hot, dry, dust/sand-laden sirocco wind blows primarily in March and April
international agreements:
party to – Climate Change, Nuclear Test Ban, Wetlands; signed, but not ratified – Biodiversity, Law of the Sea Note:
most of the population concentrated along the Senegal River in the southern part of the country
@Mauritania, People
Population:
2,192,777 (July 1994 est.)
Population growth rate:
3.16% (1994 est.)
Birth rate:
47.65 births/1,000 population (1994 est.) Death rate:
16.09 deaths/1,000 population (1994 est.) Net migration rate:
0 migrant(s)/1,000 population (1994 est.) Infant mortality rate:
85.3 deaths/1,000 live births (1994 est.) Life expectancy at birth:
total population:
48.06 years
male:
45.23 years
female:
51.01 years (1994 est.)
Total fertility rate:
6.99 children born/woman (1994 est.) Nationality:
noun:
Mauritanian(s)
adjective:
Mauritanian
Ethnic divisions:
mixed Maur/black 40%, Maur 30%, black 30% Religions:
Muslim 100%
Languages:
Hasaniya Arabic (official), Pular, Soninke, Wolof (official) Literacy:
age 10 and over can read and write (1990 est.) total population:
34%
male:
47%
female:
21%
Labor force:
465,000 (1981 est.); 45,000 wage earners (1980) by occupation:
agriculture 47%, services 29%, industry and commerce 14%, government 10%
note:
53% of population of working age (1985)
@Mauritania, Government
Names:
conventional long form:
Islamic Republic of Mauritania
conventional short form:
Mauritania
local long form:
Al Jumhuriyah al Islamiyah al Muritaniyah local short form:
Muritaniyah
Digraph:
MR
Type:
republic
Capital:
Nouakchott
Administrative divisions:
12 regions (regions, singular – region); Adrar, Assaba, Brakna, Dakhlet Nouadhibou, Gorgol, Guidimaka, Hodh ech Chargui, Hodh el Gharbi, Inchiri, Tagant, Tiris Zemmour, Trarza note:
there may be a new capital district of Nouakchott Independence:
28 November 1960 (from France)
National holiday:
Independence Day, 28 November (1960) Constitution:
12 July 1991
Legal system:
three-tier system: Islamic (Shari’a) courts, special courts, state security courts (in the process of being eliminated) Suffrage:
18 years of age; universal
Executive branch:
chief of state and head of government: President Col. Maaouya Ould Sid’Ahmed TAYA (since 12 December 1984); election last held January 1992 (next to be held January 1998); results – President Col. Maaouya Ould Sid ‘Ahmed TAYA elected cabinet:
Council of Ministers
Legislative branch:
bicameral legislature
Senate (Majlis al-Shuyukh):
elections last held 15 April 1994 (one-third of the seats up for re-election in 1996)
National Assembly (Majlis al-Watani): elections last held 6 and 13 March 1992 (next to be held March 1997) Judicial branch:
Supreme Court (Cour Supreme)
Political parties and leaders:
legalized by constitution passed 12 July 1991, however, politics continue to be tribally based; emerging parties include Democratic and Social Republican Party (PRDS), led by President Col. Maaouya Ould Sid’Ahmed TAYA; Union of Democratic Forces – New Era (UFD/NE), headed by Ahmed Ould DADDAH; Assembly for Democracy and Unity (RDU), Ahmed Ould SIDI BABA; Popular Social and Democratic Union (UPSD), Mohamed Mahmoud Ould MAH; Mauritanian Party for Renewal (PMR), Hameida BOUCHRAYA; National Avant-Garde Party (PAN), Khattry Ould JIDDOU; Mauritanian Party of the Democratic Center (PCDM), Bamba Ould SIDI BADI
Other political or pressure groups: Mauritanian Workers Union (UTM)
Member of:
ABEDA, ACCT (associate), ACP, AfDB, AFESD, AL, AMF, AMU, CAEU, CCC, CEAO, ECA, ECOWAS, FAO, G-77, GATT, IBRD, ICAO, IDA, IDB, IFAD, IFC, ILO, IMF, IMO, INTELSAT, INTERPOL, IOC, ITU, LORCS, NAM, OAU, OIC, UN, UNCTAD, UNESCO, UNIDO, UPU, WHO, WIPO, WMO, WTO Diplomatic representation in US:
chief of mission:
Ambassador Mohamed Fall Ould AININA chancery:
2129 Leroy Place NW, Washington, DC 20008 telephone:
(202) 232-5700
US diplomatic representation:
chief of mission:
Ambassador Gordon S. BROWN
embassy:
address NA, Nouakchott
mailing address:
B. P. 222, Nouakchott
telephone:
[222] (2) 526-60 or 526-63
FAX:
[222] (2) 515-92
Flag:
green with a yellow five-pointed star above a yellow, horizontal crescent; the closed side of the crescent is down; the crescent, star, and color green are traditional symbols of Islam
@Mauritania, Economy
Overview:
A majority of the population still depends on agriculture and livestock for a livelihood, even though most of the nomads and many subsistence farmers were forced into the cities by recurrent droughts in the 1970s and 1980s. Mauritania has extensive deposits of iron ore, which account for almost 50% of total exports. The decline in world demand for this ore, however, has led to cutbacks in production. The nation’s coastal waters are among the richest fishing areas in the world, but overexploitation by foreigners threatens this key source of revenue. The country’s first deepwater port opened near Nouakchott in 1986. In recent years, drought and economic mismanagement have resulted in a substantial buildup of foreign debt. The government has begun the second stage of an economic reform program in consultation with the World Bank, the IMF, and major donor countries. National product:
GDP – purchasing power equivalent – $2.2 billion (1992 est.) National product real growth rate:
3.3% (1993 est.)
National product per capita:
$1,050 (1992 est.)
Inflation rate (consumer prices):
11.5% (1993 est.)
Unemployment rate:
20% (1991 est.)
Budget:
revenues:
$280 million
expenditures:
$346 million, including capital expenditures of $61 million (1989 est.)
Exports:
$432 million (f.o.b., 1992 est)
commodities:
iron ore, fish and fish products
partners:
Japan 27%, Italy, Belgium, Luxembourg Imports:
$413 million (c.i.f., 1992 est)
commodities:
foodstuffs, consumer goods, petroleum products, capital goods partners:
Algeria 15%, China 6%, US 3%, France, Germany, Spain, Italy External debt:
$1.9 billion (1992 est.)
Industrial production:
growth rate 4.4% (1988 est.); accounts for almost 30% of GDP Electricity:
capacity:
190,000 kW
production:
135 million kWh
consumption per capita:
70 kWh (1991)
Industries:
fish processing, mining of iron ore and gypsum Agriculture:
accounts for 25% of GDP (including fishing); largely subsistence farming and nomadic cattle and sheep herding except in Senegal river valley; crops – dates, millet, sorghum, root crops; fish products number-one export; large food deficit in years of drought Economic aid:
recipient:
US commitments, including Ex-Im (FY70-89), $168 million; Western (non-US) countries, ODA and OOF bilateral commitments (1970-89), $1.3 billion; OPEC bilateral aid (1979-89), $490 million; Communist countries (1970-89), $277 million; Arab Development Bank (1991), $20 million
Currency:
1 ouguiya (UM) = 5 khoums
Exchange rates:
ouguiyas (UM) per US$1 – 124.480 (December 1993), 87.082 (1992), 81.946 (1991), 80.609 (1990), 83.051 (1989) Fiscal year:
calendar year
@Mauritania, Communications
Railroads:
690 km 1.435-meter (standard) gauge, single track, owned and operated by government mining company
Highways:
total:
7,525 km
paved:
1,685 km
unpaved:
gravel, crushed stone, otherwise improved 1,040 km; unimproved earth 4,800 km (roads, trails, tracks)
Inland waterways:
mostly ferry traffic on the Senegal River Ports:
Nouadhibou, Nouakchott
Merchant marine:
1 cargo ship (1,000 GRT or over) totaling 1,290 GRT/1,840 DWT Airports:
total:
28
usable:
28
with permanent-surface runways:
9
with runways over 3,659 m:
0
with runways 2,440-3,659 m:
5
with runways 1,220-2,439 m:
17
Telecommunications:
poor system of cable and open-wire lines, minor microwave radio relay links, and radio communications stations (improvements being made); broadcast stations – 2 AM, no FM, 1 TV; satellite earth stations – 1 Atlantic Ocean INTELSAT and 2 ARABSAT, with six planned
@Mauritania, Defense Forces
Branches:
Army, Navy, Air Force, National Gendarmerie, National Guard, National Police, Presidential Guard
Manpower availability:
males age 15-49 467,677; fit for military service 228,385 Defense expenditures:
exchange rate conversion – $40 million, 4.2% of GDP (1989)
@Mauritius, Geography
Location:
Southern Africa, in the western Indian Ocean, 900 km east of Madagascar
Map references:
Africa, Standard Time Zones of the World Area:
total area:
1,860 sq km
land area:
1,850 sq km
comparative area:
slightly less than 10.5 times the size of Washington, DC note:
includes Agalega Islands, Cargados Carajos Shoals (Saint Brandon), and Rodrigues
Land boundaries:
0 km
Coastline:
177 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:
claims UK-administered Chagos Archipelago, which includes the island of Diego Garcia in UK-administered British Indian Ocean Territory; claims French-administered Tromelin Island Climate:
tropical modified by southeast trade winds; warm, dry winter (May to November); hot, wet, humid summer (November to May) Terrain:
small coastal plain rising to discontinuous mountains encircling central plateau
Natural resources:
arable land, fish
Land use:
arable land:
54%
permanent crops:
4%
meadows and pastures:
4%
forest and woodland:
31%
other:
7%
Irrigated land:
170 sq km (1989 est.)
Environment:
current issues:
water pollution
natural hazards:
subject to cyclones (November to April); almost completely surrounded by reefs
international agreements:
party to – Biodiversity, Climate Change, Endangered Species, Environmental Modification, Hazardous Wastes, Marine Life Conservation, Nuclear Test Ban, Ozone Layer Protection, Whaling; signed, but not ratified – Law of the Sea
@Mauritius, People
Population:
1,116,923 (July 1994 est.)
Population growth rate:
0.92% (1994 est.)
Birth rate:
19.28 births/1,000 population (1994 est.) Death rate:
6.41 deaths/1,000 population (1994 est.) Net migration rate:
-3.67 migrant(s)/1,000 population (1994 est.) Infant mortality rate:
18.4 deaths/1,000 live births (1994 est.) Life expectancy at birth:
total population:
70.54 years
male:
66.62 years
female:
74.63 years (1994 est.)
Total fertility rate:
2.22 children born/woman (1994 est.) Nationality:
noun:
Mauritian(s)
adjective:
Mauritian
Ethnic divisions:
Indo-Mauritian 68%, Creole 27%, Sino-Mauritian 3%, Franco-Mauritian 2% Religions:
Hindu 52%, Christian 28.3% (Roman Catholic 26%, Protestant 2.3%), Muslim 16.6%, other 3.1%
Languages:
English (official), Creole, French, Hindi, Urdu, Hakka, Bojpoori Literacy:
age 15 and over can read and write (1990) total population:
80%
male:
85%
female:
75%
Labor force:
335,000
by occupation:
government services 29%, agriculture and fishing 27%, manufacturing 22%, other 22%
note:
43% of population of working age (1985)
@Mauritius, Government
Names:
conventional long form:
Republic of Mauritius
conventional short form:
Mauritius
Digraph:
MP
Type:
parliamentary democracy
Capital:
Port Louis
Administrative divisions:
9 districts and 3 dependencies*; Agalega Islands*, Black River, Cargados Carajos*, Flacq, Grand Port, Moka, Pamplemousses, Plaines Wilhems, Port Louis, Riviere du Rempart, Rodrigues*, Savanne Independence:
12 March 1968 (from UK)
National holiday:
Independence Day, 12 March (1968) Constitution:
12 March 1968; amended 12 March 1992 Legal system:
based on French civil law system with elements of English common law in certain areas
Suffrage:
18 years of age; universal
Executive branch:
chief of state:
President Cassam UTEEM (since 1 July 1992); Vice President Rabindranath GHURBURRON (since 1 July 1992) head of government:
Prime Minister Sir Anerood JUGNAUTH (since 12 June 1982); Deputy Prime Minister Prem NABABSING (since 26 September 1990) cabinet:
Council of Ministers; appointed by the president on recommendation of the prime minister
Legislative branch:
unicameral
Legislative Assembly:
elections last held on 15 September 1991 (next to be held by 15 September 1996); results – MSM/MMM 53%, MLP/PMSD 38%; seats – (70 total, 62 elected) MSM/MMM alliance 59 (MSM 29, MMM 26, OPR 2, MTD 2); MLP/PMSD 3
Judicial branch:
Supreme Court
Political parties and leaders:
government coalition:
Militant Socialist Movement (MSM), A. JUGNAUTH; Mauritian Militant Movement (MMM), Prem NABABSING (less 12 legislators under the leadership of Paul BERENGER, now voting with the opposition); Organization of the People of Rodrigues (OPR), Louis Serge CLAIR; Democratic Labor Movement (MTD), Anil BAICHOO opposition:
Mauritian Labor Party (MLP), Navin RAMGOOLMAN; Socialist Workers Front, Sylvio MICHEL; Mauritian Social Democratic Party (PMSD), X. DUVAL; MMM-Berenger Faction, Paul BERENGER Other political or pressure groups:
various labor unions
Member of:
ACCT, ACP, AfDB, C, CCC, ECA, FAO, G-77, GATT, IAEA, IBRD, ICAO, ICFTU, IDA, IFAD, IFC, ILO, IMF, INMARSAT, IMO, INTELSAT, INTERPOL, IOC, ISO (correspondent), ITU, LORCS, NAM, OAU, PCA, UN, UNCTAD, UNESCO, UNIDO, UPU, WCL, WFTU, WHO, WIPO, WMO, WTO Diplomatic representation in US:
chief of mission:
Ambassador Anund NEEWOOR
chancery:
Suite 441, 4301 Connecticut Avenue NW, Washington, DC 20008 telephone:
(202) 244-1491 or 1492
FAX:
(202) 966-0983
US diplomatic representation:
chief of mission:
Ambassador Leslie ALEXANDER
embassy:
4th Floor, Rogers House, John Kennedy Street, Port Louis mailing address:
use Embassy street address
telephone:
[230] 208-9763 through 208-9767
FAX:
[230] 208-9534
Flag:
four equal horizontal bands of red (top), blue, yellow, and green
@Mauritius, Economy
Overview:
The economy is based on sugar, manufacturing (mainly textiles), and tourism. Sugarcane is grown on about 90% of the cultivated land area and accounts for 40% of export earnings. The government’s development strategy centers on industrialization (with a view to exports), agricultural diversification, and tourism. Economic performance in 1992 was impressive, with 6% real growth and low unemployment. National product:
GDP – purchasing power equivalent – $8.6 billion (1993 est.) National product real growth rate:
6.3% (1992 est.)
National product per capita:
$7,800 (1993 est.)
Inflation rate (consumer prices):
4.6% (1992 est.)
Unemployment rate:
2.4% (1991 est.)
Budget:
revenues:
$557 million
expenditures:
$607 million, including capital expenditures of $111 million (1990 est.)
Exports:
$1.32 billion (f.o.b., 1992 est.)
commodities:
textiles 44%, sugar 40%, light manufactures 10% partners:
EC and US have preferential treatment, EU 77%, US 15% Imports:
$1.63 billion (f.o.b., 1992 est.)
commodities:
manufactured goods 50%, capital equipment 17%, foodstuffs 13%, petroleum products 8%, chemicals 7%
partners:
EC, US, South Africa, Japan
External debt:
$991 million (1992 est.)
Industrial production:
growth rate 7% (1990); accounts for 25% of GDP Electricity:
capacity:
235,000 kW
production:
630 million kWh
consumption per capita:
570 kWh (1992)
Industries:
food processing (largely sugar milling), textiles, wearing apparel, chemicals, metal products, transport equipment, nonelectrical machinery, tourism
Agriculture:
accounts for 10% of GDP; about 90% of cultivated land in sugarcane; other products – tea, corn, potatoes, bananas, pulses, cattle, goats, fish; net food importer, especially rice and fish Illicit drugs:
illicit producer of cannabis for the international drug trade; heroin consumption and transshipment are growing problems Economic aid:
recipient:
US commitments, including Ex-Im (FY70-89), $76 million; Western (non-US) countries (1970-89), $709 million; Communist countries (1970-89), $54 million
Currency:
1 Mauritian rupee (MauR) = 100 cents Exchange rates:
Mauritian rupees (MauRs) per US$1 – 18.696 (January 1994), 17.648 (1993), 15.563 (1992), 15.652 (1991), 14.839 (1990), 15.250 (1989) Fiscal year:
1 July – 30 June
@Mauritius, Communications
Highways:
total:
1,800 km
paved:
1,640 km
unpaved:
earth 160 km
Ports:
Port Louis
Merchant marine:
14 ships (1,000 GRT or over) totaling 162,387 GRT/260,552 DWT, bulk 6, cargo 7, liquefied gas 1
Airports:
total:
5
usable:
4
with permanent-surface runways:
2
with runways over 3,659 m:
0
with runways 2,440-3,659 m:
1
with runways 1,220-2,439 m:
0
Telecommunications:
small system with good service utilizing primarily microwave radio relay; new microwave link to Reunion; high-frequency radio links to several countries; over 48,000 telephones; broadcast stations – 2 AM, no FM, 4 TV; 1 Indian Ocean INTELSAT earth station
@Mauritius, Defense Forces
Branches:
National Police Force, including the paramilitary Special Mobile Force (SMF), Special Support Units (SSU), and National Coast Guard Manpower availability:
males age 15-49 316,975; fit for military service 161,634 Defense expenditures:
exchange rate conversion – $5 million, 0.2% of GDP (FY89)
@Mayotte
Header
Affiliation:
(territorial collectivity of France)
@Mayotte, Geography
Location:
Southern Africa, in the northern Mozambique Channel about halfway between Madagascar and Mozambique
Map references:
Africa
Area:
total area:
375 sq km
land area:
375 sq km
comparative area:
slightly more than twice the size of Washington, DC Land boundaries:
0 km
Coastline:
185.2 km
Maritime claims:
exclusive economic zone:
200 nm
territorial sea:
12 nm
International disputes:
claimed by Comoros
Climate:
tropical; marine; hot, humid, rainy season during northeastern monsoon (November to May); dry season is cooler (May to November) Terrain:
generally undulating with ancient volcanic peaks, deep ravines Natural resources:
negligible
Land use:
arable land:
NA%
permanent crops:
NA%
meadows and pastures:
NA%
forest and woodland:
NA%
other:
NA%
Irrigated land:
NA sq km
Environment:
current issues:
NA
natural hazards:
subject to cyclones during rainy season international agreements:
NA
Note:
part of Comoro Archipelago
@Mayotte, People
Population:
93,468 (July 1994 est.)
Population growth rate:
3.8% (1994 est.)
Birth rate:
48.84 births/1,000 population (1994 est.) Death rate:
10.84 deaths/1,000 population (1994 est.) Net migration rate:
0 migrant(s)/1,000 population (1994 est.) Infant mortality rate:
79.6 deaths/1,000 live births (1994 est.) Life expectancy at birth:
total population:
57.81 years
male:
55.63 years
female:
60.06 years (1994 est.)
Total fertility rate:
6.77 children born/woman (1994 est.) Nationality:
noun:
Mahorais (singular and plural)
adjective:
Mahoran
Ethnic divisions:
NA
Religions:
Muslim 99%, Christian (mostly Roman Catholic) Languages:
Mahorian (a Swahili dialect), French Literacy:
total population:
NA%
male:
NA%
female:
NA%
Labor force:
NA
@Mayotte, Government
Names:
conventional long form:
Territorial Collectivity of Mayotte conventional short form:
Mayotte
Digraph:
MF
Type:
territorial collectivity of France Capital:
Mamoutzou
Administrative divisions:
none (territorial collectivity of France) Independence:
none (territorial collectivity of France) National holiday:
Taking of the Bastille, 14 July (1789) Constitution:
28 September 1958 (French Constitution) Legal system:
French law
Suffrage:
18 years of age; universal
Executive branch:
chief of state:
President Francois MITTERRAND (since 21 May 1981) head of government:
Prefect Jean-Jacques DERACQ (since NA); President of the General Council Younoussa BAMANA (since NA 1976) Legislative branch:
unicameral
General Council (Conseil General): elections last held March 1991 (next to be held March 1996); results – percent of vote by party NA; seats – (17 total) MPM 12, RPR 5 French Senate:
elections last held on 24 September 1989 (next to be held September 1995); results – percent of vote by party NA; seats – (1 total) MPM 1 French National Assembly:
elections last held 21 and 28 March 1993 (next to be held 1998); results – UDF-CDS 54.3%, RPR 44.3%; seats – (1 total) UDF-CDS 1 Judicial branch:
Supreme Court (Tribunal Superieur d’Appel) Political parties and leaders:
Mahoran Popular Movement (MPM), Younoussa BAMANA; Party for the Mahoran Democratic Rally (PRDM), Daroueche MAOULIDA; Mahoran Rally for the Republic (RPR), Mansour KAMARDINE; Union for French Democracy (UDF), Maoulida AHMED; Center of Social Democrats (CDS), Member of:
FZ
Diplomatic representation in US:
none (territorial collectivity of France) US diplomatic representation:
none (territorial collectivity of France) Flag:
the flag of France is used
@Mayotte, Economy
Overview:
Economic activity is based primarily on the agricultural sector, including fishing and livestock raising. Mayotte is not self-sufficient and must import a large portion of its food requirements, mainly from France. The economy and future development of the island are heavily dependent on French financial assistance. Mayotte’s remote location is an obstacle to the development of tourism.
National product:
GDP – purchasing power equivalent – $54 million (1993 est.) National product real growth rate:
NA%
National product per capita:
$600 (1993 est.)
Inflation rate (consumer prices):
NA%
Unemployment rate:
NA%
Budget:
revenues:
$NA
expenditures:
$37.3 million, including capital expenditures of $NA (1985 est.) Exports:
$4 million (f.o.b., 1984)
commodities:
ylang-ylang, vanilla
partners:
France 79%, Comoros 10%, Reunion 9% Imports:
$21.8 million (f.o.b., 1984)
commodities:
building materials, transportation equipment, rice, clothing, flour partners:
France 57%, Kenya 16%, South Africa 11%, Pakistan 8% External debt:
$NA
Industrial production:
growth rate NA%
Electricity:
capacity:
NA
production:
NA
consumption per capita:
NA
Industries:
newly created lobster and shrimp industry Agriculture:
most important sector; provides all export earnings; crops – vanilla, ylang-ylang, coffee, copra; imports major share of food needs Economic aid:
recipient:
Western (non-US) countries, ODA and OOF bilateral commitments (1970-89), $402 million
Currency:
1 French franc (F) = 100 centimes
Exchange rates:
French francs (F) per US$1 – 5.9205 (January 1994), 5.6632 (1993), 5.2938 (1992), 5.6421 (1991), 5.4453 (1990), 6.3801 (1989) Fiscal year:
calendar year
@Mayotte, Communications
Highways:
total:
42 km
paved:
bituminous 18 km
unpaved:
24 km
Ports:
Dzaoudzi
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:
small system administered by French Department of Posts and Telecommunications; includes radio relay and high-frequency radio communications for links to Comoros and international communications; 450 telephones; broadcast stations – 1 AM, no FM, no TV
@Mayotte, Defense Forces
Note:
defense is the responsibility of France
@Mexico, Geography
Location:
Middle America, between Guatemala and the US Map references:
North America, Standard Time Zones of the World Area:
total area:
1,972,550 sq km
land area:
1,923,040 sq km
comparative area:
slightly less than three times the size of Texas Land boundaries:
total 4,538 km, Belize 250 km, Guatemala 962 km, US 3,326 km Coastline:
9,330 km
Maritime claims:
contiguous zone:
24 nm
continental shelf:
200 nm or the natural prolongation of continental margin exclusive economic zone:
200 nm
territorial sea:
12 nm
International disputes:
claims Clipperton Island (French possession) Climate:
varies from tropical to desert
Terrain:
high, rugged mountains, low coastal plains, high plateaus, and desert Natural resources:
petroleum, silver, copper, gold, lead, zinc, natural gas, timber Land use:
arable land:
12%
permanent crops:
1%
meadows and pastures:
39%
forest and woodland:
24%
other:
24%
Irrigated land:
51,500 sq km (1989 est.)
Environment:
current issues:
natural water resources scarce and polluted in north, inaccessible and poor quality in center and extreme southeast; untreated sewage and industrial effluents polluting rivers in urban areas; deforestation; widespread erosion; desertification; serious air pollution in the national capital and urban centers along US-Mexico border natural hazards:
subject to tsunamis along the Pacific coast, destructive earthquakes in the center and south, and hurricanes on the Gulf and Caribbean coasts
international agreements:
party to – Biodiversity, Climate Change, Endangered Species, Hazardous Wastes, Law of the Sea, Marine Dumping, Marine Life Conservation, Nuclear Test Ban, Ozone Layer Protection, Ship Pollution, Wetlands, Whaling
Note:
strategic location on southern border of US
@Mexico, People
Population:
92,202,199 (July 1994 est.)
Population growth rate:
1.94% (1994 est.)
Birth rate:
27.17 births/1,000 population (1994 est.) Death rate:
4.73 deaths/1,000 population (1994 est.) Net migration rate:
-3.09 migrant(s)/1,000 population (1994 est.) Infant mortality rate:
27.4 deaths/1,000 live births (1994 est.) Life expectancy at birth:
total population:
72.94 years
male:
69.36 years
female:
76.7 years (1994 est.)
Total fertility rate:
3.17 children born/woman (1994 est.) Nationality:
noun:
Mexican(s)
adjective:
Mexican
Ethnic divisions:
mestizo (Indian-Spanish) 60%, Amerindian or predominantly Amerindian 30%, Caucasian or predominantly Caucasian 9%, other 1% Religions:
nominally Roman Catholic 89%, Protestant 6% Languages:
Spanish, various Mayan dialects
Literacy:
age 15 and over can read and write (1990) total population:
87%
male:
90%
female:
85%
Labor force:
26.2 million (1990)
by occupation:
services 31.7%, agriculture, forestry, hunting, and fishing 28%, commerce 14.6%, manufacturing 11.1%, construction 8.4%, transportation 4.7%, mining and quarrying 1.5%
@Mexico, Government
Names:
conventional long form:
United Mexican States
conventional short form:
Mexico
local long form:
Estados Unidos Mexicanos
local short form:
Mexico
Digraph:
MX
Type:
federal republic operating under a centralized government Capital:
Mexico
Administrative divisions:
31 states (estados, singular – estado) and 1 federal district* (distrito federal); Aguascalientes, Baja California, Baja California Sur, Campeche, Chiapas, Chihuahua, Coahuila, Colima, Distrito Federal*, Durango, Guanajuato, Guerrero, Hidalgo, Jalisco, Mexico, Michoacan, Morelos, Nayarit, Nuevo Leon, Oaxaca, Puebla, Queretaro, Quintana Roo, San Luis Potosi, Sinaloa, Sonora, Tabasco, Tamaulipas, Tlaxcala, Veracruz, Yucatan, Zacatecas
Independence:
16 September 1810 (from Spain)
National holiday:
Independence Day, 16 September (1810) Constitution:
5 February 1917
Legal system:
mixture of US constitutional theory and civil law system; judicial review of legislative acts; accepts compulsory ICJ jurisdiction, with reservations
Suffrage:
18 years of age; universal and compulsory (but not enforced) Executive branch:
chief of state and head of government: President Carlos SALINAS de Gortari (since 1 December 1988); election last held on 6 July 1988 (next to be held 21 August 1994); results – Carlos SALINAS de Gortari (PRI) 50.74%, Cuauhtemoc CARDENAS Solorzano (FDN) 31.06%, Manuel CLOUTHIER (PAN) 16.81%; other 1.39%; note – several of the smaller parties ran a common candidate under a coalition called the National Democratic Front (FDN) cabinet:
Cabinet; appointed by the president Legislative branch:
bicameral National Congress (Congreso de la Union) Senate (Camara de Senadores):
elections last held on 18 August 1991 (next to be held 21 August 1994); results – percent of vote by party NA; seats in full Senate – (64 total; Senate will expand to 128 seats following next election) PRI 62, PRD 1, PAN 1
Chamber of Deputies (Camara de Diputados): elections last held on 18 August 1991 (next to be held 21 August 1994); results – PRI 53%, PAN 20%, PFCRN 10%, PPS 6%, PARM 7%, PMS (now part of PRD) 4%; seats – (500 total) PRI 320, PAN 89, PRD 41, PFCRN 23, PARM 15, PPS 12
Judicial branch:
Supreme Court of Justice (Corte Suprema de Justicia) Political parties and leaders:
(recognized parties) Institutional Revolutionary Party (PRI), Ignacio Pichardo PAGAZA; National Action Party (PAN), Carlos CASTILLO; Popular Socialist Party (PPS), Indalecio SAYAGO Herrera; Democratic Revolutionary Party (PRD), Porfirio MUNOZ Ledo; Cardenist Front for the National Reconstruction Party (PFCRN), Rafael AGUILAR Talamantes; Authentic Party of the Mexican Revolution (PARM), Rosa Maria MARTINEZ Denagri; Democratic Forum Party (PFD), Pablo Emilio MADERO; Mexican Green Ecologist Party (PVEM), Jorge GONZALEZ Torres Other political or pressure groups:
Roman Catholic Church; Confederation of Mexican Workers (CTM); Confederation of Industrial Chambers (CONCAMIN); Confederation of National Chambers of Commerce (CONCANACO); National Peasant Confederation (CNC); Revolutionary Workers Party (PRT); Revolutionary Confederation of Workers and Peasants (CROC); Regional Confederation of Mexican Workers (CROM); Confederation of Employers of the Mexican Republic (COPARMEX); National Chamber of Transformation Industries (CANACINTRA); Coordinator for Foreign Trade Business Organizations (COECE); Federation of Unions Providing Goods and Services (FESEBES) Member of:
AG (observer), BCIE, CARICOM (observer), CCC, CDB, CG, EBRD, ECLAC, FAO, G-3, G-6, G-11, G-15, G-19, G-24, GATT, IADB, IAEA, IBRD, ICAO, ICC, ICFTU, IDA, IFAD, IFC, ILO, IMF, IMO, INTELSAT, INTERPOL, IOC, IOM (observer), ISO, ITU, LAES, LAIA, LORCS, NAM (observer), OAS, OECD, ONUSAL, OPANAL, PCA, RG, UN, UNCTAD, UNESCO, UNIDO, UPU, WCL, WFTI, WHO, WIPO, WMO, WTO
Diplomatic representation in US:
chief of mission:
Ambassador Jorge MONTANO Martinez chancery:
1911 Pennsylvania Avenue NW, Washington, DC 20006 telephone:
(202) 728-1600
consulate(s) general:
Atlanta, Chicago, Dallas, Denver, El Paso, Houston, Los Angeles, Miami, New Orleans, New York, San Antonio, San Diego, San Francisco, San Juan (Puerto Rico)
consulate(s):
Albuquerque, Austin, Boston, Brownsville (Texas), Calexico (California), Corpus Christi, Del Rio (Texas), Detroit, Eagle Pass (Texas), Fresno (California), Loredo, Mc Allen (Texas), Midland (Texas), Nogales (Arizona), Oxnard (California), Philadelphia US diplomatic representation:
chief of mission:
Ambassador James JONES
embassy:
Paseo de la Reforma 305, Colonia Cuauhtemoc, 06500 Mexico, D.F. mailing address:
P. O. Box 3087, Laredo, TX 78044-3087 telephone:
[52] (5) 211-0042
FAX:
[52] (5) 511-9980, 208-3373
consulate(s) general:
Ciudad Juarez, Guadalajara, Monterrey, Tijuana consulate(s):
Hermosillo, Matamoros, Merida, Nuevo Laredo Flag:
three equal vertical bands of green (hoist side), white, and red; the coat of arms (an eagle perched on a cactus with a snake in its beak) is centered in the white band
@Mexico, Economy
Overview:
Mexico’s economy, made up predominantly of private manufacturing and services and both large-scale and traditional agriculture, is beginning to rebound from the economic difficulties of the 1980s but still faces key challenges. During the 1980s, the accumulation of large external debts, falling world petroleum prices, rapid population growth, and mounting inflation and unemployment plagued the economy. In recent years, the government has responded by implementing sweeping economic reforms. Strict fiscal and monetary discipline have brought inflation under control, reduced the internal debt, and produced budgetary surpluses in 1992 and 1993. The tight money policies, however, have restricted growth: barely 0.4% in 1993 after a rise of 2.6% in 1992 and 3.6% in 1991. Another aspect of the reform has been the privatization of more than 80% of Mexico’s businesses, including all of the commercial banks. Seeking out increased trade and investment opportunities, the government negotiated the North American Free Trade Agreement (NAFTA) with the United States and Canada, which entered into force on 1 January 1994. Within Latin America, Mexico has completed bilateral free trade agreements with Chile and Costa Rica, and is continuing negotiations with Colombia and Venezuela for a trilateral deal in addition to holding trade discussions with various other nations. In January of 1993, Mexico replaced its old peso at the rate of 1,000 old to 1 new peso. Despite its hard-won economic progress and the prospects of long-term gains under NAFTA, Mexico still faces difficult problems, including sluggish growth, unemployment, continuing social inequalities, serious pollution, and the prospect of increased competition with the opening of trade. National product:
GDP – purchasing power equivalent – $740 billion (1993 est.) National product real growth rate:
0.4% (1993)
National product per capita:
$8,200 (1993 est.)
Inflation rate (consumer prices):
8% (1993 est.)
Unemployment rate:
10.7% (1992 est.)
Budget:
revenues:
$58.1 billion
expenditures:
$53 billion, including capital expenditures of $3.4 billion (1992 est.)
Exports:
$50.5 billion (f.o.b., 1993 est.), includes in-bond industries commodities:
crude oil, oil products, coffee, silver, engines, motor vehicles, cotton, consumer electronics
partners:
US 74%, Japan 8%, EC 4% (1992 est.) Imports:
$65.5 billion (f.o.b., 1993 est.), includes in-bond industries commodities:
metal-working machines, steel mill products, agricultural machinery, electrical equipment, car parts for assembly, repair parts for motor vehicles, aircraft, and aircraft parts
partners:
US 74%, Japan, 11%, EC 6% (1992)
External debt:
$125 billion (1993 est.)
Industrial production:
growth rate 2.8% (1992 est.); accounts for 28% of GDP Electricity:
capacity:
27,000,000 kW
production:
120.725 billion kWh
consumption per capita:
1,300 kWh (1992)
Industries:
food and beverages, tobacco, chemicals, iron and steel, petroleum, mining, textiles, clothing, motor vehicles, consumer durables, tourism Agriculture:
accounts for 9% of GDP and over 25% of work force; large number of small farms at subsistence level; major food crops – corn, wheat, rice, beans; cash crops – cotton, coffee, fruit, tomatoes Illicit drugs:
illicit cultivation of opium poppy and cannabis continues in spite of active government eradication program; major supplier to the US market; continues as the primary transshipment country for US-bound cocaine and marijuana from South America Economic aid:
recipient:
US commitments, including Ex-Im (FY70-89), $3.1 billion; Western (non-US) countries, ODA and OOF bilateral commitments (1970-89), $7.7 billion; Communist countries (1970-89), $110 million Currency:
1 New Mexican peso (Mex$) = 100 centavos Exchange rates:
market rate of Mexican pesos (Mex$) per US$1 – 3.3556 (March 1994), 3,094.9 (1992), 3,018.4 (1991), 2,812.6 (1990), 2,461.3 (1989) note:
the new peso replaced the old peso on 1 January 1993; 1 new peso = 1,000 old pesos
Fiscal year:
calendar year
@Mexico, Communications
Railroads:
24,500 km total
Highways:
total:
242,300 km
paved:
84,800 km (including 3,166 km of expressways) unpaved:
gravel and earth 157,500 km
Inland waterways:
2,900 km navigable rivers and coastal canals Pipelines:
crude oil 28,200 km; petroleum products 10,150 km; natural gas 13,254 km; petrochemical 1,400 km
Ports:
Acapulco, Altamira, Coatzacoalcos, Ensenada, Guaymas, Manzanillo, Mazatlan, Progreso, Puerto Vallarta, Salina Cruz, Tampico, Tuxpan, Veracruz
Merchant marine:
58 ships (1,000 GRT or over) totaling 853,161 GRT/1,269,018 DWT, cargo 3, chemical tanker 4, container 4, liquefied gas 7, oil tanker 32, refrigerated cargo 2, roll-on/roll-off cargo 2, short-sea passenger 4 Airports:
total:
1,993
usable:
1,585
with permanent-surface runways:
202
with runways over 3,659 m:
3
with runways 2,440-3,659 m:
35
with runways 1,220-2,439 m:
286
Telecommunications:
highly developed system with extensive microwave radio relay links; privatized in December 1990; connected into Central America Microwave System; 6,410,000 telephones; broadcast stations – 679 AM, no FM, 238 TV, 22 shortwave; 120 domestic satellite terminals; earth stations – 4 Atlantic Ocean INTELSAT and 1 Pacific Ocean INTELSAT; launched Solidarity I satellite in November 1993
@Mexico, Defense Forces
Branches:
National Defense (including Army and Air Force), Navy (including Marines)
Manpower availability:
males age 15-49 22,779,635; fit for military service 16,619,809; reach military age (18) annually 1,053,025 (1994 est.) Defense expenditures:
$NA, NA% of GDP
@Micronesia, Federated States of, Geography
Location:
Oceania, Micronesia, in the North Pacific Ocean, about three-quarters of the way between Hawaii and Indonesia Map references:
Oceania, Southeast Asia, Standard Time Zones of the World Area:
total area:
702 sq km
land area:
702 sq km
comparative area:
slightly less than four times the size of Washington, DC note:
includes Pohnpei (Ponape), Truk (Chuuk), Yap, and Kosrae Land boundaries:
0 km
Coastline:
6,112 km
Maritime claims:
exclusive economic zone:
200 nm
territorial sea:
12 nm
International disputes:
none
Climate:
tropical; heavy year-round rainfall, especially in the eastern islands; located on southern edge of the typhoon belt with occasional severe damage
Terrain:
islands vary geologically from high mountainous islands to low, coral atolls; volcanic outcroppings on Pohnpei, Kosrae, and Truk Natural resources:
forests, marine products, deep-seabed minerals Land use:
arable land:
NA%
permanent crops:
NA%
meadows and pastures:
NA%
forest and woodland:
NA%
other:
NA%
Irrigated land:
NA sq km
Environment:
current issues:
NA
natural hazards:
subject to typhoons (June to December) international agreements:
party to – Climate Change, Law of the Sea; signed, but not ratified – Biodiversity
Note:
four major island groups totaling 607 islands
@Micronesia, Federated States of, People
Population:
120,347 (July 1994 est.)
Population growth rate:
3.36% (1994 est.)
Birth rate:
28.3 births/1,000 population (1994 est.) Death rate:
6.38 deaths/1,000 population (1994 est.) Net migration rate:
11.65 migrant(s)/1,000 population (1994 est.) Infant mortality rate:
37.24 deaths/1,000 live births (1994 est.) Life expectancy at birth:
total population:
67.63 years
male:
65.67 years
female:
69.62 years (1994 est.)
Total fertility rate:
4.01 children born/woman (1994 est.) Nationality:
noun:
Micronesian(s)
adjective:
Micronesian; Kosrae(s), Pohnpeian(s), Trukese, Yapese Ethnic divisions:
nine ethnic Micronesian and Polynesian groups Religions:
Christian (divided between Roman Catholic and Protestant; other churches include Assembly of God, Jehovah’s Witnesses, Seventh-Day Adventist, Latter-Day Saints, and the Baha’i Faith) Languages:
English (official and common language), Trukese, Pohnpeian, Yapese, Kosrean
Literacy:
age 15 and over can read and write (1980) total population:
90%
male:
90%
female:
85%
Labor force:
NA
by occupation:
two-thirds are government employees note:
45,000 people are between the ages of 15 and 65
@Micronesia, Federated States of, Government
Names:
conventional long form:
Federated States of Micronesia
conventional short form:
none
former:
Kosrae, Ponape, Truk, and Yap Districts (Trust Territory of the Pacific Islands)
Abbreviation:
FSM
Digraph:
FM
Type:
constitutional government in free association with the US; the Compact of Free Association entered into force 3 November 1986 Capital:
Kolonia (on the island of Pohnpei) note:
a new capital is being built about 10 km southwest in the Palikir valley
Administrative divisions:
4 states; Kosrae, Pohnpei, Chuuk (Truk), Yap Independence:
3 November 1986 (from the US-administered UN Trusteeship) National holiday:
Proclamation of the Federated States of Micronesia, 10 May (1979) Constitution:
10 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 Bailey OLTER (since 21 May 1991); Vice President Jacob NENA (since 21 May 1991); election last held ll May 1991 (next to be held March 1995); results – President Bailey OLTER elected president; Vice-President Jacob NENA
cabinet:
Cabinet
Legislative branch:
unicameral
Congress:
elections last held on 5 March 1991 (next to be held March 1993); results – percent of vote NA; seats – (14 total) Judicial branch:
Supreme Court
Political parties and leaders:
no formal parties
Member of:
AsDB, ESCAP, IBRD, ICAO, IDA, IFC, IMF, ITU, SPARTECA, SPC, SPF, UN, UNCTAD, WHO
Diplomatic representation in US:
chief of mission:
Ambassador Jesse B. MAREHALAU
chancery:
1725 N Street NW, Washington, DC 20036 telephone:
(202) 223-4383
FAX:
(202) 223-4391
consulate(s) general:
Honolulu and Tamuning (Guam)
US diplomatic representation:
chief of mission:
Ambassador Aurelia E. BRAZEAL
embassy:
address NA, Kolonia
mailing address:
P. O. Box 1286, Pohnpei, Federated States of Micronesia 96941 telephone:
691-320-2187
FAX:
691-320-2186
Flag:
light blue with four white five-pointed stars centered; the stars are arranged in a diamond pattern
@Micronesia, Federated States of, Economy
Overview:
Economic activity consists primarily of subsistence farming and fishing. The islands have few mineral deposits worth exploiting, except for high-grade phosphate. The potential for a tourist industry exists, but the remoteness of the location and a lack of adequate facilities hinder development. Financial assistance from the US is the primary source of revenue, with the US pledged to spend $1 billion in the islands in the l990s. Geographical isolation and a poorly developed infrastructure are major impediments to long-term growth. National product:
GNP – purchasing power equivalent – $150 million (1989 est.) note:
GNP numbers reflect US spending
National product real growth rate: NA%
National product per capita:
$1,500 (1989 est.)
Inflation rate (consumer prices):
NA%
Unemployment rate:
27% (1989)
Budget:
revenues:
$165 million
expenditures:
$115 million, including capital expenditures of $20 million (1988 est.)
Exports:
$2.3 million (f.o.b., 1988)
commodities:
copra
partners:
NA
Imports:
$67.7 million (c.i.f., 1988)
commodities:
NA
partners:
NA
External debt:
$NA
Industrial production:
growth rate NA%
Electricity:
capacity:
18,000 kW
production:
40 million kWh
consumption per capita:
380 kWh (1990)
Industries:
tourism, construction, fish processing, craft items from shell, wood, and pearls
Agriculture:
mainly a subsistence economy; black pepper; tropical fruits and vegetables, coconuts, cassava, sweet potatoes, pigs, chickens Economic aid:
recipient:
under terms of the Compact of Free Association, the US will provide $1.3 billion in grant aid during the period 1986-2001 Currency:
1 United States dollar (US$) = 100 cents Exchange rates:
US currency is used
Fiscal year:
1 October – 30 September
@Micronesia, Federated States of, Communications
Highways:
total:
226 km
paved:
39 km (on major islands)
unpaved:
stone, coral, laterite 187 km
Ports:
Colonia (Yap), Truk, Okat and Lelu (Kosrae) Airports:
total:
6
usable:
5
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:
4
Telecommunications:
telephone network – 960 telephone lines total at Kolonia and Truk; islands interconnected by shortwave radio (used mostly for government purposes); 16,000 radio receivers, 1,125 TV sets (est. 1987); broadcast stations – 5 AM, 1 FM, 6 TV, 1 shortwave; 4 Pacific Ocean INTELSAT earth stations
@Micronesia, Federated States of, Defense Forces
Note:
defense is the responsibility of the US
@Midway Islands
Header
Affiliation:
(territory of the US)
@Midway Islands, Geography
Location:
Oceania, Polynesia, in the North Pacific Ocean, 2,350 km west-northwest of Honolulu, about one-third of the way between Honolulu and Tokyo
Map references:
Oceania
Area:
total area:
5.2 sq km
land area:
5.2 sq km
comparative area:
about 9 times the size of The Mall in Washington, DC note:
includes Eastern Island and Sand Island Land boundaries:
0 km
Coastline:
15 km
Maritime claims:
contiguous zone:
24 nm
continental shelf:
200-m depth or to depth of exploitation exclusive economic zone:
200 nm
territorial sea:
12 nm
International disputes:
none
Climate:
tropical, but moderated by prevailing easterly winds Terrain:
low, nearly level
Natural resources:
fish, wildlife
Land use:
arable land:
0%
permanent crops:
0%
meadows and pastures:
0%
forest and woodland:
0%
other:
100%
Irrigated land:
0 sq km
Environment:
current issues:
NA
natural hazards:
NA
international agreements:
NA
Note:
a coral atoll; closed to the public
@Midway Islands, People
Population:
no indigenous inhabitants; note – there are 453 US military personnel
@Midway Islands, Government
Names:
conventional long form:
none
conventional short form:
Midway Islands
Digraph:
MQ
Type:
unincorporated territory of the US administered by the US Navy, under Naval Facilities Engineering Command, Pacific Division. This facility has been operationally closed since 10 September 1993 and is currently being transferred from Pacific Fleet to Naval Facilities Engineering Command via a Memorandum of Understanding. Capital:
none; administered from Washington, DC Flag:
the US flag is used
@Midway Islands, Economy
Overview:
The economy is based on providing support services for US naval operations located on the islands. All food and manufactured goods must be imported.
Electricity:
supplied by US Military
@Midway Islands, Communications
Highways:
total:
32 km
paved:
NA
Pipelines:
7.8 km
Ports:
Sand Island
Airports:
total:
3
usable:
2
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
@Midway Islands, Defense Forces
Note:
defense is the responsibility of the US
@Moldova, Geography
Location:
Eastern Europe, between Ukraine and Romania Map references:
Asia, Europe, Standard Time Zones of the World Area:
total area:
33,700 sq km
land area:
33,700 sq km
comparative area:
slightly more than twice the size of Hawaii Land boundaries:
total 1,389 km, Romania 450 km, Ukraine 939 km Coastline:
0 km (landlocked)
Maritime claims:
none; landlocked
International disputes:
no official territorial claims by either Moldova or Romania, but nationalists in Romania seek the merger of Moldova into Romania; potential future dispute by Moldova and Romania against Ukraine over former southern and northern Bessarabian areas and Northern Bukovina ceded to Ukraine upon Moldova’s incorporation into USSR Climate:
moderate winters, warm summers
Terrain:
rolling steppe, gradual slope south to Black Sea Natural resources:
lignite, phosphorites, gypsum
Land use:
arable land:
50%
permanent crops:
13%
meadows and pastures:
9%
forest and woodland:
0%
other:
28%
Irrigated land:
2,920 sq km (1990)
Environment:
current issues:
heavy use of agricultural chemicals, including banned pesticides such as DDT, has contaminated soil and groundwater; extensive soil erosion from poor farming methods
natural hazards:
NA
international agreements:
signed, but not ratified – Biodiversity, Climate Change Note:
landlocked
@Moldova, People
Population:
4,473,033 (July 1994 est.)
Population growth rate:
0.38% (1994 est.)
Birth rate:
16.02 births/1,000 population (1994 est.) Death rate:
10.02 deaths/1,000 population (1994 est.) Net migration rate:
-2.2 migrant(s)/1,000 population (1994 est.) Infant mortality rate:
30.3 deaths/1,000 live births (1994 est.) Life expectancy at birth:
total population:
68.07 years
male:
64.65 years
female:
71.67 years (1994 est.)
Total fertility rate:
2.18 children born/woman (1994 est.) Nationality:
noun:
Moldovan(s)
adjective:
Moldovan
Ethnic divisions:
Moldavian/Romanian 64.5%, Ukrainian 13.8%, Russian 13%, Gagauz 3.5%, Jewish 1.5%, Bulgarian 2%, other 1.7% (1989 figures) note:
internal disputes with ethnic Russians and Ukrainians in the Dniester region and Gagauz Turks in the south
Religions:
Eastern Orthodox 98.5%, Jewish 1.5%, Baptist (only about 1,000 members) (1991)
note:
the large majority of churchgoers are ethnic Moldavian Languages:
Moldovan (official; virtually the same as the Romanian language), Russian, Gagauz (a Turkish dialect)
Literacy:
age 9-49 can read and write (1970) total population:
100%
male:
100%
female:
99%
Labor force:
2.05 million (1992)
by occupation:
agriculture 34.4%, industry 20.1%, other 45.5% (1985 figures)
@Moldova, Government
Names:
conventional long form:
Republic of Moldova
conventional short form:
Moldova
local long form:
Republica Moldoveneasca
local short form:
none
former:
Soviet Socialist Republic of Moldova; Moldavia Digraph:
MD
Type:
republic
Capital:
Chisinau
Administrative divisions:
previously divided into 40 rayons; new districts possible under new constitution in 1994
Independence:
27 August 1991 (from Soviet Union) National holiday:
Independence Day, 27 August 1991
Constitution:
old Soviet constitution (adopted NA 1979) is still in effect but has been heavily amended during the past few years; a new constitution is expected in 1994
Legal system:
based on civil law system; no judicial review of legislative acts; does not accept compulsory ICJ jurisdiction but accepts many UN and CSCE documents
Suffrage:
18 years of age; universal
Executive branch:
chief of state:
President Mircea SNEGUR (since 3 September 1990); election last held 8 December 1991 (next to be held NA 1996); results – Mircea SNEGUR ran unopposed and won 98.17% of vote; note – President SNEGUR was named executive president by the Supreme Soviet on 3 September 1990 and was confirmed by popular election on 8 December 1991 head of government:
Prime Minister Andrei SANGHALI (since 1 July 1992; reappointed 5 April 1994 after elections for new legislature) cabinet:
Council of Ministers; appointed by the president on recommendation of the prime minister
Legislative branch:
unicameral
Parliament:
elections last held 27 February 1994 (next to be held NA 1999); results – percent by party NA; seats – (104 total) Agrarian-Democratic Party 56, Socialist/Yedinstvo Bloc 28, Peasants and Intellectual Bloc 11, Christian Democratic Popular Front 9 Judicial branch:
Supreme Court
Political parties and leaders:
Christian Democratic Popular Front (formerly Moldovan Popular Front), Iurie ROSCA, chairman; Yedinstvo Intermovement, V. YAKOVLEV, chairman; Social Democratic Party, Oazu NANTOI, chairman, two other chairmen; Agrarian-Democratic Party, Dumitru MOTPAN, chairman; Democratic Party, Gheorghe GHIMPU, chairman; Democratic Labor Party, Alexandru ARSENI, chairman; Reform Party, Anatol SELARU; Republican Party, Victor PUSCAS; Socialist Party, Valeriu SENIC, chairman; Communist Party, Vladimir VORONIN
Other political or pressure groups: United Council of Labor Collectives (UCLC), Igor SMIRNOV, chairman; Congress of Intellectuals, Alexandru MOSANU; The Ecology Movement of Moldova (EMM), G. MALARCHUK, chairman; The Christian Democratic League of Women of Moldova (CDLWM), L. LARI, chairman; National Christian Party of Moldova (NCPM), D. TODIKE, M. BARAGA, V. NIKU, leaders; The Peoples Movement Gagauz Khalky (GKh), S. GULGAR, leader; The Democratic Party of Gagauzia (DPG), G. SAVOSTIN, chairman; The Alliance of Working People of Moldova (AWPM), G. POLOGOV, president; Christian Alliance for Greater Romania; Stefan the Great Movement; Liberal Convention of Moldova; Association of Victims of Repression; Christian Democratic Youth League
Member of:
BSEC, CE (guest), CIS, CSCE, EBRD, ECE, IBRD, ICAO, ILO, IMF, INTELSAT (nonsignatory user), IOC, ITU, NACC, UN, UNCTAD, UNESCO, UNIDO, UPU, WHO, WIPO
Diplomatic representation in US:
chief of mission:
Ambassador Nicolae TIU
chancery:
1511 K Street NW, Room 329, Washington, DC telephone:
(202) 783-3012 or -2807
US diplomatic representation:
chief of mission:
Ambassador Mary C. PENDLETON
embassy:
Strada Alexei Mateevich #103, Chisinau mailing address:
use embassy street address
telephone:
373 (2) 23-37-72 or 23-34-76
FAX:
7-0422-23-30-44
Flag:
same color scheme as Romania – 3 equal vertical bands of blue (hoist side), yellow, and red; emblem in center of flag is of a Roman eagle of gold outlined in black with a red beak and talons carrying a yellow cross in its beak and a green olive branch in its right talons and a yellow scepter in its left talons; on its breast is a shield divided horizontally red over blue with a stylized ox head, star, rose, and crescent all in black-outlined yellow
@Moldova, Economy
Overview:
Moldova has pushed ahead boldly on economic reform since gaining its independence from the Soviet Union in 1991. It introduced a convertible currency – the leu – in late 1993 that has remained stable against the dollar, removed price controls on most products, eliminated licenses and quotas on most imports and exports, and freed interest rates. In 1994, Moldova aims to privatize at least one-third of state enterprises, lower inflation to 1% per month, and reduce the budget deficit to 3.5% of GDP. Moldova enjoys a favorable climate and good farmland but has no major mineral deposits. As a result, Moldova’s economy is primarily based on agriculture, featuring fruits, vegetables, wine, and tobacco. Moldova, however, must import all of its supplies of oil, coal, and natural gas, and energy shortages have contributed to sharp production declines since the break-up of the Soviet Union. Activities by separatist groups in the Dniester region have held back economic development in that area. Foreign economic assistance has been a tangible plus for Moldova, whereas direct foreign investment has been lacking.
National product:
GDP – purchasing power equivalent – $16.3 billion (1993 estimate from the UN International Comparison Program, as extended to 1991 and published in the World Bank’s World Development Report 1993; and as extrapolated to 1993 using official Moldovan statistics, which are very uncertain because of major economic changes since 1990) National product real growth rate:
-4% (1993 est.)
National product per capita:
$3,650 (1993 est.)
Inflation rate (consumer prices):
30% per month (1993)
Unemployment rate:
less than 1% (includes only officially registered unemployed; large numbers of underemployed workers)
Budget:
revenues:
$NA
expenditures:
$NA, including capital expenditures of $NA note:
budget deficit for 1993 approximately 6% of GDP Exports:
$108 million to outside the FSU countries (January-September 1993); over 70% of exports go to FSU countries commodities:
foodstuffs, wine, tobacco, textiles and footwear, machinery, chemicals (1991)
partners:
Russia, Kazakhstan, Ukraine, Romania, Germany Imports:
$145 million from outside the FSU countries (January-September 1993); over 70% of imports are from FSU countries commodities:
oil, gas, coal, steel machinery, foodstuffs, automobiles, and other consumer durables
partners:
Russia, Ukraine, Uzbekistan, Romania, Germany External debt:
$325 million (end of 1993)
Industrial production:
growth rate -10% (1993)
Electricity:
capacity:
3,115,000 kW
production:
11.1 billion kWh
consumption per capita:
2,491 kWh (1992)
Industries:
key products are canned food, agricultural machinery, foundry equipment, refrigerators and freezers, washing machines, hosiery, refined sugar, vegetable oil, shoes, textiles Agriculture:
Moldova’s principal economic activity; products are vegetables, fruits, wine, grain, sugar beets, sunflower seed, meat, milk, tobacco Illicit drugs:
illicit cultivator of opium poppy and cannabis; mostly for CIS consumption; transshipment point for illicit drugs to Western Europe Economic aid:
recipient:
Joint EC-US loan (1993), $127 million; IMF STF credit (1993), $64 million; IMF stand-by loan (1993), $72 million; US commitments (1992-93), $61 million in humanitarian aid, $11 million in technical assistance; World Bank loan (1993), $60 million; Russia (1993), 50 billion ruble credit; Romania (1993), 20 billion lei credit Currency:
the leu (plural lei) was introduced in late 1993 Exchange rates:
NA