freezing spending, easing price controls, liberalizing domestic and
international trade. Mongolia's severe climate, scattered population,
and wide expanses of unproductive land, however, have constrained
economic development. Economic activity traditionally has been based
on agriculture and the breeding of livestock. In past years, extensive
mineral resources had been developed with Soviet support; total Soviet
assistance at its height amounted to 30% of GDP, but disappeared
almost overnight in 1990-91. The mining and processing of coal,
copper, molybdenum, tin, tungsten, and gold account for a large part
of industrial production. The Mongolian leadership has been soliciting
support from foreign donors, who pledged some $250 million in aid in
October 1997. Economic growth picked up in 1997 after stalling in 1996
due to a series of natural disasters and declines in world prices of
copper and cashmere.
GDP: purchasing power parity-$5.6 billion (1997 est.)
GDP-real growth rate: 3.3% (1997 est.)
GDP-per capita: purchasing power parity-$2,200 (1997 est.)
GDP-composition by sector:
agriculture: 34%
industry: 32%
services: 34% (1995 est.)
Inflation rate-consumer price index: 17.5% (1997 est.)
Labor force:
total: 1.115 million (mid-1993 est.)
by occupation: primarily herding/agricultural
Unemployment rate: 15% (1997 est.)
Budget:
revenues: $NA
expenditures: $NA
Industries: copper, construction materials, mining (particularly
coal); food and beverage, processing of animal products
Industrial production growth rate: 4.5% (1997 est.)
Electricity-capacity: 901,000 kW (1995)
Electricity-production: 3.15 billion kWh (1995)
Electricity-consumption per capita: 1,303 kWh (1995)
Agriculture-products: wheat, barley, potatoes, forage crops; sheep,
goats, cattle, camels, horses
Exports:
total value: $418 million (f.o.b., 1997 est.)
commodities: copper, livestock, animal products, cashmere, wool,
hides, fluorspar, other nonferrous metals
partners: Russia 21%, China 18% (1996)
Imports:
total value: $443.4 million (f.o.b., 1997 est.)
commodities: machinery and equipment, fuels, food products, industrial
consumer goods, chemicals, building materials, sugar, tea
partners: Russia 34%, China 15% (1996)
Debt-external: $500 million (1996 est.)
Economic aid:
recipient: ODA $250 million (1998 est.)
Currency: 1 tughrik (Tug) = 100 mongos
Exchange rates: tughriks (Tug) per US$1-812.09 (December 1997), 789.99
(1997), 548.40 (1996), 448.61 (1995), 412.72 (1994)
Fiscal year: calendar year
Communications
Telephones: 89,000 (1995 est.)
Telephone system:
domestic: NA
international: satellite earth station-1 Intersputnik (Indian Ocean
Region)
Radio broadcast stations: AM 12, FM 1, shortwave 0
Radios: 220,000
Television broadcast stations: 1 (provincial repeaters 18)
Televisions: 120,000 (1993 est.)
@Mongolia:Transportation
Railways:
total: 1,928 km
broad gauge: 1,928 km 1.524-m gauge (1994)
Highways:
total: 46,470 km
paved: 3,730 km
unpaved: 42,740 km (1997 est.)
note: much of the unpaved rural road system consists of rough
cross-country tracks
Waterways: 397 km of principal routes (1988)
Ports and harbors: none
Airports: 34 (1994 est.)
Airports-with paved runways:
total: 8
2,438 to 3,047 m: 7
under 914 m: 1 (1994 est.)
Airports-with unpaved runways:
total: 26
over 3,047 m: 3
2,438 to 3,047 m: 5
1,524 to 2,437 m: 10
914 to 1,523 m: 3
under 914 m: 5 (1994 est.)
@Mongolia:Military
Military branches: Mongolian People's Army (includes Internal Security
Forces and Frontier Guards), Air Force
Military manpower-military age: 18 years of age
Military manpower-availability:
males age 15-49: 680,345 (1998 est.)
Military manpower-fit for military service:
males: 443,668 (1998 est.)
Military manpower-reaching military age annually:
males: 28,112 (1998 est.)
Military expenditures-dollar figure: $22.8 million (1992)
Military expenditures-percent of GDP: 1% (1992)
@Mongolia:Transnational Issues
Disputes-international: none
______________________________________________________________________
MONTSERRAT
(dependent territory of the UK)
@Montserrat:Geography
Location: Caribbean, island in the Caribbean Sea, southeast of Puerto
Rico
Geographic coordinates: 16 45 N, 62 12 W
Map references: Central America and the Caribbean
Area:
total: 100 sq km
land: 100 sq km
water: 0 sq km
Area-comparative: about 0.6 times the size of Washington, DC
Land boundaries: 0 km
Coastline: 40 km
Maritime claims:
exclusive fishing zone: 200 nm
territorial sea: 3 nm
Climate: tropical; little daily or seasonal temperature variation
Terrain: volcanic islands, mostly mountainous, with small coastal
lowland
Elevation extremes:
lowest point: Caribbean Sea 0 m
highest point: Chances Peak 914 m
Natural resources: NEGL
Land use:
arable land: 20%
permanent crops: 0%
permanent pastures: 10%
forests and woodland: 40%
other: 30% (1993 est.)
Irrigated land: NA sq km
Natural hazards: severe hurricanes (June to November); volcanic
eruptions (full-scale eruptions of the Soufriere Hills volcano
occurred during 1996)
Environment-current issues: land erosion occurs on slopes that have
been cleared for cultivation
Environment-international agreements:
party to: NA
signed, but not ratified: NA
@Montserrat:People
Population: 12,828 (July 1998 est.)
note: demographic figures include an estimated 8,000 refugees who left
the island following the resumption of volcanic activity in July 1995
Age structure:
0-14 years: NA
15-64 years: NA
65 years and over: NA
Population growth rate: 0.23% (1998 est.)
Birth rate: 14.27 births/1,000 population (1998 est.)
Death rate: 9.86 deaths/1,000 population (1998 est.)
Net migration rate: -2.12 migrant(s)/1,000 population (1998 est.)
Infant mortality rate: 11.91 deaths/1,000 live births (1998 est.)
Life expectancy at birth:
total population: 75.6 years
male: 73.83 years
female: 77.4 years (1998 est.)
Total fertility rate: 1.83 children born/woman (1998 est.)
Nationality:
noun: Montserratian(s)
adjective: Montserratian
Ethnic groups: black, white
Religions: Anglican, Methodist, Roman Catholic, Pentecostal,
Seventh-Day Adventist, other Christian denominations
Languages: English
Literacy:
definition: age 15 and over has ever attended school
total population: 97%
male: 97%
female: 97% (1970 est.)
@Montserrat:Government
Country name:
conventional long form: none
conventional short form: Montserrat
Data code: MH
Dependency status: dependent territory of the UK
Government type: NA
National capital: Plymouth (abandoned in 1997 due to volcanic
activity)
Administrative divisions: 3 parishes; Saint Anthony, Saint Georges,
Saint Peter's
Independence: none (dependent territory of the UK)
National holiday: Celebration of the Birthday of the Queen (second
Saturday of June)
Constitution: present constitution came into force 19 December 1989
Legal system: English common law and statute law
Suffrage: 18 years of age; universal
Executive branch:
chief of state: Queen ELIZABETH II of the UK (since 6 February 1952),
represented by Governor Anthony John ABBOTT (since NA September 1997)
head of government: Chief Minister David BRANDT (since 22 August 1997)
cabinet: Executive Council consists of the governor, the chief
minister, three other ministers, the attorney general, and the finance
secretary
elections: the queen is a hereditary monarch; governor appointed by
the queen; following legislative elections, the leader of the majority
party usually becomes chief minister; note-as a result of the last
election, a coalition party was formed between NPP, NDP, and one of
the independent candidates
Legislative branch: unicameral Legislative Council (11 seats, 7
popularly elected; members serve five-year terms)
elections: last held 11 November 1996 (next to be held by NA 2001)
election results: percent of vote by party-NA; seats by party-PPA 2,
MNR 2, NPP 1, independent 2
Judicial branch: Eastern Caribbean Supreme Court (based in Saint
Lucia); one judge of the Supreme Court is a resident of the islands
and presides over the High Court
Political parties and leaders: National Progressive Party (NPP),
Reuben T. MEADE; Movement for National Reconstruction (MNR), Percival
Austin BRAMBLE; People's Progressive Alliance (PPA), Bertrand OSBORNE;
NDP
International organization participation: Caricom, CDB, ECLAC
(associate), ICFTU, Interpol (subbureau), OECS, WCL
Diplomatic representation in the US: none (dependent territory of the
UK)
Diplomatic representation from the US: none (dependent territory of
the UK)
Flag description: blue with the flag of the UK in the upper hoist-side
quadrant and the Montserratian coat of arms centered in the outer half
of the flag; the coat of arms features a woman standing beside a
yellow harp with her arm around a black cross
@Montserrat:Economy
Economy-overview: The economy of this volcanic island is small and
open, with economic activity centered on tourism and related services.
Tourism accounts for roughly one-quarter of Montserrat's national
income. The island's main export is electronic components, which are
mainly shipped to the US. The agriculture sector is small; cabbages,
carrots, cucumbers, and onions are grown for the domestic market;
additionally, some hot peppers and live plants are exported to the US
and Europe. Volcanic activity in mid-1997 led to a substantial
evacuation of the southern half of the island, including the capital,
Plymouth. Volcanic activity since July 1995 has resulted in the
departure of an estimated 8,000 people, mainly to Antigua and
Guadeloupe.
GDP: purchasing power parity-$43 million (1996 est.)
GDP-real growth rate: -20.2% (1996 est.)
GDP-per capita: purchasing power parity-$5,000 (1996 est.)
GDP-composition by sector:
agriculture: 4.8%
industry: 18.4%
services: 76.8% (1990 est.)
Inflation rate-consumer price index: 6.2% (1996 est.)
Labor force:
total: 4,521 (1992); note-later substantially lowered by flight of
people from volcanic activity
by occupation: community, social, and personal services 40.5%,
construction 13.5%, trade, restaurants, and hotels 12.3%,
manufacturing 10.5%, agriculture, forestry, and fishing 8.8%, other
14.4% (1983 est.)
Unemployment rate: 6% (1995)
Budget:
revenues: $NA
expenditures: $NA
Industries: tourism, rum, textiles, electronic appliances
Industrial production growth rate: NA%
Electricity-capacity: 4,000 kW (1995)
Electricity-production: 15 million kWh (1995)
Electricity-consumption per capita: 1,178 kWh (1995)
Agriculture-products: cabbages, carrots, cucumbers, tomatoes, onions,
peppers; livestock products
Exports:
total value: $12.1 million (f.o.b., 1995 est.)
commodities: electronic components, plastic bags, apparel, hot
peppers, live plants, cattle
partners: US, Ireland
Imports:
total value: $29.9 million (f.o.b., 1994 est.)
commodities: machinery and transportation equipment, foodstuffs,
manufactured goods, fuels, lubricants, and related materials
partners: NA
Debt-external: $10.2 million (December 1994)
Economic aid: $NA
Currency: 1 EC dollar (EC$) = 100 cents
Exchange rates: East Caribbean dollars (EC$) per US$1-2.7000 (fixed
rate since 1976)
Fiscal year: 1 April-31 March
Communications
Telephones: 3,000
Telephone system:
domestic: NA
international: NA
Radio broadcast stations: AM 8, FM 4, shortwave 0
Radios: 6,000 (1992 est.)
Television broadcast stations: 1
Televisions: 2,000 (1992 est.)
@Montserrat:Transportation
Railways: 0 km
Highways:
total: 269 km
paved: 203 km
unpaved: 66 km (1995)
Ports and harbors: Plymouth (abandoned)
Merchant marine: none
Airports: 1 (1997 est.)
Airports-with paved runways:
total: 1
914 to 1,523 m: 1 (1997 est.)
@Montserrat:Military
Military branches: Police Force
Military-note: defense is the responsibility of the UK
@Montserrat:Transnational Issues
Disputes-international: none
______________________________________________________________________
MOROCCO
@Morocco:Geography
Location: Northern Africa, bordering the North Atlantic Ocean and the
Mediterranean Sea, between Algeria and Western Sahara
Geographic coordinates: 32 00 N, 5 00 W
Map references: Africa
Area:
total: 446,550 sq km
land: 446,300 sq km
water: 250 sq km
Area-comparative: slightly larger than California
Land boundaries:
total: 2,017.9 km
border countries: Algeria 1,559 km, Western Sahara 443 km, Spain
(Ceuta) 6.3 km, Spain (Melilla) 9.6 km
Coastline: 1,835 km
Maritime claims:
contiguous zone: 24 nm
continental shelf: 200-m depth or to the depth of exploitation
exclusive economic zone: 200 nm
territorial sea: 12 nm
Climate: Mediterranean, becoming more extreme in the interior
Terrain: northern coast and interior are mountainous with large areas
of bordering plateaus, intermontane valleys, and rich coastal plains
Elevation extremes:
lowest point: Sebkha Tah -55 m
highest point: Jebel Toubkal 4,165 m
Natural resources: phosphates, iron ore, manganese, lead, zinc, fish,
salt
Land use:
arable land: 21%
permanent crops: 1%
permanent pastures: 47%
forests and woodland: 20%
other: 11% (1993 est.)
Irrigated land: 12,580 sq km (1993 est.)
Natural hazards: northern mountains geologically unstable and subject
to earthquakes; periodic droughts
Environment-current issues: land degradation/desertification (soil
erosion resulting from farming of marginal areas, overgrazing,
destruction of vegetation); water supplies contaminated by raw sewage;
siltation of reservoirs; oil pollution of coastal waters
Environment-international agreements:
party to: Biodiversity, Climate Change, Desertification, Endangered
Species, Hazardous Wastes, Marine Dumping, Nuclear Test Ban, Ozone
Layer Protection, Ship Pollution, Wetlands
signed, but not ratified: Environmental Modification, Law of the Sea
Geography-note: strategic location along Strait of Gibraltar
@Morocco:People
Population: 29,114,497 (July 1998 est.)
Age structure:
0-14 years: 36% (male 5,398,692; female 5,200,660)
15-64 years: 59% (male 8,525,344; female 8,682,277)
65 years and over: 5% (male 606,203; female 701,321) (July 1998 est.)
Population growth rate: 1.89% (1998 est.)
Birth rate: 26.37 births/1,000 population (1998 est.)
Death rate: 6.24 deaths/1,000 population (1998 est.)
Net migration rate: -1.28 migrant(s)/1,000 population (1998 est.)
Sex ratio:
at birth: 1.05 male(s)/female
under 15 years: 1.04 male(s)/female
15-64 years: 0.98 male(s)/female
65 years and over: 0.86 male(s)/female (1998 est.)
Infant mortality rate: 52.99 deaths/1,000 live births (1998 est.)
Life expectancy at birth:
total population: 68.51 years
male: 66.49 years
female: 70.64 years (1998 est.)
Total fertility rate: 3.35 children born/woman (1998 est.)
Nationality:
noun: Moroccan(s)
adjective: Moroccan
Ethnic groups: Arab-Berber 99.1%, other 0.7%, Jewish 0.2%
Religions: Muslim 98.7%, Christian 1.1%, Jewish 0.2%
Languages: Arabic (official), Berber dialects, French often the
language of business, government, and diplomacy
Literacy:
definition: age 15 and over can read and write
total population: 43.7%
male: 56.6%
female: 31% (1995 est.)
@Morocco:Government
Country name:
conventional long form: Kingdom of Morocco
conventional short form: Morocco
local long form: Al Mamlakah al Maghribiyah
local short form: Al Maghrib
Data code: MO
Government type: constitutional monarchy
National capital: Rabat
Administrative divisions: 37 provinces and 2 wilayas*; Agadir, Al
Hoceima, Azilal, Beni Mellal, Ben Slimane, Boulemane, Casablanca*,
Chaouen, El Jadida, El Kelaa des Srarhna, Er Rachidia, Essaouira, Fes,
Figuig, Guelmim, Ifrane, Kenitra, Khemisset, Khenifra, Khouribga,
Laayoune, Larache, Marrakech, Meknes, Nador, Ouarzazate, Oujda,
Rabat-Sale*, Safi, Settat, Sidi Kacem, Tanger, Tan-Tan, Taounate,
Taroudannt, Tata, Taza, Tetouan, Tiznit
note: three additional provinces of Ad Dakhla (Oued Eddahab),
Boujdour, and Es Smara as well as parts of Tan-Tan and Laayoune fall
within Moroccan-claimed Western Sahara;
decentralization/regionalization law passed by the legislature in
March 1997 creating many new provinces/regions; specific details and
scope of the reorganization not yet available
Independence: 2 March 1956 (from France)
National holiday: National Day, 3 March (1961) (anniversary of King
HASSAN II's accession to the throne)
Constitution: 10 March 1972, revised 4 September 1992, amended (to
create bicameral legislature) September 1996
Legal system: based on Islamic law and French and Spanish civil law
system; judicial review of legislative acts in Constitutional Chamber
of Supreme Court
Suffrage: 21 years of age; universal
Executive branch:
chief of state: King HASSAN II (since 3 March 1961)
head of government: Prime Minister Abderrahmane YOUSSOUFI (since 14
March 1998)
cabinet: Council of Ministers appointed by the king
elections: none; the king is a hereditary monarch; prime minister
appointed by the king
Legislative branch: bicameral Parliament consists of an upper house or
Chamber of Counselors (270 seats; members elected indirectly by local
councils, professional organizations, and labor syndicates for
nine-year terms; one-third of the members are renewed every three
years) and a lower house or Chamber of Representatives (325 seats;
members elected by popular vote for five-year terms)
elections: Chamber of Counselors-last held 5 December 1997 (next to be
held NA December 2000); Chamber of Representatives-last held 14
November 1997 (next to be held NA November 2002)
election results: Chamber of Counselors-percent of vote by party-NA;
seats by party - RNI 42, MDS 33, UC 28, MP 27, PND 21, IP 21, USFP 16,
MNP 15, UT 13, FFD 12, CDT 11, UTM 8, PPS 7, PSD 4, PDI 4, UGTM 3,
UNMT 2, SD 1, ADP 1, SND 1, CS 1; Chamber of Representatives-percent
of vote by party-NA; seats by party-USFP 57, UC 50, RNI 46, MP 40, MDS
32, IP 32, MNP 19, PND 10, MPCD 9, PPS 9, FFD 9, PSD 5, OADP 4, PA 2,
PDI 1
Judicial branch: Supreme Court, judges are appointed on the
recommendation of the Supreme Council of the Judiciary, presided over
by the king
Political parties and leaders:
opposition: Socialist Union of Popular Forces (USFP), Abderrahmane
YOUSSOUFI; Istiqlal Party (IP), M'Hamed BOUCETTA; Party of Progress
and Socialism (PPS), Moulay Ismail al ALAOUI; Organization of
Democratic and Popular Action (OADP), Mohamed Ben SAID; Democratic
Socialist Party (PSD), Issa al-OUARDIGHI; Democratic Forces Front
(FFD), Thami KHIARI; Popular Constitutional and Democratic Movement
(MPCD), Dr. Abdelkarim al-KHATIB
pro-government: Constitutional Union (UC), Noureddine ALAMI; Popular
Movement (MP), Mohamed LAENSER; National Democratic Party (PND),
Mohamed Arsalane EL-JADIDI; National Popular Movement (MNP), Mahjoubi
AHARDANE; Social Democratic Movement (MDS), Mahmoud ARCHANE
independents: National Rally of Independents (RNI), Ahmed OSMAN;
Democracy and Istiqlal Party (PDI), Abdelwahed MACHE; Action Party
(PA), Ahmed ABAKIL; Labor Party (UT), leader NA
labor unions and community organizations (indirect elections only) :
Democratic Confederation of Labor (CDT), Noubir AMAOUI; General Union
of Moroccan Workers (UGTM), Abderrazzak AFILAL; Moroccan Union of
Workers (UTM), Mahjoub BENSEDIQ; Party of Shura and Istiqlal,
Abdelwaheb MAASH; Labor Union Commissions (CS), leader NA; Democratic
Trade Union (SD), leader NA; Association of Popular Trade Unions
(ADP), leader NA; Democratic National Trade Union (SND), leader NA;
Moroccan National Workers Union (UNMT), leader NA
International organization participation: ABEDA, ACCT (associate),
AfDB, AFESD, AL, AMF, AMU, CCC, EBRD, ECA, FAO, G-77, IAEA, IBRD,
ICAO, ICC, ICFTU, ICRM, IDA, IDB, IFAD, IFC, IFRCS, IHO (pending
member), ILO, IMF, IMO, Intelsat, Interpol, IOC, IOM (observer), ISO,
ITU, NAM, OAS (observer), OIC, OSCE (partner), UN, UNCTAD, UNESCO,
UNHCR, UNIDO, UPU, WHO, WIPO, WMO, WToO, WTrO
Diplomatic representation in the US:
chief of mission: Ambassador Mohamed BENAISSA
chancery: 1601 21st Street NW, Washington, DC 20009
telephone: [1] (202) 462-7979 through 7982
FAX: [1] (202) 265-0161
consulate(s) general: New York
Diplomatic representation from the US:
chief of mission: Ambassador Edward M. GABRIEL
embassy: 2 Avenue de Marrakech, Rabat
mailing address: PSC 74, Box 003, APO AE 09718
telephone: [212] (7) 76 22 65
FAX: [212] (7) 76 56 61
consulate(s) general: Casablanca
Flag description: red with a green pentacle (five-pointed, linear
star) known as Solomon's seal in the center of the flag; green is the
traditional color of Islam
@Morocco:Economy
Economy-overview: Morocco faces the problems typical of developing
countries-restraining government spending, reducing constraints on
private activity and foreign trade, and keeping inflation within
manageable bounds. Since the early 1980s the government has pursued an
economic program toward these objectives with the support of the IMF,
the World Bank, and the Paris Club of creditors. The dirham is now
fully convertible for current account transactions; reforms of the
financial sector have been implemented; and state enterprises are
slowly being privatized. Drought conditions in 1997 depressed activity
in the key agricultural sector, holding down exports and contributing
to a 2.2% contraction in real GDP. Favorable rainfalls in the fall of
1997 have led to forecasts of robust, 8%-9% real GDP growth in 1998.
Servicing the external debt, preparing the economy for freer trade
with the European Union, improving education and living standards, and
finding jobs for Morocco's youthful population remain long-term
challenges.
GDP: purchasing power parity-$107 billion (1997 est.)
GDP-real growth rate: -2.2% (1997 est.)
GDP-per capita: purchasing power parity-$3,500 (1997 est.)
GDP-composition by sector:
agriculture: 14%
industry: 33%
services: 53% (1997)
Inflation rate-consumer price index: 3% (1997 est.)
Labor force:
total: 7.4 million
by occupation: agriculture 50%, services 26%, industry 15%, other 9%
(1985)
Unemployment rate: 16% (1997 est.)
Budget:
revenues: $10.4 billion
expenditures: $10.75 billion, including capital expenditures of $1.9
billion (1996 est.)
Industries: phosphate rock mining and processing, food processing,
leather goods, textiles, construction, tourism
Industrial production growth rate: 4.5% (1996 est.)
Electricity-capacity: 3.788 million kW (1995)
Electricity-production: 10.8 billion kWh (1995)
Electricity-consumption per capita: 411 kWh (1995)
Agriculture-products: barley, wheat, citrus, wine, vegetables, olives;
livestock
Exports:
total value: $6.9 billion (f.o.b., 1996)
commodities: food and beverages 30%, semiprocessed goods 23%, consumer
goods 21%, phosphates 17% (1995 est.)
partners: EU 63%, Japan 7.7%, India 6.6%, US 3.4%, Libya 3.4% (1996
est.)
Imports:
total value: $9.7 billion (c.i.f., 1996)
commodities: semiprocessed goods 26%, capital goods 25%, food and
beverages 18%, fuel and lubricants 15%, consumer goods 12%, raw
materials 4% (1995 est.)
partners: EU 57%, US 6.6%, Saudi Arabia 5.3%, Brazil 2.8% (1996 est.)
Debt-external: $23.4 billion (1996 est.)
Economic aid:
recipient: ODA, $297 million (1993)
note: $2.8 billion debt canceled by Saudi Arabia (1991)
Currency: 1 Moroccan dirham (DH) = 100 centimes
Exchange rates: Moroccan dirhams (DH) per US$1-9.822 (January 1998),
9.527 (1997), 8.716 (1996), 8.540 (1995), 9.203 (1994), 9.299 (1993)
Fiscal year: July 1-June 30
Communications
Telephones: 270,100 (1987 est.)