National product:
GDP – purchasing power equivalent – $141 billion (1993 est.) National product real growth rate:
8% (1993 est.)
National product per capita:
$7,500 (1993 est.)
Inflation rate (consumer prices):
3.6% (1993)
Unemployment rate:
3% (1993)
Budget:
revenues:
$19.6 billion
expenditures:
$18 billion, including capital expenditures of $5.4 billion (1994 est.)
Exports:
$46.8 billion (f.o.b., 1993 est.)
commodities:
electronic equipment, petroleum and petroleum products, palm oil, wood and wood products, rubber, textiles
partners:
Singapore 23%, US 15%, Japan 13%, UK 4%, Germany 4%, Thailand 4% (1991)
Imports:
$40.4 billion (f.o.b., 1993 est.)
commodities:
machinery and equipment, chemicals, food, petroleum products partners:
Japan 26%, Singapore 21%, US 16%, Taiwan 6%, Germany 4%, UK 3%, Australia 3% (1991)
External debt:
$18.4 billion (1993 est.)
Industrial production:
growth rate 13% (1992); accounts for 43% of GDP Electricity:
capacity:
8,000,000 kW
production:
30 billion kWh
consumption per capita:
1,610 kWh (1992)
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:
accounts for 17% of GDP
Peninsular Malaysia:
natural rubber, palm oil, rice
Sabah:
mainly subsistence, but also rubber, timber, coconut, rice Sarawak:
rubber, timber, pepper; deficit of rice in all areas Illicit drugs:
transit point for Golden Triangle heroin going to the US, Western Europe, and the Third World despite severe penalties for drug trafficking
Economic aid:
recipient:
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), $42 million Currency:
1 ringgit (M$) = 100 sen
Exchange rates:
ringgits (M$) per US$1 – 2.7123 (January 1994), 2.5741 (1993), 2.5474 (1992), 2.7501 (1991), 1.7048 (1990), 2.7088 (1989) Fiscal year:
calendar year
@Malaysia, Communications
Railroads:
Peninsular Malaysia:
1,665 km 1.04-meter gauge; 13 km double track, government owned Sabah:
136 km 1.000-meter gauge
Sarawak:
none
Highways:
total:
29,026 km (Peninsular Malaysia 23,600 km, Sabah 3,782 km, Sarawak 1,644 km)
paved:
NA (Peninsular Malaysia 19,352 km mostly bituminous treated) unpaved:
NA (Peninsular Malaysia 4,248 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:
183 ships (1,000 GRT or over) totaling 1,935,210 GRT/2,913,808 DWT, bulk 29, cargo 69, chemical tanker 6, container 26, liquefied gas 6, livestock carrier 1, oil tanker 39, passenger-cargo 1, roll-on/roll-off cargo 2, short-sea passenger 2, vehicle carrier 2 Airports:
total:
113
usable:
104
with permanent-surface runways:
33
with runways over 3,659 m:
1
with runways 2,440-3,659 m:
7
with runways 1,220-2,439 m:
18
Telecommunications:
good intercity service provided on Peninsular Malaysia mainly by microwave radio relay; adequate intercity microwave 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, 1 Pacific Ocean INTELSAT, and 2 domestic
@Malaysia, Defense Forces
Branches:
Malaysian Army, Royal Malaysian Navy, Royal Malaysian Air Force, Royal Malaysian Police Force, Marine Police, Sarawak Border Scouts Manpower availability:
males age 15-49 4,942,387; fit for military service 3,001,972; reach military age (21) annually 182,850 (1994 est.) Defense expenditures:
exchange rate conversion – $2.2 billion, 3% of GDP (1994 est.)
@Maldives, Geography
Location:
Southern Asia, in the Indian Ocean off the southwest coast of India Map references:
Asia, Standard Time Zones of the World Area:
total area:
300 sq km
land area:
300 sq km
comparative area:
slightly more than 1.5 times the size of Washington, DC Land boundaries:
0 km
Coastline:
644 km
Maritime claims:
exclusive economic zone:
35-310 nm as defined by geographic coordinates; segment of zone coincides with maritime boundary with India territorial sea:
12 nm
International 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%
Irrigated land:
NA sq km
Environment:
current issues:
depletion of freshwater aquifers threatens water supplies natural hazards:
low level of islands makes them very sensitive to sea level rise international agreements:
party to – Biodiversity, Climate Change, Hazardous Wastes, Ozone Layer Protection; signed, but not ratified – Law of the Sea Note:
1,200 coral islands grouped into 19 atolls; archipelago of strategic location astride and along major sea lanes in Indian Ocean
@Maldives, People
Population:
252,077 (July 1994 est.)
Population growth rate:
3.61% (1994 est.)
Birth rate:
43.59 births/1,000 population (1994 est.) Death rate:
7.45 deaths/1,000 population (1994 est.) Net migration rate:
0 migrant(s)/1,000 population (1994 est.) Infant mortality rate:
53.8 deaths/1,000 live births (1994 est.) Life expectancy at birth:
total population:
64.67 years
male:
63.24 years
female:
66.17 years (1994 est.)
Total fertility rate:
6.26 children born/woman (1994 est.) Nationality:
noun:
Maldivian(s)
adjective:
Maldivian
Ethnic divisions:
Sinhalese, Dravidian, Arab, African Religions:
Sunni Muslim
Languages:
Divehi (dialect of Sinhala; script derived from Arabic), English spoken by most government officials
Literacy:
age 15 and over can read and write (1985) total population:
92%
male:
92%
female:
92%
Labor force:
66,000 (est.)
by occupation:
fishing industry 25%
@Maldives, Government
Names:
conventional long form:
Republic of Maldives
conventional short form:
Maldives
Digraph:
MV
Type:
republic
Capital:
Male
Administrative divisions:
19 districts (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)
National holiday:
Independence Day, 26 July (1965)
Constitution:
4 June 1968
Legal system:
based on Islamic law with admixtures of English common law primarily in commercial matters; has not accepted compulsory ICJ jurisdiction Suffrage:
21 years of age; universal
Executive branch:
chief of state and head of government: President Maumoon Abdul GAYOOM (since 11 November 1978); election last held 1 October 1993 (next to be held NA); results – President Maumoon Abdul GAYOOM was reelected with 92.76% of the vote cabinet:
Ministry of Atolls; appointed by the president Legislative branch:
unicameral
Citizens’ Council (Majlis):
elections last held on 7 December 1989 (next to be held 7 December 1994); results – percent of vote NA; seats – (48 total, 40 elected) Judicial branch:
High Court
Political parties and leaders:
no organized political parties; country governed by the Didi clan for the past eight centuries
Member of:
AsDB, C, CP, ESCAP, FAO, G-77, GATT, IBRD, ICAO, IDA, IDB, IFAD, IFC, IMF, IMO, INTELSAT (nonsignatory user), INTERPOL, IOC, ITU, NAM, OIC, SAARC, UN, UNCTAD, UNESCO, UNIDO, UPU, WHO, WIPO, WMO, WTO Diplomatic representation in US:
Maldives has no embassy in the US, but does have a UN mission in New York; Permanent Representative to the UN Ahmed ZAKI US diplomatic representation:
chief of mission:
the US Ambassador to Sri Lanka is accredited to Maldives and makes periodic visits there
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
@Maldives, Economy
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 became 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.
National product:
GDP – exchange rate conversion – $140 million (1991 est.) National product real growth rate:
6% (1993 est.)
National product per capita:
$620 (1991 est.)
Inflation rate (consumer prices):
15% (1993 est.)
Unemployment rate:
NEGL%
Budget:
revenues:
$95 million (excluding foreign transfers) expenditures:
$143 million, including capital expenditures of $71 million (1993 est.)
Exports:
$56.3 million (f.o.b., 1993 est.)
commodities:
fish, clothing
partners:
US, UK, Sri Lanka
Imports:
$173.6 million (c.i.f., 1993 est.) commodities:
consumer goods, intermediate and capital goods, petroleum products partners:
Singapore, Germany, Sri Lanka, India External debt:
$148 million (1993 est.)
Industrial production:
growth rate 24% (1990); accounts for 6% of GDP Electricity:
capacity:
5,000 kW
production:
11 million kWh
consumption per capita:
50 kWh (1990)
Industries:
fishing and fish processing, tourism, shipping, boat building, some coconut processing, garments, woven mats, coir (rope), handicrafts Agriculture:
accounts for almost 25% 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:
recipient:
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:
1 rufiyaa (Rf) = 100 laari
Exchange rates:
rufiyaa (Rf) per US$1 – 11.105 (January 1994), 10.957 (1993), 10.569 (1992), 10.253 (1991), 9.509 (1990), 9.0408 (1989) Fiscal year:
calendar year
@Maldives, Communications
Highways:
total:
NA
paved:
NA
unpaved:
NA (Male has 9.6 km of coral highways within the city) Ports:
Male, Gan
Merchant marine:
14 ships (1,000 GRT or over) totaling 38,848 GRT/58,496 DWT, cargo 12, container 1, oil tanker 1
Airports:
total:
2
usable:
2
with permanent-surface runways:
2
with runways over 3,659 m:
0
with runways 2,440-3,659 m:
2
with runways 1,220-2,439 m:
0
Telecommunications:
minimal domestic and international facilities; 2,804 telephones; broadcast stations – 2 AM, 1 FM, 1 TV; 1 Indian Ocean INTELSAT earth station
@Maldives, Defense Forces
Branches:
National Security Service (paramilitary police force) Manpower availability:
males age 15-49 55,369; fit for military service 30,919 Defense expenditures:
$NA, NA% of GDP
@Mali, Geography
Location:
Western Africa, between Mauritania and Niger Map references:
Africa, Standard Time Zones of the World Area:
total area:
1.24 million sq km
land area:
1.22 million sq km
comparative area:
slightly less than twice the size of Texas Land boundaries:
total 7,243 km, Algeria 1,376 km, Burkina 1,000 km, Guinea 858 km, Cote d’Ivoire 532 km, Mauritania 2,237 km, Niger 821 km, Senegal 419 km
Coastline:
0 km (landlocked)
Maritime claims:
none; landlocked
International 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:
0%
meadows and pastures:
25%
forest and woodland:
7%
other:
66%
Irrigated land:
50 sq km (1989 est.)
Environment:
current issues:
deforestation; soil erosion; desertification; inadequate supplies of safe drinking water; poaching
natural hazards:
hot, dust-laden harmattan haze common during dry seasons; recurring droughts
international agreements:
party to – Law of the Sea, Wetlands; signed, but not ratified – Climate Change, Nuclear Test Ban
Note:
landlocked
@Mali, People
Population:
9,112,950 (July 1994 est.)
Population growth rate:
2.78% (1994 est.)
Birth rate:
51.79 births/1,000 population (1994 est.) Death rate:
20.36 deaths/1,000 population (1994 est.) Net migration rate:
-3.66 migrant(s)/1,000 population (1994 est.) Infant mortality rate:
106.2 deaths/1,000 live births (1994 est.) Life expectancy at birth:
total population:
45.91 years
male:
44.29 years
female:
47.57 years (1994 est.)
Total fertility rate:
7.33 children born/woman (1994 est.) Nationality:
noun:
Malian(s)
adjective:
Malian
Ethnic divisions:
Mande 50% (Bambara, Malinke, Sarakole), Peul 17%, Voltaic 12%, Songhai 6%, Tuareg and Moor 10%, other 5%
Religions:
Muslim 90%, indigenous beliefs 9%, Christian 1% Languages:
French (official), Bambara 80%, numerous African languages Literacy:
age 15 and over can read and write (1990) total population:
17%
male:
26%
female:
9%
Labor force:
2.666 million (1986 est.)
by occupation:
agriculture 80%, services 19%, industry and commerce 1% (1981) note:
50% of population of working age (1985)
@Mali, Government
Names:
conventional long form:
Republic of Mali
conventional short form:
Mali
local long form:
Republique de Mali
local short form:
Mali
former:
French Sudan
Digraph:
ML
Type:
republic
Capital:
Bamako
Administrative divisions:
8 regions (regions, singular – region); Gao, Kayes, Kidal, Koulikoro, Mopti, Segou, Sikasso, Tombouctou
Independence:
22 September 1960 (from France)
National holiday:
Anniversary of the Proclamation of the Republic, 22 September (1960) Constitution:
new constitution adopted in constitutional referendum in 12 January 1992
Legal system:
based on French civil law system and customary law; judicial review of legislative acts in Constitutional Court (which was formally established on 9 March 1994); has not accepted compulsory ICJ jurisdiction
Suffrage:
21 years of age; universal
Executive branch:
chief of state:
President Alpha Oumar KONARE (since 8 June 1992); election last held in April 1992 (next to be held NA 1997); Alpha KONARE was elected in runoff race against Montaga TALL
head of government:
Prime Minister Ibrahima Boubacar KEITA (since March 1994) cabinet:
Council of Ministers; appointed by the prime minister Legislative branch:
unicameral
National Assembly:
elections last held on 8 March 1992 (next to be held NA); results – percent of vote by party NA; seats – (total 116) Adema 76, CNID 9, US/RAD 8, Popular Movement for the Development of the Republic of West Africa 6, RDP 4, UDD 4, RDT 3, UFDP 3, PDP 2, UMDD 1 Judicial branch:
Supreme Court (Cour Supreme)
Political parties and leaders:
Association for Democracy (Adema), Alpha Oumar KONARE; National Congress for Democratic Initiative (CNID), Mountaga TALL; Sudanese Union/African Democratic Rally (US/RDA), Mamadou Madeira KEITA; Popular Movement for the Development of the Republic of West Africa; Rally for Democracy and Progress (RDP), Almamy SYLLA; Union for Democracy and Development (UDD), Moussa Balla COULIBALY; Rally for Democracy and Labor (RDT); Union of Democratic Forces for Progress (UFDP), Dembo DIALLO; Party for Democracy and Progress (PDP), Idrissa TRAORE; Malian Union for Democracy and Development (UMDD) Member of:
ACCT, ACP, AfDB, CCC, CEAO, ECA, ECOWAS, FAO, FZ, G-77, GATT, IAEA, IBRD, ICAO, ICFTU, IDA, IDB, IFAD, IFC, ILO, IMF, INTELSAT, INTERPOL, IOC, ISO (correspondent), ITU, LORCS, NAM, OAU, OIC, UN, UNCTAD, UNESCO, UNIDO, UPU, WADB, WCL, WHO, WIPO, WMO, WTO Diplomatic representation in US:
chief of mission:
Ambassador Siragatou Ibrahim CISSE chancery:
2130 R Street NW, Washington, DC 20008 telephone:
(202) 332-2249 or 939-8950
US diplomatic representation:
chief of mission:
Ambassador William H. DAMERON III embassy:
Rue Rochester NY and Rue Mohamed V., Bamako mailing address:
B. P. 34, Bamako
telephone:
[223] 225470
FAX:
[223] 228059
Flag:
three equal vertical bands of green (hoist side), yellow, and red; uses the popular pan-African colors of Ethiopia
@Mali, Economy
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. In consultation with international lending agencies, the government has adopted a structural adjustment program for 1992-95, aiming at GDP annual growth of 4.6%, inflation of no more than 2.5% on average, and a substantial reduction in the external current account deficit.
National product:
GDP – purchasing power equivalent – 5.8 billion (1993 est.) National product real growth rate:
-6.1% (1992 est.)
National product per capita:
$650 (1993 est.)
Inflation rate (consumer prices):
2% (1992 est.)
Unemployment rate:
NA%
Budget:
revenues:
$376 million
expenditures:
$697 million, including capital expenditures of $NA (1992 est.) Exports:
$330 million (f.o.b., 1992 est.)
commodities:
cotton, livestock, gold
partners:
mostly franc zone and Western Europe Imports:
$682 million (f.o.b., 1992 est.)
commodities:
machinery and equipment, foodstuffs, construction materials, petroleum, textiles
partners:
mostly franc zone and Western Europe External debt:
$2.6 billion (1991 est.)
Industrial production:
growth rate -1.4% (1992 est.); accounts for 13.0% of GDP Electricity:
capacity:
260,000 kW
production:
750 million kWh
consumption per capita:
90 kWh (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, goats
Economic aid:
recipient:
US commitments, including Ex-Im (FY70-89), $349 million; Western (non-US) countries, ODA and OOF bilateral commitments (1970-89), $3.02 billion; OPEC bilateral aid (1979-89), $92 million; Communist countries (1970-89), $190 million
Currency:
1 CFA franc (CFAF) = 100 centimes
Exchange rates:
Communaute Financiere Africaine francs (CFAF) per US$1 – 592.05 (January 1994), 283.16 (1993), 264.69 (1992), 282.11 (1991), 272.26 (1990), 319.01 (1989)
note:
beginning 12 January 1994, the CFA franc was devalued to CFAF 100 per French franc from CFAF 50 at which it had been fixed since 1948 Fiscal year:
calendar year
@Mali, Communications
Railroads:
642 km 1.000-meter gauge; linked to Senegal’s rail system through Kayes
Highways:
total:
15,700 km
paved:
1,670 km
unpaved:
gravel, improved earth 3,670 km; unimproved earth 10,360 km Inland waterways:
1,815 km navigable
Airports:
total:
33
usable:
27
with permanent-surface runways:
8
with runways over 3,659 m:
0
with runways 2,440-3,659 m:
5
with runways 1,220-2,439 m:
11
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
@Mali, Defense Forces
Branches:
Army, Air Force, Gendarmerie, Republican Guard, National Police (Surete Nationale)
Manpower availability:
males age 15-49 1,803,301; fit for military service 1,027,780 Defense expenditures:
exchange rate conversion – $41 million, 2% of GDP (1989)
@Malta, Geography
Location:
Southern Europe, in the central Mediterranean Sea, 93 km south of Sicily (Italy), 290 km north of Libya
Map references:
Europe, Standard Time Zones of the World Area:
total area:
320 sq km
land area:
320 sq km
comparative area:
slightly less than twice the size of Washington, DC Land boundaries:
0 km
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
International 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%
Irrigated land:
10 sq km (1989)
Environment:
current issues:
fresh water very scarce; increasing reliance on desalination natural hazards:
NA
international agreements:
party to – Climate Change, Endangered Species, Law of the Sea, Marine Dumping, Nuclear Test Ban, Ozone Layer Protection, Ship Pollution, Wetlands; signed, but not ratified – Biodiversity Note:
the country comprises an archipelago, with only the 3 largest islands (Malta, Gozo, and Comino) being inhabited; numerous bays provide good harbors
@Malta, People
Population:
366,767 (July 1994 est.)
Population growth rate:
0.79% (1994 est.)
Birth rate:
13.56 births/1,000 population (1994 est.) Death rate:
7.45 deaths/1,000 population (1994 est.) Net migration rate:
1.84 migrant(s)/1,000 population (1994 est.) Infant mortality rate:
7.9 deaths/1,000 live births (1994 est.) Life expectancy at birth:
total population:
76.77 years
male:
74.53 years
female:
79.18 years (1994 est.)
Total fertility rate:
1.94 children born/woman (1994 est.) Nationality:
noun:
Maltese (singular and plural)
adjective:
Maltese
Ethnic divisions:
Arab, Sicilian, Norman, Spanish, Italian, English Religions:
Roman Catholic 98%
Languages:
Maltese (official), English (official) Literacy:
age 15 and over can read and write (1985) total population:
84%
male:
86%
female:
82%
Labor force:
127,200
by occupation:
government (excluding job corps) 37%, services 26%, manufacturing 22%, training programs 9%, construction 4%, agriculture 2% (1990)
@Malta, Government
Names:
conventional long form:
Republic of Malta
conventional short form:
Malta
Digraph:
MT
Type:
parliamentary democracy
Capital:
Valletta
Administrative divisions:
none (administration directly from Valletta) Independence:
21 September 1964 (from UK)
National holiday:
Independence Day, 21 September (1964) Constitution:
1964 constitution substantially amended on 13 December 1974 Legal system:
based on English common law and Roman civil law; has accepted compulsory ICJ jurisdiction, with reservations Suffrage:
18 years of age; universal
Executive branch:
chief of state:
President Ugo MIFSUD BONNICI (since 4 April 1994) 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) cabinet:
Cabinet; appointed by the president on advice of the prime minister Legislative branch:
unicameral
House of Representatives:
elections 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)
Judicial branch:
Constitutional Court, Court of Appeal Political parties and leaders:
Nationalist Party (NP), Edward FENECH ADAMI; Malta Labor Party (MLP), Alfred SANT
Member of:
C, CCC, CE, CSCE, EBRD, ECE, FAO, G-77, GATT, IBRD, ICAO, ICFTU, IFAD, ILO, IMF, IMO, INMARSAT, INTELSAT (nonsignatory user), INTERPOL, IOC, IOM (observer), ISO (correspondent), ITU, NAM, PCA, UN, UNCTAD, UNESCO, UNIDO, UPU, WCL, WHO, WIPO, WMO, WTO Diplomatic representation in US:
chief of mission:
Ambassador Albert BORG OLIVIER DE PUGET chancery:
2017 Connecticut Avenue NW, Washington, DC 20008 telephone:
(202) 462-3611 or 3612
FAX:
(202) 387-5470
consulate(s):
New York
US diplomatic representation:
chief of mission:
(vacant); Charge d’Affaires William A. MOFFITT (new ambassador nominated, but not confirmed)
embassy:
2nd Floor, Development House, Saint Anne Street, Floriana, Valletta mailing address:
P. O. Box 535, Valletta
telephone:
[356] 235960
FAX:
[356] 243229
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
@Malta, Economy
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 and the state-owned Malta drydocks which employs about 4,300 people. In 1992, about 1,000,000 tourists visited the island. Per capita GDP at $6,600 places Malta in the middle-income range of the world’s nations.
National product:
GDP – exchange rate conversion – $2.4 billion (1992 est.) National product real growth rate:
4.5% (1992)
National product per capita:
$6,600 (1992)
Inflation rate (consumer prices):
1.64% (1992)
Unemployment rate:
4% (1992)
Budget:
revenues:
$1.2 billion
expenditures:
$1.2 billion, including capital expenditures of $182 million (FY94 est.)
Exports:
$1.3 billion (f.o.b., 1992)
commodities:
machinery and transport equipment, clothing and footware, printed matter
partners:
Italy 30%, Germany 22%, UK 11%
Imports:
$1.93 million (f.o.b., 1992)
commodities:
food, petroleum, machinery and semimanufactured goods partners:
Italy 30%, UK 16%, Germany 13%, US 4% External debt:
$118 million (1990)
Industrial production:
growth rate 5.4% (1992); accounts for 27% of GDP Electricity:
capacity:
328,000 kW
production:
1.11 billion kWh
consumption per capita:
3,000 kWh (1992)
Industries:
tourism, electronics, ship repair yard, construction, food manufacturing, textiles, footwear, clothing, beverages, tobacco Agriculture:
accounts for 3% of GDP and 2% of the work force (1992); 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
Illicit drugs:
transshipment point for hashish from North Africa to Western Europe Economic aid:
recipient:
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:
1 Maltese lira (LM) = 100 cents
Exchange rates:
Maltese liri (LM) per US$1 – 0.3951 (January 1994), 0.3821 (1993), 0.3178 (1992), 0.3226 (1991), 0.3172 (1990), 0.3483 (1989) Fiscal year:
1 April – 31 March
@Malta, Communications
Highways:
total:
1,291 km
paved:
asphalt 1,179 km
unpaved:
gravel, crushed stone 77 km; earth 35 km Ports:
Valletta, Marsaxlokk
Merchant marine:
897 ships (1,000 GRT or over) totaling 13,959,195 GRT/24,038,587 DWT, barge carrier 3, bulk 259, cargo 296, chemical tanker 25, combination bulk 28, combination ore/oil 18, container 26, liquefied gas 2, multifunction large load carrier 3, oil tanker 157, passenger 6, passenger-cargo 3, railcar carrier 1, refrigerated cargo 17, roll-on/roll-off cargo 20, short-sea passenger 19, specialized tanker 5, vehicle carrier 9
note:
a flag of convenience registry; China owns 11 ships, Russia owns 42 ships, Cuba owns 10, Vietnam owns 6, Croatia owns 63, Romania owns 4 Airports:
total:
1
usable:
1
with permanent-surface runways:
1
with runways over 3,659 m:
0
with runways 2,440-3,659 m:
1
with runways 1,220-2,439 m:
0
Telecommunications:
automatic system satisfies normal requirements; 153,000 telephones; excellent service by broadcast stations – 8 AM, 4 FM, and 2 TV; submarine cable and microwave radio relay between islands; international service by 1 submarine cable and 1 Atlantic Ocean INTELSAT earth station
@Malta, Defense Forces
Branches:
Armed Forces, Maltese Police Force Manpower availability:
males age 15-49 98,241; fit for military service 78,071 Defense expenditures:
exchange rate conversion – $21.9 million, 1.3% of GDP (1989 est.)
@Man, Isle of
Header
Affiliation:
(British crown dependency)
@Man, Isle of, Geography
Location:
Western Europe, in the Irish Sea, between Ireland and Great Britain Map references:
Europe
Area:
total area:
588 sq km
land area:
588 sq km
comparative area:
nearly 3.5 times the size of Washington, DC Land boundaries:
0 km
Coastline:
113 km
Maritime claims:
exclusive fishing zone:
200 nm
territorial sea:
3 nm
International 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) Irrigated land:
NA sq km
Environment:
current issues:
NA
natural hazards:
NA
international agreements:
NA
Note:
one small islet, the Calf of Man, lies to the southwest, and is a bird sanctuary
@Man, Isle of, People
Population:
72,017 (July 1994 est.)
Population growth rate:
1.04% (1994 est.)
Birth rate:
13.69 births/1,000 population (1994 est.) Death rate:
12.58 deaths/1,000 population (1994 est.) Net migration rate:
9.25 migrant(s)/1,000 population (1994 est.) Infant mortality rate:
8.3 deaths/1,000 live births (1994 est.) Life expectancy at birth:
total population:
76.25 years
male:
73.51 years
female:
79.2 years (1994 est.)
Total fertility rate:
1.8 children born/woman (1994 est.) Nationality:
noun:
Manxman, Manxwoman
adjective:
Manx
Ethnic divisions:
Manx (Norse-Celtic descent), Briton Religions:
Anglican, Roman Catholic, Methodist, Baptist, Presbyterian, Society of Friends
Languages:
English, Manx Gaelic
Literacy:
total population:
NA%
male:
NA%
female:
NA%
Labor force:
25,864 (1981)
by occupation:
NA
@Man, Isle of, Government
Names:
conventional long form:
none
conventional short form:
Isle of Man
Digraph:
IM
Type:
British crown dependency
Capital:
Douglas
Administrative divisions:
none (British crown dependency)
Independence:
none (British crown dependency)
National holiday:
Tynwald Day, 5 July
Constitution:
1961, Isle of Man Constitution Act Legal system:
English law and local statute
Suffrage:
21 years of age; universal
Executive branch:
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)
cabinet:
Council of Ministers
Legislative branch:
bicameral Tynwald
Legislative Council:
consists of a 10-member body composed of the Lord Bishop of Sodor and Man, a nonvoting attorney general, and 8 others named by the House of Keys
House of Keys:
elections last held in 1991 (next to be held NA 1996); results – percent of vote NA; seats – (24 total) independents 24 Judicial branch:
Court of Tynwald
Political parties and leaders:
there is no party system and members sit as independents Member of:
none
Diplomatic representation in US:
none (British crown dependency)
US 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
@Man, Isle of, Economy
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 about 45% to GNP. Trade is mostly with the UK. The Isle of Man enjoys free access to European Union markets. National product:
GNP – exchange rate conversion – $490 million (1988) National product real growth rate:
NA%
National product per capita:
$7,500 (1988)
Inflation rate (consumer prices):
7% (1992 est.)
Unemployment rate:
1% (1992 est.)
Budget:
revenues:
$130.4 million
expenditures:
$114.4 million, including capital expenditures of $18.1 million (1985 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:
capacity:
61,000 kW
production:
190 million kWh
consumption per capita:
2,965 kWh (1992)
Industries:
an important offshore financial center; financial services, light manufacturing, tourism
Agriculture:
cereals and vegetables; cattle, sheep, pigs, poultry Economic aid:
$NA
Currency:
1 Manx pound (#M) = 100 pence
Exchange rates:
Manx pounds (#M) per US$1 – 0.6699 (January 1994), 0.6658 (1993), 0.5664 (1992), 0.5652 (1991), 0.5603 (1990), 0.6099 (1989); the Manx pound is at par with the British pound
Fiscal year:
1 April – 31 March
@Man, Isle of, Communications
Railroads:
60 km; 36 km electric track, 24 km steam track Highways:
total:
640 km
paved:
NA
unpaved:
NA
Ports:
Douglas, Ramsey, Peel
Merchant marine:
67 ships (1,000 GRT or over) totaling 1,359,951 GRT/2,316,628 DWT, bulk 11, cargo 10, chemical tanker 5, container 5, liquefied gas 7, oil tanker 17, roll-on/roll-off cargo 9, vehicle carrier 3 note:
a captive register of the United Kingdom, although not all ships on the register are British owned
Airports:
total:
1
usable:
1
with permanent-surface runways:
1
with runways over 3,659 m:
0
with runways 2,440-3,659 m:
0
with runways 1,220-2,439 m:
1
Telecommunications:
24,435 telephones; broadcast stations – 1 AM, 4 FM, 4 TV
@Man, Isle of, Defense Forces
Note:
defense is the responsibility of the UK
@Marshall Islands, Geography
Location:
Oceania, Micronesia, in the North Pacific Ocean, about two-thirds of the way between Hawaii and Papua New Guinea Map references:
Oceania, Standard Time Zones of the World Area:
total area:
181.3 sq km
land area:
181.3 sq km
comparative area:
slightly larger than Washington, DC note:
includes the atolls of Bikini, Eniwetak, and Kwajalein Land boundaries:
0 km
Coastline:
370.4 km
Maritime claims:
contiguous zone:
24 nm
exclusive economic zone:
200 nm
territorial sea:
12 nm
International 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%
Irrigated land:
NA sq km
Environment:
current issues:
inadequate supplies of safe drinking water natural hazards:
occasionally subject to typhoons
international agreements:
party to – Biodiversity, Climate Change, Law of the Sea, Ozone Layer Protection, Ship Pollution
Note:
two archipelagic island chains of 30 atolls and 1,152 islands; Bikini and Eniwetak are former US nuclear test sites; Kwajalein, the famous World War II battleground, is now used as a US missile test range
@Marshall Islands, People
Population:
54,031 (July 1994 est.)
Population growth rate:
3.86% (1994 est.)
Birth rate:
46.31 births/1,000 population (1994 est.) Death rate:
7.68 deaths/1,000 population (1994 est.) Net migration rate:
0 migrant(s)/1,000 population (1994 est.) Infant mortality rate:
49.3 deaths/1,000 live births (1994 est.) Life expectancy at birth:
total population:
63.13 years
male:
61.6 years
female:
64.74 years (1994 est.)
Total fertility rate:
6.94 children born/woman (1994 est.) Nationality:
noun:
Marshallese (singular and plural) adjective:
Marshallese
Ethnic divisions:
Micronesian
Religions:
Christian (mostly Protestant)
Languages:
English (universally spoken and is the official language), two major Marshallese dialects from the Malayo-Polynesian family, Japanese Literacy:
age 15 and over can read and write (1980) total population:
93%
male:
100%
female:
88%
Labor force:
4,800 (1986)
by occupation:
NA
@Marshall Islands, Government
Names:
conventional long form:
Republic of the Marshall Islands
conventional short form:
Marshall Islands
former:
Marshall Islands District (Trust Territory of the Pacific Islands) Digraph:
RM
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) National holiday:
Proclamation of the Republic of the Marshall Islands, 1 May (1979) Constitution:
1 May 1979
Legal system:
based on adapted Trust Territory laws, acts of the legislature, municipal, common, and customary laws
Suffrage:
18 years of age; universal
Executive branch:
chief of state and head of government: President Amata KABUA (since 1979); election last held 6 January 1992 (next to be held NA; results – President Amata KABUA was reelected) cabinet:
Cabinet; president selects from the parliament Legislative branch:
unicameral
Parliament (Nitijela):
elections last held 18 November 1991 (next to be held November 1995); results – percent of vote NA; seats – (33 total) Judicial branch:
Supreme Court
Political parties and leaders:
no formal parties; President KABUA is chief political (and traditional) leader
Member of:
AsDB, ESCAP, IBRD, ICAO, IDA, IFC, IMF, INTELSAT (nonsignatory user), INTERPOL, SPARTECA, SPC, SPF, UN, UNCTAD, WHO Diplomatic representation in US:
chief of mission:
Ambassador Wilfred I. KENDALL
chancery:
2433 Massachusetts Avenue NW, Washington, DC 20008 telephone:
(202) 234-5414
FAX:
(202) 232-3236
consulate(s) general:
Honolulu and Los Angeles
US diplomatic representation:
chief of mission:
Ambassador David C. FIELDS
embassy:
NA address, Majuro
mailing address:
P. O. Box 1379, Majuro, Republic of the Marshall Islands 96960-1379 telephone:
(692) 625-4011
FAX:
(692) 625-4012
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
@Marshall Islands, Economy
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. National product:
GDP – purchasing power equivalent – $63 million (1989 est.) National product real growth rate:
6% (1992)
National product per capita:
$1,500 (1992 est)
Inflation rate (consumer prices):
7% (1992 est)
Unemployment rate:
16% (1991 est)
Budget:
revenues:
$55 million
expenditures:
$NA, including capital expenditures of $NA (1987 est.) Exports:
$3.9 million (f.o.b., 1992 est)
commodities:
coconut oil, fish, live animals, trichus shells partners:
US, Japan, Australia
Imports:
$62.9 million (c.i.f., 1992 est)
commodities:
foodstuffs, machinery and equipment, beverages and tobacco, fuels partners:
US, Japan, Australia
External debt:
$NA
Industrial production:
growth rate NA%
Electricity:
capacity:
42,000 kW
production:
80 million kWh
consumption per capita:
1,840 kWh (1990)
Industries:
copra, fish, tourism; craft items from shell, wood, and pearls; offshore banking (embryonic)
Agriculture:
coconuts, cacao, taro, breadfruit, fruits, pigs, chickens Economic aid:
recipient:
under the terms of the Compact of Free Association, the US is to provide approximately $40 million in aid annually Currency:
1 United States dollar (US$) = 100 cents Exchange rates:
US currency is used
Fiscal year:
1 October – 30 September
@Marshall Islands, Communications
Highways:
total:
NA
note:
paved roads on major islands (Majuro, Kwajalein), otherwise stone-, coral-, or laterite-surfaced roads and tracks Ports:
Majuro
Merchant marine:
40 ships (1,000 GRT or over) totaling 2,255,348 GRT/4,351,997 DWT, bulk carrier 23, cargo 2, combination ore/oil 1, container 1, oil tanker 13
note:
a flag of convenience registry
Airports:
total:
16
usable:
16
with permanent-surface runways:
4
with runways over 3,659 m:
0
with runways 2,440-3,659 m:
0
with runways 1,220-2,439 m:
8
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
@Martinique
Header
Affiliation:
(overseas department of France)
@Martinique, Geography
Location:
Caribbean, in the Caribbean Sea, off the coast of Venezuela Map references:
Central America and the Caribbean, South America Area:
total area:
1,100 sq km
land area:
1,060 sq km
comparative area:
slightly more than six times the size of Washington, DC Land boundaries:
0 km
Coastline:
290 km
Maritime claims:
exclusive economic zone:
200 nm
territorial sea:
12 nm
International 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%
Irrigated land:
60 sq km (1989 est.)
Environment:
current issues:
NA
natural hazards:
subject to hurricanes, flooding, and volcanic activity that result in an average of one major natural disaster every five years international agreements:
NA
@Martinique, People
Population:
392,362 (July 1994 est.)
Population growth rate:
1.2% (1994 est.)
Birth rate:
17.96 births/1,000 population (1994 est.) Death rate:
5.95 deaths/1,000 population (1994 est.) Net migration rate:
0 migrant(s)/1,000 population (1994 est.) Infant mortality rate:
10.4 deaths/1,000 live births (1994 est.) Life expectancy at birth:
total population:
78.01 years
male:
74.88 years
female:
81.2 years (1994 est.)
Total fertility rate:
1.92 children born/woman (1994 est.) 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:
age 15 and over can read and write (1982) total population:
93%
male:
92%
female:
93%
Labor force:
100,000
by occupation:
service industry 31.7%, construction and public works 29.4%, agriculture 13.1%, industry 7.3%, fisheries 2.2%, other 16.3%
@Martinique, Government
Names:
conventional long form:
Department of Martinique
conventional short form:
Martinique
local long form:
Departement de la Martinique
local short form:
Martinique
Digraph:
MB
Type:
overseas department of France
Capital:
Fort-de-France
Administrative divisions:
none (overseas department of France) Independence:
none (overseas department of France) National holiday:
National Day, Taking of the Bastille, 14 July (1789) Constitution:
28 September 1958 (French Constitution) Legal system:
French legal system
Suffrage:
18 years of age; universal
Executive branch:
chief of state:
President Francois MITTERRAND (since 21 May 1981) head of government:
Prefect Michel MORIN (since NA); President of the General Council Claude LISE (since 22 March 1992); President of the Regional Council Emile CAPGRAS (since 22 March 1992)
cabinet:
Council of Ministers
Legislative branch:
unicameral General Council and a unicameral Regional Assembly General Council:
elections last held in 25 September and 8 October 1988 (next to be held by NA); results – percent of vote by party NA; seats – (44 total) number of seats by party NA; note – a leftist coalition obtained a one-seat margin
Regional Assembly:
elections last held on 22 March 1992 (next to be held by March 1998); results – percent of vote by party NA; seats – (41 total) RPR-UDF 16, MIM 9, PPM 9, PCM 5, independents 2
French Senate:
elections last held 24 September 1989 (next to be held NA); results – percent of vote by party NA; seats – (2 total) UDF 1, PPM 1 French National Assembly:
elections last held on NA June 1993 (next to be held June 1998); results – percent of vote by party NA; seats – (4 total) RPR 3, FSM 1 Judicial branch:
Supreme Court
Political parties and leaders:
Rally for the Republic (RPR), Stephen BAGOE; Union for a Martinique of Progress (UMP); Martinique Progressive Party (PPM), Aime CESAIRE and Camille DARSIERES; Socialist Federation of Martinique (FSM), Jean CRUSOL; Martinique Communist Party (PCM); Martinique Patriots (PM); Union for French Democracy (UDF), Jean MARAN; Martinique Independence Movement (MIM), Alfred MARIE-JEANNE
Other political or pressure groups: Proletarian Action Group (GAP); Alhed Marie-Jeanne Socialist Revolution Group (GRS); Caribbean Revolutionary Alliance (ARC); Central Union for Martinique Workers (CSTM), Marc PULVAR; Frantz Fanon Circle; League of Workers and Peasants; Parti Martiniquais Socialiste (PMS)
Member of:
FZ, WCL, WFTU
Diplomatic representation in US:
none (overseas department of France) US diplomatic representation:
the post closed in August 1993 (overseas department of France) Flag:
the flag of France is used
@Martinique, Economy
Overview:
The economy is based on sugarcane, bananas, tourism, and light industry. Agriculture accounts for about 10% of GDP and the small industrial sector for 10%. Sugar production has declined, with most of the sugarcane now used for the production of rum. Banana exports are increasing, going mostly to France. The bulk of meat, vegetable, and grain requirements must be imported, contributing to a chronic trade deficit that requires large annual transfers of aid from France. Tourism has become more important than agricultural exports as a source of foreign exchange. The majority of the work force is employed in the service sector and in administration. Banana workers launched protests late in 1992 because of falling banana prices and fears of greater competition in the European market from other producers. National product:
GDP – exchange rate conversion – $3.3 billion (1991) National product real growth rate:
NA%
National product per capita:
$9,500 (1991)
Inflation rate (consumer prices):
3.9% (1990)
Unemployment rate:
32.1% (1990)
Budget:
revenues:
$268 million
expenditures:
$268 million, including capital expenditures of $NA (1989 est.) Exports:
$201.5 million (f.o.b., 1991)
commodities:
refined petroleum products, bananas, rum, pineapples partners:
France 57.1%, Guadeloupe 31.5%, French Guiana 6.2% Imports:
$1.5 billion (c.i.f., 1991)
commodities:
petroleum products, crude oil, foodstuffs, construction materials, vehicles, clothing and other consumer goods partners:
France 62.2%, UK, Italy, Germany, Japan, US External debt:
$NA
Industrial production:
growth rate NA%
Electricity:
capacity:
113,100 kW
production:
588 million kWh
consumption per capita:
1,580 kWh (1992)
Industries:
construction, rum, cement, oil refining, sugar, tourism Agriculture:
including fishing and forestry, accounts for about 10% of GDP; principal crops – pineapples, avocados, bananas, flowers, vegetables, sugarcane for rum; dependent on imported food, particularly meat and vegetables
Illicit drugs:
transshipment point for cocaine and marijuana bound for the US and Europe
Economic aid:
recipient:
Western (non-US) countries, ODA and OOF bilateral commitments (1970-89), $10.1 billion
Currency:
1 French franc (F) = 100 centimes
Exchange rates:
French francs (F) per US$1 – 5.9305 (January 1994), 5.6632 (1993), 5.2938 (1992), 5.6421 (1991), 5.4453 (1990), 6.3801 (1989) Fiscal year:
calendar year
@Martinique, Communications
Highways:
total:
1,680 km
paved:
1,300 km
unpaved:
gravel, earth 380 km
Ports:
Fort-de-France
Airports:
total:
2
usable:
2
with permanent-surface runways:
1
with runways over 3,659 m:
0
with runways 2,440-3,659 m:
1
with runways 1,220-2,439 m:
0
Telecommunications:
domestic facilities are adequate; 68,900 telephones; interisland microwave radio relay links to Guadeloupe, Dominica, and Saint Lucia; broadcast stations – 1 AM, 6 FM, 10 TV; 2 Atlantic Ocean INTELSAT earth stations
@Martinique, Defense Forces
Branches:
French Forces, Gendarmerie
Note:
defense is the responsibility of France
@Mauritania, Geography
Location:
Northern Africa, along the North Atlantic Ocean, between Western Sahara and Senegal
Map references:
Africa, Standard Time Zones of the World Area:
total area:
1,030,700 sq km
land area:
1,030,400 sq km
comparative area:
slightly larger than three times the size of New Mexico Land boundaries:
total 5,074 km, Algeria 463 km, Mali 2,237 km, Senegal 813 km, Western Sahara 1,561 km
Coastline:
754 km
Maritime claims:
contiguous zone:
24 nm
continental shelf:
200 nm or the edge of continental margin exclusive economic zone:
200 nm
territorial sea:
12 nm
International disputes:
boundary with Senegal
Climate:
desert; constantly hot, dry, dusty Terrain:
mostly barren, flat plains of the Sahara; some central hills Natural resources:
iron ore, gypsum, fish, copper, phosphate Land use:
arable land:
1%
permanent crops:
0%
meadows and pastures:
38%
forest and woodland:
5%
other:
56%
Irrigated land:
120 sq km (1989 est.)
Environment:
current issues:
overgrazing, deforestation, and soil erosion aggravated by drought are contributing to desertification; water scarcity away from the Senegal which is the only perennial river
natural hazards: