chief of state: President Maumoon Abdul GAYOOM (since 11 November
1978); note--the president is both the chief of state and head of
government
head of government: President Maumoon Abdul GAYOOM (since 11
November 1978); note--the president is both the chief of state and
head of government
cabinet: Ministry of Atolls appointed by the president; note--need
not be members of Majlis
elections: president elected by secret ballot of the Majlis for a
five-year term; election last held 1 October 1993 (next to be held
NA October 1998)
election results: President Maumoon Abdul GAYOOM reelected; percent
of Majlis vote--Maumoon Abdul GAYOOM 92.76%
Legislative branch: unicameral Citizens' Council or Majlis (48
seats; 40 elected by popular vote, 8 appointed by the president;
members serve five-year terms)
elections: last held 2 December 1994 (next to be held NA December
1999)
election results: percent of vote--NA; seats--independents 40
Judicial branch: High Court
Political parties and leaders: although political parties are not
banned, none exist
International organization participation: AsDB, C, CCC, CP,
ESCAP, FAO, G-77, IBRD, ICAO, IDA, IDB, IFAD, IFC, IMF, IMO,
Intelsat (nonsignatory user), Interpol, IOC, ITU, NAM, OIC, OPCW,
SAARC, UN, UNCTAD, UNESCO, UNIDO, UPU, WHO, WMO, WToO, WTrO
Diplomatic representation in the US: Maldives does not have an
embassy in the US, but does have a Permanent Mission to the UN in
New York
Diplomatic representation from the US: the US does not have an
embassy in Maldives; the US Ambassador to Sri Lanka is accredited to
Maldives and makes periodic visits there
Flag description: red with a large green rectangle in the center
bearing a vertical white crescent; the closed side of the crescent
is on the hoist side of the flag
Economy
Economy--overview: Tourism, Maldives largest industry, accounts
for about 18% of GDP and more than 60% of the Maldives' foreign
exchange receipts. Over 90% of government tax revenue comes from
import duties and tourism-related taxes. About 350,000 tourists
visited the islands in 1997. Fishing is a second leading growth
sector. The Maldivian Government began an economic reform program in
1989 initially by lifting import quotas and opening some exports to
the private sector. Subsequently, it has liberalized regulations to
allow more foreign investment. Agriculture and manufacturing
continue to play a minor role in the economy, constrained by the
limited availability of cultivable land and the shortage of domestic
labor. Most staple foods must be imported. Industry, which consists
mainly of garment production, boat building, and handicrafts,
accounts for about 15% of GDP. Maldivian authorities worry about the
impact of erosion and possible global warming on their low-lying
country; 80% of the area is one meter or less above sea level.
GDP: purchasing power parity--$500 million (1998 est.)
GDP--real growth rate: 5.8% (1998 est.)
GDP--per capita: purchasing power parity?$1,840 (1998 est.)
GDP--composition by sector:
agriculture: 22%
industry: 15%
services: 63% (1994 est.)
Population below poverty line: NA%
Household income or consumption by percentage share:
lowest 10%: NA%
highest 10%: NA%
Inflation rate (consumer prices): 6.3% (1996)
Labor force: 56,435 (1990 est.)
Labor force--by occupation: fishing industry and agriculture 25%,
services 21%, manufacturing and construction 21%, trade,
restaurants, and hotels 16%, transportation and communication 10%,
other 7%
Unemployment rate: NEGL%
Budget:
revenues: $88 million (excluding foreign grants)
expenditures: $141 million, including capital expenditures of $NA
(1995 est.)
Industries: fish processing, tourism, shipping, boat building,
coconut processing, garments, woven mats, rope, handicrafts, coral
and sand mining
Industrial production growth rate: 6.3% (1994 est.)
Electricity--production: 60 million kWh (1996)
Electricity--production by source:
fossil fuel: 100%
hydro: 0%
nuclear: 0%
other: 0% (1996)
Electricity--consumption: 60 million kWh (1996)
Electricity--exports: 0 kWh (1996)
Electricity--imports: 0 kWh (1996)
Agriculture--products: coconuts, corn, sweet potatoes; fish
Exports: $59 million (f.o.b., 1996)
Exports--commodities: fish, clothing
Exports--partners: Sri Lanka, US, Germany, Singapore, UK
Imports: $302 million (f.o.b., 1996)
Imports--commodities: consumer goods, intermediate and capital
goods, petroleum products
Imports--partners: Singapore, India, Sri Lanka, Hong Kong, Japan,
Thailand
Debt--external: $179 million (1996 est.)
Economic aid--recipient: $NA
Currency: 1 rufiyaa (Rf) = 100 laari
Exchange rates: rufiyaa (Rf) per US$1--11.770 (1995-January 1999),
11.586 (1994), 10.957 (1993)
Fiscal year: calendar year
Communications
Telephones: 8,523 (1992 est.)
Telephone system: minimal domestic and international facilities
domestic: inter-atoll communication primarily through HF
transceivers and VHF/UHF telephones
international: satellite earth station--1 Intelsat (Indian Ocean)
Radio broadcast stations: AM 2, FM 1, shortwave 0
Radios: 28,284 (1992 est.)
Television broadcast stations: 1 (1997)
Televisions: 7,309 (1992 est.)
Transportation
Railways: 0 km
Highways:
total: NA km
paved: NA km
unpaved: NA km; note--Male has 9.6 km of coral highways within the
city (1988 est.)
Ports and harbors: Gan, Male
Merchant marine:
total: 21 ships (1,000 GRT or over) totaling 75,585 GRT/115,590 DWT
ships by type: cargo 18, container 1, oil tanker 1, short-sea
passenger 1 (1998 est.)
Airports: 5 (1998 est.)
Airports--with paved runways:
total: 2
over 3,047 m: 1
2,438 to 3,047 m: 1 (1998 est.)
Airports--with unpaved runways:
total: 3
914 to 1,523 m: 3 (1998 est.)
Military
Military branches: National Security Service (paramilitary police
force)
Military manpower--availability:
males age 15-49: 66,554 (1999 est.)
Military manpower--fit for military service:
males age 15-49: 37,086 (1999 est.)
Military expenditures--dollar figure: $NA
Military expenditures--percent of GDP: NA%
Transnational Issues
Disputes--international: none
======================================================================
@Mali
----
Geography
Location: Western Africa, southwest of Algeria
Geographic coordinates: 17 00 N, 4 00 W
Map references: Africa
Area:
total: 1.24 million sq km
land: 1.22 million sq km
water: 20,000 sq km
Area--comparative: slightly less than twice the size of Texas
Land boundaries:
total: 7,243 km
border countries: Algeria 1,376 km, Burkina Faso 1,000 km, Guinea
858 km, Cote d'Ivoire 532 km, Mauritania 2,237 km, Niger 821 km,
Senegal 419 km
Coastline: 0 km (landlocked)
Maritime claims: none (landlocked)
Climate: subtropical to arid; hot and dry February to June;
rainy, humid, and mild June to November; cool and dry November to
February
Terrain: mostly flat to rolling northern plains covered by sand;
savanna in south, rugged hills in northeast
Elevation extremes:
lowest point: Senegal River 23 m
highest point: Hombori Tondo 1,155 m
Natural resources: gold, phosphates, kaolin, salt, limestone,
uranium, bauxite, iron ore, manganese, tin, and copper deposits are
known but not exploited
Land use:
arable land: 2%
permanent crops: 0%
permanent pastures: 25%
forests and woodland: 6%
other: 67% (1993 est.)
Irrigated land: 780 sq km (1993 est.)
Natural hazards: hot, dust-laden harmattan haze common during dry
seasons; recurring droughts
Environment--current issues: deforestation; soil erosion;
desertification; inadequate supplies of potable water; poaching
Environment--international agreements:
party to: Biodiversity, Climate Change, Desertification, Endangered
Species, Law of the Sea, Ozone Layer Protection, Wetlands
signed, but not ratified: Climate Change-Kyoto Protocol, Nuclear
Test Ban
Geography--note: landlocked
People
Population: 10,429,124 (July 1999 est.)
Age structure:
0-14 years: 47% (male 2,482,301; female 2,460,894)
15-64 years: 49% (male 2,447,712; female 2,708,978)
65 years and over: 4% (male 155,178; female 174,061) (1999 est.)
Population growth rate: 3.01% (1999 est.)
Birth rate: 49.5 births/1,000 population (1999 est.)
Death rate: 18.56 deaths/1,000 population (1999 est.)
Net migration rate: -0.87 migrant(s)/1,000 population (1999 est.)
Sex ratio:
at birth: 1.03 male(s)/female
under 15 years: 1.01 male(s)/female
15-64 years: 0.9 male(s)/female
65 years and over: 0.89 male(s)/female
total population: 0.95 male(s)/female (1999 est.)
Infant mortality rate: 119.44 deaths/1,000 live births (1999 est.)
Life expectancy at birth:
total population: 47.5 years
male: 46.09 years
female: 48.96 years (1999 est.)
Total fertility rate: 6.96 children born/woman (1999 est.)
Nationality:
noun: Malian(s)
adjective: Malian
Ethnic groups: Mande 50% (Bambara, Malinke, Sarakole), Peul 17%,
Voltaic 12%, Songhai 6%, Tuareg and Moor 10%, other 5%
Religions: Muslim 90%, indigenous beliefs 9%, Christian 1%
Languages: French (official), Bambara 80%, numerous African
languages
Literacy:
definition: age 15 and over can read and write
total population: 31%
male: 39.4%
female: 23.1% (1995 est.)
Government
Country name:
conventional long form: Republic of Mali
conventional short form: Mali
local long form: Republique de Mali
local short form: Mali
former: French Sudan
Data code: ML
Government type: republic
Capital: Bamako
Administrative divisions: 8 regions (regions, singular--region);
Gao, Kayes, Kidal, Koulikoro, Mopti, Segou, Sikasso, Tombouctou
Independence: 22 September 1960 (from France)
National holiday: Anniversary of the Proclamation of the
Republic, 22 September (1960)
Constitution: adopted 12 January 1992
Legal system: based on French civil law system and customary law;
judicial review of legislative acts in Constitutional Court (which
was formally established on 9 March 1994); has not accepted
compulsory ICJ jurisdiction
Suffrage: 21 years of age; universal
Executive branch:
chief of state: President Alpha Oumar KONARE (since 8 June 1992)
head of government: Prime Minister Ibrahim Boubacar KEITA (since
March 1994)
cabinet: Council of Ministers appointed by the prime minister
elections: president elected by popular vote for a five-year term;
election last held 11 May 1997 (next to be held May 2002); prime
minister appointed by the president
election results: Alpha Oumar KONARE reelected president; percent of
vote--Alpha Oumar KONARE 85.15%, Mamadou DIABY 4.09%, other 10.76%
Legislative branch: unicameral National Assembly or Assemblee
Nationale (147 seats; members are elected by popular vote to serve
five-year terms)
elections: last held 20 July and 3 August 1997 (next to be held in
two rounds in 2002); note--much of the opposition boycotted the
election
election results: percent of vote by party--NA; seats by party--ADEMA
130, PARENA 8, CDS 4, UDD 3, PDP 2
Judicial branch: Supreme Court (Cour Supreme)
Political parties and leaders: Alliance for Democracy or ADEMA
TRAORE]; National Congress for Democratic Initiative or CNID
Movement for the Independence, Renaissance and Integration of Africa
Political pressure groups and leaders: United Movement and Fronts
of Azawad or MFUA; Patriotic Movement of the Ghanda Koye or MPGK
International organization participation: ACCT, ACP, AfDB, CCC,
ECA, ECOWAS, FAO, FZ, G-77, IAEA, IBRD, ICAO, ICFTU, ICRM, IDA, IDB,
IFAD, IFC, IFRCS, ILO, IMF, Intelsat, Interpol, IOC, ITU, MINURCA,
MIPONUH, MONUA, NAM, OAU, OIC, OPCW, UN, UNCTAD, UNESCO, UNIDO,
UNOMSIL, UPU, WADB, WAEMU, WCL, WFTU, WHO, WIPO, WMO, WToO, WTrO
Diplomatic representation in the US:
chief of mission: Ambassador Cheick Oumar DIARRAH
chancery: 2130 R Street NW, Washington, DC 20008
Diplomatic representation from the US:
chief of mission: Ambassador David P. RAWSON
embassy: Rue Rochester NY and Rue Mohamed V, Bamako
mailing address: B. P. 34, Bamako
Flag description: three equal vertical bands of green (hoist
side), yellow, and red; uses the popular pan-African colors of
Ethiopia
Economy
Economy--overview: Mali is among the poorest countries in the
world, with 65% of its land area desert or semidesert. Economic
activity is largely confined to the riverine area irrigated by the
Niger. About 10% of the population is nomadic and some 80% of the
labor force is engaged in farming and fishing. Industrial activity
is concentrated on processing farm commodities. Mali is heavily
dependent on foreign aid and vulnerable to fluctuations in world
prices for cotton, its main export. In 1997, the government
continued its successful implementation of an IMF-recommended
structural adjustment program that is helping the economy grow,
diversify, and attract foreign investment. Mali's adherence to
economic reform, and the 50% devaluation of the African franc in
January 1994, has pushed up economic growth. Several multinational
corporations increased gold mining operations in 1996-98, and the
government anticipates that Mali will become a major Sub-Saharan
gold exporter in the next few years. Annual growth thus may fall in
the 5% range in 1999-2000, and inflation held to 5% or less.
GDP: purchasing power parity--$8 billion (1998 est.)
GDP--real growth rate: 4.6% (1998 est.)
GDP--per capita: purchasing power parity?$790 (1998 est.)
GDP--composition by sector:
agriculture: 49%
industry: 17%
services: 34% (1995)
Population below poverty line: NA%
Household income or consumption by percentage share:
lowest 10%: NA%
highest 10%: NA%
Inflation rate (consumer prices): 5% (1998 est.)
Labor force: NA
Labor force--by occupation: agriculture and fishing 80% (1998 est.)
Unemployment rate: NA%
Budget:
revenues: $730 million
expenditures: $770 million, including capital expenditures of $320
million (1997 est.)
Industries: minor local consumer goods production and food
processing; construction; phosphate and gold mining
Industrial production growth rate: 0.6% (1995 est.)
Electricity--production: 288 million kWh (1996)
Electricity--production by source:
fossil fuel: 21.88%
hydro: 78.12%
nuclear: 0%
other: 0% (1996)
Electricity--consumption: 288 million kWh (1996)
Electricity--exports: 0 kWh (1996)
Electricity--imports: 0 kWh (1996)
Agriculture--products: cotton, millet, rice, corn, vegetables,
peanuts; cattle, sheep, goats
Exports: $590 million (f.o.b., 1998 est.)
Exports--commodities: cotton 50%, gold, livestock (1998 est.)
Exports--partners: Thailand 20%, Italy 20%, China 9%, Brazil,
franc zone (1997)
Imports: $600 million (f.o.b., 1998 est.)
Imports--commodities: machinery and equipment, construction
materials, petroleum, foodstuffs, textiles
Imports--partners: Cote d'Ivoire 19%, France 17%, other franc zone
and EU countries (1997)
Debt--external: $3.1 billion (1998)
Economic aid--recipient: $596.4 million (1995)
Currency: 1 Communaute Financiere Africaine franc (CFAF) = 100
centimes
Exchange rates: Communaute Financiere Africaine francs (CFAF) per
US$1--567.81 (January 1999), 589.95 (1998), 583.67 (1997), 511.55
(1996), 499.15 (1995), 555.20 (1994)
Fiscal year: calendar year
Communications
Telephones: 11,000 (1982 est.)
Telephone system: domestic system poor but improving; provides
only minimal service
domestic: network consists of microwave radio relay, open wire, and
radiotelephone communications stations; expansion of microwave radio
relay in progress
international: satellite earth stations--2 Intelsat (1 Atlantic Ocean
and 1 Indian Ocean)
Radio broadcast stations: AM 2, FM 2, shortwave 1
Radios: 430,000 (1992 est.)
Television broadcast stations: 1 (in addition, there are two
repeaters) (1997)
Televisions: 11,000 (1992 est.)
Transportation
Railways:
total: 641 km; (linked to Senegal's rail system through Kayes)
narrow gauge: 641 km 1.000-m gauge (1995)
Highways:
total: 15,100 km
paved: 1,827 km
unpaved: 13,273 km (1996 est.)
Waterways: 1,815 km navigable
Ports and harbors: Koulikoro
Airports: 28 (1998 est.)
Airports--with paved runways:
total: 6
2,438 to 3,047 m: 4
914 to 1,523 m: 2 (1998 est.)
Airports--with unpaved runways:
total: 22
2,438 to 3,047 m: 1
1,524 to 2,437 m: 3
914 to 1,523 m: 8
under 914 m: 10 (1998 est.)
Military
Military branches: Army, Air Force, Gendarmerie, Republican
Guard, National Guard, National Police (Surete Nationale)
Military manpower--availability:
males age 15-49: 2,128,375 (1999 est.)
Military manpower--fit for military service:
males age 15-49: 1,218,732 (1999 est.)
Military expenditures--dollar figure: $49 million (1996)
Military expenditures--percent of GDP: 2% (1996)
Transnational Issues
Disputes--international: none
======================================================================
@Malta
-----
Geography
Location: Southern Europe, islands in the Mediterranean Sea,
south of Sicily (Italy)
Geographic coordinates: 35 50 N, 14 35 E
Map references: Europe
Area:
total: 320 sq km
land: 320 sq km
water: 0 sq km
Area--comparative: slightly less than twice the size of
Washington, DC
Land boundaries: 0 km
Coastline: 140 km
Maritime claims:
contiguous zone: 24 nm
continental shelf: 200-m depth or to the depth of exploitation
exclusive fishing zone: 25 nm
territorial sea: 12 nm
Climate: Mediterranean with mild, rainy winters and hot, dry
summers
Terrain: mostly low, rocky, flat to dissected plains; many
coastal cliffs
Elevation extremes:
lowest point: Mediterranean Sea 0 m
highest point: Ta'Dmejrek 253 m (near Dingli)
Natural resources: limestone, salt
Land use:
arable land: 38%
permanent crops: 3%
permanent pastures: NA%
forests and woodland: NA%
other: 59% (1993 est.)
Irrigated land: 10 sq km (1993 est.)
Natural hazards: NA
Environment--current issues: very limited natural fresh water
resources; increasing reliance on desalination
Environment--international agreements:
party to: Air Pollution, Climate Change, Desertification, Endangered
Species, Law of the Sea, Marine Dumping, Nuclear Test Ban, Ozone
Layer Protection, Ship Pollution, Wetlands
signed, but not ratified: Biodiversity, Climate Change-Kyoto Protocol
Geography--note: the country comprises an archipelago, with only
the three largest islands (Malta, Ghawdex or Gozo, and Kemmuna or
Comino) being inhabited; numerous bays provide good harbors
People
Population: 381,603 (July 1999 est.)
Age structure:
0-14 years: 20% (male 40,058; female 37,810)
15-64 years: 68% (male 130,282; female 128,390)
65 years and over: 12% (male 18,996; female 26,067) (1999 est.)
Population growth rate: 0.49% (1999 est.)
Birth rate: 11.02 births/1,000 population (1999 est.)
Death rate: 7.37 deaths/1,000 population (1999 est.)
Net migration rate: 1.24 migrant(s)/1,000 population (1999 est.)
Sex ratio:
at birth: 1.06 male(s)/female
under 15 years: 1.06 male(s)/female
15-64 years: 1.01 male(s)/female
65 years and over: 0.73 male(s)/female
total population: 0.98 male(s)/female (1999 est.)
Infant mortality rate: 7.42 deaths/1,000 live births (1999 est.)
Life expectancy at birth:
total population: 77.76 years
male: 75.43 years
female: 80.23 years (1999 est.)
Total fertility rate: 1.63 children born/woman (1999 est.)
Nationality:
noun: Maltese (singular and plural)
adjective: Maltese
Ethnic groups: Maltese (descendants of ancient Carthaginians and
Phoenicians, with strong elements of Italian and other Mediterranean
stock)
Religions: Roman Catholic 98%
Languages: Maltese (official), English (official)
Literacy:
definition: age 10 and over can read and write
total population: 88%
male: 88%
female: 88% (1985)
Government
Country name:
conventional long form: Republic of Malta
conventional short form: Malta
local long form: Repubblika ta' Malta
local short form: Malta
Data code: MT
Government type: parliamentary democracy
Capital: Valletta
Administrative divisions: none (administered directly from
Valletta)
Independence: 21 September 1964 (from UK)
National holiday: Independence Day, 21 September (1964)
Constitution: 1964 constitution substantially amended on 13
December 1974
Legal system: based on English common law and Roman civil law;
has accepted compulsory ICJ jurisdiction, with reservations
Suffrage: 18 years of age; universal
Executive branch:
chief of state: President Ugo MIFSUD BONNICI (since 4 April 1994)
head of government: Prime Minister Eddie Fenech ADAMI (since 6
September 1998); Deputy Prime Minister Guido de MARCO (since 8
September 1998)
cabinet: Cabinet appointed by the president on the advice of the
prime minister
elections: president elected by the House of Representatives for a
five-year term; election last held NA April 1994 (next to be held by
NA April 1999); following House of Representatives elections, the
leader of the majority party or leader of a majority coalition is
usually appointed prime minister by the president for a five-year
term; the deputy prime minister is appointed by the president on the
advice of the prime minister
election results: Ugo MIFSUD BONNICI elected president; percent of
House of Representatives vote--NA
Legislative branch: unicameral House of Representatives (usually
65 seats; note--additional seats are given to the party with the
largest popular vote to ensure a legislative majority; current
total: 69 seats; members are elected by popular vote on the basis of
proportional representation to serve five-year terms)
elections: last held 5 September 1998 (next to be held by September
2003)
election results: percent of vote by party--PN 51.8%, MLP 46.9%, AD
1.2%; seats by party--PN 35, MLP 30
Judicial branch: Constitutional Court, judges are appointed by
the president on the advice of the prime minister; Court of Appeal,
judges are appointed by the president on the advice of the prime
minister
Political parties and leaders: Nationalist Party or PN [Edward
International organization participation: C, CCC, CE, EBRD, ECE,
EU (applicant), FAO, G-77, IAEA, IBRD, ICAO, ICFTU, ICRM, IFAD,
IFRCS, ILO, IMF, IMO, Inmarsat, Intelsat, Interpol, IOC, IOM
(observer), ISO (correspondent), ITU, NAM, OPCW, OSCE, PCA, UN,
UNCTAD, UNESCO, UNIDO, UPU, WCL, WHO, WIPO, WMO, WToO, WTrO
Diplomatic representation in the US:
chief of mission: Ambassador (vacant); Charge d'Affaires Anthony
DARMANIN
chancery: 2017 Connecticut Avenue NW, Washington, DC 20008
consulate(s): New York
Diplomatic representation from the US:
chief of mission: Ambassador Kathryn Haycock PROFFITT
embassy: 2nd Floor, Development House, Saint Anne Street, Floriana,
Malta
mailing address: P. O. Box 535, Valletta
Flag description: two equal vertical bands of white (hoist side)
and red; in the upper hoist-side corner is a representation of the
George Cross, edged in red
Economy
Economy--overview: Significant resources are limestone, a
favorable geographic location, and a productive labor force. Malta
produces only about 20% of its food needs, has limited freshwater
supplies, and has no domestic energy sources. The economy is
dependent on foreign trade, manufacturing (especially electronics
and textiles), and tourism; the state-owned Malta drydocks employs
about 3,800 people. In 1998, almost 1 million tourists visited the
island. Per capita GDP of roughly $13,000 places Malta in the ranks
of the less affluent EU countries. The island is divided politically
over the question of joining the EU. The sizable budget deficit
remains a key concern.
GDP: purchasing power parity--$5 billion (1998 est.)
GDP--real growth rate: 4% (1998 est.)
GDP--per capita: purchasing power parity?$13,000 (1998 est.)
GDP--composition by sector:
agriculture: 3%
industry: 26%
services: 71% (1997 est.)
Population below poverty line: NA%
Household income or consumption by percentage share:
lowest 10%: NA%
highest 10%: NA%
Inflation rate (consumer prices): 2.8% (1997 est.)
Labor force: 148,085 (September 1996)
Labor force--by occupation: public services 34%, other services
32%, manufacturing and construction 22%, agriculture 2% (1996)
Unemployment rate: 5% (1997)