country comparison to the world: 100
Internet users:
22,000 (2008)
country comparison to the world: 189
Transportation ::Monaco
Heliports:
1 (2007)
Roadways:
total: 50 km
country comparison to the world: 215
paved: 50 km (2007)
Merchant marine:
registered in other countries: 70 (Bahamas 15, Georgia 4, Isle of
Man 3, Liberia 8, Marshall Islands 13, Norway 5, Panama 16, Saint
Vincent and the Grenadines 5, Vanuatu 1) (2008)
country comparison to the world: 61
Ports and terminals:
Monaco
Military ::Monaco
Military branches:
no regular military forces; the Palace Guard performs ceremonial
duties
Manpower available for military service:
males age 16-49: 6,687 (2008 est.)
Manpower fit for military service:
males age 16-49: 5,495
females age 16-49: 5,406 (2009 est.)
Manpower reaching militarily significant age annually:
male: 190
female: 182 (2009 est.)
Military - note:
defense is the responsibility of France
Transnational Issues ::Monaco
Disputes - international:
none
page last updated on October 28, 2009
======================================================================
@Mongolia (East & Southeast Asia)
Introduction ::Mongolia
Background:
The Mongols gained fame in the 13th century when under Chinggis KHAN
they established a huge Eurasian empire through conquest. After his
death the empire was divided into several powerful Mongol states,
but these broke apart in the 14th century. The Mongols eventually
retired to their original steppe homelands and in the late 17th
century came under Chinese rule. Mongolia won its independence in
1921 with Soviet backing and a Communist regime was installed in
1924. The modern country of Mongolia, however, represents only part
of the Mongols' historical homeland; more Mongols live in the Inner
Mongolia Autonomous Region in the People's Republic of China than in
Mongolia. Following a peaceful democratic revolution, the
ex-Communist Mongolian People's Revolutionary Party (MPRP) won
elections in 1990 and 1992, but was defeated by the Democratic Union
Coalition (DUC) in the 1996 parliamentary election. The MPRP won an
overwhelming majority in the 2000 parliamentary election, but the
party lost seats in the 2004 election and shared power with
democratic coalition parties from 2004-08. The MPRP regained a solid
majority in the 2008 parliamentary elections but nevertheless formed
a coalition government with the Democratic Party. The prime minister
and most cabinet members are MPRP members.
Geography ::Mongolia
Location:
Northern Asia, between China and Russia
Geographic coordinates:
46 00 N, 105 00 E
Map references:
Asia
Area:
total: 1,564,116 sq km
country comparison to the world: 19
land: 1,553,556 sq km
water: 10,560 sq km
Area - comparative:
slightly smaller than Alaska
Land boundaries:
total: 8,220 km
border countries: China 4,677 km, Russia 3,543 km
Coastline:
0 km (landlocked)
Maritime claims:
none (landlocked)
Climate:
desert; continental (large daily and seasonal temperature ranges)
Terrain:
vast semidesert and desert plains, grassy steppe, mountains in west
and southwest; Gobi Desert in south-central
Elevation extremes:
lowest point: Hoh Nuur 518 m
highest point: Nayramadlin Orgil (Huyten Orgil) 4,374 m
Natural resources:
oil, coal, copper, molybdenum, tungsten, phosphates, tin, nickel,
zinc, fluorspar, gold, silver, iron
Land use:
arable land: 0.76%
permanent crops: 0%
other: 99.24% (2005)
Irrigated land:
840 sq km (2003)
Total renewable water resources:
34.8 cu km (1999)
Freshwater withdrawal (domestic/industrial/agricultural):
total: 0.44 cu km/yr (20%/27%/52%)
per capita: 166 cu m/yr (2000)
Natural hazards:
dust storms; grassland and forest fires; drought; "zud," which is
harsh winter conditions
Environment - current issues:
limited natural fresh water resources in some areas; the policies of
former Communist regimes promoted rapid urbanization and industrial
growth that had negative effects on the environment; the burning of
soft coal in power plants and the lack of enforcement of
environmental laws severely polluted the air in Ulaanbaatar;
deforestation, overgrazing, and the converting of virgin land to
agricultural production increased soil erosion from wind and rain;
desertification and mining activities had a deleterious effect on
the environment
Environment - international agreements:
party to: Biodiversity, Climate Change, Climate Change-Kyoto
Protocol, Desertification, Endangered Species, Environmental
Modification, Hazardous Wastes, Law of the Sea, Ozone Layer
Protection, Ship Pollution, Wetlands, Whaling
signed, but not ratified: none of the selected agreements
Geography - note:
landlocked; strategic location between China and Russia
People ::Mongolia
Population:
3,041,142 (July 2009 est.)
country comparison to the world: 136
Age structure:
0-14 years: 28.1% (male 436,391/female 418,923)
15-64 years: 67.9% (male 1,031,819/female 1,033,806)
65 years and over: 4% (male 52,430/female 67,773) (2009 est.)
Median age:
total: 25.3 years
male: 24.9 years
female: 25.7 years (2009 est.)
Population growth rate:
1.493% (2009 est.)
country comparison to the world: 89
Birth rate:
21.05 births/1,000 population (2009 est.)
country comparison to the world: 91
Death rate:
6.12 deaths/1,000 population (July 2009 est.)
country comparison to the world: 159
Net migration rate:
NA (2009 est.)
Urbanization:
urban population: 57% of total population (2008)
rate of urbanization: 1.2% annual rate of change (2005-10 est.)
Sex ratio:
at birth: 1.05 male(s)/female
under 15 years: 1.04 male(s)/female
15-64 years: 1 male(s)/female
65 years and over: 0.77 male(s)/female
total population: 1 male(s)/female (2009 est.)
Infant mortality rate:
total: 39.88 deaths/1,000 live births
country comparison to the world: 67
male: 42.99 deaths/1,000 live births
female: 36.61 deaths/1,000 live births (2009 est.)
Life expectancy at birth:
total population: 67.65 years
country comparison to the world: 154
male: 65.23 years
female: 70.19 years (2009 est.)
Total fertility rate:
2.23 children born/woman (2009 est.)
country comparison to the world: 114
HIV/AIDS - adult prevalence rate:
less than 0.1% (2007 est.)
country comparison to the world: 133
HIV/AIDS - people living with HIV/AIDS:
fewer than 500 (2007 est.)
country comparison to the world: 149
HIV/AIDS - deaths:
fewer than 200 (2003 est.)
country comparison to the world: 108
Nationality:
noun: Mongolian(s)
adjective: Mongolian
Ethnic groups:
Mongol (mostly Khalkha) 94.9%, Turkic (mostly Kazakh) 5%, other
(including Chinese and Russian) 0.1% (2000)
Religions:
Buddhist Lamaist 50%, Shamanist and Christian 6%, Muslim 4%, none
40% (2004)
Languages:
Khalkha Mongol 90%, Turkic, Russian (1999)
Literacy:
definition: age 15 and over can read and write
total population: 97.8%
male: 98%
female: 97.5% (2000 census)
School life expectancy (primary to tertiary education):
total: 13 years
male: 12 years
female: 14 years (2006)
Education expenditures:
5% of GDP (2004)
country comparison to the world: 73
Government ::Mongolia
Country name:
conventional long form: none
conventional short form: Mongolia
local long form: none
local short form: Mongol Uls
former: Outer Mongolia
Government type:
parliamentary
Capital:
name: Ulaanbaatar
geographic coordinates: 47 55 N, 106 55 E
time difference: UTC+8 (13 hours ahead of Washington, DC during
Standard Time)
Administrative divisions:
21 provinces (aymguud, singular - aymag) and 1 municipality*
(singular - hot); Arhangay, Bayanhongor, Bayan-Olgiy, Bulgan,
Darhan-Uul, Dornod, Dornogovi, Dundgovi, Dzavhan (Zavkhan),
Govi-Altay, Govisumber, Hentiy, Hovd, Hovsgol, Omnogovi, Orhon,
Ovorhangay, Selenge, Suhbaatar, Tov, Ulaanbaatar*, Uvs
Independence:
11 July 1921 (from China)
National holiday:
Independence Day/Revolution Day, 11 July (1921)
Constitution:
13 January 1992
Legal system:
blend of Soviet and German systems that employ "continental" or
"civil" code; case-precedent may be used to inform judges, but all
decisions must refer to the law as written; constitution ambiguous
on judicial review of legislative acts; has not accepted compulsory
ICJ jurisdiction
Suffrage:
18 years of age; universal
Executive branch:
chief of state: President Tsakhia ELBEGDORJ (since 18 June 2009)
head of government: Prime Minister Sukhbaatar BATBOLD (since 29
October 2009); First Deputy Prime Minister (Norov ALTANKHUYAG (since
20 September 2008); Vice Prime Minister Miegombyn ENKHBOLD (since 6
December 2007)
cabinet: Cabinet nominated by the prime minister in consultation
with the president and confirmed by the State Great Hural
(parliament)
elections: presidential candidates nominated by political parties
represented in State Great Hural and elected by popular vote for a
four-year term (eligible for a second term); election last held 24
May 2009 (next to be held in May 2013); following legislative
elections, leader of majority party or majority coalition is usually
elected prime minister by State Great Hural
election results: in elections in May 2009, Tsakhia ELBEGDORJ
elected president; percent of vote - Tsakhia ELBEGDORJ 51.24%,
Nambaryn ENKHBAYAR 47.44%, others 1.32%
Legislative branch:
unicameral State Great Hural 76 seats; members elected by popular
vote to serve four-year terms
elections: last held 29 June 2008 (next to be held in June 2012)
election results: percent of vote by party - NA; seats by party -
MPRP 45, DP 27, others 4; note - 1 seat disputed and unfilled
Judicial branch:
Supreme Court (serves as appeals court for people's and provincial
courts but rarely overturns verdicts of lower courts; judges are
nominated by the General Council of Courts and approved by the
president)
Political parties and leaders:
Democratic Party or DP [Norov ALTANHUYAG]; Mongolian People's
Revolutionary Party or MPRP [Sanjaa BAYAR]
Political pressure groups and leaders:
other: human rights groups; women's groups
International organization participation:
ADB, ARF, CP, EBRD, FAO, G-77, IAEA, IBRD, ICAO, ICCt, ICRM, IDA,
IFAD, IFC, IFRCS, ILO, IMF, IMO, Interpol, IOC, IOM, IPU, ISO, ITSO,
ITU, ITUC, MIGA, MINURSO, MONUC, NAM, OPCW, OSCE (partner), SCO
(observer), UN, UNCTAD, UNESCO, UNIDO, UNMIL, UNMIS, UNOMIG, UNWTO,
UPU, WCO, WFTU, WHO, WIPO, WMO, WTO
Diplomatic representation in the US:
chief of mission: Ambassador Khasbazaryn BEKHBAT
chancery: 2833 M Street NW, Washington, DC 20007
telephone: [1] (202) 333-7117
FAX: [1] (202) 298-9227
consulate(s) general: New York
Diplomatic representation from the US:
chief of mission: Ambassador Mark C. MINTON
embassy: Big Ring Road, 11th Micro Region, Ulaanbaatar, 14171
Mongolia
mailing address: PSC 461, Box 300, FPO AP 96521-0002; P.O. Box 1021,
Ulaanbaatar-13
telephone: [976] (11) 329-095
FAX: [976] (11) 320-776
Flag description:
three equal, vertical bands of red (hoist side), blue, and red;
centered on the hoist-side red band in yellow is the national emblem
("soyombo" - a columnar arrangement of abstract and geometric
representation for fire, sun, moon, earth, water, and the yin-yang
symbol)
Economy ::Mongolia
Economy - overview:
Economic activity in Mongolia has traditionally been based on
herding and agriculture. Mongolia has extensive mineral deposits.
Copper, coal, gold, molybdenum, fluorspar, uranium, tin, and
tungsten account for a large part of industrial production and
foreign direct investment. Soviet assistance, at its height
one-third of GDP, disappeared almost overnight in 1990 and 1991 at
the time of the dismantlement of the USSR. The following decade saw
Mongolia endure both deep recession because of political inaction
and natural disasters, as well as economic growth because of
reform-embracing, free-market economics and extensive privatization
of the formerly state-run economy. Severe winters and summer
droughts in 2000-02 resulted in massive livestock die-off and zero
or negative GDP growth. This was compounded by falling prices for
Mongolia's primary sector exports and widespread opposition to
privatization. Growth averaged nearly 9% per year in 2004-08 largely
because of high copper prices and new gold production. Until late
2008 Mongolia experienced a soaring inflation rate with year-to-year
inflation reaching nearly 40% - the highest inflation rate in over a
decade. In late 2008 falling commodity prices in this import-reliant
country helped lower inflation but by that time, the country had
begun to feel the effects of the global financial crisis. Falling
prices for copper and other mineral exports have reduced government
revenues and are forcing cuts in spending. The global credit crisis
has stalled growth in key sectors, especially those that had been
fueled by foreign investment. Mongolia's economy continues to be
heavily influenced by its neighbors. Mongolia purchases 95% of its
petroleum products and a substantial amount of electric power from
Russia, leaving it vulnerable to price increases. Trade with China
represents more than half of Mongolia's total external trade - China
receives about 70% of Mongolia's exports. Remittances from
Mongolians working abroad both legally and illegally are sizable but
have fallen due to the economic crisis; money laundering is a
growing concern. Mongolia settled its $11 billion debt with Russia
at the end of 2003 on favorable terms. Mongolia, which joined the
World Trade Organization in 1997, seeks to expand its participation
and integration into Asian regional economic and trade regimes.
GDP (purchasing power parity):
$9.499 billion (2008 est.)
country comparison to the world: 151
$8.714 billion (2007 est.)
$7.929 billion (2006 est.)
note: data are in 2008 US dollars
GDP (official exchange rate):
$5.243 billion (2008 est.)
GDP - real growth rate:
9% (2008 est.)
country comparison to the world: 19
9.9% (2007 est.)
8.6% (2006 est.)
GDP - per capita (PPP):
$3,200 (2008 est.)
country comparison to the world: 163
$3,000 (2007 est.)
$2,700 (2006 est.)
note: data are in 2008 US dollars
GDP - composition by sector:
agriculture: 18.8%
industry: 38.5%
services: 42.7% (2008)
Labor force:
1.068 million (2008)
country comparison to the world: 138
Labor force - by occupation:
agriculture: 34%
industry: 5%
services: 61% (2008)
Unemployment rate:
2.8% (2008)
country comparison to the world: 31
3% (2007)
Population below poverty line:
36.1% (2004)
Household income or consumption by percentage share:
lowest 10%: 2.9%
highest 10%: 24.9% (2005)
Distribution of family income - Gini index:
32.8 (2002)
country comparison to the world: 97
44 (1998)
Budget:
revenues: $1.71 billion
expenditures: $1.95 billion (2008)
Inflation rate (consumer prices):
28% (2008 est.)
country comparison to the world: 218
9% (2007 est.)
Central bank discount rate:
14.78% (31 December 2008)
country comparison to the world: 44
9.87% (31 December 2007)
Commercial bank prime lending rate:
18% (31 December 2008)
country comparison to the world: 26
17.54% (31 December 2007)
Stock of money:
$521.2 million (31 December 2008)
country comparison to the world: 93
$504.7 million (31 December 2007)
Stock of quasi money:
$1.288 billion (31 December 2008)
country comparison to the world: 91
$1.53 billion (31 December 2007)
Stock of domestic credit:
$1.743 billion (31 December 2008)
country comparison to the world: 95
$1.183 billion (31 December 2007)
Market value of publicly traded shares:
$412 million (31 December 2008)
country comparison to the world: 101
$612.2 million (31 December 2007)
$112.6 million (31 December 2006)
Agriculture - products:
wheat, barley, vegetables, forage crops; sheep, goats, cattle,
camels, horses
Industries:
construction and construction materials; mining (coal, copper,
molybdenum, fluorspar, tin, tungsten, and gold); oil; food and
beverages; processing of animal products, cashmere and natural fiber
manufacturing
Industrial production growth rate:
3% (2006 est.)
country comparison to the world: 82
Electricity - production:
3.979 billion kWh (2008)
country comparison to the world: 118
Electricity - consumption:
3.491 billion kWh (2008)
country comparison to the world: 118
Electricity - exports:
15.8 million kWh (2008)
Electricity - imports:
197.5 million kWh (2008)
Oil - production:
3,216 bbl/day (2008)
country comparison to the world: 101
Oil - consumption:
15,000 bbl/day (2008 est.)
country comparison to the world: 135
Oil - exports:
0 bbl/day (2007 est.)
country comparison to the world: 186
Oil - imports:
17,680 bbl/day (2008)
country comparison to the world: 116
Oil - proved reserves:
0 bbl
country comparison to the world: 106
Natural gas - production:
0 cu m (2008 est.)
country comparison to the world: 161
Natural gas - consumption:
0 cu m (2008 est.)
country comparison to the world: 161
Natural gas - exports:
0 cu m (2008)
country comparison to the world: 156
Natural gas - imports:
0 cu m (2008 est.)
country comparison to the world: 97
Natural gas - proved reserves:
0 cu m (1 January 2009 est.)
country comparison to the world: 113
Current account balance:
-$1 billion (2008 est.)
country comparison to the world: 118
-$23 million (2007 est.)
Exports:
$2.539 billion (2008)
country comparison to the world: 127
$1.889 billion (2007)
Exports - commodities:
copper, apparel, livestock, animal products, cashmere, wool, hides,
fluorspar, other nonferrous metals, coal
Exports - partners:
China 74%, Canada 9.4%, Russia 3.3% (2008)
Imports:
$3.615 billion (2008)
country comparison to the world: 132
$2.117 billion (2007)
Imports - commodities:
machinery and equipment, fuel, cars, food products, industrial
consumer goods, chemicals, building materials, sugar, tea
Imports - partners:
Russia 34.1%, China 29.1%, South Korea 7.6%, Japan 7.4% (2008)
Debt - external:
$1.6 billion (2008)
country comparison to the world: 142
$1.438 billion (2007)
Stock of direct foreign investment - at home:
$NA
Stock of direct foreign investment - abroad:
$NA
Exchange rates:
togrog/tugriks (MNT) per US dollar - 1,267.51 (2008), 1,170 (2007),
1,165 (2006), 1,205 (2005), 1,185.3 (2004)
Communications ::Mongolia
Telephones - main lines in use:
165,000 (2008)
country comparison to the world: 129
Telephones - mobile cellular:
1.796 million (2008)
country comparison to the world: 126
Telephone system:
general assessment: network is improving with international direct
dialing available in many areas
domestic: very low fixed-line density; there are multiple mobile
cellular service providers and subscribership is increasing rapidly;
a fiber-optic network has been installed that is improving broadband
and communication services between major urban centers with multiple
companies providing inter-city fiber-optic cable services
international: country code - 976; satellite earth stations - 7
Radio broadcast stations:
AM 7, FM 115 (includes 20 national radio broadcaster repeaters),
shortwave 4 (2006)
Television broadcast stations:
68 (2008)
Internet country code:
.mn
Internet hosts:
524 (2009)
country comparison to the world: 170
Internet users:
330,000 (2008)
country comparison to the world: 122
Transportation ::Mongolia
Airports:
45 (2009)
country comparison to the world: 95
Airports - with paved runways:
total: 14
over 3,047 m: 1
2,438 to 3,047 m: 11
1,524 to 2,437 m: 2 (2009)
Airports - with unpaved runways:
total: 31
over 3,047 m: 1
2,438 to 3,047 m: 4
1,524 to 2,437 m: 24
914 to 1,523 m: 1
under 914 m: 1 (2009)
Heliports:
1 (2009)
Railways:
total: 1,810 km
country comparison to the world: 76
broad gauge: 1,810 km 1.520-m gauge (2008)
Roadways:
total: 49,249 km
country comparison to the world: 80
paved: 2,671 km
unpaved: 46,578 km (2008)
Waterways:
580 km
country comparison to the world: 82
note: only waterway in operation is Lake Hovsgol (135 km); Selenge
River (270 km) and Orhon River (175 km) are navigable but carry
little traffic; lakes and rivers freeze in winter, are open from May
to September (2007)
Merchant marine:
total: 77
country comparison to the world: 57
by type: bulk carrier 20, cargo 44, chemical tanker 2, liquefied gas
1, passenger/cargo 1, petroleum tanker 2, roll on/roll off 6,
vehicle carrier 1
foreign-owned: 53 (China 1, Germany 4, Indonesia 1, North Korea 1,
South Korea 1, Lebanon 2, Russia 9, Singapore 9, Thailand 1, Ukraine
1, Vietnam 23) (2008)
Military ::Mongolia
Military branches:
Mongolian Armed Forces: Mongolian Army, Mongolian Air Force; there
is no navy (2009)
Military service age and obligation:
18-25 years of age for compulsory military service; conscript
service obligation - 12 months in land or air defense forces or
police; a small portion of Mongolian land forces (2.5 percent) is
comprised of contract soldiers; women cannot be deployed overseas
for military operations (2006)
Manpower available for military service:
males age 16-49: 865,425
females age 16-49: 860,669 (2008 est.)
Manpower fit for military service:
males age 16-49: 706,774
females age 16-49: 740,550 (2009 est.)
Manpower reaching militarily significant age annually:
male: 28,251
female: 27,344 (2009 est.)
Military expenditures:
1.4% of GDP (2006)
country comparison to the world: 116
Transnational Issues ::Mongolia
Disputes - international:
none
page last updated on November 11, 2009
======================================================================
@Montenegro (Europe)
Introduction ::Montenegro
Background:
The use of the name Montenegro began in the 15th century when the
Crnojevic dynasty began to rule the Serbian principality of Zeta;
over subsequent centuries Montenegro was able to maintain its
independence from the Ottoman Empire. From the 16th to 19th
centuries, Montenegro became a theocracy ruled by a series of bishop
princes; in 1852, it was transformed into a secular principality.
After World War I, Montenegro was absorbed by the Kingdom of Serbs,
Croats, and Slovenes, which became the Kingdom of Yugoslavia in
1929; at the conclusion of World War II, it became a constituent
republic of the Socialist Federal Republic of Yugoslavia. When the
latter dissolved in 1992, Montenegro federated with Serbia, first as
the Federal Republic of Yugoslavia and, after 2003, in a looser
union of Serbia and Montenegro. In May 2006, Montenegro invoked its
right under the Constitutional Charter of Serbia and Montenegro to
hold a referendum on independence from the state union. The vote for
severing ties with Serbia exceeded 55% - the threshold set by the EU
- allowing Montenegro to formally declare its independence on 3 June
2006.
Geography ::Montenegro
Location:
Southeastern Europe, between the Adriatic Sea and Serbia
Geographic coordinates:
42 30 N, 19 18 E
Map references:
Europe
Area:
total: 13,812 sq km
country comparison to the world: 161
land: 13,452 sq km
water: 360 sq km
Area - comparative:
slightly smaller than Connecticut
Land boundaries:
total: 625 km
border countries: Albania 172 km, Bosnia and Herzegovina 225 km,
Croatia 25 km, Kosovo 79 km, Serbia 124 km
Coastline:
293.5 km
Maritime claims:
territorial sea: 12 nm
continental shelf: defined by treaty
Climate:
Mediterranean climate, hot dry summers and autumns and relatively
cold winters with heavy snowfalls inland
Terrain:
highly indented coastline with narrow coastal plain backed by rugged
high limestone mountains and plateaus
Elevation extremes:
lowest point: Adriatic Sea 0 m
highest point: Bobotov Kuk 2,522 m
Natural resources:
bauxite, hydroelectricity
Land use:
arable land: 13.7%
permanent crops: 1%
other: 85.3%
Irrigated land:
NA
Natural hazards:
destructive earthquakes
Environment - current issues:
pollution of coastal waters from sewage outlets, especially in
tourist-related areas such as Kotor