Airports:
2 main
Telecommunications:
125,000 telephones; broadcast stations – 6 AM, 2 FM, 5 (2 relays) TV; 370,000 radios, 325,000 TV; satellite communications ground stations – none
Branches:
Army, Air and Air Defense Force
Manpower availability:
males 15-49, 590,613; NA fit for military service; 22,913 reach military age (18) annually
Defense expenditures:
exchange rate conversion – 7.0 billion dinars (est.), NA% of GDP (1992); note – conversion of the military budget into US dollars using the current exchange rate could produce misleading results
Total area:
587,040 km2
Land area:
581,540 km2
Comparative area:
slightly less than twice the size of Arizona Land boundaries:
none
Coastline:
4,828 km
Maritime claims:
Exclusive economic zone:
200 nm
Territorial sea:
12 nm
Disputes:
claims Bassas da India, Europa Island, Glorioso Islands, Juan de Nova Island, and Tromelin Island (all administered by France) Climate:
tropical along coast, temperate inland, arid in south Terrain:
narrow coastal plain, high plateau and mountains in center Natural resources:
graphite, chromite, coal, bauxite, salt, quartz, tar sands, semiprecious stones, mica, fish
Land use:
arable land 4%; permanent crops 1%; meadows and pastures 58%; forest and woodland 26%; other 11%; includes irrigated 2% Environment:
subject to periodic cyclones; deforestation; overgrazing; soil erosion; desertification
Note:
world’s fourth-largest island; strategic location along Mozambique Channel
Population:
12,596,263 (July 1992), growth rate 3.2% (1992) Birth rate:
46 births/1,000 population (1992) Death rate:
14 deaths/1,000 population (1992) Net migration rate:
0 migrants/1,000 population (1992) Infant mortality rate:
93 deaths/1,000 live births (1992) Life expectancy at birth:
51 years male, 55 years female (1992) Total fertility rate:
6.8 children born/woman (1992)
Nationality:
noun – Malagasy (singular and plural); adjective – Malagasy Ethnic divisions:
basic split between highlanders of predominantly Malayo-Indonesian origin (Merina and related Betsileo) on the one hand and coastal tribes, collectively termed the Cotiers, with mixed African, Malayo-Indonesian, and Arab ancestry (Betsimisaraka, Tsimihety, Antaisaka, Sakalava), on the other; there are also small French, Indian, Creole, and Comoran communities; no current, accurate assessment of tribal numbers is available Religions:
indigenous beliefs 52%, Christian about 41%, Muslim 7% Languages:
French and Malagasy (official)
Literacy:
80% (male 88%, female 73%) age 15 and over can read and write (1990 est.) Labor force:
4,900,000; 90% nonsalaried family workers engaged in subsistence agriculture; 175,000 wage earners – agriculture 26%, domestic service 17%, industry 15%, commerce 14%, construction 11%, services 9%, transportation 6%, other 2%; 51% of population of working age (1985) Organized labor:
4% of labor force
Long-form name:
Democratic Republic of Madagascar Type:
republic
Capital:
Antananarivo
Administrative divisions:
6 provinces (plural – NA, singular – faritanin’); Antananarivo, Antsiranana, Fianarantsoa, Mahajanga, Toamasina, Toliary Independence:
26 June 1960 (from France; formerly Malagasy Republic) Constitution:
21 December 1975; note – a new constitution is to be in place before 1993 Legal system:
based on French civil law system and traditional Malagasy law; has not accepted compulsory ICJ jurisdiction
National holiday:
Independence Day, 26 June (1960)
Executive branch:
president, prime minister, Council of Ministers Legislative branch:
unicameral Popular National Assembly (Assemblee Nationale Populaire); note – the National Assembly has suspended its operations during 1992 in preparation for new legislative and presidential elections. In its place, an interim High Authority of State and a Social and Economic Recovery Council have been established
Judicial branch:
Supreme Court (Cour Supreme), High Constitutional Court (Haute Cour Constitutionnelle)
Leaders:
Chief of State:
President Adm. Didier RATSIRAKA (since 15 June 1975) Head of Government:
Prime Minister Guy RASANAMAZY (since 8 August 1991) Political parties and leaders:
some 30 political parties now exist in Madagascar, the most important of which are the Advance Guard of the Malagasy Revolution (AREMA), Didier RATSIRAKA; Congress Party for Malagasy Independence (AKFM), RAKOTOVAO-ANDRIATIANA; Congress Party for Malagasy Independence-Revival (AKFM-R), Pastor Richard ANDRIAMANJATO; Movement for National Unity (VONJY), Dr. Marojama RAZANABAHINY; Malagasy Christian Democratic Union (UDECMA), Norbert ANDRIAMORASATA; Militants for the Establishment of a Proletarian Regime (MFM), Manandafy RAKOTONIRINA; National Movement for the Independence of Madagascar (MONIMA), Monja JAONA; National Union for the Defense of Democracy (UNDD), Albert ZAFY
Suffrage:
universal at age 18
Elections:
President:
last held on 12 March 1989 (next to be held NA 1992); results – Didier RATSIRAKA (AREMA) 62%, Manandafy RAKOTONIRINA (MFM/MFT) 20%, Dr. Jerome Marojama RAZANABAHINY (VONJY) 15%, Monja JAONA (MONIMA) 3% Popular National Assembly:
last held on 28 May 1989 (next to be held 1992); results – AREMA 88.2%, MFM 5.1%, AKFM 3.7%, VONJY 2.2%, other 0.8%; seats – (137 total) AREMA 120, MFM 7, AKFM 5, VONJY 4, MONIMA 1
Member of:
ACCT, ACP, AfDB, CCC, ECA, FAO, G-77, GATT, IAEA, IBRD, ICAO, ICC, ICFTU, IDA, IFAD, IFC, ILO, IMF, IMO, INTELSAT, INTERPOL, IOC, ITU, LORCS, NAM, OAU, UN, UNCTAD, UNESCO, UNHCR, UNIDO, UPU, WCL, WFTU, WHO, WIPO, WMO, WTO Diplomatic representation:
Ambassador Pierrot Jocelyn RAJAONARIVELO; Chancery at 2374 Massachusetts Avenue NW, Washington, DC 20008; telephone (202) 265-5525 or 5526; there is a Malagasy Consulate General in New York US:
Ambassador Howard K. WALKER; Embassy at 14 and 16 Rue Rainitovo, Antsahavola, Antananarivo (mailing address is B. P. 620, Antananarivo); telephone [261] (2) 212-57, 209-56, 200-89, 207-18 Flag:
two equal horizontal bands of red (top) and green with a vertical white band of the same width on hoist side
Overview:
Madagascar is one of the poorest countries in the world. Agriculture, including fishing and forestry, is the mainstay of the economy, accounting for over 40% of GDP, employing about 80% of the labor force, and contributing to more than 70% of total export earnings. Industry is largely confined to the processing of agricultural products and textile manufacturing; in 1990 it accounted for only 16% of GDP and employed almost 5% of the labor force. In 1986 the government introduced a five-year development plan that stressed self-sufficiency in food (mainly rice) by 1990, increased production for exports, and reduced energy imports. After mid-1991, however, output dropped sharply because of protracted antigovernment strikes and demonstrations for political reform. GDP:
exchange rate conversion – $2.4 billion, per capita $200; real growth rate -3.8% (1991 est.)
Inflation rate (consumer prices):
10% (1991)
Unemployment rate:
NA%
Budget:
revenues $390 million; expenditures $525 million, including capital expenditures of $240 million (1990 est.) Exports:
$290 million (f.o.b., 1990 est.)
commodities:
coffee 45%, vanilla 15%, cloves 11%, sugar, petroleum products partners:
France, Japan, Italy, Germany, US Imports:
$436 million (f.o.b., 1990 est.)
commodities:
intermediate manufactures 30%, capital goods 28%, petroleum 15%, consumer goods 14%, food 13%
partners:
France, Germany, UK, other EC, US External debt:
$4.4 billion (1991)
Industrial production:
growth rate 5.2% (1990 est.); accounts for 16% of GDP Electricity:
125,000 kW capacity; 450 million kWh produced, 35 kWh per capita (1991) Industries:
agricultural processing (meat canneries, soap factories, breweries, tanneries, sugar refining plants), light consumer goods industries (textiles, glassware), cement, automobile assembly plant, paper, petroleum Agriculture:
accounts for 40% of GDP; cash crops – coffee, vanilla, sugarcane, cloves, cocoa; food crops – rice, cassava, beans, bananas, peanuts; cattle raising widespread; almost self-sufficient in rice Illicit drugs:
illicit producer of cannabis (cultivated and wild varieties) used mostly for domestic consumption
Economic aid:
US commitments, including Ex-Im (FY70-89), $136 million; Western (non-US) countries, ODA and OOF bilateral commitments (1970-89), $3,125 million; Communist countries (1970-89), $491 million Currency:
Malagasy franc (plural – francs); 1 Malagasy franc (FMG) = 100 centimes
Exchange rates:
Malagasy francs (FMG) per US$1 – 1,943.4 (March 1992), 1,835.4 (1991), 1,454.6 (December 1990), 1,603.4 (1989) , 1,407.1 (1988), 1,069.2 (1987) Fiscal year:
calendar year
Railroads:
1,020 km 1.000-meter gauge
Highways:
40,000 km total; 4,694 km paved, 811 km crushed stone, gravel, or stabilized soil, 34,495 km improved and unimproved earth (est.) Inland waterways:
of local importance only; isolated streams and small portions of Canal des Pangalanes
Ports:
Toamasina, Antsiranana, Mahajanga, Toliara Merchant marine:
14 ships (1,000 GRT or over) totaling 59,255 GRT/81,509 DWT; includes 9 cargo, 2 roll-on/roll-off cargo, 1 petroleum tanker, 1 chemical tanker, 1 liquefied gas
Civil air:
8 major transport aircraft
Airports:
148 total, 103 usable; 30 with permanent-surface runways; none with runways over 3,659 m; 3 with runways 2,440-3,659 m; 34 with runways 1,220-2,439 m Telecommunications:
above average system includes open-wire lines, coaxial cables, radio relay, and troposcatter links; submarine cable to Bahrain; satellite earth stations – 1 Indian Ocean INTELSAT and broadcast stations – 17 AM, 3 FM, 1 (36 repeaters) TV
Branches:
Popular Armed Forces (including Intervention Forces, Development Forces, Aeronaval Forces – including Navy and Air Force), Gendarmerie, Presidential Security Regiment
Manpower availability:
males 15-49, 2,730,713; 1,625,335 fit for military service; 114,687 reach military age (20) annually
Defense expenditures:
exchange rate conversion – $37 million, 2.2% of GDP (1989 est.)
Total area:
118,480 km2
Land area:
94,080 km2
Comparative area:
slightly larger than Pennsylvania Land boundaries:
2,881 km; Mozambique 1,569 km, Tanzania 475 km, Zambia 837 km Coastline:
none – landlocked
Maritime claims:
none – landlocked
Disputes:
dispute with Tanzania over the boundary in Lake Nyasa (Lake Malawi) Climate:
tropical; rainy season (November to May); dry season (May to November) Terrain:
narrow elongated plateau with rolling plains, rounded hills, some mountains Natural resources:
limestone; unexploited deposits of uranium, coal, and bauxite Land use:
arable land 25%; permanent crops NEGL%; meadows and pastures 20%; forest and woodland 50%; other 5%; includes irrigated NEGL% Environment:
deforestation
Note:
landlocked
Population:
9,605,342 (July 1992), growth rate 1.8% (1992); note – 900,000 Mozambican refugees in Malawi (1990 est.)
Birth rate:
52 births/1,000 population (1992) Death rate:
17 deaths/1,000 population (1992) Net migration rate:
-17 migrants/1,000 population (1992) Infant mortality rate:
134 deaths/1,000 live births (1992) Life expectancy at birth:
48 years male, 51 years female (1992) Total fertility rate:
7.6 children born/woman (1992)
Nationality:
noun – Malawian(s); adjective – Malawian Ethnic divisions:
Chewa, Nyanja, Tumbuko, Yao, Lomwe, Sena, Tonga, Ngoni, Ngonde, Asian, European
Religions:
Protestant 55%, Roman Catholic 20%, Muslim 20%; traditional indigenous beliefs are also practiced
Languages:
English and Chichewa (official); other languages important regionally Literacy:
22% (male 34%, female 12%) age 15 and over can read and write (1966) Labor force:
428,000 wage earners; agriculture 43%, manufacturing 16%, personal services 15%, commerce 9%, construction 7%, miscellaneous services 4%, other permanently employed 6% (1986)
Organized labor:
small minority of wage earners are unionized
Long-form name:
Republic of Malawi
Type:
one-party state
Capital:
Lilongwe
Administrative divisions:
24 districts; Blantyre, Chikwawa, Chiradzulu, Chitipa, Dedza, Dowa, Karonga, Kasungu, Lilongwe, Machinga (Kasupe), Mangochi, Mchinji, Mulanje, Mwanza, Mzimba, Ntcheu, Nkhata Bay, Nkhotakota, Nsanje, Ntchisi, Rumphi, Salima, Thyolo, Zomba
Independence:
6 July 1964 (from UK; formerly Nyasaland) Constitution:
6 July 1964; republished as amended January 1974 Legal system:
based on English common law and customary law; judicial review of legislative acts in the Supreme Court of Appeal; has not accepted compulsory ICJ jurisdiction
National holiday:
Independence Day, 6 July (1964)
Executive branch:
president, Cabinet
Legislative branch:
unicameral National Assembly
Judicial branch:
High Court, Supreme Court of Appeal Leaders:
Chief of State and Head of Government: President Dr. Hastings Kamuzu BANDA (since 6 July 1966; sworn in as President for Life 6 July 1971)
Political parties and leaders:
only party – Malawi Congress Party (MCP), Wadson DELEZA, administrative secretary; John TEMBO, treasurer general; top party position of secretary general vacant since 1983
Suffrage:
universal at age 21
Elections:
President:
President BANDA sworn in as President for Life on 6 July 1971 National Assembly:
last held 27-28 May 1987 (next to be held by May 1992); results – MCP is the only party; seats – (133 total, 112 elected) MCP 133 Member of:
ACP, AfDB, C, CCC, ECA, FAO, G-77, GATT, IBRD, ICAO, ICFTU, IDA, IFAD, IFC, ILO, IMF, IMO, INTELSAT, INTERPOL, IOC, ISO (correspondent), ITU, LORCS, NAM, OAU, SADCC, UN, UNCTAD, UNESCO, UNIDO, UPU, WHO, WIPO, WMO, WTO Diplomatic representation:
Ambassador Robert B. MBAYA; Chancery at 2408 Massachusetts Avenue NW, Washington, DC 20008; telephone (202) 797-1007 US:
Ambassador Michael T. F. PISTOR; Embassy in new capital city development area, address NA (mailing address is P. O. Box 30016, Lilongwe); telephone [265] 730-166; FAX [265] 732-282
Flag:
three equal horizontal bands of black (top), red, and green with a radiant, rising, red sun centered in the black band; similar to the flag of Afghanistan, which is longer and has the national coat of arms superimposed on the hoist side of the black and red bands
Overview:
Landlocked Malawi ranks among the world’s least developed countries. The economy is predominately agricultural, with about 90% of the population living in rural areas. Agriculture accounts for 40% of GDP and 90% of export revenues. After two years of weak performance, economic growth improved significantly in 1988-91 as a result of good weather and a broadly based economic adjustment effort by the government. The economy depends on substantial inflows of economic assistance from the IMF, the World Bank, and individual donor nations.
GDP:
exchange rate conversion – $1.9 billion, per capita $200; growth rate 4.2% (1991 est.)
Inflation rate (consumer prices):
9% (1991 est.)
Unemployment rate:
NA%
Budget:
revenues $398 million; expenditures $510 million, including capital expenditures of $154 million (FY91 est.) Exports:
$390 million (f.o.b., 1990 est.)
commodities:
tobacco, tea, sugar, coffee, peanuts partners:
US, UK, Zambia, South Africa, Germany Imports:
$560 million (c.i.f., 1990 est.)
commodities:
food, petroleum, semimanufactures, consumer goods, transportation equipment partners:
South Africa, Japan, US, UK, Zimbabwe External debt:
$1.8 billion (December 1991 est.) Industrial production:
growth rate 4.0% (1990 est.); accounts for about 18% of GDP (1988) Electricity:
185,000 kW capacity; 550 million kWh produced, 60 kWh per capita (1991) Industries:
agricultural processing (tea, tobacco, sugar), sawmilling, cement, consumer goods
Agriculture:
accounts for 40% of GDP; cash crops – tobacco, sugarcane, cotton, tea, and corn; subsistence crops – potatoes, cassava, sorghum, pulses; livestock – cattle and goats
Economic aid:
US commitments, including Ex-Im (FY70-89), $215 million; Western (non-US) countries, ODA and OOF bilateral commitments (1970-89), $2,150 million Currency:
Malawian kwacha (plural – kwacha); 1 Malawian kwacha (MK) = 100 tambala Exchange rates:
Malawian kwacha (MK) per US$1 – 2.7200 (January 1992), 2.8033 (1991), 2.7289 (1990), 2.7595 (1989), 2.5613 (1988), 2.2087 (1987) Fiscal year:
1 April – 31 March
Railroads:
789 km 1.067-meter gauge
Highways:
13,135 km total; 2,364 km paved; 251 km crushed stone, gravel, or stabilized soil; 10,520 km earth and improved earth Inland waterways:
Lake Nyasa (Lake Malawi); Shire River, 144 km Ports:
Chipoka, Monkey Bay, Nkhata Bay, and Nkotakota – all on Lake Nyasa (Lake Malawi)
Civil air:
5 major transport aircraft
Airports:
48 total, 43 usable; 6 with permanent-surface runways; none with runways over 3,659 m; 1 with runways 2,440-3,659 m; 9 with runways 1,220-2,439 m Telecommunications:
fair system of open-wire lines, radio relay links, and radio communications stations; 42,250 telephones; broadcast stations – 10 AM, 17 FM, no TV; satellite earth stations – 1 Indian Ocean INTELSAT and 1 Atlantic Ocean INTELSAT
Note:
a majority of exports would normally go through Mozambique on the Beira or Nacala railroads, but now most go through South Africa because of insurgent activity and damage to rail lines
Branches:
Army (including Air Wing and Naval Detachment), Police (including paramilitary Mobile Force Unit), paramilitary Malawi Young Pioneers Manpower availability:
males 15-49, 2,000,406; 1,016,901 fit for military service Defense expenditures:
exchange rate conversion – $22 million, 1.6% of GDP (1989 est.)
Total area:
329,750 km2
Land area:
328,550 km2
Comparative area:
slightly larger than New Mexico
Land boundaries:
2,669 km; Brunei 381 km, Indonesia 1,782, Thailand 506 km Coastline:
4,675 km; Peninsular Malaysia 2,068 km, East Malaysia 2,607 km Maritime claims:
Continental shelf:
200 m (depth) or to depth of exploitation, specified boundary in the South China Sea
Exclusive fishing zone:
200 nm
Exclusive economic zone:
200 nm
Territorial sea:
12 nm
Disputes:
involved in a complex dispute over the Spratly Islands with China, Philippines, Taiwan, Vietnam, and possibly Brunei; State of Sabah claimed by the Philippines; Brunei may wish to purchase the Malaysian salient that divides Brunei into two parts; two islands in dispute with Singapore Climate:
tropical; annual southwest (April to October) and northeast (October to February) monsoons
Terrain:
coastal plains rising to hills and mountains Natural resources:
tin, crude oil, timber, copper, iron ore, natural gas, bauxite Land use:
arable land 3%; permanent crops 10%; meadows and pastures NEGL%; forest and woodland 63%; other 24%; includes irrigated 1% Environment:
subject to flooding; air and water pollution Note:
strategic location along Strait of Malacca and southern South China Sea
Population:
18,410,920 (July 1992), growth rate 2.4% (1992) Birth rate:
29 births/1,000 population (1992) Death rate:
6 deaths/1,000 population (1992)
Net migration rate:
0 migrants/1,000 population (1992) Infant mortality rate:
27 deaths/1,000 live births (1992) Life expectancy at birth:
66 years male, 71 years female (1992) Total fertility rate:
3.6 children born/woman (1992)
Nationality:
noun – Malaysian(s); adjective – Malaysian Ethnic divisions:
Malay and other indigenous 59%, Chinese 32%, Indian 9% Religions:
Peninsular Malaysia – Malays nearly all Muslim, Chinese predominantly Buddhists, Indians predominantly Hindu; Sabah – Muslim 38%, Christian 17%, other 45%; Sarawak – tribal religion 35%, Buddhist and Confucianist 24%, Muslim 20%, Christian 16%, other 5%
Languages:
Peninsular Malaysia – Malay (official); English, Chinese dialects, Tamil; Sabah – English, Malay, numerous tribal dialects, Mandarin and Hakka dialects predominate among Chinese; Sarawak – English, Malay, Mandarin, numerous tribal languages
Literacy:
78% (male 86%, female 70%) age 15 and over can read and write (1990 est.) Labor force:
7,258,000 (1991 est.)
Organized labor:
640,000; 10% of total labor force (1990)
Long-form name:
none
Type:
Federation of Malaysia formed 9 July 1963; constitutional monarchy nominally headed by the paramount ruler (king) and a bicameral Parliament; Peninsular Malaysian states – hereditary rulers in all but Melaka, where governors are appointed by Malaysian Pulau Pinang Government; powers of state governments are limited by federal Constitution; Sabah – self-governing state, holds 20 seats in House of Representatives, with foreign affairs, defense, internal security, and other powers delegated to federal government; Sarawak – self-governing state within Malaysia, holds 27 seats in House of Representatives, with foreign affairs, defense, internal security, and other powers delegated to federal government Capital:
Kuala Lumpur
Administrative divisions:
13 states (negeri-negeri, singular – negeri) and 2 federal territories* (wilayah-wilayah persekutuan, singular – wilayah persekutuan); Johor, Kedah, Kelantan, Labuan*, Melaka, Negeri Sembilan, Pahang, Perak, Perlis, Pulau Pinang, Sabah, Sarawak, Selangor, Terengganu, Wilayah Persekutuan* Independence:
31 August 1957 (from UK)
Constitution:
31 August 1957, amended 16 September 1963 when Federation of Malaya became Federation of Malaysia
Legal system:
based on English common law; judicial review of legislative acts in the Supreme Court at request of supreme head of the federation; has not accepted compulsory ICJ jurisdiction
National holiday:
National Day, 31 August (1957)
Executive branch:
paramount ruler, deputy paramount ruler, prime minister, deputy prime minister, Cabinet
Legislative branch:
bicameral Parliament (Parlimen) consists of an upper house or Senate (Dewan Negara) and a lower house or House of Representatives (Dewan Rakyat) Judicial branch:
Supreme Court
Leaders:
Chief of State:
Paramount Ruler AZLAN Muhibbuddin Shah ibni Sultan Yusof Izzudin (since 26 April 1989); Deputy Paramount Ruler JA’AFAR ibni Abdul Rahman (since 26 April 1989)
Head of Government:
Prime Minister Dr. MAHATHIR bin Mohamad (since 16 July 1981); Deputy Prime Minister Abdul GHAFAR Bin Baba (since 7 May 1986) Political parties and leaders:
Peninsular Malaysia:
National Front, a confederation of 13 political parties dominated by United Malays National Organization Baru (UMNO Baru), MAHATHIR bin Mohamad; Malaysian Chinese Association (MCA), LING Liong Sik; Gerakan Rakyat Malaysia, Datuk LIM Keng Yaik; Malaysian Indian Congress (MIC), Datuk S. Samy VELLU
Sabah:
Berjaya Party, Datuk Haji Mohammed NOOR Mansor; Bersatu Sabah (PBS), Joseph Pairin KITINGAN; United Sabah National Organizaton (USNO), leader NA
Sarawak:
coalition Sarawak National Front composed of the Party Pesaka Bumiputra Bersatu (PBB), Datuk Patinggi Amar Haji Abdul TAIB Mahmud; Sarawak United People’s Party (SUPP), Datuk Amar James WONG Soon Kai; Sarawak National Party (SNAP), Datuk Amar James WONG; Parti Bansa Dayak Sarawak (PBDS), Datuk Leo MOGGIE; major opposition parties are Democratic Action Party (DAP), LIM Kit Siang and Pan-Malaysian Islamic Party (PAS), Fadzil NOOR Suffrage:
universal at age 21
Elections:
House of Representatives:
last held 21 October 1990 (next to be held by August 1995); results – National Front 52%, other 48%; seats – (180 total) National Front 127, DAP 20, PAS 7, independents 4, other 22; note – within the National Front, UMNO got 71 seats and MCA 18 seats
Member of:
APEC, AsDB, ASEAN, C, CCC, CP, ESCAP, FAO, G-15, G-77, GATT, IAEA, IBRD, ICAO, ICFTU, IDA, IDB, IFAD, IFC, ILO, IMF, IMO, INMARSAT, INTELSAT, INTERPOL, IOC, ISO, ITU, LORCS, NAM, OIC, UN, UNCTAD, UNESCO, UNIDO, UNIIMOG, UPU, WCL, WHO, WIPO, WMO
Diplomatic representation:
Ambassador Abdul MAJID Mohamed; Chancery at 2401 Massachusetts Avenue NW, Washington, DC 20008; telephone (202) 328-2700; there are Malaysian Consulates General in Los Angeles and New York US:
Ambassador Paul M. CLEVELAND; Embassy at 376 Jalan Tun Razak, 50400 Kuala Lumpur (mailing address is P. O. Box No. 10035, 50700 Kuala Lumpur); telephone [60] (3) 248-9011; FAX [60] (3) 242-2207 Flag:
fourteen equal horizontal stripes of red (top) alternating with white (bottom); there is a blue rectangle in the upper hoist-side corner bearing a yellow crescent and a yellow fourteen-pointed star; the crescent and the star are traditional symbols of Islam; the design was based on the flag of the US
Overview:
During the period 1988-91 booming exports helped Malaysia continue to recover from the severe 1985-86 recession. Real output grew by 8.8% in 1989, 10% in 1990, and 8.6% in 1991, helped by vigorous growth in manufacturing output, further increases in foreign direct investment – particularly from Japanese and Taiwanese firms facing higher costs at home – and increased oil production. Malaysia has become the world’s third-largest producer of semiconductor devices (after the US and Japan) and the world’s largest exporter of semiconductor devices. Inflation has remained low; unemployment has stood at 6% of the labor force; and the government has followed prudent fiscal/monetary policies. The country is not self-sufficient in food, and some of the rural population subsist at the poverty level. Malaysia’s high export dependence leaves it vulnerable to a recession in the OECD countries or a fall in world commodity prices.
GDP:
exchange rate conversion – $48.0 billion, per capita $2,670; real growth rate 8.6% (1991 est.)
Inflation rate (consumer prices):
4.5% (1991 est.)
Unemployment rate:
5.8% (1991 est.)
Budget:
revenues $12.2 billion; expenditures $14.4 billion, including capital expenditures of $3.2 billion (1991 est.) Exports:
$35.4 billion (f.o.b., 1991)
commodities:
electrical manufactures, crude petroleum, timber, rubber, palm oil, textiles partners:
Singapore, US, Japan, EC
Imports:
$38.7 billion (c.i.f., 1991)
commodities:
food, crude oil, consumer goods, intermediate goods, capital equipment, chemicals
partners:
Japan, US, Singapore, Germany, UK External debt:
$21.3 billion (1991 est.)
Industrial production:
growth rate 18% (1990); accounts for 40% of GDP Electricity:
5,600,000 kW capacity; 16,500 million kWh produced, 940 kWh per capita (1990)
Industries:
Peninsular Malaysia:
rubber and oil palm processing and manufacturing, light manufacturing industry, electronics, tin mining and smelting, logging and processing timber
Sabah:
logging, petroleum production
Sarawak:
agriculture processing, petroleum production and refining, logging Agriculture:
Peninsular Malaysia:
natural rubber, palm oil, rice
Sabah:
mainly subsistence, but also rubber, timber, coconut, rice
Sarawak:
rubber, timber, pepper; there is a deficit of rice in all areas; fish catch of 608,000 metric tons in 1987
Illicit drugs:
transit point for Golden Triangle heroin going to the US, Western Europe, and the Third World
Economic aid:
US commitments, including Ex-Im (FY70-84), $170 million; Western (non-US) countries, ODA and OOF bilateral commitments (1970-89), $4.7 million; OPEC bilateral aid (1979-89), $42 million
Currency:
ringgit (plural – ringgits); 1 ringgit (M$) = 100 sen Exchange rates:
ringgits (M$) per US$1 – 2.6930 (January 1992), 2.7501 (1991), 1.7048 (1990), 2.7088 (1989), 2.6188 (1988), 2.5196 (1987) Fiscal year:
calendar year
Railroads:
Peninsular Malaysia:
1,665 km 1.04-meter gauge; 13 km double track, government owned Railroads:
Sabah:
136 km 1.000-meter gauge
Highways:
Peninsular Malaysia:
23,600 km (19,352 km hard surfaced, mostly bituminous-surface treatment, and 4,248 km unpaved)
Sabah:
3,782 km
Sarawak:
1,644 km
Inland waterways:
Peninsular Malaysia:
3,209 km
Sabah:
1,569 km
Sarawak:
2,518 km
Pipelines:
crude oil 1,307 km; natural gas 379 km Ports:
Tanjong Kidurong, Kota Kinabalu, Kuching, Pasir Gudang, Penang, Port Kelang, Sandakan, Tawau
Merchant marine:
167 ships (1,000 GRT or over) totaling 1,653,633 GRT/2,444,393 DWT; includes 1 passenger-cargo, 1 short-sea passenger, 64 cargo, 27 container, 2 vehicle carrier, 2 roll-on/roll-off, 1 livestock carrier, 37 petroleum tanker, 5 chemical tanker, 6 liquefied gas, 21 bulk Civil air:
53 major transport aircraft
Airports:
115 total, 108 usable; 33 with permanent-surface runways; 1 with runways over 3,659 m; 7 with runways 2,440-3,659 m; 18 with runways 1,220-2,439 m Telecommunications:
good intercity service provided to Peninsular Malaysia mainly by radio relay; adequate intercity radio relay network between Sabah and Sarawak via Brunei; international service good; good coverage by radio and television broadcasts; 994,860 telephones (1984); broadcast stations – 28 AM, 3 FM, 33 TV; submarine cables extend to India and Sarawak; SEACOM submarine cable links to Hong Kong and Singapore; satellite earth stations – 1 Indian Ocean INTELSAT and 1 Pacific Ocean INTELSAT, and 2 domestic
Branches:
Royal Malaysian Army, Royal Malaysian Navy, Royal Malaysian Air Force, Royal Malaysian Police Force, Marine Police, Sarawak Border Scouts Manpower availability:
males 15-49, 4,728,103; 2,878,574 fit for military service; 179,486 reach military age (21) annually
Defense expenditures:
exchange rate conversion – $2.4 billion, about 5% of GDP (1992 budget)
Total area:
300 km2
Land area:
300 km2
Comparative area:
slightly more than 1.5 times the size of Washington, DC Land boundaries:
none
Coastline:
644 km
Maritime claims:
Exclusive economic zone:
35-310 nm (defined by geographic coordinates; segment of zone coincides with maritime boundary with India)
Territorial sea:
12 nm
Disputes:
none
Climate:
tropical; hot, humid; dry, northeast monsoon (November to March); rainy, southwest monsoon (June to August)
Terrain:
flat with elevations only as high as 2.5 meters Natural resources:
fish
Land use:
arable land 10%; permanent crops 0%; meadows and pastures 3%; forest and woodland 3%; other 84%
Environment:
1,200 coral islands grouped into 19 atolls Note:
archipelago of strategic location astride and along major sea lanes in Indian Ocean
Population:
234,371 (July 1992), growth rate 3.7% (1992) Birth rate:
45 births/1,000 population (1992) Death rate:
8 deaths/1,000 population (1992)
Net migration rate:
0 migrants/1,000 population (1992) Infant mortality rate:
61 deaths/1,000 live births (1992) Life expectancy at birth:
62 years male, 64 years female (1992) Total fertility rate:
6.5 children born/woman (1992)
Nationality:
noun – Maldivian(s); adjective – Maldivian Ethnic divisions:
Maldivians are a generally homogenous admixture of Sinhalese, Dravidian, Arab, Austrolasian, and African
Religions:
Sunni Muslim
Languages:
Divehi (dialect of Sinhala; script derived from Arabic); English spoken by most government officials
Literacy:
92% (male 92%, female 92%) age 15 and over can read and write (1985) Labor force:
66,000 (est.); 25% engaged in fishing industry Organized labor:
none
Long-form name:
Republic of Maldives
Type:
republic
Capital:
Male
Administrative divisions:
19 district (atolls); Aliff, Baa, Daalu, Faafu, Gaafu Aliff, Gaafu Daalu, Haa Aliff, Haa Daalu, Kaafu, Laamu, Laviyani, Meemu, Naviyani, Noonu, Raa, Seenu, Shaviyani, Thaa, Waavu
Independence:
26 July 1965 (from UK)
Constitution:
4 June 1964
Legal system:
based on Islamic law with admixtures of English common law primarily in commercial matters; has not accepted compulsory ICJ jurisdiction National holiday:
Independence Day, 26 July (1965)
Executive branch:
president, Cabinet
Legislative branch:
unicameral Citizens’ Council (Majlis) Judicial branch:
High Court
Leaders:
Chief of State and Head of Government: President Maumoon Abdul GAYOOM (since 11 November 1978) Political parties and leaders:
no organized political parties; country governed by the Didi clan for the past eight centuries
Suffrage:
universal at age 21
Elections:
President:
last held 23 September 1988 (next to be held September 1994); results – President Maumoon Abdul GAYOOM reelected Citizens’ Council:
last held on 7 December 1989 (next to be held 7 December 1994); results – percent of vote NA; seats – (48 total, 40 elected) Member of:
AsDB, C, CP, ESCAP, FAO, G-77, GATT, IBRD, ICAO, IDA, IDB, IFAD, IFC, IMF, IMO, INTERPOL, IOC, ITU, NAM, OIC, SAARC, UN, UNCTAD, UNESCO, UNIDO, UPU, WHO, WMO, WTO
Diplomatic representation:
Maldives does not maintain an embassy in the US, but does have a UN mission in New York
US:
the US Ambassador to Sri Lanka is accredited to Maldives and makes periodic visits there; US Consular Agency, Midhath Hilmy, Male; telephone 2581 Flag:
red with a large green rectangle in the center bearing a vertical white crescent; the closed side of the crescent is on the hoist side of the flag
Overview:
The economy is based on fishing, tourism, and shipping. Agriculture is limited to the production of a few subsistence crops that provide only 10% of food requirements. Fishing is the largest industry, employing 25% of the work force and accounting for over 60% of exports; it is also an important source of government revenue. During the 1980s tourism has become one of the most important and highest growth sectors of the economy. In 1988 industry accounted for about 5% of GDP. Real GDP is officially estimated to have increased by about 10% annually during the period 1974-90. GDP:
exchange rate conversion – $174 million, per capita $770 (1988); real growth rate 10.1% (1990 est.)
Inflation rate (consumer prices):
10.7% (1990 est.)
Unemployment rate:
NEGL%
Budget:
revenues $67 million; expenditures $82 million, including capital expenditures of $45 million (1990 est.) Exports:
$52.0 million (f.o.b., 1990)
commodities:
fish 57%, clothing 25%
partners:
US, UK, Sri Lanka
Imports:
$128.9 million (c.i.f., 1990)
commodities:
consumer goods 54%, intermediate and capital goods 33%, petroleum products 13%
partners:
Singapore, Germany, Sri Lanka, India External debt:
$70 million (December 1989)
Industrial production:
growth rate -5.0% (1988); accounts for 6% of GDP Electricity:
5,000 kW capacity; 11 million kWh produced, 50 kWh per capita (1990) Industries:
fishing and fish processing, tourism, shipping, boat building, some coconut processing, garments, woven mats, coir (rope), handicrafts Agriculture:
accounts for almost 30% of GDP (including fishing); fishing more important than farming; limited production of coconuts, corn, sweet potatoes; most staple foods must be imported; fish catch of 67,000 tons (1990 est.) Economic aid:
US commitments, including Ex-Im (FY70-88), $28 million; Western (non-US) countries, ODA and OOF bilateral commitments (1970-89), $125 million; OPEC bilateral aid (1979-89), $14 million
Currency:
rufiyaa (plural – rufiyaa); 1 rufiyaa (Rf) = 100 laaris Exchange rates:
rufiyaa (Rf) per US$1 – 10.234 (January 1992), 10.253 (1991), 9.509 (1990), 9.0408 (1989), 8.7846 (1988), 9.2230 (1987) Fiscal year:
calendar year
Highways:
Male has 9.6 km of coral highways within the city Ports:
Male, Gan
Merchant marine:
13 ships (1,000 GRT or over) totaling 37,293 GRT/56,246 DWT; includes 11 cargo, 1 container, 1 petroleum tanker Civil air:
1 major transport aircraft
Airports:
2 with permanent-surface runways 2,440-3,659 m Telecommunications:
minimal domestic and international facilities; 2,804 telephones; broadcast stations – 2 AM, 1 FM, 1 TV; 1 Indian Ocean INTELSAT earth station
Branches:
National Security Service (paramilitary police force) Manpower availability:
males 15-49, 52,195; 29,162 fit for military service Defense expenditures:
exchange rate conversion – $1.8 million, NA% of GDP (1984 est.)
Total area:
1,240,000 km2
Land area:
1,220,000 km2
Comparative area:
slightly less than twice the size of Texas Land boundaries:
7,243 km; Algeria 1,376 km, Burkina 1,000 km, Guinea 858 km, Ivory Coast 532 km, Mauritania 2,237 km, Niger 821 km, Senegal 419 km Coastline:
none – landlocked
Maritime claims:
none – landlocked
Disputes:
the disputed international boundary between Burkina and Mali was submitted to the International Court of Justice (ICJ) in October 1983 and the ICJ issued its final ruling in December 1986, which both sides agreed to accept; Burkina and Mali are proceeding with boundary demarcation, including the tripoint with Niger
Climate:
subtropical to arid; hot and dry February to June; rainy, humid, and mild June to November; cool and dry November to February Terrain:
mostly flat to rolling northern plains covered by sand; savanna in south, rugged hills in northeast
Natural resources:
gold, phosphates, kaolin, salt, limestone, uranium; bauxite, iron ore, manganese, tin, and copper deposits are known but not exploited Land use:
arable land 2%; permanent crops NEGL%; meadows and pastures 25%; forest and woodland 7%; other 66%; includes irrigated NEGL% Environment:
hot, dust-laden harmattan; haze common during dry seasons; desertification Note:
landlocked
Population:
8,641,178 (July 1992), growth rate 2.5% (1992) Birth rate:
52 births/1,000 population (1992) Death rate:
21 deaths/1,000 population (1992) Net migration rate:
-5 migrants/1,000 population (1992) Infant mortality rate:
110 deaths/1,000 live births (1992) Life expectancy at birth:
43 years male, 47 years female (1992) Total fertility rate:
7.3 children born/woman (1992)
Nationality:
noun – Malian(s); adjective – Malian Ethnic divisions:
Mande (Bambara, Malinke, Sarakole) 50%, Peul 17%, Voltaic 12%, Songhai 6%, Tuareg and Moor 5%, other 10%
Religions:
Muslim 90%, indigenous beliefs 9%, Christian 1% Languages:
French (official); Bambara spoken by about 80% of the population; numerous African languages
Literacy:
32% (male 41%, female 24%) age 15 and over can read and write (1990 est.) Labor force:
2,666,000 (1986 est.); agriculture 80%, services 19%, industry and commerce 1% (1981); 50% of population of working age (1985) Organized labor:
National Union of Malian Workers (UNTM) is umbrella organization for over 13 national unions
Long-form name:
Republic of Mali
Type:
republic; an interim government appointed by the national reform conference has organized a series of democratic elections and is scheduled to hand over power to an elected government on 26 March 1992 Capital:
Bamako
Administrative divisions:
8 regions (regions, singular – region); Gao, Kayes, Kidal, Koulikoro, Mopti, Segou, Sikasso, Tombouctou
Independence:
22 September 1960 (from France; formerly French Sudan) Constitution:
2 June 1974, effective 19 June 1979; amended September 1981 and March 1985; new constitution presented during national reform conference in August 1991; a constitutional referendum is scheduled for 16 January 1992 Legal system:
based on French civil law system and customary law; judicial review of legislative acts in Constitutional Section of Court of State; has not accepted compulsory ICJ jurisdiction
National holiday:
Anniversary of the Proclamation of the Republic, 22 September (1960) Executive branch:
Transition Committee for the Salvation of the People (CTSP) composed of 25 members, predominantly civilian
Legislative branch:
Transition Committee for the Salvation of the People (CTSP) Judicial branch:
Supreme Court (Cour Supreme)
Leaders:
Chief of State:
Lt. Col. Amadou Toumani TOURE
Head of Government:
Prime Minister Soumana SAKO (since 2 April 1991) Political parties and leaders:
formerly the only party, the Democratic Union of Malian People (UDPM), was disbanded after the coup of 26 March 1991, and the new regime legalized the formation of political parties on 5 April 1991; new political parties are Union of Democratic Forces (UFD), Demba DIALLO; Union for Democracy and Development (UDD), Moussa Bala COULIBALY; Sudanese Union/African Democratic Rally (US-RDA), Mamadou Madeira KEITA; African Party for Solidarity and Justice (ADEMA), Alpha Oumar KONARE; Party for Democracy and Progress (PDP), Idrissa TRAORE; Democratic Party for Justice (PDJ), Abdul BA; Rally for Democracy and Progress (RDP), Almany SYLLA; Party for the Unity of Malian People (PUPM), Nock AGATTIA; Hisboulah al Islamiya, Hamidou DRAMERA; Union of Progressive Forces (UFP), Yacouba SIDIBE; National Congress of Democratic Initiative (CNID), Mountaga TALL; Assembly for Justice and Progress, Kady DRAME; Sudanese Progressive Party (PPS), Sekene Mody SISSOKO; numerous small parties formed in 1991; 46 total parties Suffrage:
universal at age 21
Elections:
President:
last held on 9 June 1985 (next to be held March 1992); results – Gen. Moussa TRAORE was reelected without opposition
National Assembly:
last held on 26 June 1988 (next to be held NA 1992); results – UDPM was the only party; seats – (82 total) UDPM 82; note – following the military coup of 26 March 1991, President TRAORE was deposed and the UDPM was disbanded; the 25-member CTSP has instituted a multiparty system, and presidential elections are to be held on 26 March 1992 and legislative elections on 9 February 1992 (new National Assembly to have 116 seats) Member of:
ACCT, ACP, AfDB, CCC, CEAO, ECA, ECOWAS, FAO, FZ, G-77, IAEA, IBRD, ICAO, IDA, IDB, IFAD, IFC, ILO, IMF, INTELSAT, INTERPOL, IOC, ITU, LORCS, NAM, OAU, OIC, UN, UNCTAD, UNESCO, UNIDO, UPU, WADB, WCL, WHO, WIPO, WMO, WTO Diplomatic representation:
Ambassador Mohamed Alhousseyni TOURE; Chancery at 2130 R Street NW, Washington, DC 20008; telephone (202) 332-2249 or 939-8950 US:
Ambassador Herbert D. GELBER; Embassy at Rue Rochester NY and Rue Mohamed V., Bamako (mailing address is B. P. 34, Bamako); telephone [223] 225470; FAX [233] 22-80-59
Flag:
three equal vertical bands of green (hoist side), yellow, and red; uses the popular pan-African colors of Ethiopia
Overview:
Mali is among the poorest countries in the world, with about 70% of its land area desert or semidesert. Economic activity is largely confined to the riverine area irrigated by the Niger. About 10% of the population live as nomads and some 80% of the labor force is engaged in agriculture and fishing. Industrial activity is concentrated on processing farm commodities. GDP:
exchange rate conversion – $2.2 billion, per capita $265; real growth rate 2.2% (1990 est.)
Inflation rate (consumer prices):
-1.6% (1990)
Unemployment rate:
NA%
Budget:
revenues $329 million; expenditures $519 million, including capital expenditures of $178 (1989 est.)
Exports:
$285 million (f.o.b., 1989 est.)
commodities:
livestock, peanuts, dried fish, cotton, skins partners:
mostly franc zone and Western Europe Imports:
$513 million (f.o.b., 1989 est.)
commodities:
textiles, vehicles, petroleum products, machinery, sugar, cereals partners:
mostly franc zone and Western Europe External debt:
$2.2 billion (1989 est.)
Industrial production:
growth rate 19.9% (1989 est.); accounts for 7% of GDP Electricity:
260,000 kW capacity; 750 million kWh produced, 90 kWh per capita (1991) Industries:
small local consumer goods and processing, construction, phosphate, gold, fishing
Agriculture:
accounts for 50% of GDP; most production based on small subsistence farms; cotton and livestock products account for over 70% of exports; other crops – millet, rice, corn, vegetables, peanuts; livestock – cattle, sheep, and goats
Economic aid:
US commitments, including Ex-Im (FY70-89), $349 million; Western (non-US) countries, ODA and OOF bilateral commitments (1970-89), $3,020 million; OPEC bilateral aid (1979-89), $92 million; Communist countries (1970-89), $190 million
Currency:
Communaute Financiere Africaine franc (plural – francs); 1 CFA franc (CFAF) = 100 centimes
Exchange rates:
Communaute Financiere Africaine francs (CFAF) per US$1 – 269.01 (January 1992), 282.11 (1991), 272.26 (1990), 319.01 (1989), 297.85 (1988), 300.54 (1987)
Fiscal year:
calendar year
Railroads:
642 km 1.000-meter gauge; linked to Senegal’s rail system through Kayes Highways:
about 15,700 km total; 1,670 km paved, 3,670 km gravel and improved earth, 10,360 km unimproved earth
Inland waterways:
1,815 km navigable
Civil air:
no major transport aircraft
Airports:
35 total, 27 usable; 8 with permanent-surface runways; none with runways over 3,659 m; 5 with runways 2,440-3,659 m; 10 with runways 1,220-2,439 m Telecommunications:
domestic system poor but improving; provides only minimal service with radio relay, wire, and radio communications stations; expansion of radio relay in progress; 11,000 telephones; broadcast stations – 2 AM, 2 FM, 2 TV; satellite earth stations – 1 Atlantic Ocean INTELSAT and 1 Indian Ocean INTELSAT
Branches:
Army, Air Force, Gendarmerie, Republican Guard, National Guard, National Police, Surete Nationale
Manpower availability:
males 15-49, 1,701,050; 966,293 fit for military service; no conscription Defense expenditures:
exchange rate conversion – $41 million, 2% of GDP (1989)
Total area:
320 km2
Land area:
320 km2
Comparative area:
slightly less than twice the size of Washington, DC Land boundaries:
none
Coastline:
140 km
Maritime claims:
Contiguous zone:
24 nm
Continental shelf:
200 m (depth) or to depth of exploitation Exclusive fishing zone:
25 nm
Territorial sea:
12 nm
Disputes:
none
Climate:
Mediterranean with mild, rainy winters and hot, dry summers Terrain:
mostly low, rocky, flat to dissected plains; many coastal cliffs Natural resources:
limestone, salt
Land use:
arable land 38%; permanent crops 3%; meadows and pastures 0%; forest and woodland 0%; other 59%; includes irrigated 3% Environment:
numerous bays provide good harbors; fresh water very scarce – increasing reliance on desalination
Note:
strategic location in central Mediterranean, 93 km south of Sicily, 290 km north of Libya
Population:
359,231 (July 1992), growth rate 0.8% (1992) Birth rate:
14 births/1,000 population (1992) Death rate:
8 deaths/1,000 population (1992)
Net migration rate:
1 migrant/1,000 population (1992) Infant mortality rate:
7 deaths/1,000 live births (1992) Life expectancy at birth:
74 years male, 79 years female (1992) Total fertility rate:
2.0 children born/woman (1992)
Nationality:
noun – Maltese (singular and plural); adjective – Maltese Ethnic divisions:
mixture of Arab, Sicilian, Norman, Spanish, Italian, English Religions:
Roman Catholic 98%
Languages:
Maltese and English (official)
Literacy:
84% (male 86%, female 82%) age 15 and over can read and write (1985) Labor force:
127,200; government (excluding job corps) 37%, services 26%, manufacturing 22%, training programs 9%, construction 4%, agriculture 2% (1990) Organized labor:
about 40% of labor force
Long-form name:
Republic of Malta
Type:
parliamentary democracy
Capital:
Valletta
Administrative divisions:
none (administration directly from Valletta) Independence:
21 September 1964 (from UK)
Constitution:
26 April 1974, effective 2 June 1974 Legal system:
based on English common law and Roman civil law; has accepted compulsory ICJ jurisdiction, with reservations
National holiday:
Independence Day, 21 September
Executive branch:
president, prime minister, deputy prime minister, Cabinet Legislative branch:
unicameral House of Representatives Judicial branch:
Constitutional Court and Court of Appeal Leaders:
Chief of State:
President Vincent (Censu) TABONE (since 4 April 1989) Head of Government:
Prime Minister Dr. Edward (Eddie) FENECH ADAMI (since 12 May 1987); Deputy Prime Minister Dr. Guido DE MARCO (since 14 May 1987) Political parties and leaders:
Nationalist Party (NP), Edward FENECH ADAMI; Malta Labor Party (MLP), Alfred SANT
Suffrage:
universal at age 18
Elections:
House of Representatives:
last held on 22 February 1992 (next to be held by February 1997); results – NP 51.8%, MLP 46.5%; seats – (usually 65 total) MLP 36, NP 29; note – additional seats are given to the party with the largest popular vote to ensure a legislative majority; current total 69 (MLP 33, NP 36 after adjustment)
Member of:
C, CCC, CE, CSCE, EBRD, ECE, FAO, G-77, GATT, IBRD, ICAO, ICFTU, IFAD, ILO, IMF, IMO, INTERPOL, IOC, ITU, NAM, PCA, UN, UNCTAD, UNESCO, UNIDO, UPU, WCL, WHO, WIPO, WMO, WTO
Diplomatic representation:
Ambassador Albert BORG OLIVIER DE PUGET; Chancery at 2017 Connecticut Avenue NW, Washington, DC 20008; telephone (202) 462-3611 or 3612; there is a Maltese Consulate General in New York
US:
Ambassador Sally J. NOVETZKE; Embassy at 2nd Floor, Development House, Saint Anne Street, Floriana, Valletta (mailing address is P. O. Box 535, Valletta); telephone [356] 240424, 240425, 243216, 243217, 243653, 223654; FAX same as phone numbers
Flag:
two equal vertical bands of white (hoist side) and red; in the upper hoist-side corner is a representation of the George Cross, edged in red
Overview:
Significant resources are limestone, a favorable geographic location, and a productive labor force. Malta produces only about 20% of its food needs, has limited freshwater supplies, and has no domestic energy sources. Consequently, the economy is highly dependent on foreign trade and services. Manufacturing and tourism are the largest contributors to the economy. Manufacturing accounts for about 27% of GDP, with the electronics and textile industries major contributors. In 1990 inflation was held to a low 3.0%. Per capita GDP at $7,000 places Malta in the middle-income range of the world’s nations.
GDP:
exchange rate conversion – $2.5 billion, per capita $7,000 (1991 est.); real growth rate 5.5% (1990)
Inflation rate (consumer prices):
3.0% (1990)
Unemployment rate:
3.8% (1990)
Budget:
revenues $1.3 billion; expenditures $1.3 billion, including capital expenditures of $380 million (1992 plan) Exports:
$l.1 billion (f.o.b., 1990)
commodities:
clothing, textiles, footwear, ships partners:
Italy 30%, Germany 22%, UK 11%
Imports:
$2.0 billion (f.o.b., 1990)
commodities:
food, petroleum, machinery and semimanufactured goods partners:
Italy 30%, UK 16%, Germany 13%, US 4% External debt:
$90 million, medium and long term (December 1987) Industrial production:
growth rate 19.0% (1990); accounts for 27% of GDP Electricity:
328,000 kW capacity; 1,110 million kWh produced, 2,990 kWh per capita (1991) Industries:
tourism, electronics, ship repair yard, construction, food manufacturing, textiles, footwear, clothing, beverages, tobacco Agriculture:
accounts for 3% of GDP; overall, 20% self-sufficient; main products – potatoes, cauliflower, grapes, wheat, barley, tomatoes, citrus, cut flowers, green peppers, hogs, poultry, eggs; generally adequate supplies of vegetables, poultry, milk, pork products; seasonal or periodic shortages in grain, animal fodder, fruits, other basic foodstuffs Economic aid:
US commitments, including Ex-Im (FY70-81), $172 million; Western (non-US) countries, ODA and OOF bilateral commitments (1970-89), $336 million; OPEC bilateral aid (1979-89), $76 million; Communist countries (1970-88), $48 million
Currency:
Maltese lira (plural – liri); 1 Maltese lira (LM) = 100 cents Exchange rates:
Maltese liri (LM) per US$1 – 0.3257 (March 1992), 0.3004 (1991), 0.3172 (1990), 0.3483 (1989), 0.3306 (1988), 0.3451 (1987) Fiscal year:
1 April – 31 March
Highways:
1,291 km total; 1,179 km paved (asphalt), 77 km crushed stone or gravel, 35 km improved and unimproved earth
Ports:
Valletta, Marsaxlokk
Merchant marine:
658 ships (1,000 GRT or over) totaling 9,003,001 GRT/15,332,287 DWT; includes 3 passenger, 13 short-sea passenger, 241 cargo, 14 container, 2 passenger-cargo, 16 roll-on/roll-off, 2 vehicle carrier, 1 barge carrier, 15 refrigerated cargo, 11 chemical tanker, 12 combination ore/oil, 2 specialized tanker, 3 liquefied gas, 124 petroleum tanker, 176 bulk, 23 combination bulk; note – a flag of convenience registry; China owns 2 ships, former republics of the USSR own 52 ships, Cuba owns 10, Vietnam owns 6, Yugoslavia owns 9, Romania owns 4
Civil air:
7 major transport aircraft
Airports:
1 with permanent-surface runways 2,440-3,659 m Telecommunications:
automatic system satisfies normal requirements; 153,000 telephones; excellent service by broadcast stations – 8 AM, 4 FM, and 2 TV; submarine cable and radio relay between islands; international service by 1 submarine cable; 1 Atlantic Ocean INTELSAT earth station
Branches:
Armed Forces, Maltese Police Force Manpower availability:
males 15-49, 95,661; 76,267 fit for military service Defense expenditures:
exchange rate conversion – $21.9 million, 1.3% of GDP (1989 est.)
Total area:
588 km2
Land area:
588 km2
Comparative area:
slightly less than 3.5 times the size of Washington, DC Land boundaries:
none
Coastline:
113 km
Maritime claims:
Exclusive fishing zone:
200 nm
Territorial sea:
3 nm
Disputes:
none
Climate:
cool summers and mild winters; humid; overcast about half the time Terrain:
hills in north and south bisected by central valley Natural resources:
lead, iron ore
Land use:
arable land NA%; permanent crops NA%; meadows and pastures NA%; forest and woodland NA%; other NA%; extensive arable land and forests Environment:
strong westerly winds prevail
Note:
located in Irish Sea equidistant from England, Scotland, and Ireland
Population:
64,068 (July 1992), growth rate 0.1% (1992) Birth rate:
11 births/1,000 population (1992) Death rate:
14 deaths/1,000 population (1992) Net migration rate:
4 migrants/1,000 population (1992) Infant mortality rate:
9 deaths/1,000 live births (1992) Life expectancy at birth:
72 years male, 78 years female (1992) Total fertility rate:
1.8 children born/woman (1992)
Nationality:
noun – Manxman, Manxwoman; adjective – Manx Ethnic divisions:
native Manx of Norse-Celtic descent; British Religions:
Anglican, Roman Catholic, Methodist, Baptist, Presbyterian, Society of Friends
Languages:
English, Manx Gaelic
Literacy:
NA% (male NA%, female NA%) but compulsory education ages 5 to 16 Labor force:
25,864 (1981)
Organized labor:
22 labor unions patterned along British lines
Long-form name:
none
Type:
British crown dependency
Capital:
Douglas
Administrative divisions:
none (British crown dependency)
Independence:
none (British crown dependency)
Constitution:
1961, Isle of Man Constitution Act Legal system:
English law and local statute
National holiday:
Tynwald Day, 5 July
Executive branch:
British monarch, lieutenant governor, prime minister, Executive Council (cabinet)
Legislative branch:
bicameral Tynwald consists of an upper house or Legislative Council and a lower house or House of Keys
Judicial branch:
High Court of Justice
Leaders:
Chief of State:
Lord of Mann Queen ELIZABETH II (since 6 February 1952), represented by Lieutenant Governor Air Marshal Sir Laurence JONES (since NA 1990) Head of Government:
President of the Legislative Council Sir Charles KERRUISH (since NA 1990) Political parties and leaders:
there is no party system and members sit as independents Suffrage:
universal at age 21
Elections:
House of Keys:
last held in 1991 (next to be held NA 1996); results – percent of vote NA; no party system; seats – (24 total) independents 24 Member of:
none
Diplomatic representation:
none (British crown dependency)
Flag:
red with the Three Legs of Man emblem (Trinacria), in the center; the three legs are joined at the thigh and bent at the knee; in order to have the toes pointing clockwise on both sides of the flag, a two-sided emblem is used ria), in the center; the three legs are joined at the thigh and bent at the knee; in order to have the toes pointing clockwise on both sides of the flag, a two-sided emblem is used
Overview:
Offshore banking, manufacturing, and tourism are key sectors of the economy. The government’s policy of offering incentives to high-technology companies and financial institutions to locate on the island has paid off in expanding employment opportunities in high-income industries. As a result, agriculture and fishing, once the mainstays of the economy, have declined in their shares of GNP. Banking now contributes over 20% to GNP and manufacturing about 15%. Trade is mostly with the UK. GNP:
exchange rate conversion – $490 million, per capita $7,573; real growth rate NA% (1988)
Inflation rate (consumer prices):
NA%
Unemployment rate:
1.5% (1988)
Budget:
revenues $130.4 million; expenditures $114.4 million, including capital expenditures of $18.1 million (FY85 est.) Exports:
$NA
commodities:
tweeds, herring, processed shellfish, meat partners:
UK
Imports:
$NA
commodities:
timber, fertilizers, fish
partners:
UK
External debt:
$NA
Industrial production:
growth rate NA%
Electricity:
61,000 kW capacity; 190 million kWh produced, 2,930 kWh per capita (1989) Industries:
an important offshore financial center; financial services, light manufacturing, tourism
Agriculture:
cereals and vegetables; cattle, sheep, pigs, poultry Economic aid:
NA
Currency:
Manx pound (plural – pounds); 1 Manx pound (#M) = 100 pence Exchange rates:
Manx pounds (#M) per US$1 – 0.5799 (March 1992), 0.5652 (1991), 0.5603 (1990), 0.6099 (1989), 0.5614 (1988), 0. 6102 (1987); the Manx pound is at par with the British pound
Fiscal year:
1 April – 31 March
Railroads:
36 km electric track, 24 km steam track Highways:
640 km motorable roads
Ports:
Douglas, Ramsey, Peel
Merchant marine:
79 ships (1,000 GRT or over) totaling 1,436,196 GRT/2,479,432 DWT; includes 12 cargo, 7 container, 10 roll-on/roll-off, 30 petroleum tanker, 4 chemical tanker, 5 liquefied gas, 11 bulk; note – a captive register of the United Kingdom, although not all ships on the register are British owned Airports:
1 total; 1 usable with permanent-surface runway 1,220-2,439 m Telecommunications:
24,435 telephones; broadcast stations – 1 AM, 4 FM, 4 TV
Note:
defense is the responsibility of the UK
Total area:
181.3 km2
Land area:
181.3 km2; includes the atolls of Bikini, Eniwetok, and Kwajalein Comparative area:
slightly larger than Washington, DC Land boundaries:
none
Coastline:
370.4 km
Maritime claims:
Contiguous zone:
24 nm
Exclusive economic zone:
200 nm
Territorial sea:
12 nm
Disputes:
claims US territory of Wake Island Climate:
wet season May to November; hot and humid; islands border typhoon belt Terrain:
low coral limestone and sand islands Natural resources:
phosphate deposits, marine products, deep seabed minerals Land use:
arable land 0%; permanent crops 60%; meadows and pastures 0%; forest and woodland 0%; other 40%
Environment:
occasionally subject to typhoons; two archipelagic island chains of 30 atolls and 1,152 islands
Note:
located 3,825 km southwest of Honolulu in the North Pacific Ocean, about two-thirds of the way between Hawaii and Papua New Guinea; Bikini and Eniwetok are former US nuclear test sites; Kwajalein, the famous World War II battleground, is now used as a US missile test range
Population:
50,004 (July 1992), growth rate 3.9% (1992) Birth rate:
47 births/1,000 population (1992) Death rate:
8 deaths/1,000 population (1992)
Net migration rate:
0 migrants/1,000 population (1992) Infant mortality rate:
52 deaths/1,000 live births (1992) Life expectancy at birth:
61 years male, 64 years female (1992) Total fertility rate:
7.0 children born/woman (1992)
Nationality:
noun – Marshallese (singular and plural); adjective – Marshallese Ethnic divisions:
almost entirely Micronesian
Religions:
predominantly Christian, mostly Protestant Languages:
English universally spoken and is the official language; two major Marshallese dialects from Malayo-Polynesian family; Japanese Literacy:
93% (male 100%, female 88%) age 15 and over can read and write (1980) Labor force:
4,800 (1986)
Organized labor:
none
Long-form name:
Republic of the Marshall Islands
Type:
constitutional government in free association with the US; the Compact of Free Association entered into force 21 October 1986 Capital:
Majuro
Administrative divisions:
none
Independence:
21 October 1986 (from the US-administered UN trusteeship; formerly the Marshall Islands District of the Trust Territory of the Pacific Islands) Constitution:
1 May 1979
Legal system:
based on adapted Trust Territory laws, acts of the legislature, municipal, common, and customary laws
National holiday:
Proclamation of the Republic of the Marshall Islands, 1 May (1979) Executive branch:
president, Cabinet
Legislative branch:
unicameral Nitijela (parliament)
Judicial branch:
Supreme Court
Leaders:
Chief of State and Head of Government: President Amata KABUA (since 1979)
Political parties and leaders:
no formal parties; President KABUA is chief political (and traditional) leader
Suffrage:
universal at age 18
Elections:
President:
last held 6 January 1992 (next to be held NA; results – President Amata KABUA was reelected
Parliament:
last held 18 November 1991 (next to be held November 1995); results – percent of vote NA; seats – (33 total) Member of:
AsDB, ESCAP (associate), ICAO, SPC, SPF, UN, UNCTAD Diplomatic representation:
Ambassador Wilfred I. KENDALL; Chancery at 2433 Massachusetts Avenue, NW, Washington, DC 20008; telephone (202) 234-5414 US:
Ambassador William BODDE, Jr.; Embassy at NA address (mailing address is P. O. Box 1379, Majuro, Republic of the Marshall Islands 96960-1379); telephone (011) 692-4011; FAX (011) 692-4012
Flag:
blue with two stripes radiating from the lower hoist-side corner – orange (top) and white; there is a white star with four large rays and 20 small rays on the hoist side above the two stripes
Overview:
Agriculture and tourism are the mainstays of the economy. Agricultural production is concentrated on small farms, and the most important commercial crops are coconuts, tomatoes, melons, and breadfruit. A few cattle ranches supply the domestic meat market. Small-scale industry is limited to handicrafts, fish processing, and copra. The tourist industry is the primary source of foreign exchange and employs about 10% of the labor force. The islands have few natural resources, and imports far exceed exports. In 1987 the US Government provided grants of $40 million out of the Marshallese budget of $55 million.
GDP:
exchange rate conversion – $63 million, per capita $1,500; real growth rate NA% (1989 est.)
Inflation rate (consumer prices):
NA
Unemployment rate:
NA%
Budget:
revenues $55 million; expenditures NA, including capital expenditures of NA (1987 est.)
Exports:
$2.5 million (f.o.b., 1985)
commodities:
copra, copra oil, agricultural products, handicrafts partners:
NA
Imports:
$29.2 million (c.i.f., 1985)
commodities:
foodstuffs, beverages, building materials partners:
NA
External debt:
$NA
Industrial production:
growth rate NA%
Electricity:
42,000 kW capacity; 80 million kWh produced, 1,840 kWh per capita (1990) Industries:
copra, fish, tourism; craft items from shell, wood, and pearls; offshore banking (embryonic)
Agriculture:
coconuts, cacao, taro, breadfruit, fruits, copra; pigs, chickens Economic aid:
under the terms of the Compact of Free Association, the US is to provide approximately $40 million in aid annually Currency:
US currency is used
Exchange rates:
US currency is used
Fiscal year:
1 October – 30 September
:Marshall Islands Communications
Highways:
paved roads on major islands (Majuro, Kwajalein), otherwise stone-, coral-, or laterite-surfaced roads and tracks
Ports:
Majuro
Merchant marine:
32 ships (1,000 GRT or over) totaling 2,347,312 GRT/4,630,172 DWT; includes 2 cargo, 1 container, 9 petroleum tanker, 18 bulk carrier, 2 combination ore/oil; note – a flag of convenience registry Airports:
17 total, 16 usable; 4 with permanent-surface runways; 8 with runways 1,220-2,439 m
Telecommunications:
telephone network – 570 lines (Majuro) and 186 (Ebeye); telex services; islands interconnected by shortwave radio (used mostly for government purposes); broadcast stations – 1 AM, 2 FM, 1 TV, 1 shortwave; 2 Pacific Ocean INTELSAT earth stations; US Government satellite communications system on Kwajalein
:Marshall Islands Defense Forces
Note:
defense is the responsibility of the US
Total area:
1,100 km2
Land area:
1,060 km2
Comparative area:
slightly more than six times the size of Washington, DC Land boundaries:
none
Coastline:
290 km
Maritime claims:
Exclusive economic zone:
200 nm
Territorial sea:
12 nm
Disputes:
none
Climate:
tropical; moderated by trade winds; rainy season (June to October) Terrain:
mountainous with indented coastline; dormant volcano Natural resources:
coastal scenery and beaches, cultivable land Land use:
arable land 10%; permanent crops 8%; meadows and pastures 30%; forest and woodland 26%; other 26%; includes irrigated 5% Environment:
subject to hurricanes, flooding, and volcanic activity that result in an average of one major natural disaster every five years Note:
located 625 km southeast of Puerto Rico in the Caribbean Sea
Population:
371,803 (July 1992), growth rate 1.4% (1992) Birth rate:
19 births/1,000 population (1992) Death rate:
6 deaths/1,000 population (1992)
Net migration rate:
1 migrant/1,000 population (1992) Infant mortality rate:
11 deaths/1,000 live births (1992) Life expectancy at birth:
75 years male, 81 years female (1992) Total fertility rate:
1.9 children born/woman (1992)
Nationality:
noun – Martiniquais (singular and plural); adjective – Martiniquais Ethnic divisions:
African and African-Caucasian-Indian mixture 90%, Caucasian 5%, East Indian, Lebanese, Chinese less than 5%
Religions:
Roman Catholic 95%, Hindu and pagan African 5% Languages:
French, Creole patois
Literacy:
93% (male 92%, female 93%) age 15 and over can read and write (1982) Labor force:
100,000; service industry 31.7%, construction and public works 29.4%, agriculture 13.1%, industry 7.3%, fisheries 2.2%, other 16.3% Organized labor:
11% of labor force
Long-form name:
Department of Martinique
Type:
overseas department of France
Capital:
Fort-de-France
Administrative divisions:
none (overseas department of France) Independence:
none (overseas department of France) Constitution:
28 September 1958 (French Constitution) Legal system:
French legal system
National holiday:
Taking of the Bastille, 14 July (1789) Executive branch:
government commissioner
Legislative branch:
unicameral General Council
Judicial branch:
Supreme Court
Leaders:
Chief of State:
President Francois MITTERRAND (since 21 May 1981) Head of Government:
Government Commissioner Jean Claude ROURE (since 5 May 1989); President of the General Council Emile MAURICE (since NA 1988) Suffrage:
universal at age 18