maintained for domestic and international services
domestic: NA
international: HF radiotelephone communication facility; access to
international communications carriers provided via Hong Kong and
China; satellite earth station - 1 Intelsat (Indian Ocean)
Radio broadcast stations: AM 4, FM 3, shortwave 0
Radios: 135,000 (1992 est.)
Television broadcast stations: 0
note: TV programs received from Hong Kong
Televisions: 34,000 (1992 est.)
Defense
-------
Branches: NA
Manpower availability:
males age 15-49: 142,704
males fit for military service: 79,225 (1996 est.)
Defense note: defense is the responsibility of Portugal
======================================================================
@Macedonia, The Former Yugoslav Republic of
------------------------------------------
Map
---
Location: 41 50 N, 22 00 E -- Southeastern Europe, north of Greece
Flag
----
Description: a rising yellow sun with 8 rays extending to the
edges of the red field
Geography
---------
Location: Southeastern Europe, north of Greece
Geographic coordinates: 41 50 N, 22 00 E
Map references: Europe
Area:
total area: 25,333 sq km
land area: 24,856 sq km
comparative area: slightly larger than Vermont
Land boundaries:
total: 748 km
border countries: Albania 151 km, Bulgaria 148 km, Greece 228 km,
Serbia and Montenegro 221 km (all with Serbia)
Coastline: 0 km (landlocked)
Maritime claims: none (landlocked)
International disputes: dispute with Greece over name; in
September 1995, Skopje and Athens signed an interim accord resolving
their dispute over symbols and certain constitutional provisions;
Athens also lifted its economic embargo on the Former Yugoslav
Republic of Macedonia
Climate: hot, dry summers and autumns and relatively cold winters
with heavy snowfall
Terrain: mountainous territory covered with deep basins and
valleys; there are three large lakes, each divided by a frontier
line; country bisected by the Vardar River
lowest point: Vardar River 50 m
highest point: Korab 2,753 m
Natural resources: chromium, lead, zinc, manganese, tungsten,
nickel, low-grade iron ore, asbestos, sulfur, timber
Land use:
arable land: 5%
permanent crops: 5%
meadows and pastures: 20%
forest and woodland: 30%
other: 40%
Irrigated land: NA sq km
Environment:
current issues: air pollution from metallurgical plants
natural hazards: high seismic risks
international agreements: party to - Law of the Sea, Ozone Layer
Protection
Geographic note: landlocked; major transportation corridor from
Western and Central Europe to Aegean Sea and Southern Europe to
Western Europe
People
------
Population: 2,104,035 (July 1996 est.)
note: the Macedonian government census of July 1994 put the
population at 1.94 million, but ethnic allocations were likely
undercounted
Age structure:
0-14 years: 22% (male 242,593; female 228,563)
15-64 years: 68% (male 728,969; female 703,665)
65 years and over: 10% (male 90,363; female 109,882) (July 1996 est.)
Population growth rate: 0.46% (1996 est.)
Birth rate: 13.31 births/1,000 population (1996 est.)
Death rate: 8.47 deaths/1,000 population (1996 est.)
Net migration rate: -0.2 migrant(s)/1,000 population (1996 est.)
Sex ratio:
at birth: 1.08 male(s)/female
under 15 years: 1.06 male(s)/female
15-64 years: 1.04 male(s)/female
65 years and over: 0.82 male(s)/female
all ages: 1.02 male(s)/female (1996 est.)
Infant mortality rate: 29.7 deaths/1,000 live births (1996 est.)
Life expectancy at birth:
total population: 71.94 years
male: 69.86 years
female: 74.18 years (1996 est.)
Total fertility rate: 1.82 children born/woman (1996 est.)
Nationality:
noun: Macedonian(s)
adjective: Macedonian
Ethnic divisions: Macedonian 65%, Albanian 22%, Turkish 4%, Serb
2%, Gypsies 3%, other 4%
Religions: Eastern Orthodox 67%, Muslim 30%, other 3%
Languages: Macedonian 70%, Albanian 21%, Turkish 3%,
Serbo-Croatian 3%, other 3%
Literacy: NA
Government
----------
Name of country:
conventional long form: The Former Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia
conventional short form: none
local long form: Republika Makedonija
local short form: Makedonija
abbreviation: FYROM
Data code: MK
Type of government: emerging democracy
Capital: Skopje
Administrative divisions: 34 counties (opstinas, singular -
opstina) Berovo, Bitola, Brod, Debar, Delcevo, Gevgelija, Gostivar,
Kavadarci, Kicevo, Kocani, Kratovo, Kriva Palanka, Krusevo,
Kumanovo, Murgasevo, Negotino, Ohrid, Prilep, Probistip, Radovis,
Resen, Skopje-Centar, Skopje-Cair, Skopje-Karpos, Skopje-Kisela
Voda, Skopje-Gazi Baba, Stip, Struga, Strumica, Sveti Nikole,
Tetovo, Titov Veles, Valandovo, Vinica
Independence: 17 September 1991 (from Yugoslavia)
National holiday: 8 September
Constitution: adopted 17 November 1991, effective 20 November 1991
Legal system: based on civil law system; judicial review of
legislative acts
Suffrage: 18 years of age; universal
Executive branch:
chief of state: President Kiro GLIGOROV (since 27 January 1991) was
elected by the Assembly in 1991 and reelected by popular vote in
1994; election last held 16 October 1994 (next to be held NA 1997);
results - percent of vote NA; note - following a failed
assassination attempt on the president in October 1995, then
Parliamentary Speaker Stojan ANDOV was acting president; GLIGOROV
resumed his duties in early 1996
head of government: Prime Minister Branko CRVENKOVSKI (since 4
September 1992) was appointed by the president
cabinet: Council of Ministers were elected by the majority vote of
all the deputies in the Assembly; note - after the withdrawal of the
Liberal Party from the ruling coalition in early 1996, the Council
of Ministers was reorganized without LP participation
Legislative branch: unicameral
Assembly (Sobranje): elections last held 16 and 30 October 1994
(next to be held NA November 1998); results - percent of vote by
party NA; seats - (120 total) SDSM 58, LP 29, SPM 8, PDP 10, NDP 4,
independents 7, other 4
Judicial branch: Constitutional Court, judges are elected by the
Judicial Council; Judicial Court of the Republic, judges are elected
by the Judicial Council
Political parties and leaders: Social-Democratic Alliance of
Macedonia (SDSM; former Communist Party), Branko CRVENKOVSKI,
president; Party for Democratic Prosperity (PDP), Abdurahman HALITI,
president; National Democratic Party (NDP), Ilijas HALINI,
president; Alliance of Reform Forces of Macedonia - Liberal Party
(SRSM-LP), Stojan ANDOV, president; Socialist Party of Macedonia
(SPM), Kiro POPOVSKI, president; Internal Macedonian Revolutionary
Organization - Democratic Party for Macedonian National Unity
(VMRO-DPMNE), Ljupco GEORGIEVSKI, president; Party of Yugoslavs in
Macedonia (SJM), Milan DURCINOV, president; Democratic Party (DP),
Petar GOSEV, president; Party for Democratic Prosperity of Albanians
(PDPA), Arben XHAFFERI, president
Other political or pressure groups: Movement for All Macedonian
Action (MAAK); Democratic Party of Serbs; Democratic Party of Turks;
Party for Democratic Action (Slavic Muslim)
International organization participation: CCC, CE, CEI, EBRD, ECE,
FAO, IAEA, IBRD, ICAO, IDA, IFAD, IFC, IFRCS, ILO, IMF, IMO,
Intelsat (nonsignatory user), Interpol, IOC, ITU, UN, UNCTAD,
UNESCO, UNIDO, UPU, WHO, WIPO, WMO, WTrO (observer)
Diplomatic representation in US:
chief of mission: Ambassador Ljubica ACEVSKA
chancery: 3050 K Street, NW, Suite 210, Washington, DC 20007
telephone: [1] (202) 337 3063
FAX: [1] (202) 337 3093
US diplomatic representation:
chief of mission: Ambassador-designate Christopher HILL; Charge
d'Affaires Victor D. COMRAS
embassy: ul. 27 Mart No. 5, 9100 Skopje
mailing address: United States Liaison Office Skopje, Department of
State, Washington, DC 20521-7120 (pouch)
telephone: [389] (91) 116-180
FAX: [389] (91) 117-103
note: the US agreed to establish full diplomatic relations with the
Former Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia in September 1995, and to
upgrade the Liaison Office to an Embassy
Flag: a rising yellow sun with 8 rays extending to the edges of
the red field
Economy
-------
Economic overview: The Former Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia,
although the poorest republic in the former Yugoslav federation, can
meet basic food and energy needs through its own agricultural and
coal resources. Its economic decline will continue unless ties are
reforged or enlarged with its neighbors Serbia and Montenegro,
Albania, Greece, and Bulgaria. The economy depends on outside
sources for all of its oil and gas and most of its modern machinery
and parts. An important supplement of GDP is the remittances from
thousands of Macedonians working in Germany and other West European
nations. The end of sanctions on Serbia and the lifting of the Greek
embargo on Macedonia have reopened its natural trade corridors, but
the country has been slow to capitalize on these opportunities.
Moreover, the Former Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia's geographical
isolation, technological underdevelopment, and potential political
instability place it far down the list of countries of interest to
Western investors. An internal commitment to economic reform would
encourage foreign investment over the long run.
GDP: purchasing power parity - $1.9 billion (1995 est.)
GDP real growth rate: 4%
GDP per capita: $880 (1995 est.)
GDP composition by sector:
agriculture: 24%
industry: 44%
services: 32%
Inflation rate (consumer prices): 14.8% (1995 est.)
Labor force: 591,773 (June 1994)
by occupation: manufacturing and mining 40% (1992)
Unemployment rate: 37% (1995 est.)
Budget:
revenues: $NA
expenditures: $NA, including capital expenditures of $NA
Industries: coal, metallic chromium, lead, zinc, ferronickel,
textiles, wood products, tobacco
Industrial production growth rate: -14% (1993)
Electricity:
capacity: 1,600,000 kW
production: 6.046 billion kWh
consumption per capita: 2,941 kWh (1992)
Agriculture: rice, tobacco, wheat, corn, millet, cotton, sesame,
mulberry leaves, citrus, vegetables; beef, pork, poultry, mutton
Illicit drugs: limited illicit opium cultivation; transshipment
point for Southwest Asian heroin
Exports: $916.2 million (1995)
commodities: manufactured goods 40%, machinery and transport
equipment 14%, miscellaneous manufactured articles 23%, raw
materials 7.6%, food (rice) and live animals 5.7%, beverages and
tobacco 4.5%, chemicals 4.7% (1990)
partners: principally Serbia and Montenegro and the other former
Yugoslav republics, Germany, Greece, Albania
Imports: $199 million (1995)
commodities: fuels and lubricants 19%, manufactured goods 18%,
machinery and transport equipment 15%, food and live animals 14%,
chemicals 11.4%, raw materials 10%, miscellaneous manufactured
articles 8.0%, beverages and tobacco 3.5% (1990)
partners: other former Yugoslav republics, Greece, Albania, Germany,
Bulgaria
External debt: $737.1 million (1994)
Economic aid:
recipient: ODA, $NA
note: US, $10 million (for humanitarian and technical assistance);
in December 1995, the EU agreed to provide a credit line of ECU 21.7
million for investment projects
Currency: the denar, which was adopted by the Macedonian
legislature 26 April 1992, was initially issued in the form of a
coupon pegged to the German mark; subsequently repegged to a basket
of seven currencies
Exchange rates: denar per US$1 - 38.8 (December 1995), 39
(November 1994), 865 (October 1992)
Fiscal year: calendar year
Transportation
--------------
Railways:
total: 699 km
standard gauge: 699 km 1.435-m gauge (232 km electrified) (1995)
Highways:
total: 10,591 km
paved: 5,091 km
unpaved: 5,500 km (1991 est.)
Waterways: none, lake transport only
Pipelines: none
Ports: none
Airports:
total: 16
with paved runways 2 438 to 3 047 m: 2
with paved runways under 914 m: 12
with unpaved runways 914 to 1 523 m: 2 (1995 est.)
Communications
--------------
Telephones: 125,000
Telephone system:
domestic: NA
international: NA
Radio broadcast stations: AM 6, FM 2, shortwave 0
Radios: 369,000 (1992 est.)
Television broadcast stations: 5 (relays 2)
Televisions: 327,011 (1992 est.)
Defense
-------
Branches: Army, Navy, Air and Air Defense Forces, Police Force
Manpower availability:
males age 15-49: 571,927
males fit for military service: 458,231
males reach military age (19) annually: 16,698 (1996 est.)
Defense expenditures: 7 billion denars, NA% of GDP (1993 est.);
note - conversion of defense expenditures into US dollars using the
current exchange rate could produce misleading results
======================================================================
@Madagascar
----------
Map
---
Location: 20 00 S, 47 00 E -- Southern Africa, island in the
Indian Ocean, east of Mozambique
Flag
----
Description: two equal horizontal bands of red (top) and green
with a vertical white band of the same width on hoist side
Geography
---------
Location: Southern Africa, island in the Indian Ocean, east of
Mozambique
Geographic coordinates: 20 00 S, 47 00 E
Map references: Africa
Area:
total area: 587,040 sq km
land area: 581,540 sq km
comparative area: slightly less than twice the size of Arizona
Land boundaries: 0 km
Coastline: 4,828 km
Maritime claims:
contiguous zone: 24 nm
continental shelf: 200 nm or 100 nm from the 2,500-m isobath
exclusive economic zone: 200 nm
territorial sea: 12 nm
International disputes: claims Bassas da India, Europa Island,
Glorioso Islands, Juan de Nova Island, and Tromelin Island (all
administered by France)
Climate: tropical along coast, temperate inland, arid in south
Terrain: narrow coastal plain, high plateau and mountains in center
lowest point: Indian Ocean 0 m
highest point: Maromokotro 2,876 m
Natural resources: graphite, chromite, coal, bauxite, salt,
quartz, tar sands, semiprecious stones, mica, fish
Land use:
arable land: 4%
permanent crops: 1%
meadows and pastures: 58%
forest and woodland: 26%
other: 11%
Irrigated land: 9,000 sq km (1989 est.)
Environment:
current issues: soil erosion results from deforestation and
overgrazing; desertification; surface water contaminated with raw
sewage and other organic wastes; several species of flora and fauna
unique to the island are endangered
natural hazards: periodic cyclones
international agreements: party to - Endangered Species, Marine Life
Conservation, Nuclear Test Ban; signed, but not ratified -
Biodiversity, Climate Change, Desertification, Law of the Sea
Geographic note: world's fourth-largest island; strategic location
along Mozambique Channel
People
------
Population: 13,670,507 (July 1996 est.)
Age structure:
0-14 years: 45% (male 3,105,958; female 3,034,279)
15-64 years: 52% (male 3,499,021; female 3,573,052)
65 years and over: 3% (male 224,710; female 233,487) (July 1996 est.)
Population growth rate: 2.83% (1996 est.)
Birth rate: 42.63 births/1,000 population (1996 est.)
Death rate: 14.38 deaths/1,000 population (1996 est.)
Net migration rate: 0 migrant(s)/1,000 population (1996 est.)
Sex ratio:
at birth: 1.03 male(s)/female
under 15 years: 1.02 male(s)/female
15-64 years: 0.98 male(s)/female
65 years and over: 0.96 male(s)/female
all ages: 1 male(s)/female (1996 est.)
Infant mortality rate: 93.5 deaths/1,000 live births (1996 est.)
Life expectancy at birth:
total population: 52.19 years
male: 51.11 years
female: 53.3 years (1996 est.)
Total fertility rate: 5.89 children born/woman (1996 est.)
Nationality:
noun: Malagasy (singular and plural)
adjective: Malagasy
Ethnic divisions: Malayo-Indonesian (Merina and related Betsileo),
Cotiers (mixed African, Malayo-Indonesian, and Arab ancestry -
Betsimisaraka, Tsimihety, Antaisaka, Sakalava), French, Indian,
Creole, Comoran
Religions: indigenous beliefs 52%, Christian 41%, Muslim 7%
Languages: French (official), Malagasy (official)
Literacy: age 15 and over can read and write (1990 est.)
total population: 80%
male: 88%
female: 73%
Government
----------
Name of country:
conventional long form: Republic of Madagascar
conventional short form: Madagascar
local long form: Republique de Madagascar
local short form: Madagascar
former: Malagasy Republic
Data code: MA
Type of government: republic
Capital: Antananarivo
Administrative divisions: 6 provinces (faritany); Antananarivo,
Antsiranana, Fianarantsoa, Mahajanga, Toamasina, Toliary
Independence: 26 June 1960 (from France)
National holiday: Independence Day, 26 June (1960)
Constitution: 19 August 1992 by national referendum
Legal system: based on French civil law system and traditional
Malagasy law; has not accepted compulsory ICJ jurisdiction
Suffrage: 18 years of age; universal
Executive branch:
chief of state: President Albert ZAFY (since 9 March 1993) was
elected for a five-year term by popular vote; election last held 10
February 1993 (next to be held NA 1998); results - Albert ZAFY
(UNDD) 67%; Didier RATSIRAKA (AREMA) 33%
head of government: Prime Minister Emmanuel RAKOTOVAHINY (since 30
October 1995) was elected by the National Assembly
cabinet: Council of Ministers was appointed by the prime minister
Legislative branch: bicameral Parliament
Senate (Senat): two-thirds of upper house seats are to be filled
from popularly elected regional assemblies; the remaining third is
to be filled by presidential appointment; decentralization and
formation of regional assemblies is not expected before 1997
National Assembly (Assemblee Nationale): elections last held 16 June
1993 (next to be held NA June 1997); results - percent of vote by
party NA; seats - (138 total) CFV coalition 76, PMDM/MFM 16, CSCD
11, Famima 10, RPSD 7, various pro-Ratsiraka groups 10, others 8
Judicial branch: Supreme Court (Cour Supreme); High Constitutional
Court (Haute Cour Constitutionnelle)
Political parties and leaders: Committee of Living Forces (CFV),
an alliance of National Union for Development and Democracy (UNDD),
Support Group for Democracy and Development in Madagascar (CSDDM),
Action and Reflection Group for the Development of Madagascar
(GRAD), Congress Party for Madagascar Independence - Renewal
(AKFM-Fanavaozana), and some 12 other parties, trade unions, and
religious groups; Militant Party for the Development of Madagascar
(PMDM/MFM), formerly the Movement for Proletarian Power, Manandafy
RAKOTONIRINA; Confederation of Civil Societies for Development
(CSCD), Guy Willy RAZANAMASY; Association of United Malagasys
(Famima); Rally for Social Democracy (RPSD), Pierre TSIRANANA
Other political or pressure groups: National Council of Christian
Churches (FFKM); Federalist Movement
International organization participation: ACCT, ACP, AfDB, CCC,
ECA, FAO, G-77, IAEA, IBRD, ICAO, ICC, ICFTU, ICRM, IDA, IFAD, IFC,
IFRCS, ILO, IMF, IMO, Intelsat, Interpol, IOC, ITU, NAM, OAU, UN,
UNCTAD, UNESCO, UNHCR, UNIDO, UPU, WCL, WFTU, WHO, WIPO, WMO, WToO,
WTrO
Diplomatic representation in US:
chief of mission: Ambassador Pierrot Jocelyn RAJAONARIVELO
chancery: 2374 Massachusetts Avenue NW, Washington, DC 20008
telephone: [1] (202) 265-5525, 5526
consulate(s) general: New York
US diplomatic representation:
chief of mission: Ambassador Vicki J. HUDDLESTON
embassy: 14-16 Rue Rainitovo, Antsahavola, Antananarivo
mailing address: B. P. 620, Antananarivo
telephone: [261] (2) 212-57, 200-89, 207-18
FAX: [261] (2) 234-539
Flag: two equal horizontal bands of red (top) and green with a
vertical white band of the same width on hoist side
Economy
-------
Economic overview: Madagascar is one of the poorest countries in
the world, suffering from chronic malnutrition, underfunded health
and education facilities, a roughly 3% annual population growth
rate, and severe loss of forest cover, accompanied by erosion.
Agriculture, including fishing and forestry, is the mainstay of the
economy, accounting for 35% of GDP and contributing more than 70% of
export earnings. Industry is largely confined to the processing of
agricultural products and textile manufacturing; it accounts for 15%
of GDP. In 1986, the government introduced a five-year development
plan that stressed self-sufficiency in food (mainly rice) by 1990,
increased production for export, and reduced energy imports.
Subsequently, growth in output has been held back because of
protracted antigovernment strikes and demonstrations for political
reform. Since 1993, corruption and political instability have caused
the economy and infrastructure to decay further. Since April 1994,
the government commitment to economic reforms has been erratic.
Enormous obstacles stand in the way of Madagascar's realizing its
considerable growth potential.
GDP: purchasing power parity - $11.4 billion (1995 est.)
GDP real growth rate: 2.7% (1995 est.)
GDP per capita: $820 (1995 est.)
GDP composition by sector:
agriculture: 35%
industry: 15%
services: 50% (1995 est.)
Inflation rate (consumer prices): 35% (1994 est.)
Labor force:
total workers: 4.9 million
workers not receiving money wages: 4.7 million (96% of total labor
force); note - 4.3 million workers are in subsistence agriculture
wage earners: 175,400 (3.6% of total work force)
wage earners by occupation: agriculture 45,500, domestic service
29,750, industry 26,250, commerce 24,500, construction 19,250,
service 15,750, transportation 10,500, other 3,500 (1985 est.)
Unemployment rate: NA%
Budget:
revenues: $250 million
expenditures: $265 million, including capital expenditures of $180
million (1991 est.)
Industries: meat processing, soap, breweries, tanneries, sugar,
textiles, glassware, cement, automobile assembly plant, paper,
petroleum
Industrial production growth rate: 3.8% (1993 est.)
Electricity:
capacity: 220,000 kW
production: 560 million kWh
consumption per capita: 40 kWh (1993)
Agriculture: coffee, vanilla, sugarcane, cloves, cocoa, rice,
cassava (tapioca), beans, bananas, peanuts; livestock products
Illicit drugs: illicit producer of cannabis (cultivated and wild
varieties) used mostly for domestic consumption; transshipment point
for heroin
Exports: $240 million (f.o.b., 1993 est.)
commodities: coffee 45%, vanilla 20%, cloves 11%, shellfish, sugar,
petroleum products
partners: France, US, Germany, Japan, Russia
Imports: $510 million (f.o.b., 1993 est.)
commodities: intermediate manufactures 30%, capital goods 28%,
petroleum 15%, consumer goods 14%, food 13%
partners: France, Germany, Japan, UK, Italy, Netherlands
External debt: $4.3 billion (1993 est.)
Economic aid:
recipient: ODA, $318 million (1993)
Currency: 1 Malagasy franc (FMG) = 100 centimes
Exchange rates: Malagasy francs (FMG) per US$1 - 4,239.5 (November
1995), 3,067.3 (1994), 1,913.8 (1993), 1,864.0 (1992), 1,835.4 (1991)
Fiscal year: calendar year
Transportation
--------------
Railways:
total: 883 km
narrow gauge: 883 km 1.000-m gauge (1994)
Highways:
total: 34,750 km
paved: 5,352 km
unpaved: 29,398 km (1991 est.)
Waterways: of local importance only; isolated streams and small
portions of Canal des Pangalanes
Ports: Antsiranana, Antsohimbondrona, Mahajanga, Toamasina,
Toliaria
Merchant marine:
total: 11 ships (1,000 GRT or over) totaling 22,132 GRT/31,261 DWT
ships by type: cargo 5, chemical tanker 1, liquefied gas tanker 1,
oil tanker 2, roll-on/roll-off cargo 2 (1995 est.)
Airports:
total: 105
with paved runways over 3 047 m: 1
with paved runways 2 438 to 3 047 m: 2
with paved runways 1 524 to 2 437 m: 3
with paved runways 914 to 1 523 m: 21
with paved runways under 914 m: 31
with unpaved runways 1 524 to 2 437 m: 2
with unpaved runways 914 to 1 523 m: 45 (1995 est.)
Communications
--------------
Telephones: 96,000 (1988 est.)