage:
direct election 18 years of age for some non-executive positions, universal for permanent residents living in Macau for the past seven years; indirect election limited to organizations registered as "corporate voters" (257 are currently registered) and a 300-member Election Committee drawn from broad regional groupings, municipal organizations, and central government bodies
Executive branch:
chief of state: President of China HU Jintao (since 15 March 2003)
head of government: Chief Executive Fernando CHUI Sai-on (since 20 December 2009)
cabinet: Executive Council consists of 1 government secretary, 3 legislators, 4 businessmen, 1 pro-Beijing unionist, and 1 pro-Beijing educator (For more information visit the World Leaders website ) elections: chief executive chosen by a 300-member Election Committee for a five-year term (eligible for a second term); election last held on 26 July 2009 (next to be held in July 2014)
election results: Fernando CHUI Sai-on elected in 2009 with 282 votes, took office on 20 December 2009
Legislative branch:
unicameral Legislative Assembly (29 seats; 12 members elected by popular vote, 10 by indirect vote, and 7 appointed by the chief executive; members to serve four-year terms)
elections: last held on 20 September 2009 (next to be held in September 2013)
election results: percent of vote - UPD 14.9%, ACUM 12%, APMD 11.6%, NUDM 9.9%, UPP 9.9%, ANMD 7.8%, UMG 7.3%, MUDAR 5.5%, others 21.1%; seats by political group - UPD 2, ACUM 2, APMD 2, NUMD 1, UPP 1, ANMD 1, UMG 1, MUDAR 1; 10 seats filled by professional and business groups; 7 members appointed by the chief executive
Judicial branch:
Court of Final Appeal in Macau Special Administrative Region
Political parties and leaders:
Alliance for Change or MUDAR; Macau Development Alliance or NUDM[Angela LEONG On-kei]; Macau-Guangdong Union or UNG; Macau UnitedCitizens' Association or ACUM [CHAN Meng-kam]; New Democratic MacauAssociation or APMD [Antonio NG Kuok-cheong]; New Hope or NE [JoseMaria Pereira COUTINHO]; Union for Promoting Progress or UPP [LEONGHeng-teng]
note: there is no political party ordinance, so there are no registered political parties; politically active groups register as societies or companies
Political pressure groups and leaders:
Civic Power [Agnes LAM Lok-fong]; Macau New Chinese YouthAssociation [LEONG Sin-man]; Macau Society of Tourism andEntertainment or STDM [Stanley HO]; Macau Worker's Union [HOHeng-kuok]; Union for Democracy Development [Antonio NG Kuok-cheong]
International organization participation:
IHO, IMF, IMO (associate), Interpol (subbureau), ISO (correspondent), UNESCO (associate), UNWTO (associate), UPU, WCO, WTO
Diplomatic representation in the US:
none (special administrative region of China)
Diplomatic representation from the US:
the US has no offices in Macau; US Consulate General in Hong Kong is accredited to Macau
Flag description:
green with a lotus flower above a stylized bridge and water in white, beneath an arc of five gold, five-pointed stars: one large in the center of the arc and two smaller on either side; the lotus is the floral emblem of Macau, the three petals represent the peninsula and two islands that make up Macau; the five stars echo those on the flag of China
National anthem:
note: as a Special Administrative Region of China, "Yiyonggjun Jinxingqu" is official (see China)
Economy ::Macau
Economy - overview:
Macau's economy slowed dramatically in 2009 as a result of the global economic slowdown, but strong growth resumed in 2010, largely on the back of strong tourism and gaming sectors. After opening up its locally-controlled casino industry to foreign competition in 2001, the territory attracted tens of billions of dollars in foreign investment, transforming Macau into one of the world's largest gaming center. Macau's gaming and tourism businesses were fueled by China's decision to relax travel restrictions on Chinese citizens wishing to visit Macau. By 2006, Macau's gaming revenue surpassed that of the Las Vegas strip, and gaming-related taxes accounted for more than 70% of total government revenue. In 2008, Macau introduced measures to cool the rapidly developing sector. This city of nearly 570,000 hosted more than 21 million visitors in 2009. Almost 51% came from mainland China. Macau's traditional manufacturing industry has virtually disappeared since the termination of the Multi-Fiber Agreement in 2005. In 2009, total exports were less than US$1 billion, while gaming receipts were almost US$15 billion. By October 2010, gross gaming revenue had already reached US$19 billion for the year. The Macau government plans to tighten control over the opening of new casinos and strengthen supervision of local casino operations in 2011 and has introduced measures to diversify the economy. The Closer Economic Partnership Agreement (CEPA) between Macau and mainland China that came into effect on 1 January 2004 offers Macau-made products tariff-free access to the mainland; nevertheless, China remains Macau's third largest goods export market, behind Hong Kong and the United States. Macau's currency, the Pataca, is closely tied to the Hong Kong dollar, which is also freely accepted in the territory.