-------------------------------
Map
---
Location: 6 55 N, 158 15 E -- Oceania, island group in the North
Pacific Ocean, about three-quarters of the way from Hawaii to
Indonesia
Flag
----
Description: light blue with four white five-pointed stars
centered; the stars are arranged in a diamond pattern
Geography
---------
Location: Oceania, island group in the North Pacific Ocean, about
three-quarters of the way from Hawaii to Indonesia
Geographic coordinates: 6 55 N, 158 15 E
Map references: Oceania
Area:
total area: 702 sq km
land area: 702 sq km
comparative area: four times the size of Washington, DC
note: includes Pohnpei (Ponape), Truk (Chuuk) Islands, Yap Islands,
and Kosrae
Land boundaries: 0 km
Coastline: 6,112 km
Maritime claims:
exclusive economic zone: 200 nm
territorial sea: 12 nm
International disputes: none
Climate: tropical; heavy year-round rainfall, especially in the
eastern islands; located on southern edge of the typhoon belt with
occasional severe damage
Terrain: islands vary geologically from high mountainous islands
to low, coral atolls; volcanic outcroppings on Pohnpei, Kosrae, and
Truk
lowest point: Pacific Ocean 0 m
highest point: Totolom 791 m
Natural resources: forests, marine products, deep-seabed minerals
Land use:
arable land: NA%
permanent crops: NA%
meadows and pastures: NA%
forest and woodland: NA%
other: NA%
Irrigated land: NA sq km
Environment:
current issues: NA
natural hazards: typhoons (June to December)
international agreements: party to - Biodiversity, Climate Change,
Law of the Sea; signed, but not ratified - Desertification,
Hazardous Wastes, Ozone Layer Protection
Geographic note: four major island groups totaling 607 islands
People
------
Population: 125,377 (July 1996 est.)
Age structure:
0-14 years: NA
15-64 years: 35% (est.)
65 years and over: NA
Population growth rate: 3.34% (1996 est.)
Birth rate: 27.94 births/1,000 population (1996 est.)
Death rate: 6.22 deaths/1,000 population (1996 est.)
Net migration rate: 11.65 migrant(s)/1,000 population (1996 est.)
Sex ratio:
at birth: NA male(s)/female
under 15 years: NA male(s)/female
15-64 years: NA male(s)/female
65 years and over: NA male(s)/female
all ages: NA male(s)/female
Infant mortality rate: 35.8 deaths/1,000 live births (1996 est.)
Life expectancy at birth:
total population: 67.99 years
male: 66.02 years
female: 69.99 years (1996 est.)
Total fertility rate: 3.96 children born/woman (1996 est.)
Nationality:
noun: Micronesian(s)
adjective: Micronesian; Kosrae(s), Pohnpeian(s), Trukese, Yapese
Ethnic divisions: nine ethnic Micronesian and Polynesian groups
Religions: Roman Catholic 50%, Protestant 47%, other and none 3%
Languages: English (official and common language), Trukese,
Pohnpeian, Yapese, Kosrean
Literacy: age 15 and over can read and write (1980 est.)
total population: 89%
male: 91%
female: 88%
Government
----------
Name of country:
conventional long form: Federated States of Micronesia
conventional short form: none
former: Kosrae, Ponape, Truk, and Yap Districts (Trust Territory of
the Pacific Islands)
abbreviation: FSM
Data code: FM
Type of government: constitutional government in free association
with the US; the Compact of Free Association entered into force 3
November 1986
Capital: Kolonia (on the island of Pohnpei)
note: a new capital is being built about 10 km southwest in the
Palikir valley
Administrative divisions: 4 states; Kosrae, Pohnpei, Chuuk (Truk),
Yap
Independence: 3 November 1986 (from the US-administered UN
Trusteeship)
National holiday: Proclamation of the Federated States of
Micronesia, 10 May (1979)
Constitution: 10 May 1979
Legal system: based on adapted Trust Territory laws, acts of the
legislature, municipal, common, and customary laws
Suffrage: 18 years of age; universal
Executive branch:
chief of state and head of government: President Bailey OLTER (since
21 May 1991) and Vice President Jacob NENA (since 21 May 1991) were
elected by the Congress from among the four Senators-at-Large;
election last held 11 May 1995 (next to be held NA May 1999);
results - Bailey OLTER reelected to a second term as president;
Jacob NENA reelected to a second term as vice president
cabinet: Cabinet
Legislative branch: unicameral
Congress: elections last held 7 March 1995 (next to be held NA March
1999); results - percent of vote NA; seats - (14 total) independents
14
Judicial branch: Supreme Court
Political parties and leaders: no formal parties
International organization participation: AsDB, ESCAP, IBRD, ICAO,
IDA, IFC, IMF, Intelsat, ITU, Sparteca, SPC, SPF, UN, UNCTAD, WHO,
WMO
Diplomatic representation in US:
chief of mission: Ambassador Jesse B. MAREHALAU
chancery: 1725 N Street NW, Washington, DC 20036
telephone: [1] (202) 223-4383
FAX: [1] (202) 223-4391
consulate(s) general: Honolulu and Tamuning (Guam)
US diplomatic representation:
chief of mission: Ambassador March Fong EU
embassy: address NA, Kolonia
mailing address: P. O. Box 1286, Pohnpei, Federated States of
Micronesia 96941
telephone: [691] 320-2187
FAX: [691] 320-2186
Flag: light blue with four white five-pointed stars centered; the
stars are arranged in a diamond pattern
Economy
-------
Economic overview: Economic activity consists primarily of
subsistence farming and fishing. The islands have few mineral
deposits worth exploiting, except for high-grade phosphate. The
potential for a tourist industry exists, but the remoteness of the
location and a lack of adequate facilities hinder development.
Financial assistance from the US is the primary source of revenue,
with the US pledged to spend $1 billion in the islands in the 1990s.
Geographical isolation and a poorly developed infrastructure are
major impediments to long-term growth.
GDP: purchasing power parity - $205 million (1994 est.)
note: GDP is supplemented by grant aid, averaging perhaps $100
million annually
GDP real growth rate: 1.4% (1994 est.)
GDP per capita: $1,700 (1994 est.)
GDP composition by sector:
agriculture: NA%
industry: NA%
services: NA%
Inflation rate (consumer prices): 4% (1994 est.)
Labor force: NA
by occupation: two-thirds are government employees
Unemployment rate: 27% (1989)
Budget:
revenues: $45 million
expenditures: $31 million, including capital expenditures of $NA
(FY94/95 est.)
Industries: tourism, construction, fish processing, craft items
from shell, wood, and pearls
Industrial production growth rate: NA%
Electricity:
capacity: 18,000 kW
production: 40 million kWh
consumption per capita: 380 kWh (1990)
Agriculture: black pepper, tropical fruits and vegetables,
coconuts, cassava (tapioca), sweet potatoes; pigs, chickens
Exports: $29.1 million (f.o.b., 1994 est.)
commodities: fish, garments, bananas, black pepper
partners: Japan, US, Guam
Imports: $141.1 million (c.i.f., 1994 est.)
commodities: food, manufactured goods, machinery and equipment,
beverages
partners: US, Japan, Australia
External debt: $129 million
Economic aid:
recipient: under terms of the Compact of Free Association, the US
will provide $1.3 billion in grant aid during the period 1986-2001
Currency: 1 United States dollar (US$) = 100 cents
Exchange rates: US currency is used
Fiscal year: 1 October - 30 September
Transportation
--------------
Railways: 0 km
Highways:
total: 226 km
paved: 39 km
unpaved: 187 km
Ports: Colonia (Yap), Kolonia (Pohnpei), Lele, Moen
Merchant marine: none
Airports:
total: 5
with paved runways 1 524 to 2 437 m: 4
with paved runways under 914 m: 1 (1995 est.)
Communications
--------------
Telephones: 960
Telephone system:
domestic: islands interconnected by shortwave radiotelephone (used
mostly for government purposes)
international: satellite earth stations - 4 Intelsat (Pacific Ocean)
Radio broadcast stations: AM 5, FM 1, shortwave 1
Radios: 17,000 (1993 est.)
Television broadcast stations: 6
Televisions: 1,290 (1993 est.)
Defense
-------
Defense note: defense is the responsibility of the US
======================================================================
@Midway Islands
--------------
(territory of the US)
Map
---
Location: 28 13 N, 177 22 W -- Oceania, atoll in the North Pacific
Ocean, about one-third of the way from Honolulu to Tokyo
Flag
----
Description: the flag of the US is used
Geography
---------
Location: Oceania, atoll in the North Pacific Ocean, about
one-third of the way from Honolulu to Tokyo
Geographic coordinates: 28 13 N, 177 22 W
Map references: Oceania
Area:
total area: 5.2 sq km
land area: 5.2 sq km
comparative area: about nine times the size of The Mall in
Washington, DC
note: includes Eastern Island and Sand Island
Land boundaries: 0 km
Coastline: 15 km
Maritime claims:
exclusive economic zone: 200 nm
territorial sea: 12 nm
International disputes: none
Climate: tropical, but moderated by prevailing easterly winds
Terrain: low, nearly level
lowest point: Pacific Ocean 0 m
highest point: unnamed location 4 m
Natural resources: fish, wildlife
Land use:
arable land: 0%
permanent crops: 0%
meadows and pastures: 0%
forest and woodland: 0%
other: 100%
Irrigated land: 0 sq km
Environment:
current issues: NA
natural hazards: NA
international agreements: NA
Geographic note: a coral atoll; closed to the public
People
------
Population: no indigenous inhabitants; note - there are 453 US
military personnel (July 1995 est.)
Government
----------
Name of country:
conventional long form: none
conventional short form: Midway Islands
Data code: MQ
Type of government: unincorporated territory of the US formerly
administered by the US Navy, under Naval Facilities Engineering
Command, Pacific Division; this facility has been operationally
closed since 10 September 1993 and is currently undergoing transfer
of accountability and responsibility to the US Department of the
Interior, Fish and Wildlife Service
Capital: none; administered from Washington, DC
Flag: the flag of the US is used
Economy
-------
Economic overview: The economy is based on providing support
services for remaining activities located on the islands. All food
and manufactured goods must be imported.
Electricity: supplied by US Military
Transportation
--------------
Railways: 0 km
Highways:
total: 32 km
paved: NA km
unpaved: NA km
Pipelines: 7.8 km
Ports: Sand Island
Airports:
total: 2
with paved runways 1 524 to 2 437 m: 1
with unpaved runways 914 to 1 523 m: 1 (1995 est.)
Communications
--------------
Telephones: NA
Telephone system:
domestic: NA
international: NA
Radio broadcast stations: AM NA, FM NA, shortwave NA
Radios: NA
Television broadcast stations: NA
Televisions: NA
Defense
-------
Defense note: defense is the responsibility of the US
======================================================================
@Moldova
-------
Map
---
Location: 47 00 N, 29 00 E -- Eastern Europe, northeast of Romania
Flag
----
Description: same color scheme as Romania - three equal vertical
bands of blue (hoist side), yellow, and red; emblem in center of
flag is of a Roman eagle of gold outlined in black with a red beak
and talons carrying a yellow cross in its beak and a green olive
branch in its right talons and a yellow scepter in its left talons;
on its breast is a shield divided horizontally red over blue with a
stylized ox head, star, rose, and crescent all in black-outlined
yellow
Geography
---------
Location: Eastern Europe, northeast of Romania
Geographic coordinates: 47 00 N, 29 00 E
Map references: Commonwealth of Independent States
Area:
total area: 33,700 sq km
land area: 33,700 sq km
comparative area: slightly more than twice the size of Hawaii
Land boundaries:
total: 1,389 km
border countries: Romania 450 km, Ukraine 939 km
Coastline: 0 km (landlocked)
Maritime claims: none (landlocked)
International disputes: certain territory of Moldova and Ukraine -
including Bessarabia and Northern Bukovina - are considered by
Bucharest as historically a part of Romania; this territory was
incorporated into the former Soviet Union following the
Molotov-Ribbentrop Pact in 1940
Climate: moderate winters, warm summers
Terrain: rolling steppe, gradual slope south to Black Sea
lowest point: Nistru River 2 m
highest point: Mount Balaneshty 430 m
Natural resources: lignite, phosphorites, gypsum
Land use:
arable land: 50%
permanent crops: 13%
meadows and pastures: 9%
forest and woodland: 0%
other: 28%
Irrigated land: 2,920 sq km (1990)
Environment:
current issues: heavy use of agricultural chemicals, including
banned pesticides such as DDT, has contaminated soil and
groundwater; extensive soil erosion from poor farming methods
natural hazards: NA
international agreements: party to - Biodiversity, Climate Change;
signed, but not ratified - Air Pollution
Geographic note: landlocked
People
------
Population: 4,463,847 (July 1996 est.)
Age structure:
0-14 years: 26% (male 592,245; female 573,452)
15-64 years: 64% (male 1,381,017; female 1,496,428)
65 years and over: 10% (male 155,908; female 264,797) (July 1996
est.)
Population growth rate: 0.18% (1996 est.)
Birth rate: 16.3 births/1,000 population (1996 est.)
Death rate: 11.75 deaths/1,000 population (1996 est.)
Net migration rate: -2.77 migrant(s)/1,000 population (1996 est.)
Sex ratio:
at birth: 1.05 male(s)/female
under 15 years: 1.03 male(s)/female
15-64 years: 0.92 male(s)/female
65 years and over: 0.59 male(s)/female
all ages: 0.91 male(s)/female (1996 est.)
Infant mortality rate: 47.6 deaths/1,000 live births (1996 est.)
Life expectancy at birth:
total population: 65.14 years
male: 60.77 years
female: 69.73 years (1996 est.)
Total fertility rate: 2.17 children born/woman (1996 est.)
Nationality:
noun: Moldovan(s)
adjective: Moldovan
Ethnic divisions: Moldavian/Romanian 64.5%, Ukrainian 13.8%,
Russian 13%, Gagauz 3.5%, Jewish 1.5%, Bulgarian 2%, other 1.7%
(1989 figures)
note: internal disputes with ethnic Russians and Ukrainians in the
Dniester region and Gagauz Turks in the south
Religions: Eastern Orthodox 98.5%, Jewish 1.5%, Baptist (only
about 1,000 members) (1991)
note: the large majority of churchgoers are ethnic Moldavian
Languages: Moldovan (official, virtually the same as the Romanian
language), Russian, Gagauz (a Turkish dialect)
Literacy: age 15 and over can read and write (1989 est.)
total population: 96%
male: 99%
female: 94%
Government
----------
Name of country:
conventional long form: Republic of Moldova
conventional short form: Moldova
local long form: Republica Moldova
local short form: none
former: Soviet Socialist Republic of Moldova; Moldavia
Data code: MD
Type of government: republic
Capital: Chisinau
Administrative divisions: previously divided into 40 rayons; new
districts possible under new constitution in 1994
Independence: 27 August 1991 (from Soviet Union)
National holiday: Independence Day, 27 August 1991
Constitution: new constitution adopted 28 July 1994; replaces old
Soviet constitution of 1979
Legal system: based on civil law system; Constitutional Court
reviews legality of legislative acts and governmental decisions of
resolution; it is unclear if Moldova accepts compulsory ICJ
jurisdiction but accepts many UN and OSCE documents
Suffrage: 18 years of age; universal
Executive branch:
chief of state: President Mircea SNEGUR (since 3 September 1990) was
elected for a four-year term by popular vote; election last held 8
December 1991 (next to be held NA December 1996); results - Mircea
SNEGUR ran unopposed and won 98.17% of vote; note - President SNEGUR
was named executive president by the Supreme Soviet on 3 September
1990 and was confirmed by popular election on 8 December 1991
head of government: Prime Minister Andrei SANGHELI (since 1 July
1992; reappointed 5 April 1994 after elections for new legislature)
was appointed by Parliament; First Deputy Prime Minister Ion GUTU
(since NA April 1994)
cabinet: Council of Ministers was appointed by the president on
recommendation of the prime minister
Legislative branch: unicameral
Parliament: elections last held 27 February 1994 (next to be held NA
1999); results - percent of vote by party NA; seats - (104 total)
PDAM 56, Socialist/Yedinstvo Bloc 28, Peasants and Intellectuals
Bloc 11, FPCDM 9; note - seats as of June-July 1995 were as follows:
PDAM 45, PSM/UN 28, Peasants and Intellectuals Bloc 11, PRCM 11,
FPCDM 9
note: the comparative breakdown of seats by faction is approximate
Judicial branch: Supreme Court
Political parties and leaders: Christian Democratic Popular Front
(FPCDM - formerly Moldovan Popular Front), Iurie ROSCA, chairman;
Socialist Unity Faction (US) of the Socialist Party of Moldova
(PSM), Vladimir SOLONARI, leader; Social Democratic Party of Moldova
(PSDM), Anatol TARAN, chairman; Agrarian Democratic Party of Moldova
(PDAM), Dumitru MOTPAN, chairman; Peasants and Intellectuals Bloc,
Mihai GHIMPU, leader; Liberal Party of Modova (PLM), Mircea RUSU,
chairman; Socialist Party of Moldova (PSM), Valeriu SENIC and Victor
MOREV, cochairmen; Party of Rivival and Conciliation of Moldova
(PRCM), Mircea SNEGUR, chairman; Moldovan Party of Democratic Forces
(PFDM), Valeriu MATEI, chairman; Party for Social Progress (PPSM),
Eugen SOBOR, chairman; Communist Party (PCM), Vladimir VORONIN,
first chairman; Yedinstvo Intermovement, Vladimir SOLONARI,
chairman, note - this party may not be in existence now
Other political or pressure groups: United Council of Labor
Collectives (UCLC), Igor SMIRNOV, chairman; The Ecology Movement of
Moldova (EMM), G. MALARCHUK, chairman; The Christian Democratic
League of Women of Moldova (CDLWM), L. LARI, chairman; National
Christian Party of Moldova (NCPM), D. TODIKE, M. BARAGA, V. NIKU,
leaders; The Peoples Movement Gagauz Khalky (GKh), S. GULGAR,
leader; The Democratic Party of Gagauzia (DPG), G. SAVOSTIN,
chairman; The Alliance of Working People of Moldova (AWPM), G.
POLOGOV, president; Christian Alliance for Greater Romania; Stefan
the Great Movement; Liberal Convention of Moldova; Association of
Victims of Repression; Christian Democratic Youth League
International organization participation: BSEC, CCC, CE, CIS,
EBRD, ECE, FAO, IBRD, ICAO, IDA, IFC, ILO, IMF, Intelsat
(nonsignatory user), Interpol, IOC, IOM (observer), ITU, NACC, OSCE,
PFP, UN, UNCTAD, UNESCO, UNIDO, UPU, WHO, WIPO, WMO, WToO, WTrO
(applicant)
Diplomatic representation in US:
chief of mission: Ambassador Nicolae TAU
chancery: Suites 329, 333, 1511 K Street NW, Washington, DC 20005
telephone: [1] (202) 783-3012
FAX: [1] (202) 783-3342
US diplomatic representation:
chief of mission: Ambassador John Todd STEWART
embassy: Strada Alexei Mateevich #103, Chisinau 277014
mailing address: use embassy street address
telephone: [373] (2) 23-37-72
FAX: [373] (2) 23-30-44
Flag: same color scheme as Romania - three equal vertical bands of
blue (hoist side), yellow, and red; emblem in center of flag is of a
Roman eagle of gold outlined in black with a red beak and talons
carrying a yellow cross in its beak and a green olive branch in its
right talons and a yellow scepter in its left talons; on its breast
is a shield divided horizontally red over blue with a stylized ox
head, star, rose, and crescent all in black-outlined yellow
Economy
-------
Economic overview: Moldova enjoys a favorable climate and good
farmland but has no major mineral deposits. As a result, the economy
depends heavily on agriculture, featuring fruits, vegetables, wine,
and tobacco. Moldova must import all of its supplies of oil, coal,
and natural gas. Energy shortages have contributed to sharp
production declines since the breakup of the Soviet Union in 1991.
The Moldovan Government has been making steady progress on an
ambitious economic reform agenda, and the IMF has called Moldova a
model for the region. As part of its reform efforts, Chisinau has
introduced a stable convertible currency, freed all prices, stopped
issuing preferential credits to state enterprises and backed their
steady privatization, removed export controls, and freed interest
rates. Chisinau appears strongly committed to continuing these
reforms in 1996. Published estimates probably overstated the decline
in output in 1991-94; the $2,310 per capita figure for GDP thus is a
minimum estimate.
GDP: purchasing power parity - $10.4 billion (1995 estimate
extrapolated from World Bank estimate for 1994)
GDP real growth rate: -3% (1995 est.)
GDP per capita: $2,310 (1995 est.)
GDP composition by sector:
agriculture: 33%
industry: 36%
services: 31% (1993 est.)
Inflation rate (consumer prices): 24% (1995 est.)
Labor force: 2.03 million (January 1994)
by occupation: agriculture 34.4%, industry 20.1%, other 45.5% (1985
figures)
Unemployment rate: 1.2% (includes only officially registered
unemployed; large numbers of underemployed workers) (December 1995)
Budget:
revenues: $NA
expenditures: $NA, including capital expenditures of $NA
note: budget deficit for 1995 approximately 5% of GDP
Industries: food processing, agricultural machinery, foundry
equipment, refrigerators and freezers, washing machines, hosiery,
sugar, vegetable oil, shoes, textiles
Industrial production growth rate: -6% (1995 est.)
Electricity:
capacity: 3,000,000 kW
production: 8.2 billion kWh
consumption per capita: 1,830 kWh (1994)
Agriculture: vegetables, fruits, wine, grain, sugar beets,
sunflower seed, tobacco; meat, milk
Illicit drugs: illicit cultivator of opium poppy and cannabis;
mostly for CIS consumption; transshipment point for illicit drugs to
Western Europe
Exports: $720 million (1995)
commodities: foodstuffs, wine, tobacco, textiles and footwear,
machinery, chemicals
partners: Russia, Kazakstan, Ukraine, Romania, Germany
Imports: $822 million (1995)
commodities: oil, gas, coal, steel, machinery, foodstuffs,
automobiles, and other consumer durables
partners: Russia, Ukraine, Uzbekistan, Romania, Germany
External debt: $550 million (of which $250 million to Russia)
Economic aid:
recipient: ODA, $46 million (1993)
note: commitments, $1,335 million ($500 million disbursements),
1992-95
Currency: the leu (plural lei) was introduced in late 1993
Exchange rates: lei per US$1 - 4.5460 (January 1996), 4.4990
(1995), 4.2700 (1994), 3.6400 (1993), 0.4145 (1992), 0.0017 (1991)
Fiscal year: calendar year
Transportation
--------------
Railways:
total: 1,328 km
broad gauge: 1,328 km 1.520-m gauge (1992)
Highways:
total: 14,508 km
paved: 12,346 km
unpaved: 2,162 km (1992 est.)
Waterways: 424 km (1994)
Pipelines: natural gas 310 km (1992)
Ports: none
Airports:
total: 26
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: 2
with paved runways under 914 m: 3
with unpaved runways 2 438 to 3 047 m: 3
with unpaved runways 1 524 to 2 437 m: 2
with unpaved runways 914 to 1 523 m: 5
with unpaved runways under 914 m: 8 (1994 est.)
Communications
--------------
Telephones: 577,000 (1991 est.)
Telephone system: telecommunication system not well developed;
215,000 unsatisfied requests for telephone service (1991 est.)
domestic: NA
international: international connections to other former Soviet
republics by landline and microwave radio relay through Ukraine and
to other countries by leased connections to the Moscow international
gateway switch; satellite earth stations - 1 Eutelsat and 1 Intelsat
Radio broadcast stations: AM 9, FM 5, shortwave NA (1994)
Radios: NA
Television broadcast stations: 2 (one national and one private)
(1995)
Televisions: NA
Defense
-------
Branches: Ground Forces, Air and Air Defense Forces, Republic
Security Forces (internal and border troops)