--------------
Telephones: 2,550,957 (1992 est.)
Telephone system: international service good
domestic: good intercity service provided on Peninsular Malaysia
mainly by microwave radio relay; adequate intercity microwave radio
relay network between Sabah and Sarawak via Brunei; domestic
satellite system with 2 earth stations
international: submarine cables to India, Hong Kong and Singapore;
satellite earth stations - 2 Intelsat (1 Indian Ocean and 1 Pacific
Ocean)
Radio broadcast stations: AM 28, FM 3, shortwave 0
Radios: 8.08 million (1992 est.)
Television broadcast stations: 33
Televisions: 2 million (1993 est.)
Defense
-------
Branches: Malaysian Army, Royal Malaysian Navy, Royal Malaysian
Air Force, Royal Malaysian Police Force, Marine Police, Sarawak
Border Scouts
Manpower availability:
males age 15-49: 5,160,884
males fit for military service: 3,129,626
males reach military age (21) annually: 184,236 (1996 est.)
Defense expenditures: exchange rate conversion - $2.4 billion,
2.9% of GDP (1995)
======================================================================
@Maldives
--------
Map
---
Location: 3 15 N, 73 00 E -- Southern Asia, group of atolls in the
Indian Ocean, south-southwest of India
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
Geography
---------
Location: Southern Asia, group of atolls in the Indian Ocean,
south-southwest of India
Geographic coordinates: 3 15 N, 73 00 E
Map references: Asia
Area:
total area: 300 sq km
land area: 300 sq km
comparative area: nearly twice the size of Washington, DC
Land boundaries: 0 km
Coastline: 644 km
Maritime claims:
exclusive economic zone: 35-310 nm as defined by geographic
coordinates; segment of zone coincides with maritime boundary with
India
territorial sea: 12 nm
International disputes: none
Climate: tropical; hot, humid; dry, northeast monsoon (November to
March); rainy, southwest monsoon (June to August)
Terrain: flat
lowest point: Indian Ocean 0 m
highest point: unnamed location on Wilingili 24 m
Natural resources: fish
Land use:
arable land: 10%
permanent crops: 0%
meadows and pastures: 3%
forest and woodland: 3%
other: 84%
Irrigated land: NA sq km
Environment:
current issues: depletion of freshwater aquifers threatens water
supplies
natural hazards: low level of islands makes them very sensitive to
sea level rise
international agreements: party to - Biodiversity, Climate Change,
Hazardous Wastes, Ozone Layer Protection; signed, but not ratified -
Law of the Sea
Geographic note: 1,190 coral islands grouped into 26 atolls;
archipelago of strategic location astride and along major sea lanes
in Indian Ocean
People
------
Population: 270,758 (July 1996 est.)
Age structure:
0-14 years: 47% (male 65,559; female 62,399)
15-64 years: 50% (male 69,071; female 65,659)
65 years and over: 3% (male 4,336; female 3,734) (July 1996 est.)
Population growth rate: 3.52% (1996 est.)
Birth rate: 41.88 births/1,000 population (1996 est.)
Death rate: 6.64 deaths/1,000 population (1996 est.)
Net migration rate: 0 migrant(s)/1,000 population (1996 est.)
Sex ratio:
at birth: 1.05 male(s)/female
under 15 years: 1.05 male(s)/female
15-64 years: 1.05 male(s)/female
65 years and over: 1.16 male(s)/female
all ages: 1.05 male(s)/female (1996 est.)
Infant mortality rate: 47 deaths/1,000 live births (1996 est.)
Life expectancy at birth:
total population: 66.17 years
male: 64.6 years
female: 67.82 years (1996 est.)
Total fertility rate: 6.06 children born/woman (1996 est.)
Nationality:
noun: Maldivian(s)
adjective: Maldivian
Ethnic divisions: Sinhalese, Dravidian, Arab, African
Religions: Sunni Muslim
Languages: Maldivian Divehi (dialect of Sinhala, script derived
from Arabic), English spoken by most government officials
Literacy: age 15 and over can read and write (1995 est.)
total population: 93.2%
male: 93.3%
female: 93%
Government
----------
Name of country:
conventional long form: Republic of Maldives
conventional short form: Maldives
Data code: MV
Type of government: republic
Capital: Male
Administrative divisions: 19 districts (atolls); Aliff, Baa,
Daalu, Faafu, Gaafu Aliff, Gaafu Daalu, Haa Aliff, Haa Daalu, Kaafu,
Laamu, Laviyani, Meemu, Naviyani, Noonu, Raa, Seenu, Shaviyani,
Thaa, Waavu
Independence: 26 July 1965 (from UK)
National holiday: Independence Day, 26 July (1965)
Constitution: 4 June 1968
Legal system: based on Islamic law with admixtures of English
common law primarily in commercial matters; has not accepted
compulsory ICJ jurisdiction
Suffrage: 21 years of age; universal
Executive branch:
chief of state and head of government: President Maumoon Abdul
GAYOOM (since 11 November 1978) was reelected for a five-year term
by secret ballot of the Majlis; election last held 1 October 1993
(next to be held NA 1998); results - President Maumoon Abdul GAYOOM
was reelected with 92.76% of the vote
cabinet: Ministry of Atolls was appointed by the president; note -
need not be members of Majilis
Legislative branch: unicameral; members elected for five-year
terms or appointed by the president
Citizens' Council (Majlis): elections last held 2 December 1994
(next to be held NA December 1999); results - percent of vote NA;
seats - (48 total, 40 elected, 8 appointed by the president)
independents 40
Judicial branch: High Court
Political parties and leaders: although political parties are not
banned, none exist
International organization participation: AsDB, C, CP, ESCAP, FAO,
G-77, IBRD, ICAO, IDA, IDB, IFAD, IFC, IMF, IMO, Intelsat
(nonsignatory user), Interpol, IOC, ITU, NAM, OIC, SAARC, UN,
UNCTAD, UNESCO, UNIDO, UPU, WHO, WMO, WToO, WTrO
Diplomatic representation in US: Maldives does not have an embassy
in the US, but does have a Permanent Mission to the UN in New York,
headed by Ahmed ZAKI
US diplomatic representation: 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: 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
-------
Economic overview: During the 1980s tourism became one of the most
important and highest growth sectors of the economy. In 1994,
tourism, Maldives largest industry, accounted for about 18% of GDP
and more than 60% of the Maldives' foreign exchange receipts.
Fishing is a second leading growth sector. Over 90% of government
tax revenue comes from import duties and tourism-related taxes. The
Maldivian Government initiated 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. In 1994, industry which
consisted mainly of garment production, boat building, and
handicrafts accounted for about 15% of GDP.
GDP: purchasing power parity - $390 million (1994 est.)
GDP real growth rate: 6.6% (1994 est.)
GDP per capita: $1,560 (1994 est.)
GDP composition by sector:
agriculture: 21.5%
industry: 15.3%
services: 63.2% (1994 est.)
Inflation rate (consumer prices): 16.5% (1994 est.)
Labor force: 66,000 (est.)
by occupation: fishing industry 25%
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:
capacity: 5,000 kW
production: 30 million kWh
consumption per capita: 123 kWh (1993)
Agriculture: coconuts, corn, sweet potatoes; fishing
Exports: $75.3 million (f.o.b., 1994 est.)
commodities: fish, clothing
partners: Sri Lanka, US, Germany, Singapore, UK
Imports: $195.1 million (f.o.b., 1994 est.)
commodities: consumer goods, intermediate and capital goods,
petroleum products
partners: Singapore, India, Sri Lanka, Hong Kong, Japan, Thailand
External debt: $137.5 million (1994 est.)
Economic aid:
recipient: ODA, $NA
Currency: 1 rufiyaa (Rf) = 100 laari
Exchange rates: rufiyaa (Rf) per US$1 - 11.770 (January 1996),
11.770 (1995), 11.586 (1994), 10.957 (1993), 10.569 (1992), 10.253
(1991)
Fiscal year: calendar year
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: Gan, Male
Merchant marine:
total: 20 ships (1,000 GRT or over) totaling 73,284 GRT/113,669 DWT
ships by type: cargo 17, container 2, oil tanker 1 (1995 est.)
Airports:
total: 2
with paved runways over 3 047 m: 1
with paved runways 2 438 to 3 047 m: 1 (1995 est.)
Communications
--------------
Telephones: 8,523 (1992 est.)
Telephone system: minimal domestic and international facilities
domestic: NA
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
Televisions: 7,309 (1992 est.)
Defense
-------
Branches: National Security Service (paramilitary police force)
Manpower availability:
males age 15-49: 59,179
males fit for military service: 33,016 (1996 est.)
Defense expenditures: $NA, NA% of GDP
======================================================================
@Mali
----
Map
---
Location: 17 00 N, 4 00 W -- Western Africa, southwest of Algeria
Flag
----
Description: three equal vertical bands of green (hoist side),
yellow, and red; uses the popular pan-African colors of Ethiopia
Geography
---------
Location: Western Africa, southwest of Algeria
Geographic coordinates: 17 00 N, 4 00 W
Map references: Africa
Area:
total area: 1.24 million sq km
land area: 1.22 million sq km
comparative area: 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)
International disputes: the disputed international boundary
between Burkina Faso and Mali was submitted to the International
Court of Justice (ICJ) in October 1983 and the ICJ issued its final
ruling in December 1986, which both sides agreed to accept; Burkina
Faso and Mali are proceeding with boundary demarcation, including
the tripoint with Niger
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
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%
meadows and pastures: 25%
forest and woodland: 7%
other: 66%
Irrigated land: 50 sq km (1989 est.)
Environment:
current issues: deforestation; soil erosion; desertification;
inadequate supplies of potable water; poaching
natural hazards: hot, dust-laden harmattan haze common during dry
seasons; recurring droughts
international agreements: party to - Biodiversity, Climate Change,
Desertification, Endangered Species, Law of the Sea, Ozone Layer
Protection, Wetlands; signed, but not ratified - Nuclear Test Ban
Geographic note: landlocked
People
------
Population: 9,653,261 (July 1996 est.)
Age structure:
0-14 years: 48% (male 2,310,294; female 2,308,941)
15-64 years: 49% (male 2,231,244; female 2,488,276)
65 years and over: 3% (male 149,370; female 165,136) (July 1996 est.)
Population growth rate: 2.95% (1996 est.)
Birth rate: 51.38 births/1,000 population (1996 est.)
Death rate: 19.49 deaths/1,000 population (1996 est.)
Net migration rate: -2.37 migrant(s)/1,000 population (1996 est.)
Sex ratio:
at birth: 1.03 male(s)/female
under 15 years: 1 male(s)/female
15-64 years: 0.9 male(s)/female
65 years and over: 0.9 male(s)/female
all ages: 0.94 male(s)/female (1996 est.)
Infant mortality rate: 102.7 deaths/1,000 live births (1996 est.)
Life expectancy at birth:
total population: 46.84 years
male: 45.12 years
female: 48.6 years (1996 est.)
Total fertility rate: 7.25 children born/woman (1996 est.)
Nationality:
noun: Malian(s)
adjective: Malian
Ethnic divisions: 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: age 15 and over can read and write (1995 est.)
total population: 31%
male: 39.4%
female: 23.1%
Government
----------
Name of country:
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
Type of government: 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) was
elected for a five-year term by universal suffrage; election last
held NA April 1992 (next to be held NA April 1997); Alpha KONARE was
elected in runoff race against Montaga TALL
head of government: Prime Minister Ibrahima Boubacar KEITA (since NA
March 1994) was appointed by the president
cabinet: Council of Ministers was appointed by the prime minister
Legislative branch: unicameral
National Assembly: elections last held 8 March 1992 (next to be held
NA February 1997); results - percent of vote by party NA; seats -
(116 total) Adema 76, CNID 9, US/RAD 8, Popular Movement for the
Development of the Republic of West Africa 6, RDP 4, UDD 4, RDT 3,
UFDP 3, PDP 2, UMDD 1
Judicial branch: Supreme Court (Cour Supreme)
Political parties and leaders: Alliance for Democracy (Adema),
Ibrahim Baubacar KEITA; National Congress for Democratic Initiative
(CNID), Mountaga TALL; Sudanese Union/African Democratic Rally
(US/RDA), Mamadou Madeira KEITA; Popular Movement for the
Development of the Republic of West Africa; Rally for Democracy and
Progress (RDP), Almamy SYLLA; Union for Democracy and Development
(UDD), Moussa Balla COULIBALY; Rally for Democracy and Labor (RDT);
Union of Democratic Forces for Progress (UFDP), Dembo DIALLO; Party
for Democracy and Progress (PDP), Idrissa TRAORE; Malian Union for
Democracy and Development (UMDD); Movement for the Independence, the
Renaissance and Integration of Africa (MIRIA), Mohammed Lamine TRAORE
Other political or pressure groups: United Movement and Fronts of
Azawad (MFUA); Patriotic Movement of the Ghanda Kaye (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, NAM, OAU,
OIC, UN, UNAMIR, UNAVEM III, UNCTAD, UNESCO, UNIDO, UNMIH, UPU,
WADB, WCL, WFTU, WHO, WIPO, WMO, WToO, WTrO
Diplomatic representation in US:
chief of mission: Ambassador Cheick Oumar DIARRAH
chancery: 2130 R Street NW, Washington, DC 20008
telephone: [1] (202) 332-2249, 939-8950
US diplomatic representation:
chief of mission: Ambassador David RAWSON
embassy: Rue Rochester NY and Rue Mohamed V, Bamako
mailing address: B. P. 34, Bamako
telephone: [223] 22 54 70
FAX: [223] 22 37 12
Flag: three equal vertical bands of green (hoist side), yellow,
and red; uses the popular pan-African colors of Ethiopia
Economy
-------
Economic 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 agriculture and fishing. Industrial
activity is concentrated on processing farm commodities. The economy
is beginning to turn around after contracting through 1992-93,
largely because of enhanced exports and import substitute production
in the wake of the 50% devaluation of 12 January 1994.
Post-devaluation inflation peaked at 35% in 1994, and the government
appears to be keeping on track with its IMF structural adjustment
program.
GDP: purchasing power parity - $5.4 billion (1994 est.)
GDP real growth rate: 2.4% (1994 est.)
GDP per capita: $600 (1994 est.)
GDP composition by sector:
agriculture: 42.4%
industry: 15.4%
services: 42.2%
Inflation rate (consumer prices): 8% (1995 est.)
Labor force: 2.666 million (1986 est.)
by occupation: agriculture 80%, services 19%, industry and commerce
1% (1981)
Unemployment rate: NA%
Budget:
revenues: $376 million
expenditures: $697 million, including capital expenditures of $NA
(1992 est.)
Industries: minor local consumer goods production and food
processing; construction; phosphate and gold mining
Industrial production growth rate: NA%
Electricity:
capacity: 90,000 kW
production: 310 million kWh
consumption per capita: 33 kWh (1993)
Agriculture: cotton, millet, rice, corn, vegetables, peanuts;
cattle, sheep, goats
Exports: $415 million (f.o.b., 1993)
commodities: cotton, livestock, gold
partners: mostly franc zone and Western Europe
Imports: $842 million (f.o.b., 1993)
commodities: machinery and equipment, foodstuffs, construction
materials, petroleum, textiles
partners: mostly franc zone and Western Europe
External debt: $2.8 billion (1995 est.)
Economic aid:
recipient: ODA, $NA
Currency: 1 Communaute Financiere Africaine franc (CFAF) = 100
centimes
Exchange rates: CFA francs (CFAF) per US$1 - 500.56 (January
1996), 499.15 (1995), 555.20 (1994), 283.16 (1993), 264.69 (1992),
282.11 (1991)
note: beginning 12 January 1994, the CFA franc was devalued to CFAF
100 per French franc from CFAF 50 at which it had been fixed since
1948
Fiscal year: calendar year
Transportation
--------------
Railways:
total: 641 km; note - linked to Senegal's rail system through Kayes
narrow gauge: 641 km 1.000-m gauge (1995)
Highways:
total: 15,610 km
paved: 1,661 km
unpaved: 13,949 km (1987 est.)
Waterways: 1,815 km navigable
Ports: Koulikoro
Airports:
total: 24
with paved runways 2 438 to 3 047 m: 4
with paved runways 914 to 1 523 m: 2
with paved runways under 914 m: 7
with unpaved runways 1 524 to 2 437 m: 3
with unpaved runways 914 to 1 523 m: 8 (1995 est.)
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 0
Radios: 430,000 (1992 est.)
Television broadcast stations: 2 (1987 est.)
Televisions: 11,000 (1992 est.)
Defense
-------
Branches: Army, Air Force, Gendarmerie, Republican Guard, National
Guard, National Police (Surete Nationale)
Manpower availability:
males age 15-49: 1,925,205
males fit for military service: 1,100,599 (1996 est.)
Defense expenditures: exchange rate conversion - $66 million, 2.2%
of GDP (1994)
======================================================================
@Malta
-----
Map
---
Location: 35 50 N, 14 35 E -- Southern Europe, islands in the
Mediterranean Sea, south of Sicily (Italy)
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
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 area: 320 sq km
land area: 320 sq km
comparative area: 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
International disputes: Malta and Tunisia are discussing the
commercial exploitation of the continental shelf between their
countries, particularly for oil exploration
Climate: Mediterranean with mild, rainy winters and hot, dry
summers
Terrain: mostly low, rocky, flat to dissected plains; many coastal
cliffs
lowest point: Mediterranean Sea 0 m
highest point: Dingli Cliffs 245 m
Natural resources: limestone, salt
Land use:
arable land: 38%
permanent crops: 3%
meadows and pastures: 0%
forest and woodland: 0%
other: 59%
Irrigated land: 10 sq km (1989)
Environment:
current issues: very limited natural fresh water resources;
increasing reliance on desalination
natural hazards: NA
international agreements: party to - Climate Change, Endangered
Species, Law of the Sea, Marine Dumping, Nuclear Test Ban, Ozone
Layer Protection, Ship Pollution, Wetlands, Whaling; signed, but not
ratified - Biodiversity, Desertification
Geographic note: the country comprises an archipelago, with only
the three largest islands (Malta, Gozo, and Comino) being inhabited;
numerous bays provide good harbors
People
------
Population: 375,576 (July 1996 est.)
Age structure:
0-14 years: 22% (male 42,067; female 39,958)
15-64 years: 67% (male 126,179; female 125,321)
65 years and over: 11% (male 17,766; female 24,285) (July 1996 est.)
Population growth rate: 1.01% (1996 est.)
Birth rate: 14.79 births/1,000 population (1996 est.)
Death rate: 6.83 deaths/1,000 population (1996 est.)
Net migration rate: 2.12 migrant(s)/1,000 population (1996 est.)
Sex ratio:
at birth: 1.06 male(s)/female
under 15 years: 1.05 male(s)/female
15-64 years: 1.01 male(s)/female
65 years and over: 0.73 male(s)/female
all ages: 0.98 male(s)/female (1996 est.)
Infant mortality rate: 6.9 deaths/1,000 live births (1996 est.)
Life expectancy at birth:
total population: 78.11 years
male: 75.77 years
female: 80.6 years (1996 est.)
Total fertility rate: 2.17 children born/woman (1996 est.)
Nationality:
noun: Maltese (singular and plural)
adjective: Maltese
Ethnic divisions: Arab, Sicilian, Norman, Spanish, Italian, English
Religions: Roman Catholic 98%
Languages: Maltese (official), English (official)
Literacy: age 15 and over can read and write (1985 est.)
total population: 84%
male: 86%
female: 82%
Government
----------
Name of country:
conventional long form: Republic of Malta
conventional short form: Malta
Data code: MT
Type of government: parliamentary democracy
Capital: Valletta
Administrative divisions: none (administered directly from
Valletta)
Independence: 21 September 1964 (from UK)
National holiday: Independence Day, 21 September (1964)