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@Micronesia, Federated States of (Australia-Oceania)
Introduction ::Micronesia, Federated States of
Background:
In 1979 the Federated States of Micronesia, a UN Trust Territory under US administration, adopted a constitution. In 1986 independence was attained under a Compact of Free Association with the US, which was amended and renewed in 2004. Present concerns include large-scale unemployment, overfishing, and overdependence on US aid.
Geography ::Micronesia, Federated States of
Location:
Oceania, island group in the North Pacific Ocean, about three-quarters of the way from Hawaii to Indonesia
Geographic coordinates:
Map references:
Oceania
Area:
total: 702 sq km country comparison to the world: 190 land: 702 sq km
water: 0 sq km (fresh water only)
note: includes Pohnpei (Ponape), Chuuk (Truk) Islands, Yap Islands, and Kosrae (Kosaie)
Area - comparative:
four times the size of Washington, DC (land area only)
Land boundaries:
0 km
Coastline:
6,112 km
Maritime claims:
territorial sea: 12 nm
exclusive economic zone: 200 nm
Climate:
tropical; heavy year-round rainfall, especially in the eastern islands; located on southern edge of the typhoon belt with occasionally severe damage
Terrain:
islands vary geologically from high mountainous islands to low, coral atolls; volcanic outcroppings on Pohnpei, Kosrae, and Chuuk
Elevation extremes:
lowest point: Pacific Ocean 0 m
highest point: Dolohmwar (Totolom) 791 m
Natural resources:
timber, marine products, deep-seabed minerals, phosphate
Land use:
arable land: 5.71%
permanent crops: 45.71%
other: 48.58% (2005)
Irrigated land:
Natural hazards:
typhoons (June to December)
Environment - current issues:
overfishing, climate change, pollution
Environment - international agreements:
party to: Biodiversity, Climate Change, Climate Change-Kyoto Protocol, Desertification, Hazardous Wastes, Law of the Sea, Ozone Layer Protection
signed, but not ratified: none of the selected agreements
Geography - note:
four major island groups totaling 607 islands
People ::Micronesia, Federated States of
Population:
107,154 (July 2010 est.) country comparison to the world: 191
Age structure:
0-14 years: 34.8% (male 19,010/female 18,411)
15-64 years: 62.3% (male 33,286/female 33,629)
65 years and over: 2.9% (male 1,317/female 1,781) (2010 est.)
Median age:
total: 22.4 years
male: 21.8 years
female: 22.9 years (2010 est.)
Population growth rate:
-0.284% (2010 est.) country comparison to the world: 218
Birth rate:
22.57 births/1,000 population (2010 est.) country comparison to the world: 77
Death rate:
4.4 deaths/1,000 population (July 2010 est.) country comparison to the world: 203
Net migration rate:
-21.01 migrant(s)/1,000 population (2010 est.) country comparison to the world: 220
Urbanization:
urban population: 22% of total population (2008)
rate of urbanization: 0.8% annual rate of change (2005-10 est.)
Sex ratio:
at birth: 1.05 male(s)/female
under 15 years: 1.03 male(s)/female
15-64 years: 0.99 male(s)/female
65 years and over: 0.74 male(s)/female
total population: 0.99 male(s)/female (2010 est.)
Infant mortality rate:
total: 25.2 deaths/1,000 live births country comparison to the world: 83 male: 27.82 deaths/1,000 live births
female: 22.45 deaths/1,000 live births (2010 est.)
Life expectancy at birth:
total population: 71.23 years country comparison to the world: 132 male: 69.32 years
female: 73.24 years (2010 est.)
Total fertility rate:
2.8 children born/woman (2010 est.) country comparison to the world: 74
HIV/AIDS - adult prevalence rate:
HIV/AIDS - people living with HIV/AIDS:
HIV/AIDS - deaths:
Nationality:
noun: Micronesian(s)
adjective: Micronesian; Chuukese, Kosraen(s), Pohnpeian(s), Yapese
Ethnic groups:
Chuukese 48.8%, Pohnpeian 24.2%, Kosraean 6.2%, Yapese 5.2%, Yap outer islands 4.5%, Asian 1.8%, Polynesian 1.5%, other 6.4%, unknown 1.4% (2000 census)
Religions:
Roman Catholic 52.7%, Congregational 40.1%, Baptist 0.9%, Seventh-Day Adventist 0.7%, other 3.8%, none or unspecified 0.8% (2000 Census)
Languages:
English (official and common language), Chuukese, Kosrean,Pohnpeian, Yapese, Ulithian, Woleaian, Nukuoro, Kapingamarangi
Literacy:
definition: age 15 and over can read and write
total population: 89%
male: 91%
female: 88% (1980 est.)
Education expenditures:
7.3% of GDP (2000) country comparison to the world: 16
Government ::Micronesia, Federated States of
Country name:
conventional long form: Federated States of Micronesia
conventional short form: none
local long form: Federated States of Micronesia
local short form: none
former: Trust Territory of the Pacific Islands, Ponape, Truk, and Yap Districts
abbreviation: FSM
Government type:
constitutional government in free association with the US; the Compact of Free Association entered into force on 3 November 1986 and the Amended Compact entered into force in May 2004
Capital:
name: Palikir
geographic coordinates: 6 55 N, 158 09 E
time difference: UTC+11 (16 hours ahead of Washington, DC during Standard Time)
Administrative divisions:
4 states; Chuuk (Truk), Kosrae (Kosaie), Pohnpei (Ponape), Yap
Independence:
3 November 1986 (from the US-administered UN trusteeship)
National holiday:
Constitution Day, 10 May (1979)
Constitution:
10 May 1979
Legal system:
based on adapted Trust Territory laws, acts of the legislature, municipal, common, and customary laws; has not accepted compulsory ICJ jurisdiction
Suffrage:
18 years of age; universal
Executive branch:
chief of state: President Emanuel MORI (since 11 May 2007); Vice President Alik L. ALIK (since 11 May 2007); note - the president is both the chief of state and head of government
head of government: President Emanuel MORI (since 11 May 2007); Vice President Alik L. ALIK (since 11 May 2007)
cabinet: Cabinet includes the vice president and the heads of the 8 executive departments (For more information visit the World Leaders website ) elections: president and vice president elected by Congress from among the four senators at large for a four-year term (eligible for a second term); election last held on 11 May 2007 (next to be held in May 2011); note - a proposed constitutional amendment to establish popular elections for president and vice president failed
election results: Emanuel MORI elected president; percent of Congress vote - NA; Alik L. ALIK elected vice president; percent of Congress vote - NA
Legislative branch:
unicameral Congress (14 seats; 4 - one elected from each state to serve four-year terms and 10 - elected from single-member districts delineated by population to serve two-year terms; members elected by popular vote)
elections: last held on 3 March 2009 (next to be held in March 2011)
election results: percent of vote - NA%; seats - independents 14
Judicial branch:
Supreme Court
Political parties and leaders:
no formal parties
Political pressure groups and leaders:
International organization participation:
ACP, ADB, AOSIS, FAO, G-77, IBRD, ICAO, ICRM, IDA, IFC, IFRCS, IMF,IOC, ITSO, ITU, MIGA, OPCW, PIF, Sparteca, SPC, UN, UNCTAD, UNESCO,WHO, WMO
Diplomatic representation in the US:
chief of mission: Ambassador Yosiwo GEORGE
chancery: 1725 N Street NW, Washington, DC 20036
telephone: [1] (202) 223-4383
consulate(s) general: Honolulu, Tamuning (Guam)
Diplomatic representation from the US:
chief of mission: Ambassador Peter A. PRAHAR
embassy: 101 Upper Pics Road, Kolonia
mailing address: P. O. Box 1286, Kolonia, Pohnpei, 96941
telephone: [691] 320-2187
Flag description:
light blue with four white five-pointed stars centered; the stars are arranged in a diamond pattern; blue symbolizes the Pacific Ocean, the stars represent the four island groups of Chuuk, Kosrae, Pohnpei, and Yap
National anthem:
name: "Patriots of Micronesia"
lyrics/music: unknown
note: adopted 1991; the anthem is also known as "Across All Micronesia;" the music is based on the 1820 German patriotic song "Ich hab mich ergeben," which was the West German national anthem from 1949-1950; variants of this tune are used in Johannes Brahms' "Festival Overture" and Gustav Mahler's "Third Symphony"
Economy ::Micronesia, Federated States of
Economy - overview:
Economic activity consists primarily of subsistence farming and fishing. The islands have few mineral deposits worth exploiting, except for high-grade phosphate. The potential for a tourist industry exists, but the remote location, a lack of adequate facilities, and limited air connections hinder development. Under the original terms of the Compact of Free Association, the US provided $1.3 billion in grant aid during the period 1986-2001; the level of aid has been subsequently reduced. The Amended Compact of Free Association with the US guarantees the Federated States of Micronesia (FSM) millions of dollars in annual aid through 2023, and establishes a Trust Fund into which the US and the FSM make annual contributions in order to provide annual payouts to the FSM in perpetuity after 2023. The country's medium-term economic outlook appears fragile due not only to the reduction in US assistance but also to the current slow growth of the private sector.
GDP (purchasing power parity):
$238.1 million (2008 est.) country comparison to the world: 214 $277 million (2002 est.)
note: data are in 2008 US dollars
GDP supplemented by grant aid, averaging perhaps $100 million annually
GDP (official exchange rate):
$238.1 million (2008)
GDP - real growth rate:
0.3% (2005 est.)
GDP - per capita (PPP):
$2,200 (2008 est.) country comparison to the world: 185 $2,300 (2005 est.)
note: data are in 2008 US dollars
GDP - composition by sector:
agriculture: 28.9%
industry: 15.2%
services: 55.9% (2004 est.)
Labor force:
16,360 (2008) country comparison to the world: 211
Labor force - by occupation:
agriculture: 0.9%
industry: 34.4%
services: 64.7%
note: two-thirds are government employees (FY05 est.)
Unemployment rate:
22% (2000 est.) country comparison to the world: 171
Population below poverty line:
26.7% (2000)
Household income or consumption by percentage share:
lowest 10%: NA%
highest 10%: NA%
Inflation rate (consumer prices):
2.2% (2005) country comparison to the world: 64
Commercial bank prime lending rate:
15.38% (31 December 2009 est.) country comparison to the world: 52 14.38% (31 December 2008 est.)
Stock of narrow money:
$29.02 million (31 December 2009) country comparison to the world: 185 $21.21 million (31 December 2008)
Stock of broad money:
$114 million (31 December 2009 est.) country comparison to the world: 184 $98 million (31 December 2008 est.)
Stock of domestic credit:
$65.68 million (31 December 2009) country comparison to the world: 180 $43.75 million (31 December 2008)
Agriculture - products:
black pepper, tropical fruits and vegetables, coconuts, bananas, cassava (tapioca), sakau (kava), Kosraen citrus, betel nuts, sweet potatoes; pigs, chickens; fish
Industries:
tourism, construction; fish processing, specialized aquaculture; craft items (from shell, wood, and pearls)
Industrial production growth rate:
Electricity - production:
192 million kWh (2002) country comparison to the world: 177
Electricity - consumption:
178.6 million kWh (2002) country comparison to the world: 179
Electricity - exports:
0 kWh (2002)
Electricity - imports:
0 kWh (2002)
Current account balance:
-$34.3 million (FY05 est.) country comparison to the world: 67
Exports:
$14 million (2004 est.) country comparison to the world: 209
Exports - commodities:
fish, garments, bananas, black pepper, sakau (kava), betel nut
Imports:
$132.7 million (2004) country comparison to the world: 207
Imports - commodities:
food, manufactured goods, machinery and equipment, beverages
Debt - external:
$60.8 million (FY05 est.) country comparison to the world: 186
Exchange rates:
the US dollar is used
Communications ::Micronesia, Federated States of
Telephones - main lines in use:
8,700 (2009) country comparison to the world: 203
Telephones - mobile cellular:
38,000 (2009) country comparison to the world: 199
Telephone system:
general assessment: adequate system
domestic: islands interconnected by shortwave radiotelephone (used mostly for government purposes), satellite (Intelsat) ground stations, and some coaxial and fiber-optic cable; mobile-cellular service available on Kosrae, Pohnpei, and Yap
international: country code - 691; satellite earth stations - 5 Intelsat (Pacific Ocean) (2002)
Broadcast media:
no television broadcast stations; each state has a multi-channel cable service with television transmissions carrying roughly 95% imported programming and 5% local programming; about a half dozen radio stations in operation (2009)
Internet country code:
.fm
Internet hosts:
3,097 (2010) country comparison to the world: 144
Internet users:
17,000 (2009) country comparison to the world: 194
Transportation ::Micronesia, Federated States of
Airports:
6 (2010) country comparison to the world: 170
Airports - with paved runways:
total: 6
1,524 to 2,437 m: 4
914 to 1,523 m: 2 (2010)
Roadways:
total: 240 km country comparison to the world: 206 paved: 42 km
unpaved: 198 km (2000)
Merchant marine:
total: 3 country comparison to the world: 140 by type: cargo 1, passenger/cargo 2 (2010)
Ports and terminals:
Colonia (Tomil Harbor), Lele Harbor, Pohnepi Harbor
Military ::Micronesia, Federated States of
Military branches:
no regular military forces
Manpower available for military service:
males age 16-49: 26,687 (2010 est.)
Manpower fit for military service:
males age 16-49: 21,909
females age 16-49: 23,410 (2010 est.)
Manpower reaching militarily significant age annually:
male: 1,270
female: 1,221 (2010 est.)
Military - note:
defense is the responsibility of the US
Transnational Issues ::Micronesia, Federated States of
Disputes - international:
none
Illicit drugs:
major consumer of cannabis
page last updated on January 11, 2011
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@Moldova (Europe)
Introduction ::Moldova
Background:
Geography ::Moldova
Location:
Eastern Europe, northeast of Romania
Geographic coordinates:
Map references:
Europe
Area:
total: 33,851 sq km country comparison to the world: 139 land: 32,891 sq km
water: 960 sq km
Area - comparative:
slightly larger than Maryland
Land boundaries:
total: 1,390 km
border countries: Romania 450 km, Ukraine 940 km
Coastline:
0 km (landlocked)
Maritime claims:
none (landlocked)
Climate:
moderate winters, warm summers
Terrain:
rolling steppe, gradual slope south to Black Sea
Elevation extremes:
lowest point: Dniester (Nistru) 2 m
highest point: Dealul Balanesti 430 m
Natural resources:
lignite, phosphorites, gypsum, arable land, limestone
Land use:
arable land: 54.52%
permanent crops: 8.81%
other: 36.67% (2005)
Irrigated land:
3,000 sq km (2003)
Total renewable water resources:
11.7 cu km (1997)
Freshwater withdrawal (domestic/industrial/agricultural):
total: 2.31 cu km/yr (10%/58%/33%)
per capita: 549 cu m/yr (2000)
Natural hazards:
landslides
Environment - current issues:
heavy use of agricultural chemicals, including banned pesticides such as DDT, has contaminated soil and groundwater; extensive soil erosion from poor farming methods
Environment - international agreements:
party to: Air Pollution, Air Pollution-Persistent OrganicPollutants, Biodiversity, Climate Change, Climate Change-KyotoProtocol, Desertification, Endangered Species, Hazardous Wastes,Ozone Layer Protection, Ship Pollution, Wetlands
signed, but not ratified: none of the selected agreements
Geography - note:
landlocked; well endowed with various sedimentary rocks and minerals including sand, gravel, gypsum, and limestone
People ::Moldova
Population:
4,317,483 (July 2010 est.) country comparison to the world: 124
Age structure:
0-14 years: 15.9% (male 353,495/female 334,592)
15-64 years: 73.3% (male 1,536,263/female 1,629,882)
65 years and over: 10.8% (male 172,070/female 294,446) (2010 est.)
Median age:
total: 35 years
male: 33.1 years
female: 37.1 years (2010 est.)
Population growth rate:
-0.072% (2010 est.) country comparison to the world: 206
Birth rate:
11.16 births/1,000 population (2010 est.) country comparison to the world: 174
Death rate:
10.76 deaths/1,000 population (July 2010 est.) country comparison to the world: 44
Net migration rate:
-1.13 migrant(s)/1,000 population (2010 est.) country comparison to the world: 159
Urbanization:
urban population: 42% of total population (2008)
rate of urbanization: -1.5% annual rate of change (2005-10 est.)
Sex ratio:
at birth: 1.059 male(s)/female
under 15 years: 1.06 male(s)/female
15-64 years: 0.94 male(s)/female
65 years and over: 0.58 male(s)/female
total population: 0.91 male(s)/female (2010 est.)
Infant mortality rate:
total: 12.77 deaths/1,000 live births country comparison to the world: 135 male: 14.2 deaths/1,000 live births
female: 11.25 deaths/1,000 live births (2010 est.)
Life expectancy at birth:
total population: 71.09 years country comparison to the world: 133 male: 67.39 years
female: 75 years (2010 est.)
Total fertility rate:
1.28 children born/woman (2010 est.) country comparison to the world: 211
HIV/AIDS - adult prevalence rate:
0.4% (2007 est.) country comparison to the world: 81
HIV/AIDS - people living with HIV/AIDS:
8,900 (2007 est.) country comparison to the world: 109
HIV/AIDS - deaths:
fewer than 100 (2007 est.) country comparison to the world: 135
Nationality:
noun: Moldovan(s)
adjective: Moldovan
Ethnic groups:
Moldovan/Romanian 78.2%, Ukrainian 8.4%, Russian 5.8%, Gagauz 4.4%,Bulgarian 1.9%, other 1.3% (2004 census)
note: internal disputes with ethnic Slavs in the Transnistrian region
Religions:
Eastern Orthodox 98%, Jewish 1.5%, Baptist and other 0.5% (2000)
Languages:
Moldovan (official, virtually the same as the Romanian language),Russian, Gagauz (a Turkish dialect)
Literacy:
definition: age 15 and over can read and write
total population: 99.1%
male: 99.7%
female: 98.6% (2005 est.)
School life expectancy (primary to tertiary education):
total: 12 years
male: 12 years
female: 13 years (2008)
Education expenditures:
8.2% of GDP (2008) country comparison to the world: 9
Government ::Moldova
Country name:
conventional long form: Republic of Moldova
conventional short form: Moldova
local long form: Republica Moldova
local short form: Moldova
former: Moldavian Soviet Socialist Republic, Moldovan Soviet Socialist Republic
Government type:
republic
Capital:
name: Chisinau (Kishinev)
note: pronounced KEE-shee-now
geographic coordinates: 47 00 N, 28 51 E
time difference: UTC+2 (7 hours ahead of Washington, DC during Standard Time)
daylight saving time: +1hr, begins last Sunday in March; ends last Sunday in October
Administrative divisions:
32 raions (raioane, singular - raion), 3 municipalities (municipii, singular - municipiu), 1 autonomous territorial unit (unitatea teritoriala autonoma), and 1 territorial unit (unitatea teritoriala)
raions: Anenii Noi, Basarabeasca, Briceni, Cahul, Cantemir,Calarasi, Causeni, Cimislia, Criuleni, Donduseni, Drochia, Dubasari,Edinet, Falesti, Floresti, Glodeni, Hincesti, Ialoveni, Leova,Nisporeni, Ocnita, Orhei, Rezina, Riscani, Singerei, Soldanesti,Soroca, Stefan-Voda, Straseni, Taraclia, Telenesti, Ungheni
municipalities: Balti, Bender, Chisinau
autonomous territorial unit: Gagauzia
territorial unit: Stinga Nistrului (Transnistria)
Independence:
27 August 1991 (from the Soviet Union)
National holiday:
Independence Day, 27 August (1991)
Constitution:
adopted 29 July 1994; effective 27 August 1994; note - replaced 1979 Soviet constitution
Legal system:
based on civil law system; Constitutional Court reviews legality of legislative acts and governmental decisions of resolution; accepts many UN and Organization for Security and Cooperation in Europe (OSCE) documents; has not accepted compulsory ICJ jurisdiction
Suffrage:
18 years of age; universal
Executive branch:
chief of state: Acting President Marian LUPU (since 30 December 2010)
note: Vladimir VORONIN, president since 4 April 2001, resigned on 11 September 2009; Marian LUPU, the Speaker of Parliament, is serving as acting president until new elections can be held
head of government: Prime Minister Vladimir FILAT (since 25 September 2009)
note: Vladimir Filat resigned on 27 December 2010, but was reappointed on 31 December 2010
cabinet: Cabinet selected by president, subject to approval of Parliament (For more information visit the World Leaders website ) elections: president elected by Parliament for a four-year term (eligible for a second term); last successful election held on 4 April 2005, most recent (failed) election held on 10 December 2009); note - prime minister designated by the president upon consultation with Parliament; within 15 days from designation, the prime minister-designate must request a vote of confidence from the Parliament regarding his/her work program and entire cabinet; prime minister (re)designated on 31 December 2010; cabinet received a vote of confidence on 14 January 2011
election results: Vladimir VORONIN reelected president (2005); parliamentary votes - Vladimir VORONIN 75, Gheorghe DUCA 1; Vladimir FILAT (re)designated prime minister; parliamentary votes of confidence - 59 of 101
Legislative branch:
unicameral Parliament or Parlamentul (101 seats; members elected on an at-large basis by popular vote to serve four-year terms)
elections: last held on 28 November 2010 (next to be held in 2014); note - this was the third parliamentary election in less than two years; the earlier parliaments (elected 5 April 2009 and 29 July 2009) could not agree on a presidential candidate
election results: percent of vote by party - PCRM 39.3%, PLDM 29.4%, PD 12.7%, PL 10%, other 8.6%; seats by party - PCRM 42, PLDM 32, PD 15, PL 12; note - the PLDM, PD, and PL governing coalition, termed the Alliance for European Integration, has 59 seats; it remains 2 votes short of the 61 needed to elect a new president
Judicial branch:
Supreme Court; Constitutional Court (the sole authority for constitutional judicature)
Political parties and leaders:
represented in Parliament: Communist Party of the Republic ofMoldova or PCRM [Vladimir VORONIN]; Democratic Party or PD [MihaiLUPU]; Liberal Democratic Party or PLDM [Vladmir FILAT]; LiberalParty or PL [Mihai GHIMPU]
not represented in Parliament: Christian Democratic People's Partyor PPCD [Iurie ROSCA]; Conservative Party or PC [Natalia NIRCA];Ecological Party of Moldova "Green Alliance" or PEMAVE [VladimirBRAGA]; European Action Movement or MAE [Veaceslav UNTILA]; ForNation and Country Party or PpNT [Sergiu MOCANU]; Humanist Party ofMoldova or PUM [Valeriu PASAT]; Labor Party or PM [Gheorghe SIMA];National Liberal Party or PNL [Vitalia PAVLICENKO]; Our MoldovaAlliance or AMN [Serafim URECHEAN]; Patriots of Moldova Party or PPM[Mihail GARBUZ]; Popular Republican Party or PPR [Nicolae ANDRONIC];Republican Party of Moldova or PRM [Andrei STRATAN]; Roma SocialPolitical Movement of the Republic of Moldova or MRRM [Ion BUCUR];Social Democratic Party or PSD [Victor SELIN]; Social PoliticalMovement "Equality" or MR [Valeriy KLIMENCO]; United Moldova Partyor PMUEM [Vladimir TURCAN]
Political pressure groups and leaders:
International organization participation:
BSEC, CE, CEI, CIS, EAEC (observer), EAPC, EBRD, FAO, GCTU, GUAM,IAEA, IBRD, ICAO, ICCt, ICRM, IDA, IFAD, IFC, IFRCS, ILO, IMF, IMO,Interpol, IOC, IOM, IPU, ISO (correspondent), ITU, MIGA, OIF, OPCW,OSCE, PFP, SECI, UN, UNCTAD, UNESCO, UNHCR, UNIDO, Union Latina,UNMIL, UNMIS, UNOCI, UNWTO, UPU, WCO, WHO, WIPO, WMO, WTO
Diplomatic representation in the US:
chief of mission: Ambassador Igor MUNTEANU
chancery: 2101 S Street NW, Washington, DC 20008
telephone: [1] (202) 667-1130
Diplomatic representation from the US:
chief of mission: Ambassador Asif J. CHAUDHRY
embassy: 103 Mateevici Street, Chisinau MD-2009
mailing address: use embassy street address
telephone: [373] (22) 40-8300
Flag description:
three equal vertical bands of blue (hoist side), yellow, and red; emblem in center of flag is of a Roman eagle of gold outlined in black with a red beak and talons carrying a yellow cross in its beak and a green olive branch in its right talons and a yellow scepter in its left talons; on its breast is a shield divided horizontally red over blue with a stylized ox head, star, rose, and crescent all in black-outlined yellow; based on the color scheme of the flag of Romania - with whom Moldova shares a history and culture - but Moldova's blue band is lighter; the reverse of the flag does not display any coat of arms
note: one of only three national flags that differ on their obverse and reverse sides - the others are Paraguay and Saudi Arabia
National anthem:
name: "Limba noastra" (Our Tongue)
lyrics/music: Alexei MATEEVICI/Alexandru CRISTEA
note: adopted 1994
Economy ::Moldova
Economy - overview:
Moldova remains one of the poorest countries in Europe despite recent progress from its small economic base. It enjoys a favorable climate and good farmland but has no major mineral deposits. As a result, the economy depends heavily on agriculture, featuring fruits, vegetables, wine, and tobacco. Moldova must import almost all of its energy supplies. Moldova's dependence on Russian energy was underscored at the end of 2005, when a Russian-owned electrical station in Moldova's separatist Transnistria region cut off power to Moldova and Russia's Gazprom cut off natural gas in disputes over pricing. In January 2009, gas supplies were cut during a dispute between Russia and Ukraine. Russia's decision to ban Moldovan wine and agricultural products, coupled with its decision to double the price Moldova paid for Russian natural gas, have hurt growth. The onset of the global financial crisis and poor economic conditions in Moldova's main foreign markets, caused GDP to fall 6.5% in 2009. Unemployment almost doubled and inflation disappeared - at -0.1%, a record low. Moldova's IMF agreement expired in May 2009. In fall 2009, the IMF allocated $186 million to Moldova to cover its immediate budgetary needs, and the government signed an new agreement with the IMF in January 2010 for a program worth $574 million. In 2010, an upturn in the world economy boosted GDP growth to 3.1% and inflation to 7.3%. Economic reforms have been slow because of corruption and strong political forces backing government controls. Nevertheless, the government's primary goal of EU integration has resulted in some market-oriented progress. The granting of EU trade preferences and increased exports to Russia will encourage higher growth rates, but the agreements are unlikely to serve as a panacea, given the extent to which export success depends on higher quality standards and other factors. The economy has made a modest recovery, but remains vulnerable to political uncertainty, weak administrative capacity, vested bureaucratic interests, higher fuel prices, poor agricultural weather, and the skepticism of foreign investors as well as the presence of an illegal separatist regime in Moldova's Transnistria region.
GDP (purchasing power parity):
$10.6 billion (2010 est.) country comparison to the world: 147 $10.28 billion (2009 est.)
$10.99 billion (2008 est.)
note: data are in 2010 US dollars
GDP (official exchange rate):
$5.357 billion (2010 est.)
GDP - real growth rate:
3.1% (2010 est.) country comparison to the world: 115 -6.5% (2009 est.)
7.8% (2008 est.)
GDP - per capita (PPP):
$2,500 (2010 est.) country comparison to the world: 178 $2,400 (2009 est.)
$2,500 (2008 est.)
note: data are in 2010 US dollars
GDP - composition by sector:
agriculture: 16.3%
industry: 20.1%
services: 63.6% (2010 est.)
Labor force:
1.203 million (2010 est.) country comparison to the world: 138
Labor force - by occupation:
agriculture: 40.6%
industry: 16%
services: 43.3% (2005 est.)
Unemployment rate:
3.4% (2010 est.) country comparison to the world: 26 3.1% (2009 est.)
Population below poverty line:
29.5% (2005)
Household income or consumption by percentage share:
lowest 10%: 3%
highest 10%: 28.2% (2004)
Distribution of family income - Gini index:
33.2 (2003) country comparison to the world: 95 40.6 (1997)
Investment (gross fixed):
21.7% of GDP (2010 est.) country comparison to the world: 69
Public debt:
25% of GDP (2010 est.) country comparison to the world: 99 25.7% of GDP (2009 est.)
Inflation rate (consumer prices):
7.3% (2010 est.) country comparison to the world: 184 -0.1% (2009 est.)
Commercial bank prime lending rate:
20.54% (31 December 2009 est.) country comparison to the world: 15 21.06% (31 December 2008 est.)
Stock of narrow money:
$1.221 billion (31 December 2010 est) country comparison to the world: 134 $1.189 billion (31 December 2009 est)
Stock of broad money:
$2.889 billion (31 December 2010 est.) country comparison to the world: 133 $2.942 billion (31 December 2009 est.)
Stock of domestic credit:
$2.11 billion (31 December 2010 est.) country comparison to the world: 124 $2.251 billion (31 December 2009 est.)
Market value of publicly traded shares:
$NA (2004) country comparison to the world: 103 $573.9 million (2004)
Agriculture - products:
vegetables, fruits, grapes, grain, sugar beets,sunflower seed, tobacco; beef, milk; wine
Industries:
sugar, vegetable oil, food processing, agricultural machinery; foundry equipment, refrigerators and freezers, washing machines; hosiery, shoes, textiles
Industrial production growth rate:
4.5% (2010 est.) country comparison to the world: 75
Electricity - production:
3.617 billion kWh (2007 est.) country comparison to the world: 120
Electricity - consumption:
4.37 billion kWh (2007 est.) country comparison to the world: 114
Electricity - exports:
240 million kWh (2007 est.)
Electricity - imports:
2.931 billion kWh (2007 est.)
Oil - production:
0 bbl/day (2009 est.) country comparison to the world: 148
Oil - consumption:
19,000 bbl/day (2009 est.) country comparison to the world: 128
Oil - exports:
36 bbl/day (2007 est.) country comparison to the world: 135
Oil - imports:
14,230 bbl/day (2007 est.) country comparison to the world: 128
Oil - proved reserves:
0 bbl (1 January 2010 est.) country comparison to the world: 157
Natural gas - production:
50 million cu m (2007 est.) country comparison to the world: 82
Natural gas - consumption:
2.52 billion cu m (2008 est.) country comparison to the world: 77
Natural gas - exports:
0 cu m (2008 est.) country comparison to the world: 94
Natural gas - imports:
2.52 billion cu m (2008 est.) country comparison to the world: 44
Natural gas - proved reserves:
0 cu m (1 January 2010 est.) country comparison to the world: 145
Current account balance:
-$565 million (2010 est.) country comparison to the world: 119 -$464.6 million (2009 est.)
Exports:
$1.45 billion (2010 est.) country comparison to the world: 138 $1.332 billion (2009 est.)
Exports - commodities:
foodstuffs, textiles, machinery
Exports - partners:
Russia 23.77%, Italy 14.11%, Romania 12.74%, Germany 6.92%, Turkey 6.08%, Belarus 5.38% (2009)
Imports:
$3.66 billion (2010 est.) country comparison to the world: 132 $3.276 billion (2009 est.)
Imports - commodities:
mineral products and fuel, machinery and equipment, chemicals, textiles
Imports - partners:
Ukraine 19.9%, Romania 15.1%, Russia 14.52%, Germany 8.69%, Italy 5.7%, Belarus 4.38% (2009)
Reserves of foreign exchange and gold:
$1.6 billion (31 December 2010 est.) country comparison to the world: 104 $1.48 billion (31 December 2009 est.)
Debt - external:
$4.146 billion (31 December 2010 est.) country comparison to the world: 115 $3.844 billion (31 December 2009 est.)
Stock of direct foreign investment - at home:
$NA (31 December 2010)
$1.813 billion (2008)
Stock of direct foreign investment - abroad:
Exchange rates:
Moldovan lei (MDL) per US dollar - 12.443 (2010), 11.11 (2009), 10.326 (2008), 12.177 (2007), 13.131 (2006)
Communications ::Moldova
Telephones - main lines in use:
1.139 million (2009) country comparison to the world: 72
Telephones - mobile cellular:
2.785 million (2009) country comparison to the world: 116
Telephone system:
general assessment: poor service outside Chisinau; some modernization is under way
domestic: depending on location, new subscribers may face long wait for service; multiple private operators of GSM mobile-cellular telephone service are operating; GPRS system is being introduced; a CDMA mobile telephone network began operations in 2007; combined fixed-line and mobile-cellular teledensity 90 per 100 persons
international: country code - 373; service through Romania and Russia via landline; satellite earth stations - at least 3 (Intelsat, Eutelsat, and Intersputnik) (2009)
Broadcast media:
state-owned national radio-TV broadcaster operates 2 television and 2 radio stations; a total of nearly 40 terrestrial TV channels and some 50 radio stations are in operation; Russian and Romanian channels also are available (2007)
Internet country code:
.md
Internet hosts:
492,181 (2010) country comparison to the world: 50
Internet users:
1.333 million (2009) country comparison to the world: 89
Transportation ::Moldova
Airports:
11 (2010) country comparison to the world: 154
Airports - with paved runways:
total: 5
over 3,047 m: 1
2,438 to 3,047 m: 2
1,524 to 2,437 m: 2 (2010)
Airports - with unpaved runways:
total: 6
1,524 to 2,437 m: 3