Sedena): Army (Ejercito, includes Mexican Air Force (Fuerza Aerea
Mexicana, FAM)); Secretariat of the Navy (Secretaria de Marina,
Semar): Mexican Navy (Armada de Mexico, ARM, includes Naval Air
Force (FAN) and naval infantry) (2009)
Military service age and obligation:
18 years of age for compulsory military service, conscript service
obligation - 12 months; 16 years of age with consent for voluntary
enlistment; conscripts serve only in the Army; Navy and Air Force
service is all voluntary; women are eligible for voluntary military
service (2007)
Manpower available for military service:
males age 16-49: 27,774,688
females age 16-49: 29,376,791 (2008 est.)
Manpower fit for military service:
males age 16-49: 22,541,654
females age 16-49: 25,149,027 (2009 est.)
Manpower reaching militarily significant age annually:
male: 1,109,981
female: 1,072,094 (2009 est.)
Military expenditures:
0.5% of GDP (2006 est.)
country comparison to the world: 161
Transnational Issues ::Mexico
Disputes - international:
abundant rainfall in recent years along much of the Mexico-US border
region has ameliorated periodically strained water-sharing
arrangements; the US has intensified security measures to monitor
and control legal and illegal personnel, transport, and commodities
across its border with Mexico; Mexico must deal with thousands of
impoverished Guatemalans and other Central Americans who cross the
porous border looking for work in Mexico and the United States
Refugees and internally displaced persons:
IDPs: 5,500-10,000 (government's quashing of Zapatista uprising in
1994 in eastern Chiapas Region) (2007)
Illicit drugs:
major drug-producing nation; cultivation of opium poppy in 2007 rose
to 6,900 hectares yielding a potential production of 18 metric tons
of pure heroin, or 50 metric tons of "black tar" heroin, the
dominant form of Mexican heroin in the western United States;
marijuana cultivation increased to 8,900 hectares in 2007 and
yielded a potential production of 15,800 metric tons; government
conducts the largest independent illicit-crop eradication program in
the world; continues as the primary transshipment country for
US-bound cocaine from South America, with an estimated 90% of annual
cocaine movements toward the US stopping in Mexico; major drug
syndicates control the majority of drug trafficking throughout the
country; producer and distributor of ecstasy; significant
money-laundering center; major supplier of heroin and largest
foreign supplier of marijuana and methamphetamine to the US market
(2007)
page last updated on November 11, 2009
======================================================================
@Micronesia, Federated States of (Australia-Oceania)
Introduction ::Micronesia, Federated States of
Background:
In 1979 the Federated States of Micronesia, a UN Trust Territory
under US administration, adopted a constitution. In 1986
independence was attained under a Compact of Free Association with
the US, which was amended and renewed in 2004. Present concerns
include large-scale unemployment, overfishing, and overdependence on
US aid.
Geography ::Micronesia, Federated States of
Location:
Oceania, island group in the North Pacific Ocean, about
three-quarters of the way from Hawaii to Indonesia
Geographic coordinates:
6 55 N, 158 15 E
Map references:
Oceania
Area:
total: 702 sq km
country comparison to the world: 191
land: 702 sq km
water: 0 sq km (fresh water only)
note: includes Pohnpei (Ponape), Chuuk (Truk) Islands, Yap Islands,
and Kosrae (Kosaie)
Area - comparative:
four times the size of Washington, DC (land area only)
Land boundaries:
0 km
Coastline:
6,112 km
Maritime claims:
territorial sea: 12 nm
exclusive economic zone: 200 nm
Climate:
tropical; heavy year-round rainfall, especially in the eastern
islands; located on southern edge of the typhoon belt with
occasionally severe damage
Terrain:
islands vary geologically from high mountainous islands to low,
coral atolls; volcanic outcroppings on Pohnpei, Kosrae, and Chuuk
Elevation extremes:
lowest point: Pacific Ocean 0 m
highest point: Dolohmwar (Totolom) 791 m
Natural resources:
forests, marine products, deep-seabed minerals, phosphate
Land use:
arable land: 5.71%
permanent crops: 45.71%
other: 48.58% (2005)
Irrigated land:
NA
Natural hazards:
typhoons (June to December)
Environment - current issues:
overfishing, climate change, pollution
Environment - international agreements:
party to: Biodiversity, Climate Change, Climate Change-Kyoto
Protocol, Desertification, Hazardous Wastes, Law of the Sea, Ozone
Layer Protection
signed, but not ratified: none of the selected agreements
Geography - note:
four major island groups totaling 607 islands
People ::Micronesia, Federated States of
Population:
107,434 (July 2009 est.)
country comparison to the world: 191
Age structure:
0-14 years: 34.8% (male 19,010/female 18,411)
15-64 years: 62.3% (male 33,286/female 33,629)
65 years and over: 2.9% (male 1,317/female 1,781) (2009 est.)
Median age:
total: 22 years
male: 21.5 years
female: 22.5 years (2009 est.)
Population growth rate:
-0.238% (2009 est.)
country comparison to the world: 219
Birth rate:
23.1 births/1,000 population (2009 est.)
country comparison to the world: 80
Death rate:
4.46 deaths/1,000 population (July 2009 est.)
country comparison to the world: 200
Net migration rate:
-21.03 migrant(s)/1,000 population (2009 est.)
country comparison to the world: 180
Urbanization:
urban population: 22% of total population (2008)
rate of urbanization: 0.8% annual rate of change (2005-10 est.)
Sex ratio:
at birth: 1.05 male(s)/female
under 15 years: 1.03 male(s)/female
15-64 years: 0.99 male(s)/female
65 years and over: 0.74 male(s)/female
total population: 1 male(s)/female (2009 est.)
Infant mortality rate:
total: 26.1 deaths/1,000 live births
country comparison to the world: 82
male: 28.79 deaths/1,000 live births
female: 23.27 deaths/1,000 live births (2009 est.)
Life expectancy at birth:
total population: 70.94 years
country comparison to the world: 134
male: 69.06 years
female: 72.93 years (2009 est.)
Total fertility rate:
2.89 children born/woman (2009 est.)
country comparison to the world: 77
HIV/AIDS - adult prevalence rate:
NA
HIV/AIDS - people living with HIV/AIDS:
NA
HIV/AIDS - deaths:
NA
Nationality:
noun: Micronesian(s)
adjective: Micronesian; Chuukese, Kosraen(s), Pohnpeian(s), Yapese
Ethnic groups:
Chuukese 48.8%, Pohnpeian 24.2%, Kosraean 6.2%, Yapese 5.2%, Yap
outer islands 4.5%, Asian 1.8%, Polynesian 1.5%, other 6.4%, unknown
1.4% (2000 census)
Religions:
Roman Catholic 50%, Protestant 47%, other 3%
Languages:
English (official and common language), Chuukese, Kosrean,
Pohnpeian, Yapese, Ulithian, Woleaian, Nukuoro, Kapingamarangi
Literacy:
definition: age 15 and over can read and write
total population: 89%
male: 91%
female: 88% (1980 est.)
Education expenditures:
7.3% of GDP (2000)
country comparison to the world: 18
Government ::Micronesia, Federated States of
Country name:
conventional long form: Federated States of Micronesia
conventional short form: none
local long form: Federated States of Micronesia
local short form: none
former: Trust Territory of the Pacific Islands, Ponape, Truk, and
Yap Districts
abbreviation: FSM
Government type:
constitutional government in free association with the US; the
Compact of Free Association entered into force 3 November 1986 and
the Amended Compact entered into force May 2004
Capital:
name: Palikir
geographic coordinates: 6 55 N, 158 09 E
time difference: UTC+11 (16 hours ahead of Washington, DC during
Standard Time)
Administrative divisions:
4 states; Chuuk (Truk), Kosrae (Kosaie), Pohnpei (Ponape), Yap
Independence:
3 November 1986 (from the US-administered UN trusteeship)
National holiday:
Constitution Day, 10 May (1979)
Constitution:
10 May 1979
Legal system:
based on adapted Trust Territory laws, acts of the legislature,
municipal, common, and customary laws; has not accepted compulsory
ICJ jurisdiction
Suffrage:
18 years of age; universal
Executive branch:
chief of state: President Emanuel MORI (since 11 May 2007); Vice
President Alik L. ALIK (since 11 May 2007); note - the president is
both the chief of state and head of government
head of government: President Emanuel MORI (since 11 May 2007); Vice
President Alik L. ALIK (since 11 May 2007)
cabinet: Cabinet includes the vice president and the heads of the 8
executive departments
elections: president and vice president elected by Congress from
among the four senators at large for a four-year term (eligible for
a second term); election last held 11 May 2007 (next to be held May
2011); note - a proposed constitutional amendment to establish
popular elections for president and vice president failed
election results: Emanuel MORI elected president; percent of
Congress vote - NA; Alik L. ALIK elected vice president; percent of
Congress vote - NA
Legislative branch:
unicameral Congress (14 seats; 4 - one elected from each state to
serve four-year terms and 10 - elected from single-member districts
delineated by population to serve two-year terms; members elected by
popular vote)
elections: last held 3 March 2009 (next to be held in March 2011)
election results: percent of vote - NA%; seats - independents 14
Judicial branch:
Supreme Court
Political parties and leaders:
no formal parties
Political pressure groups and leaders:
NA
International organization participation:
ACP, ADB, FAO, G-77, IBRD, ICAO, ICRM, IDA, IFC, IFRCS, IMF, IOC,
ITSO, ITU, MIGA, OPCW, PIF, Sparteca, SPC, UN, UNCTAD, UNESCO, WHO,
WMO
Diplomatic representation in the US:
chief of mission: Ambassador Yosiwo GEORGE
chancery: 1725 N Street NW, Washington, DC 20036
telephone: [1] (202) 223-4383
FAX: [1] (202) 223-4391
consulate(s) general: Honolulu, Tamuning (Guam)
Diplomatic representation from the US:
chief of mission: Ambassador Miriam K. HUGHES
embassy: 101 Upper Pics Road, Kolonia
mailing address: P. O. Box 1286, Kolonia, Pohnpei, 96941
telephone: [691] 320-2187
FAX: [691] 320-2186
Flag description:
light blue with four white five-pointed stars centered; the stars
are arranged in a diamond pattern
Economy ::Micronesia, Federated States of
Economy - overview:
Economic activity consists primarily of subsistence farming and
fishing. The islands have few mineral deposits worth exploiting,
except for high-grade phosphate. The potential for a tourist
industry exists, but the remote location, a lack of adequate
facilities, and limited air connections hinder development. Under
the original terms of the Compact of Free Association, the US
provided $1.3 billion in grant aid during the period 1986-2001; the
level of aid has been subsequently reduced. The Amended Compact of
Free Association with the US guarantees the Federated States of
Micronesia (FSM) millions of dollars in annual aid through 2023, and
establishes a Trust Fund into which the US and the FSM make annual
contributions in order to provide annual payouts to the FSM in
perpetuity after 2023. The country's medium-term economic outlook
appears fragile due not only to the reduction in US assistance but
also to the current slow growth of the private sector.
GDP (purchasing power parity):
$238.1 million (2008 est.)
country comparison to the world: 214
$277 million (2002 est.)
note: data are in 2008 US dollars
GDP supplemented by grant aid, averaging perhaps $100 million
annually
GDP (official exchange rate):
$238.1 million (2008)
GDP - real growth rate:
NA
0.3% (2005 est.)
GDP - per capita (PPP):
$2,200 (2008 est.)
country comparison to the world: 183
$2,300 (2005 est.)
note: data are in 2008 US dollars
GDP - composition by sector:
agriculture: 28.9%
industry: 15.2%
services: 55.9% (2004 est.)
Labor force:
16,360 (2008)
country comparison to the world: 204
Labor force - by occupation:
agriculture: 0.9%
industry: 34.4%
services: 64.7%
note: two-thirds are government employees (FY05 est.)
Unemployment rate:
22% (2000 est.)
country comparison to the world: 170
Population below poverty line:
26.7% (2000)
Household income or consumption by percentage share:
lowest 10%: NA%
highest 10%: NA%
Budget:
revenues: $166 million ($69 million less grants)
expenditures: $152.7 million (FY07 est.)
Inflation rate (consumer prices):
2.2% (2005)
country comparison to the world: 20
Commercial bank prime lending rate:
14.38% (31 December 2008)
country comparison to the world: 53
14.03% (31 December 2007)
Stock of money:
$NA (31 December 2008)
$22.45 million (31 December 2007)
Stock of quasi money:
$NA (31 December 2008)
$72.49 million (31 December 2007)
Stock of domestic credit:
$NA (31 December 2008)
$NA (31 December 2007)
Agriculture - products:
black pepper, tropical fruits and vegetables, coconuts, bananas,
cassava (tapioca), sakau (kava), betel nuts, sweet potatoes; pigs,
chickens; fish; Kosraen citrus
Industries:
tourism, construction; fish processing, specialized aquaculture;
craft items (from shell, wood, and pearls)
Industrial production growth rate:
NA%
Electricity - production:
192 million kWh (2002)
country comparison to the world: 177
Electricity - consumption:
178.6 million kWh (2002)
country comparison to the world: 179
Electricity - exports:
0 kWh (2002)
Electricity - imports:
0 kWh (2002)
Current account balance:
-$34.3 million (FY05 est.)
country comparison to the world: 69
Exports:
$14 million (2004 est.)
country comparison to the world: 207
Exports - commodities:
fish, garments, bananas, black pepper, sakau (kava), betel nut
Imports:
$132.7 million (2004)
country comparison to the world: 205
Imports - commodities:
food, manufactured goods, machinery and equipment, beverages
Debt - external:
$60.8 million (FY05 est.)
country comparison to the world: 193
Exchange rates:
the US dollar is used
Communications ::Micronesia, Federated States of
Telephones - main lines in use:
8,700 (2008)
country comparison to the world: 206
Telephones - mobile cellular:
34,000 (2008)
country comparison to the world: 200
Telephone system:
general assessment: adequate system
domestic: islands interconnected by shortwave radiotelephone (used
mostly for government purposes), satellite (Intelsat) ground
stations, and some coaxial and fiber-optic cable; cellular service
available on Kosrae, Pohnpei, and Yap
international: country code - 691; satellite earth stations - 5
Intelsat (Pacific Ocean) (2002)
Radio broadcast stations:
AM 5, FM 1, shortwave 0 (2004)
Television broadcast stations:
3 (cable TV also available) (2004)
Internet country code:
.fm
Internet hosts:
1,050 (2009)
country comparison to the world: 159
Internet users:
16,000 (2008)
country comparison to the world: 194
Transportation ::Micronesia, Federated States of
Airports:
6 (2009)
country comparison to the world: 170
Airports - with paved runways:
total: 6
1,524 to 2,437 m: 4
914 to 1,523 m: 2 (2009)
Roadways:
total: 240 km
country comparison to the world: 204
paved: 42 km
unpaved: 198 km (2000)
Merchant marine:
total: 3
country comparison to the world: 137
by type: cargo 1, passenger/cargo 2 (2008)
Ports and terminals:
Tomil Harbor
Military ::Micronesia, Federated States of
Military branches:
no regular military forces; defense is the responsibility of the US
(2009)
Manpower available for military service:
males age 16-49: 26,686 (2008 est.)
Manpower fit for military service:
males age 16-49: 21,845
females age 16-49: 23,401 (2009 est.)
Manpower reaching militarily significant age annually:
male: 1,273
female: 1,212 (2009 est.)
Military - note:
defense is the responsibility of the US
Transnational Issues ::Micronesia, Federated States of
Disputes - international:
none
Illicit drugs:
major consumer of cannabis
page last updated on November 3, 2009
======================================================================
@Moldova (Europe)
Introduction ::Moldova
Background:
Part of Romania during the interwar period, Moldova was incorporated
into the Soviet Union at the close of World War II. Although
independent from the USSR since 1991, Russian forces have remained
on Moldovan territory east of the Dniester River supporting the
Slavic majority population, mostly Ukrainians and Russians, who have
proclaimed a "Transnistria" republic. One of the poorest nations in
Europe, Moldova became the first former Soviet state to elect a
Communist as its president in 2001.
Geography ::Moldova
Location:
Eastern Europe, northeast of Romania
Geographic coordinates:
47 00 N, 29 00 E
Map references:
Europe
Area:
total: 33,851 sq km
country comparison to the world: 139
land: 32,891 sq km
water: 960 sq km
Area - comparative:
slightly larger than Maryland
Land boundaries:
total: 1,390 km
border countries: Romania 450 km, Ukraine 940 km
Coastline:
0 km (landlocked)
Maritime claims:
none (landlocked)
Climate:
moderate winters, warm summers
Terrain:
rolling steppe, gradual slope south to Black Sea
Elevation extremes:
lowest point: Dniester River 2 m
highest point: Dealul Balanesti 430 m
Natural resources:
lignite, phosphorites, gypsum, arable land, limestone
Land use:
arable land: 54.52%
permanent crops: 8.81%
other: 36.67% (2005)
Irrigated land:
3,000 sq km (2003)
Total renewable water resources:
11.7 cu km (1997)
Freshwater withdrawal (domestic/industrial/agricultural):
total: 2.31 cu km/yr (10%/58%/33%)
per capita: 549 cu m/yr (2000)
Natural hazards:
landslides
Environment - current issues:
heavy use of agricultural chemicals, including banned pesticides
such as DDT, has contaminated soil and groundwater; extensive soil
erosion from poor farming methods
Environment - international agreements:
party to: Air Pollution, Air Pollution-Persistent Organic
Pollutants, Biodiversity, Climate Change, Climate Change-Kyoto
Protocol, Desertification, Endangered Species, Hazardous Wastes,
Ozone Layer Protection, Ship Pollution, Wetlands
signed, but not ratified: none of the selected agreements
Geography - note:
landlocked; well endowed with various sedimentary rocks and minerals
including sand, gravel, gypsum, and limestone
People ::Moldova
Population:
4,320,748 (July 2009 est.)
country comparison to the world: 122
Age structure:
0-14 years: 15.9% (male 353,495/female 334,592)
15-64 years: 73.3% (male 1,536,263/female 1,629,882)
65 years and over: 10.8% (male 172,070/female 294,446) (2009 est.)
Median age:
total: 34.6 years
male: 32.7 years
female: 36.7 years (2009 est.)
Population growth rate:
-0.079% (2009 est.)
country comparison to the world: 212
Birth rate:
11.12 births/1,000 population (2009 est.)
country comparison to the world: 176
Death rate:
10.78 deaths/1,000 population (July 2009 est.)
country comparison to the world: 49
Net migration rate:
-1.13 migrant(s)/1,000 population (2009 est.)
country comparison to the world: 126
Urbanization:
urban population: 42% of total population (2008)
rate of urbanization: -1.5% annual rate of change (2005-10 est.)
Sex ratio:
at birth: 1.06 male(s)/female
under 15 years: 1.06 male(s)/female
15-64 years: 0.94 male(s)/female
65 years and over: 0.58 male(s)/female
total population: 0.91 male(s)/female (2009 est.)
Infant mortality rate:
total: 13.13 deaths/1,000 live births
country comparison to the world: 137
male: 14.57 deaths/1,000 live births
female: 11.6 deaths/1,000 live births (2009 est.)
Life expectancy at birth:
total population: 70.8 years
country comparison to the world: 136
male: 67.1 years
female: 74.71 years (2009 est.)
Total fertility rate:
1.27 children born/woman (2009 est.)
country comparison to the world: 210
HIV/AIDS - adult prevalence rate:
0.4% (2007 est.)
country comparison to the world: 81
HIV/AIDS - people living with HIV/AIDS:
8,900 (2007 est.)
country comparison to the world: 109
HIV/AIDS - deaths:
fewer than 100 (2007 est.)
country comparison to the world: 139
Nationality:
noun: Moldovan(s)
adjective: Moldovan
Ethnic groups:
Moldovan/Romanian 78.2%, Ukrainian 8.4%, Russian 5.8%, Gagauz 4.4%,
Bulgarian 1.9%, other 1.3% (2004 census)
note: internal disputes with ethnic Slavs in the Transnistrian region
Religions:
Eastern Orthodox 98%, Jewish 1.5%, Baptist and other 0.5% (2000)
Languages:
Moldovan (official, virtually the same as the Romanian language),
Russian, Gagauz (a Turkish dialect)
Literacy:
definition: age 15 and over can read and write
total population: 99.1%
male: 99.7%
female: 98.6% (2005 est.)
School life expectancy (primary to tertiary education):
total: 12 years
male: 12 years
female: 13 years (2006)
Education expenditures:
7.6% of GDP (2006)
country comparison to the world: 17
Government ::Moldova
Country name:
conventional long form: Republic of Moldova
conventional short form: Moldova
local long form: Republica Moldova
local short form: Moldova
former: Moldavian Soviet Socialist Republic, Moldovan Soviet
Socialist Republic
Government type:
republic
Capital:
name: Chisinau (Kishinev)
note: pronounced kee-shee-now
geographic coordinates: 47 00 N, 28 51 E
time difference: UTC+2 (7 hours ahead of Washington, DC during
Standard Time)
daylight saving time: +1hr, begins last Sunday in March; ends last
Sunday in October
Administrative divisions:
32 raions (raioane, singular - raionul), 3 municipalities
(municipiul), 1 autonomous territorial unit (unitatea teritoriala
autonoma), and 1 territorial unit (unitatea teritoriala)
raions: Anenii Noi, Basarabeasca, Briceni, Cahul, Cantemir,
Calarasi, Causeni, Cimislia, Criuleni, Donduseni, Drochia, Dubasari,
Edinet, Falesti, Floresti, Glodeni, Hincesti, Ialoveni, Leova,
Nisporeni, Ocnita, Orhei, Rezina, Riscani, Singerei, Soldanesti,
Soroca, Stefan-Voda, Straseni, Taraclia, Telenesti, Ungheni
municipalities: Balti, Bender, Chisinau
autonomous territorial unit: Gagauzia
territorial unit: Stinga Nistrului (Transnistria)
Independence:
27 August 1991 (from the Soviet Union)
National holiday:
Independence Day, 27 August (1991)
Constitution:
adopted 29 July 1994; effective 27 August 1994; note - replaced 1979
Soviet constitution
Legal system:
based on civil law system; Constitutional Court reviews legality of
legislative acts and governmental decisions of resolution; accepts
many UN and Organization for Security and Cooperation in Europe
(OSCE) documents; has not accepted compulsory ICJ jurisdiction
Suffrage:
18 years of age; universal
Executive branch:
chief of state: Acting President Mihai GHIMPU (since 11 September
2009)
note: Vladimir VORONIN, president since 4 April 2001, resigned on 11
September 2009; Mihai GHIMPU, the Parliamentary Speaker, replaced
him until new elections can be held
head of government: Prime Minister Vladimir FILAT (since 25
September 2009); Deputy Prime Minister Iurie LEANCA (since 25
September 2009)
cabinet: Cabinet selected by president, subject to approval of
Parliament
elections: president elected by Parliament for a four-year term
(eligible for a second term); election last held 4 April 2005 (next
to have been held 5 April 2009); note - prime minister designated by
the president upon consultation with Parliament; within 15 days from
designation, the prime minister-designate must request a vote of
confidence from the Parliament regarding his/her work program and
entire cabinet; prime minister designated 17 September 2009; cabinet
received a vote of confidence 25 September 2009
election results: Vladimir VORONIN reelected president;
parliamentary votes - Vladimir VORONIN 75, Gheorghe DUCA 1; Vladimir
FILAT designated prime minister; parliamentary votes of confidence -
53 of 101
Legislative branch:
unicameral Parliament or Parlamentul (101 seats; members elected by
popular vote to serve four-year terms)