Mexico's economy is a mixture of state-owned industrial facilities (notably
oil), private manufacturing and services, and both large-scale and
traditional agriculture. In the 1980s, Mexico experienced severe economic
difficulties: the nation accumulated large external debts as world petroleum
prices fell; rapid population growth outstripped the domestic food supply;
and inflation, unemployment, and pressures to emigrate became more acute.
Growth in national output, however, has recovered, rising from 1.4% in 1988
to 4% in 1990 and 3.6% in 1991 and coming in at 2.6% in 1992. The US is
Mexico's major trading partner, accounting for almost three-quarters of its
exports and imports. After petroleum, border assembly plants and tourism are
the largest earners of foreign exchange. The government, in consultation
with international economic agencies, has been implementing programs to
stabilize the economy and foster growth. For example, it has privatized more
than two-thirds of its state-owned companies (parastatals), including banks.
In 1991-92 the government conducted negotiations with the US and Canada on a
North American Free Trade Agreement (NAFTA), which was still being discussed
by the three countries in early 1993. In January 1993, Mexico replaced its
old peso with a new peso, at the rate of 1,000 old to 1 new peso.
Notwithstanding the palpable improvements in economic performance in the
early 1990s, Mexico faces substantial problems for the remainder of the
decade - e.g., rapid population growth, unemployment, and serious pollution,
particularly in Mexico City.
National product:
GDP - exchange rate conversion - $328 billion (1992 est.)
National product real growth rate:
2.6% (1992)
National product per capita:
$3,600 (1992 est.)
Inflation rate (consumer prices):
11.9% (1992)
Unemployment rate:
14%-17% (1991 est.)
Budget:
revenues $58.9 billion; expenditures $48.3 billion, including capital
expenditures of $6.5 billion (1991); figures do not include state-owned
companies
Exports:
$27.5 billion (f.o.b., 1992 est.)
commodities:
crude oil, oil products, coffee, shrimp, engines, motor vehicles, cotton,
consumer electronics
partners:
US 74%, Japan 8%, EC 4% (1992 est.)
Imports:
$48.1 billion (c.i.f., 1992 est.)
commodities:
metal-working machines, steel mill products, agricultural machinery,
electrical equipment, car parts for assembly, repair parts for motor
vehicles, aircraft, and aircraft parts
partners:
US 74%, Japan, 11%, EC 6% (1992)
External debt:
$104 billion (1992 est.)
Industrial production:
growth rate 5.5% (1991 est.); accounts for 28% of GDP
Electricity:
27,000,000 kW capacity; 120,725 million kWh produced, 1,300 kWh per capita
(1992)
*Mexico, Economy
Industries:
food and beverages, tobacco, chemicals, iron and steel, petroleum, mining,
textiles, clothing, motor vehicles, consumer durables, tourism
Agriculture:
accounts for 9% of GDP and over 25% of work force; large number of small
farms at subsistence level; major food crops - corn, wheat, rice, beans;
cash crops - cotton, coffee, fruit, tomatoes; fish catch of 1.4 million
metric tons among top 20 nations (1987)
Illicit drugs:
illicit cultivation of opium poppy and cannabis continues in spite of active
government eradication program; major supplier to the US market; continues
as the primary transshipment country for US-bound cocaine from South America
Economic aid:
US commitments, including Ex-Im (FY70-89), $3.1 billion; Western (non-US)
countries, ODA and OOF bilateral commitments (1970-89), $7.7 billion;
Communist countries (1970-89), $110 million
Currency:
1 New Mexican peso (Mex$) = 100 centavos
Exchange rates:
market rate of Mexican pesos (Mex$) per US$1 - 3.100 (January 1993), 3,198
(November 1992), 3,018.4 (1991), 2,812.6 (1990), 2,461.3 (1989), 2,273.1
(1988); note - the new pesos replaced the old pesos on 1 January 1993; 1 new
pesos = 1,000 old pesos
Fiscal year:
calendar year
*Mexico, Communications
Railroads:
24,500 km total
Highways:
212,000 km total; 65,000 km paved, 30,000 km semipaved or cobblestone,
62,000 km rural roads (improved earth) or roads under construction, 55,000
km unimproved earth roads
Inland waterways:
2,900 km navigable rivers and coastal canals
Pipelines:
crude oil 28,200 km; petroleum products 10,150 km; natural gas 13,254 km;
petrochemical 1,400 km
Ports:
Acapulco, Altamira, Coatzacoalcos, Ensenada, Guaymas, Manzanillo, Mazatlan,
Progreso, Puerto Vallarta, Salina Cruz, Tampico, Tuxpan, Veracruz
Merchant marine:
58 ships (1,000 GRT or over) totaling 858,162 GRT/1,278,488 DWT; includes 4
short-sea passenger, 2 cargo, 2 refrigerated cargo, 2 roll-on/roll-off, 31
oil tanker, 4 chemical tanker, 7 liquefied gas, 1 bulk, 5 container
Airports:
total:
1,841
usable:
1,478
with permanent-surface runways:
200
with runways over 3,659 m:
3
with runways 2,440-3,659 m:
35
with runways 1,220-2,439 m:
273
Telecommunications:
highly developed system with extensive microwave radio relay links;
privatized in December 1990; connected into Central America Microwave
System; 6,410,000 telephones; broadcast stations - 679 AM, no FM, 238 TV, 22
shortwave; 120 domestic satellite terminals; earth stations - 4 Atlantic
Ocean INTELSAT and 1 Pacific Ocean INTELSAT
*Mexico, Defense Forces
Branches:
National Defense (including Army and Air Force), Navy (including Marines)
Manpower availability:
males age 15-49 22,201,567; fit for military service 16,205,926; reach
military age (18) annually 1,049,729 (1993 est.)
Defense expenditures:
exchange rate conversion - $NA, NA% of GDP
*Micronesia, Federated States of, Geography
Location:
Oceania, in the North Pacific Ocean, about three-quarters of the way between
Hawaii and Indonesia
Map references:
Oceania, Southeast Asia, Standard Time Zones of the World
Area:
total area:
702 km2
land area:
702 km2
comparative area:
slightly less than four times the size of Washington, DC
note:
includes Pohnpei (Ponape), Truk (Chuuk), Yap, 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
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 km2
Environment:
subject to typhoons from June to December; four major island groups totaling
607 islands
*Micronesia, Federated States of, People
Population:
117,588 (July 1993 est.)
Population growth rate:
3.37% (1993 est.)
Birth rate:
28.48 births/1,000 population (1993 est.)
Death rate:
6.46 deaths/1,000 population (1993 est.)
Net migration rate:
11.65 migrant(s)/1,000 population (1993 est.)
Infant mortality rate:
37.96 deaths/1,000 live births (1993 est.)
Life expectancy at birth:
total population:
67.45 years
male:
65.49 years
female:
69.44 years (1993 est.)
Total fertility rate:
4.04 children born/woman (1993 est.)
Nationality:
noun:
Micronesian(s)
adjective:
Micronesian; Kosrae(s), Pohnpeian(s), Trukese, Yapese
Ethnic divisions:
nine ethnic Micronesian and Polynesian groups
Religions:
Christian (divided between Roman Catholic and Protestant; other churches
include Assembly of God, Jehovah's Witnesses, Seventh-Day Adventist,
Latter-Day Saints, and the Baha'i Faith)
Languages:
English (official and common language), Trukese, Pohnpeian, Yapese, Kosrean
Literacy:
age 15 and over can read and write (1980)
total population:
90%
male:
90%
female:
85%
Labor force:
NA
by occupation:
two-thirds are government employees
note:
45,000 people are between the ages of 15 and 65
*Micronesia, Federated States of, Government
Names:
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
Digraph:
FM
Type:
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)
Constitution:
10 May 1979
Legal system:
based on adapted Trust Territory laws, acts of the legislature, municipal,
common, and customary laws
National holiday:
Proclamation of the Federated States of Micronesia, 10 May (1979)
Political parties and leaders:
no formal parties
Suffrage:
18 years of age; universal
Elections:
President:
last held ll May 1991 (next to be held March 1995); results - President
Bailey OLTER elected president; Vice-President Jacob NENA
Congress:
last held on 5 March 1991 (next to be held March 1993); results - percent of
vote NA; seats - (14 total)
Executive branch:
president, vice president, Cabinet
Legislative branch:
unicameral Congress
Judicial branch:
Supreme Court
Leaders:
Chief of State and Head of Government:
President Bailey OLTER (since 21 May 1991); Vice President Jacob NENA (since
21 May 1991)
Member of:
AsDB, ESCAP, ICAO, SPARTECA, SPC, SPF, UN, UNCTAD, WHO
Diplomatic representation in US:
chief of mission:
Ambassador Jesse B. MAREHALAU
chancery:
1725 N St., NW, Washington, DC 20036
*Micronesia, Federated States of, Government
telephone:
(202) 223-4383
US diplomatic representation:
chief of mission:
Ambassador Aurelia BRAZEAL
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
*Micronesia, Federated States of, Economy
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 l990s. Geographical
isolation and a poorly developed infrastructure are major impediments to
long-term growth.
National product:
GNP - purchasing power equivalent - $150 million (1989 est.)
note:
GNP numbers reflect US spending
National product real growth rate:
NA%
National product per capita:
$1,500 (1989 est.)
Inflation rate (consumer prices):
NA%
Unemployment rate:
NA%
Budget:
revenues $165 million; expenditures $115 million, including capital
expenditures of $20 million (1988)
Exports:
$2.3 million (f.o.b., 1988)
commodities:
copra
partners:
NA
Imports:
$67.7 million (c.i.f., 1988)
commodities:
NA
partners:
NA
External debt:
$NA
Industrial production:
growth rate NA%
Electricity:
18,000 kW capacity; 40 million kWh produced, 380 kWh per capita (1990)
Industries:
tourism, construction, fish processing, craft items from shell, wood, and
pearls
Agriculture:
mainly a subsistence economy; black pepper; tropical fruits and vegetables,
coconuts, cassava, sweet potatoes, pigs, chickens
Economic aid:
under terms of the Compact of Free Association, the US will provide $1.3
billion in grant aid during the period 1986-2001
Currency:
US currency is used
Exchange rates:
US currency is used
Fiscal year:
1 October - 30 September
*Micronesia, Federated States of, Communications
Highways:
39 km of paved roads on major islands; also 187 km stone-, coral-, or
laterite-surfaced roads
Ports:
Colonia (Yap), Truk, Okat and Lelu (Kosrae)
Airports:
total:
6
usable:
5
with permanent-surface runways:
4
with runways over 3,659 m:
0
with runways 2,440-3,659 m:
0
with runways 1,220-2,439 m:
4
Telecommunications:
telephone network - 960 telephone lines total at Kolonia and Truk; islands
interconnected by shortwave radio (used mostly for government purposes);
16,000 radio receivers, 1,125 TV sets (est. 1987); broadcast stations - 5
AM, 1 FM, 6 TV, 1 shortwave; 4 Pacific Ocean INTELSAT earth stations
*Micronesia, Federated States of, Defense Forces
Note:
defense is the responsibility of the US
*Midway Islands, Header
Affiliation:
(territory of the US)
*Midway Islands, Geography
Location:
located in the North Pacific Ocean, 2,350 km west-northwest of Honolulu,
about one-third of the way between Honolulu and Tokyo
Map references:
Oceania
Area:
total area:
5.2 km2
land area:
5.2 km2
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:
contiguous zone:
24 nm
continental shelf:
200 m (depth)
exclusive economic zone:
200 nm
territorial sea:
12 nm
International disputes:
none
Climate:
tropical, but moderated by prevailing easterly winds
Terrain:
low, nearly level
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 km2
Environment:
coral atoll
Note:
closed to the public
*Midway Islands, People
Population:
no indigenous inhabitants; note - there are 453 US military personnel
*Midway Islands, Government
Names:
conventional long form:
none
conventional short form:
Midway Islands
Digraph:
MQ
Type:
unincorporated territory of the US administered by the US Navy, under
command of the Barbers Point Naval Air Station in Hawaii and managed
cooperatively by the US Navy and the Fish and Wildlife Service of the US
Department of the Interior as part of the National Wildlife Refuge System;
legislation before Congress in 1990 proposed inclusion of territory within
the State of Hawaii
Capital:
none; administered from Washington, DC
Flag:
the US flag is used
*Midway Islands, Economy
Overview:
The economy is based on providing support services for US naval operations
located on the islands. All food and manufactured goods must be imported.
Electricity:
supplied by US Military
*Midway Islands, Communications
Highways:
32 km total
Pipelines:
7.8 km
Ports:
Sand Island
Airports:
total:
3
usable:
2
with permanent-surface runways:
1
with runways over 3,659 m:
0
with runways 2,440-3,659 m:
0
with runways 1,220-2,439 m:
1
*Midway Islands, Defense Forces
Note:
defense is the responsibility of the US
*Moldova, Geography
Location:
Eastern Europe, between Ukraine and Romania
Map references:
Asia, Europe, Standard Time Zones of the World
Area:
total area:
33,700 km2
land area:
33,700 km2
comparative area:
slightly more than twice the size of Hawaii
Land boundaries:
total 1,389 km, Romania 450 km, Ukraine 939 km
Coastline:
0 km (landlocked)
Maritime claims:
none; landlocked
International disputes:
potential dispute with Ukraine over former southern Bessarabian areas;
northern Bukovina ceded to Ukraine upon Moldova's incorporation into USSR
Climate:
mild winters, warm summers
Terrain:
rolling steppe, gradual slope south to Black Sea
Natural resources:
lignite, phosphorites, gypsum
Land use:
arable land:
50%
permanent crops:
0%
meadows and pastures:
9%
forest and woodland:
0%
other:
41%
Irrigated land:
2,920 km2 (1990)
Environment:
heavy use of agricultural chemicals, including banned pesticides such as
DDT, has contaminated soil and groundwater; extensive erosion from poor
farming methods
Note:
landlocked
*Moldova, People
Population:
4,455,645 (July 1993 est.)
Population growth rate:
0.4% (1993 est.)
Birth rate:
16.15 births/1,000 population (1993 est.)
Death rate:
10.01 deaths/1,000 population (1993 est.)
Net migration rate:
-2.15 migrant(s)/1,000 population (1993 est.)
Infant mortality rate:
30.8 deaths/1,000 live births (1993 est.)
Life expectancy at birth:
total population:
67.92 years
male:
64.49 years
female:
71.53 years (1993 est.)
Total fertility rate:
2.2 children born/woman (1993 est.)
Nationality:
noun:
Moldovan(s)
adjective:
Moldovan
Ethnic divisions:
Moldovan/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:
almost all churchgoers are ethnic Moldovan; the Slavic population are not
churchgoers
Languages:
Moldovan (official); note - virtually the same as the Romanian language,
Russian
Literacy:
age 9-49 can read and write (1970)
total population:
100%
male:
100%
female:
99%
Labor force:
2.095 million
by occupation:
agriculture 34.4%, industry 20.1%, other 45.5% (1985 figures)
*Moldova, Government
Names:
conventional long form:
Republic of Moldova
conventional short form:
Moldova
local long form:
Republica Moldoveneasca
local short form:
none
former:
Soviet Socialist Republic of Moldova; Moldavia
Digraph:
MD
Type:
republic
Capital:
Chisinau (Kishinev)
Administrative divisions:
previously divided into 40 rayons; to be divided into fewer, larger
districts at some future point
Independence:
27 August 1991 (from Soviet Union)
Constitution:
as of mid-1993 the new constitution had not been adopted; old constitution
(adopted NA 1979) is still in effect but has been heavily amended during the
past few years
Legal system:
based on civil law system; no judicial review of legislative acts; does not
accept compulsory ICJ jurisdiction but accepts many UN and CSCE documents
National holiday:
Independence Day, 27 August 1991
Political parties and leaders:
Christian Democratic Popular Front (formerly Moldovan Popular Front), Ivrie
ROSCA, chairman; Yedinstvo Intermovement, V. YAKOVLEV, chairman; Social
Democratic Party, Oazul NANTOI, chairman, two other chairmen; Agrarian
Democratic Party, Valery CHEBOTARV, leader; Democratic Party, Gheorghe
GHIMPU, chairman; Democratic Labor Party, Alexandru ARSENI, chairman
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; Women's League; Stefan the Great Movement
Suffrage:
18 years of age; universal
Elections:
President:
last held 8 December 1991 (next to be held NA1996); results - Mircea SNEGUR
ran unopposed and won 98.17% of vote
Parliament:
last held 25 February 1990 (next to be held NA 1995); results - percent of
vote by party NA; seats - (350 total) Christian Democratic Popular Front 50;
Club of Independent Deputies 25; Agrarian Club 90; Social Democrats 60-70;
Russian Conciliation Club 50; 60-70 seats belong to Dniester region deputies
who usually boycott Moldovan legislative proceedings; the remaining seats
filled by independents; note - until May 1991 was called Supreme Soviet
*Moldova, Government
Executive branch:
president, prime minister, Cabinet of Ministers
Legislative branch:
unicameral Parliament
Judicial branch:
Supreme Court
Leaders:
Chief of State:
President Mircea Ivanovich SNEGUR (since 3 September 1990)
Head of Legislature:
Chairman of the Parliament Petru LUCINSCHI (since 4 February 1993); Prime
Minister Andrei SANGHELI (since 1 July 1992)
Member of:
BSEC, CIS, CSCE, EBRD, ECE, IBRD, ICAO, ILO, IMF, NACC, UN, UNCTAD, UNESCO,
WHO
Diplomatic representation in US:
chief of mission:
Permanent Representative to the UN Tudor PANTIRU (also acts as
representative to US)
chancery:
NA
telephone:
NA
US diplomatic representation:
chief of mission:
Ambassador Mary C. PENDLETON
embassy:
Strada Alexei Mateevich #103, Chisinau
mailing address:
APO AE 09862
telephone:
7-0422-23-37-72 or 23-34-94
FAX:
7-0422-23-34-94
Flag:
same color scheme as Romania - 3 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
*Moldova, Economy
Overview:
Moldova, the next-to-smallest of the former Soviet republics in area, is the
most densely inhabited. Moldova has a little more than 1% of the population,
labor force, capital stock, and output of the former Soviet Union. Living
standards have been below average for the European USSR. The country enjoys
a favorable climate, and economic development has been primarily based on
agriculture, featuring fruits, vegetables, wine, and tobacco. Industry
accounts for 20% of the labor force, whereas agriculture employs more than
one-third. Moldova has no major mineral resources and has depended on other
former Soviet republics for coal, oil, gas, steel, most electronic
equipment, machine tools, and major consumer durables such as automobiles.
Its industrial and agricultural products, in turn, have been exported to the
other republics. Moldova has freed prices on most goods and has legalized
private ownership of property. Moldova's near-term economic prospects are
dimmed, however, by the difficulties of moving toward a market economy, the
political problems of redefining ties to the other former Soviet republics
and Romania, and the ongoing separatist movements in the Dniester and Gagauz
regions. In 1992, national output fell substantially for the second
consecutive year - down 22% in the industrial sector and 20% in agriculture.
The decline is mainly attributable to the drop in energy supplies.
National product:
GDP $NA
National product real growth rate:
-26% (1992)
National product per capita:
$NA
Inflation rate (consumer prices): 27% per month (first quarter 1993)
Unemployment rate:
0.7% (includes only officially registered unemployed; also large numbers of
underemployed workers)
Budget:
revenues $NA; expenditures $NA, including capital expenditures of $NA
Exports:
100 million to outside the successor states of the former USSR (1992)
commodities:
foodstuffs, wine, tobacco, textiles and footwear, machinery, chemicals
(1991)
partners:
Russia, Kazakhstan, Ukraine, Romania
Imports:
100 million from outside the successor states of the former USSR (1992)
commodities:
oil, gas, coal, steel machinery, foodstuffs, automobiles, and other consumer
durables
partners:
Russia, Ukraine, Uzbekistan, Romania
External debt:
$100 million (1993 est.)
Industrial production:
growth rate -22% (1992)
Electricity:
3,115,000 kW capacity; 11,100 million kWh produced, 2,491 kWh per capita
(1992)
Industries:
key products (with share of total former Soviet output in parentheses where
known): agricultural machinery, foundry equipment, refrigerators and
freezers (2.7%), washing machines (5.0%), hosiery (2.0%), refined sugar
(3.1%), vegetable oil (3.7%), canned food (8.6%), shoes, textiles
*Moldova, Economy
Agriculture:
Moldova's principal economic activity; products (shown in share of total
output of the former Soviet republics): Grain (1.6%), sugar beets (2.6%),
sunflower seed (4.4%), vegetables (4.4%), fruits and berries (9.7%), grapes
(20.1%), meat (1.7%), milk (1.4%), eggs (1.4%)
Illicit drugs:
illicit producer of opium and cannabis; mostly for CIS consumption;
transshipment point for illicit drugs to Western Europe
Economic aid:
IMF credit, $18.5 million (1992); EC agricultural credit, $30 million
(1992); US commitments, $10 million for grain (1992); World Bank credit, $31
million
Currency:
plans to introduce the Moldovan lei in 1993 or 1994, until then retaining
Russian ruble as currency
Exchange rates:
rubles per US$1 - 415 (24 December 1992) but subject to wide fluctuations
Fiscal year:
calendar year
*Moldova, Communications
Railroads:
1,150 km; does not include industrial lines (1990)
Highways:
20,000 km total; 13,900 km hard-surfaced, 6,100 km earth (1990)
Pipelines:
natural gas 310 km (1992)
Ports:
none; landlocked
Airports:
total:
26
useable:
15
with permanent-surface runways:
6
with runways over 3,659 m:
0
with runways 2,440-3,659 m:
5
with runways 1,220-2,439 m:
8
Telecommunications:
poorly supplied with telephones (as of 1991, 494,000 telephones total, with
a density of 111 lines per 1000 persons); 215,000 unsatisfied applications
for telephone installations (31 January 1990); connected to Ukraine by
landline and to countries beyond the former USSR through the international
gateway switch in Moscow
*Moldova, Defense Forces
Branches:
Ground Forces, Air and Air Defence Force, Security Forces (internal and
border troops)
Manpower availability:
males age 15-49 1,082,562; fit for military service 859,948; reach military
age (18) annually 35,769 (1993 est.)
Defense expenditures:
exchange rate conversion - $NA, NA% of GDP
*Monaco, Geography
Location:
Western Europe, bordering the Mediterranean Sea, in southern France near the
border with Italy
Map references:
Europe, Standard Time Zones of the World
Area: total area:
1.9 km2
land area:
1.9 km2
comparative area:
about three times the size of the Mall in Washington, DC
Land boundaries:
total 4.4 km, France 4.4 km
Coastline:
4.1 km
Maritime claims:
territorial sea:
12 nm
International disputes:
none
Climate:
Mediterranean with mild, wet winters and hot, dry summers
Terrain:
hilly, rugged, rocky
Natural resources:
none
Land use:
arable land:
0%
permanent crops:
0%
meadows and pastures:
0%
forest and woodland:
0%
other:
100%
Irrigated land:
NA km2
Environment:
almost entirely urban
Note:
second smallest independent state in world (after Holy See)
*Monaco, People
Population:
31,008 (July 1993 est.)
Population growth rate:
0.93% (1993 est.)
Birth rate:
10.8 births/1,000 population (1993 est.)
Death rate:
12.32 deaths/1,000 population (1993 est.)
Net migration rate:
10.77 migrant(s)/1,000 population (1993 est.)
Infant mortality rate:
7.3 deaths/1,000 live births (1993 est.)
Life expectancy at birth: total population:
77.5 years
male:
73.7 years
female:
81.49 years (1993 est.)
Total fertility rate:
1.7 children born/woman (1993 est.)
Nationality:
noun:
Monacan(s) or Monegasque(s)
adjective:
Monacan or Monegasque
Ethnic divisions:
French 47%, Monegasque 16%, Italian 16%, other 21%
Religions:
Roman Catholic 95%
Languages:
French (official), English, Italian, Monegasque
Literacy:
total population:
NA%
male:
NA%
female:
NA%
Labor force:
NA
*Monaco, Government
Names:
conventional long form:
Principality of Monaco
conventional short form:
Monaco
local long form:
Principaute de Monaco
local short form:
Monaco
Digraph:
MN
Type:
constitutional monarchy
Capital:
Monaco
Administrative divisions:
4 quarters (quartiers, singular - quartier); Fontvieille, La Condamine,
Monaco-Ville, Monte-Carlo
Independence:
1419 (rule by the House of Grimaldi)
Constitution:
17 December 1962
Legal system: based on French law; has not accepted compulsory ICJ jurisdiction
National holiday:
National Day, 19 November
Political parties and leaders:
National and Democratic Union (UND); Democratic Union Movement (MUD); Monaco
Action; Monegasque Socialist Party (PSM)
Suffrage:
25 years of age; universal
Elections:
National Council:
last held on 24 January 1988 (next to be held 24 January 1993); results -
percent of vote by party NA; seats - (18 total) UND 18
Executive branch:
prince, minister of state, Council of Government (cabinet)
Legislative branch:
unicameral National Council (Conseil National)
Judicial branch:
Supreme Tribunal (Tribunal Supreme)
Leaders:
Chief of State:
Prince RAINIER III (since NA November 1949); Heir Apparent Prince ALBERT
Alexandre Louis Pierre (born 14 March 1958)
Head of Government:
Minister of State Jacques DUPONT (since NA)
Member of:
ACCT, CSCE, IAEA, ICAO, IMF (observer), IMO, INMARSAT, INTELSAT, INTERPOL,
IOC, ITU, LORCS, UN, UNCTAD, UNESCO, UPU, WHO, WIPO
Diplomatic representation in US:
honorary consulates general:
Boston, Chicago, Los Angeles, New Orleans, New York, San Francisco, San Juan
(Puerto Rico)
honorary consulates:
Dallas, Honolulu, Palm Beach, Philadelphia, and Washington
US diplomatic representation:
no mission in Monaco, but the US Consul General in Marseille, France, is
accredited to Monaco
*Monaco, Government
Flag:
two equal horizontal bands of red (top) and white; similar to the flag of
Indonesia which is longer and the flag of Poland which is white (top) and
red
*Monaco, Economy
Overview:
Monaco, situated on the French Mediterranean coast, is a popular resort,
attracting tourists to its casino and pleasant climate. The Principality has
successfully sought to diversify into services and small, high-value-added,
nonpolluting industries. The state has no income tax and low business taxes
and thrives as a tax haven both for individuals who have established
residence and for foreign companies that have set up businesses and offices.
About 50% of Monaco's annual revenue comes from value-added taxes on hotels,
banks, and the industrial sector; about 25% of revenue comes from tourism.
Living standards are high, that is, roughly comparable to those in
prosperous French metropolitan suburbs.
National product:
GDP - exchange rate conversion - $475 million (1991 est.)
National product real growth rate:
NA%
National product per capita:
$16,000 (1991 est.)
Inflation rate (consumer prices):
NA%
Unemployment rate:
NEGL%
Budget:
revenues $424 million; expenditures $376 million, including capital
expenditures of $NA (1991)
Exports:
$NA; full customs integration with France, which collects and rebates
Monacan trade duties; also participates in EC market system through customs
union with France
Imports:
$NA; full customs integration with France, which collects and rebates
Monacan trade duties; also participates in EC market system through customs
union with France
External debt:
$NA
Industrial production:
growth rate NA%
Electricity:
10,000 kW standby capacity (1992); power imported from France
Agriculture:
NA
Economic aid:
NA
Currency:
1 French franc (F) = 100 centimes
Exchange rates:
French francs (F) per US$1 - 5.4812 (January 1993), 5.2938 (1992), 5.6421
(1991), 5.4453 (1990), 6.3801 (1989), 5.9569 (1988)
Fiscal year:
calendar year
*Monaco, Communications
Railroads:
1.6 km 1.435-meter gauge
Highways:
none; city streets
Ports:
Monaco
Merchant marine:
1 oil tanker (1,000 GRT or over) totaling 3,268 GRT/4,959 DWT
Airports:
1 usable airfield with permanent-surface runways
Telecommunications:
served by cable into the French communications system; automatic telephone
system; 38,200 telephones; broadcast stations - 3 AM, 4 FM, 5 TV; no
communication satellite earth stations
*Monaco, Defense Forces
Note:
defense is the responsibility of France
*Mongolia, Geography
Location:
East Central Asia, between China and Russia
Map references:
Asia, Standard Time Zones of the World
Area:
total area:
1.565 million km2
land area:
1.565 million km2
comparative area:
slightly larger than Alaska
Land boundaries:
total 8,114 km, China 4,673 km, Russia 3,441 km
Coastline:
0 km (landlocked)
Maritime claims:
none; landlocked
International disputes:
none
Climate:
desert; continental (large daily and seasonal temperature ranges)
Terrain:
vast semidesert and desert plains; mountains in west and southwest; Gobi
Desert in southeast
Natural resources:
oil, coal, copper, molybdenum, tungsten, phosphates, tin, nickel, zinc,
wolfram, fluorspar, gold
Land use:
arable land:
1%
permanent crops:
0%
meadows and pastures:
79%
forest and woodland:
10%
other:
10%
Irrigated land:
770 km2 (1989)
Environment:
harsh and rugged
Note:
landlocked; strategic location between China and Russia
*Mongolia, People
Population:
2,367,054 (July 1993 est.)
Population growth rate:
2.62% (1993 est.)
Birth rate:
33.41 births/1,000 population (1993 est.)
Death rate:
7.16 deaths/1,000 population (1993 est.)
Net migration rate:
0 migrant(s)/1,000 population (1993 est.)
Infant mortality rate:
44.9 deaths/1,000 live births (1993 est.)
Life expectancy at birth:
total population:
65.77 years
male:
63.53 years
female:
68.13 years (1993 est.)
Total fertility rate:
4.41 children born/woman (1993 est.)
Nationality:
noun:
Mongolian(s)
adjective:
Mongolian
Ethnic divisions:
Mongol 90%, Kazakh 4%, Chinese 2%, Russian 2%, other 2%
Religions:
predominantly Tibetan Buddhist, Muslim 4%
note:
previously limited religious activity because of Communist regime
Languages:
Khalkha Mongol 90%, Turkic, Russian, Chinese
Literacy:
total population:
NA%
male:
NA%
female:
NA%
Labor force:
NA
by occupation:
primarily herding/agricultural
note:
over half the adult population is in the labor force, including a large
percentage of women; shortage of skilled labor
*Mongolia, Government
Names:
conventional long form:
none
conventional short form:
Mongolia
local long form:
none
local short form:
Mongol Uls
former:
Outer Mongolia
Digraph:
MG
Type:
republic
Capital:
Ulaanbaatar
Administrative divisions:
18 provinces (aymguud, singular - aymag) and 3 municipalities* (hotuud,, singular - hot);
Arhangay, Bayanhongor, Bayan-Olgiy, Bulgan, Darhan*,, Dornod, Dornogovi, Dundgovi, Dzavhan,
Erdenet*, Govi-Altay, Hentiy, Hovd,, Hovsgol, Omnogovi, Ovorhangay, Selenge, Suhbaatar, Tov,
Ulaanbaatar*, Uvs, Independence:
13 March 1921 (from China)
Constitution:
adopted 13 January 1992
Legal system:
blend of Russian, Chinese, and Turkish systems of law; no constitutional
provision for judicial review of legislative acts; has not accepted
compulsory ICJ jurisdiction
National holiday:
National Day, 11 July (1921)
Political parties and leaders:
Mongolian People's Revolutionary Party (MPRP), Budragchagiin DASH-YONDON,
presidium chairman; Mongolian Democratic Party (MDP), Erdenijiyn BAT-UUL,
general coordinator; National Progress Party (NPP), S. BYAMBAA and
Luusandambyn DASHNYAM, leaders; Social Democratic Party (SDP), BATBAYAR and
Tsohiogyyn ADYASUREN, leaders; Mongolian Independence Party (MIP), D.
ZORIGT, leader; United Party of Mongolia (made up of the MDP, SDP, and NPP);
Mongolian National Democratic Party (MNDP; merger of the MDP, United Party,
Renaissance Party, and PNP), D. GANBOLD
note:
opposition parties were legalized in May 1990; additional parties exist: The
Mongolian Green Party, The Buddhist Believers' Party, The Republican Party,
Mongolian People's Party, and United Herdsmen and Farmers Party (MHFUP),
Mongolian Bourgeois Party (BP), Mongolian Private Property Owners Party,
Mongolian Workers Party
Suffrage: 18 years of age; universal
Elections:
President:
last held 3 September 1990 (next to be held 6 June 1993); results -
Punsalmaagiyn OCHIRBAT elected by the People's Great Hural; other candidate
Lodongiyn TUDEV (MPRP)
State Great Hural:
first time held 28 June 1992 (next to be held NA); results - MPRP 56.9%;
seats - (76 total) MPRP 71, MDP/PNP 3, SDP 1, independent 1
note:
the People's Small Hural no longer exists
*Mongolia, Government
Executive branch:
president, vice president, prime minister, first deputy prime minister,
cabinet
Legislative branch:
unicameral State Great Hural
Judicial branch:
Supreme Court serves as appeals court for people's and provincial courts,
but to date rarely overturns verdicts of lower courts
Leaders:
Chief of State:
President Punsalmaagiyn OCHIRBAT (since 3 September 1990); Vice President
Radnaasumbereliyn GONCHIGDORJ (since 7 September 1990)
Head of Government:
Prime Minister Putsagiyn JASRAY (since 3 August 1992); First Deputy Prime
Minister Puntsagiyn JASRAY (since NA)
Member of:
AsDB, CCC, ESCAP, FAO, G-77, IAEA, IBRD, ICAO, IDA, IFC, ILO, IMF, INTERPOL,
IOC, ISO, ITU, LORCS, NAM (observer), UN, UNCTAD, UNESCO, UNIDO, UPU, WFTU,
WHO, WIPO, WMO, WTO
Diplomatic representation in US:
chief of mission:
Ambassador Luvsandorj DAWAGIV
chancery:
NA
telephone:
(301) 983-1962
FAX:
(301) 983-2025
US diplomatic representation:
chief of mission:
Ambassador Joseph E. LAKE
embassy:
address NA, Ulaanbaatar
mailing address:
Ulaanbaatar, c/o American Embassy Beijing, Micro Region II, Big Rind Road;
PSC 461, Box 300, FPO AP 96521-0002
telephone:
[976] (1) 329095, 329606
FAX:
Telex 080079253 AMEMB MH
Flag:
three equal, vertical bands of red (hoist side), blue, and red, centered on
the hoist-side red band in yellow is the national emblem ("soyombo" - a
columnar arrangement of abstract and geometric representation for fire, sun,
moon, earth, water, and the yin-yang symbol)
*Mongolia, Economy
Overview:
Mongolia's severe climate, scattered population, and wide expanses of
unproductive land have constrained economic development. Economic activity
traditionally has been based on agriculture and the breeding of livestock -
Mongolia has the highest number of livestock per person in the world. In
recent years extensive mineral resources have been developed with Soviet
support. The mining and processing of coal, copper, molybdenum, tin,
tungsten, and gold account for a large part of industrial production. Timber
and fishing are also important sectors. In 1992 the Mongolian leadership
continued its struggle with severe economic dislocations, mainly
attributable to the crumbling of the USSR, by far Mongolia's leading trade
and development partner. Moscow cut almost all aid in 1991, and little was
provided in 1992. Industry in 1992 was hit hard by energy shortages, mainly
due to disruptions in coal production and shortfalls in petroleum imports.
By the end of the year, the country was perilously close to a complete
shutdown of its centralized energy supply system, due to critical coal
shortages. The government is moving away from the Soviet-style, centrally
planned economy through privatization and price reform.
National product:
GDP - exchange rate conversion - $1.8 billion (1992 est.)
National product real growth rate:
-15% (1992 est.)
National product per capita:
$800 (1992 est.)
Inflation rate (consumer prices):
325% (1992 est.)
Unemployment rate:
15% (1991 est.)
Budget:
deficit of $67 million (1991)
Exports:
$347 million (f.o.b., 1991 est.)
commodities:
copper, livestock, animal products, cashmere, wool, hides, fluorspar, other
nonferrous metals
partners:
USSR 75%, China 10%, Japan 4%
Imports:
$501 million (f.o.b., 1991 est.)
commodities:
machinery and equipment, fuels, food products, industrial consumer goods,
chemicals, building materials, sugar, tea
partners:
USSR 75%, Austria 5%, China 5%
External debt:
$16.8 billion (yearend 1990); 98.6% with USSR
Industrial production:
growth rate -15% (1992 est.)
Electricity:
1,248,000 kW capacity; 3,740 million kWh produced, 1,622 kWh per capita
(1992)
Industries:
copper, processing of animal products, building materials, food and
beverage, mining (particularly coal)
Agriculture:
accounts for about 20% of GDP and provides livelihood for about 50% of the
population; livestock raising predominates (primarily sheep and goats, but
also cattle, camels, and horses); crops - wheat, barley, potatoes, forage
*Mongolia, Economy
Economic aid:
about $300 million in trade credits and $34 million in grant aid from USSR
and other CEMA countries, plus $7.4 million from UNDP (1990); in 1991, $170
million in grants and technical assistance from Western donor countries,
including $30 million from World Bank and $30 million from the IMF; over
$200 million from donor countries projected in 1992
Currency:
1 tughrik (Tug) = 100 mongos
Exchange rates:
tughriks (Tug) per US$1 - 40 (1992), 7.1 (1991), 5.63 (1990), 3.00 (1989)
Fiscal year:
calendar year
*Mongolia, Communications
Railroads:
1,750 km 1.524-meter broad gauge (1988)
Highways:
46,700 km total; 1,000 km hard surface; 45,700 km other surfaces (1988)
Inland waterways:
397 km of principal routes (1988)
Airports:
total:
81
usable:
31
with permanent-surface runways:
11
with runways over 3,659 m:
fewer than 5
with runways 2,440-3,659 m:
fewer than 20
with runways 1,220-2,439 m:
12
Telecommunications:
63,000 telephones (1989); broadcast stations - 12 AM, 1 FM, 1 TV (with 18
provincial repeaters); repeat of Russian TV; 120,000 TVs; 220,000 radios; at
least 1 earth station
*Mongolia, Defense Forces
Branches:
Mongolian People's Army (includes Internal Security Forces and Frontier
Guards), Air Force
Manpower availability:
males age 15-49 569,135; fit for military service 371,162; reach military
age (18) annually 25,406 (1993 est.)
Defense expenditures:
exchange rate conversion - $22.8 million of GDP, 1% of GDP (1992)
*Montserrat, Header
Affiliation:
(dependent territory of the UK)
*Montserrat, Geography
Location:
in the eastern Caribbean Sea, about 400 km southeast of Puerto Rico
Map references:
Central America and the Caribbean
Area:
total area:
100 km2
land area:
100 km2
comparative area:
about 0.6 times the size of Washington, DC
Land boundaries:
0 km
Coastline:
40 km
Maritime claims:
exclusive fishing zone:
200 nm
territorial sea:
3 nm
International disputes:
none
Climate:
tropical; little daily or seasonal temperature variation
Terrain:
volcanic islands, mostly mountainous, with small coastal lowland
Natural resources:
negligible
Land use:
arable land: 20%
permanent crops:
0%
meadows and pastures:
10%
forest and woodland:
40%
other:
30%
Irrigated land:
NA km2
Environment:
subject to severe hurricanes from June to November
Note:
located 400 km east southeast of Puerto Rico in the Caribbean Sea
*Montserrat, People
Population:
12,661 (July 1993 est.)
Population growth rate:
0.36% (1993 est.)
Birth rate:
16.35 births/1,000 population (1993 est.)
Death rate:
9.77 deaths/1,000 population (1993 est.)
Net migration rate:
-3 migrant(s)/1,000 population (1993 est.)
Infant mortality rate:
11.51 deaths/1,000 live births (1993 est.)
Life expectancy at birth:
total population:
75.76 years
male:
74 years
female:
77.56 years (1993 est.)
Total fertility rate:
2.11 children born/woman (1993 est.)
Nationality:
noun:
Montserratian(s)
adjective:
Montserratian
Ethnic divisions:
black, Europeans
Religions:
Anglican, Methodist, Roman Catholic, Pentecostal, Seventh-Day Adventist,
other Christian denominations
Languages:
English
Literacy:
age 15 and over having ever attended school (1970)
total population: 97%
male:
97%
female:
97%
Labor force:
5,100
by occupation:
community, social, and personal services 40.5%, construction 13.5%, trade,
restaurants, and hotels 12.3%, manufacturing 10.5%, agriculture, forestry,
and fishing 8.8%, other 14.4% (1983 est.)
*Montserrat, Government
Names:
conventional long form:
none
conventional short form:
Montserrat
Digraph:
MH
Type:
dependent territory of the UK
Capital:
Plymouth
Administrative divisions:
3 parishes; Saint Anthony, Saint Georges, Saint Peter
Independence:
none (dependent territory of the UK)
Constitution:
1 January 1960
Legal system:
English common law and statute law
National holiday:
Celebration of the Birthday of the Queen (second Saturday of June)
Political parties and leaders:
National Progressive Party (NPP) Reuben T. MEADE; People's Liberation
Movement (PLM), Noel TUITT; National Development Party (NDP), Bertrand
OSBORNE; Independent (IND), Ruby BRAMBLE
Suffrage:
18 years of age; universal
Elections:
Legislative Council:
last held on 8 October 1991; results - percent of vote by party NA; seats -
(11 total, 7 elected) NPP 4, NDP 1, PLM 1, independent 1
Executive branch:
monarch, governor, Executive Council (cabinet), chief minister
Legislative branch:
unicameral Legislative Council
Judicial branch:
Supreme Court
Leaders:
Chief of State:
Queen ELIZABETH II (since 6 February 1952), represented by Governor David
TAYLOR (since NA 1990)
Head of Government:
Chief Minister Reuben T. MEADE (since October 1991)
Member of:
CARICOM, CDB, ECLAC (associate), ICFTU, OECS, WCL
Diplomatic representation in US:
none (dependent territory of the UK)
Flag:
blue with the flag of the UK in the upper hoist-side quadrant and the
Montserratian coat of arms centered in the outer half of the flag; the coat
of arms features a woman standing beside a yellow harp with her arm around a
black cross
*Montserrat, Economy
Overview:
The economy is small and open with economic activity centered on tourism and
construction. Tourism is the most important sector and accounts for roughly
one-fifth of GDP. Agriculture accounts for about 4% of GDP and industry 10%.
The economy is heavily dependent on imports, making it vulnerable to
fluctuations in world prices. Exports consist mainly of electronic parts
sold to the US.
National product:
GDP - exchange rate conversion - $73 million (1990 est.)
National product real growth rate:
13.5% (1990 est.)
National product per capita:
$5,800 (1990 est.)
Inflation rate (consumer prices):
9% (1991)
Unemployment rate:
3% (1987)
Budget:
revenues $12.1 million; expenditures $14.3 million, including capital
expenditures of $3.2 million (1988)
Exports:
$1.6 million (f.o.b., 1989)
commodities:
electronic parts, plastic bags, apparel, hot peppers, live plants, cattle
partners:
NA
Imports:
$31.0 million (c.i.f., 1989)
commodities:
machinery and transportation equipment, foodstuffs, manufactured goods,
fuels, lubricants, and related materials
partners:
NA
External debt:
$2.05 million (1987)
Industrial production:
growth rate 8.1% (1986); accounts for 10% of GDP
Electricity:
5,271 kW capacity; 12 million kWh produced, 950 kWh per capita (1992)
Industries:
tourism; light manufacturing - rum, textiles, electronic appliances
Agriculture:
accounts for 4% of GDP; small-scale farming; food crops - tomatoes, onions,
peppers; not self-sufficient in food, especially livestock products
Economic aid:
Western (non-US) countries, ODA and OOF bilateral commitments (1970-89), $90
million
Currency:
1 EC dollar (EC$) = 100 cents
Exchange rates:
East Caribbean dollars (EC$) per US$1 - 2.70 (fixed rate since 1976)
Fiscal year:
1 April - 31 March
*Montserrat, Communications
Highways:
280 km total; about 200 km paved, 80 km gravel and earth
Ports:
Plymouth
Airports:
total:
1
usable:
1
with permanent-surface runways 1,036 m:
1
with runways over 3,659 m:
0
with runways 2,440-3,659 m:
0
with runways 1,220-2,439 m:
0
Telecommunications:
3,000 telephones; broadcast stations - 8 AM, 4 FM, 1 TV
*Montserrat, Defense Forces
Branches:
Police Force
Note:
defense is the responsibility of the UK
*Morocco, Geography
Location:
Northern Africa, bordering the Atlantic Ocean and the Mediterranean Sea,
between Algeria and Western Sahara
Map references: Africa, Standard Time Zones of the World
Area:
total area:
446,550 km2
land area:
446,300 km2
comparative area:
slightly larger than California
Land boundaries:
total 2,002 km, Algeria 1,559 km, Western Sahara 443 km
Coastline:
1,835 km
Maritime claims:
contiguous zone:
24 nm
continental shelf:
200 m depth or to depth of exploitation
exclusive economic zone:
200 nm
territorial sea:
12 nm
International disputes:
claims and administers Western Sahara, but sovereignty is unresolved; the UN
is attempting to hold a referendum; the UN-administered cease-fire has been
currently in effect since September 1991; Spain controls five places of
sovereignty (plazas de soberania) on and off the coast of Morocco - the
coastal enclaves of Ceuta and Melilla which Morocco contests as well as the
islands of Penon de Alhucemas, Penon de Velez de la Gomera, and Islas
Chafarinas
Climate:
Mediterranean, becoming more extreme in the interior
Terrain:
mostly mountains with rich coastal plains
Natural resources:
phosphates, iron ore, manganese, lead, zinc, fish, salt
Land use:
arable land:
18%
permanent crops:
1%
meadows and pastures:
28%
forest and woodland:
12%
other:
41%
Irrigated land:
12,650 km2 (1989 est.)
Environment:
northern mountains geologically unstable and subject to earthquakes;
desertification
Note:
strategic location along Strait of Gibraltar
*Morocco, People
Population:
27,955,090 (July 1993 est.)
Population growth rate:
2.16% (1993 est.)
Birth rate:
29.23 births/1,000 population (1993 est.)
Death rate:
6.56 deaths/1,000 population (1993 est.)
Net migration rate:
-1.13 migrant(s)/1,000 population (1993 est.)
Infant mortality rate:
53.4 deaths/1,000 live births (1993 est.)
Life expectancy at birth:
total population:
67.5 years
male:
65.7 years
female:
69.4 years (1993 est.)
Total fertility rate:
3.96 children born/woman (1993 est.)
Nationality:
noun:
Moroccan(s)
adjective:
Moroccan
Ethnic divisions:
Arab-Berber 99.1%, other 0.7%, Jewish 0.2%
Religions:
Muslim 98.7%, Christian 1.1%, Jewish 0.2%
Languages:
Arabic (official), Berber dialects, French often the language of business,
government, and diplomacy
Literacy:
age 15 and over can read and write (1990)
total population:
50%
male:
61%
female:
38%
Labor force:
7.4 million
by occupation:
agriculture 50%, services 26%, industry 15%, other 9% (1985)
*Morocco, Government
Names:
conventional long form:
Kingdom of Morocco
conventional short form: Morocco
local long form:
Al Mamlakah al Maghribiyah
local short form:
Al Maghrib
Digraph:
MO
Type:
constitutional monarchy
Capital:
Rabat
Administrative divisions:
37 provinces and 5 municipalities* (wilayas, singular - wilaya); Agadir, Al, Hoceima, Azilal,
Beni Mellal, Ben Slimane, Boulemane, Casablanca*, Chaouen,, El Jadida, El Kelaa des Srarhna, Er
Rachidia, Essaouira, Fes, Fes*, Figuig,, Guelmim, Ifrane, Kenitra, Khemisset, Khenifra, Khouribga,
Laayoune, Larache,
Marrakech, Marrakech*, Meknes, Meknes*, Nador, Ouarzazate, Oujda,, Rabat-Sale*, Safi, Settat,,
Sidi Kacem, Tanger, Tan-Tan, Taounate,
Taroudannt, Tata, Taza, Tetouan, Tiznit
Independence:
2 March 1956 (from France)
Constitution:
10 March 1972, revised in September 1992
Legal system:
based on Islamic law and French and Spanish civil law system; judicial
review of legislative acts in Constitutional Chamber of Supreme Court
National holiday:
National Day, 3 March (1961) (anniversary of King Hassan II's accession to
the throne)
Political parties and leaders:
Morocco has 15 political parties; the major ones are Constitutional Union
(UC), Maati BOUABID; National Assembly of Independents (RNI), Ahmed OSMAN;
Popular Movement (MP), Mohamed LAENSER; National Popular Movement (MPN),
Mahjoubi AHARDANE; Istiqlal, M'Hamed BOUCETTA; Socialist Union of Popular
Forces (USFP); National Democratic Party (PND), Mohamed Arsalane EL-JADIDI;
Party for Progress and Socialism (PPS), Ali YATA
Suffrage:
21 years of age; universal
Elections:
Chamber of Representatives:
last held on 14 September 1984 (were scheduled for September 1990, but
postponed until June 1993 when 27 new seats will be added); results -
percent of vote by party NA; seats - (306 total, 206 elected) UC 83, RNI 61,
MP 47, Istiqlal 41, USFP 36, PND 24, other 14
Executive branch:
monarch, prime minister, Council of Ministers (cabinet)
Legislative branch:
unicameral Chamber of Representatives (Majlis Nawab)
Judicial branch:
Supreme Court
Leaders:
Chief of State:
King HASSAN II (since 3 March 1961)
Head of Government:
Prime Minister Mohamed KARIM-LAMRANI (since October 1992)
*Morocco, Government
Member of:
ABEDA, ACCT (associate), AfDB, AFESD, AL, AMF, AMU, CCC, EBRD, ECA, FAO,
G-77, GATT, IAEA, IBRD, ICAO, ICC, ICFTU, IDA, IDB, IFAD, IFC, ILO, IMF,
IMO, INTELSAT, INTERPOL, IOC, IOM (observer), ISO, ITU, LORCS, OAS
(observer), NAM, OIC, UN, UNAVEM II, UNCTAD, UNESCO, UNHCR, UNIDO, UNOSOM,
UPU, WHO, WIPO, WMO, WTO
Diplomatic representation in US:
chief of mission:
Ambassador Mohamed BELKHAYAT
chancery:
1601 21st Street NW, Washington, DC 20009;
telephone:
(202) 462-7979
consulate general:
New York
US diplomatic representation:
chief of mission:
(vacant)
embassy:
2 Avenue de Marrakech, Rabat
mailing address:
P. O. Box 120, Rabat, or PSC 74, APO AE 09718
telephone:
[212] (7) 76-22-65
FAX:
[212] (7) 76-56-61
consulate general:
Casablanca
Flag:
red with a green pentacle (five-pointed, linear star) known as Solomon's
seal in the center of the flag; green is the traditional color of Islam
*Morocco, Economy
Overview:
The economy had recovered moderately in 1990 because of: the resolution of a
trade dispute with India over phosphoric acid sales, a rebound in textile
sales to the EC, lower prices for food imports, a sharp increase in worker
remittances, increased Arab donor aid, and generous debt rescheduling
agreements. Economic performance in 1991 was mixed. A record harvest helped
real GDP advance by 4.2%. Inflation accelerated slightly as easier financial
policies triggered rapid credit and monetary growth. Despite recovery of
domestic demand, import volume growth slowed while export volume was
adversely affected by phosphate marketing difficulties. In January 1992,
Morocco reached a new 12-month standby arrangement for $129 million with the
IMF. In February 1992, the Paris Club rescheduled $1.4 billion of Morocco's
commercial debt. This is thought to be Morocco's last rescheduling. By 1993
the Moroccan authorities hope to be in a position to meet all debt service
obligations without additional rescheduling. Servicing this large debt, high
unemployment, and Morocco's vulnerability to external economic forces remain
severe long-term problems. In 1992 Morocco embarked on a program to
privatize 112 state-owned companies. A severe winter drought in 1991/92 cut
back agricultural output in 1992.
National product:
GDP - exchange rate conversion - $28.1 billion (1992 est.)
National product real growth rate:
0% (1992 est.)
National product per capita:
$1,060 (1992 est.)
Inflation rate (consumer prices):
6% (1992 est.)
Unemployment rate:
19% (1992 est.)
Budget:
revenues $7.5 billion; expenditures $7.7 billion, including capital
expenditures of $1.9 billion (1992)
Exports:
$4.7 billion (f.o.b., 1992 est.)
commodities:
food and beverages 30%, semiprocessed goods 23%, consumer goods 21%,
phosphates 17%
partners:
EC 58%, India 7%, Japan 5%, former USSR 3%, US 2%
Imports:
$7.6 billion (f.o.b., 1992 est.)
commodities:
capital goods 24%, semiprocessed goods 22%, raw materials 16%, fuel and
lubricants 16%, food and beverages 13%, consumer goods 9%
partners:
EC 53%, US 11%, Canada 4%, Iraq 3%, former USSR 3%, Japan 2%
External debt:
$20 billion (1991)
Industrial production:
growth rate 8.4%; accounts for 27% of GDP (1990)
Electricity:
2,384,000 kW capacity; 8,864 million kWh produced, 317 kWh per capita (1992)
Industries:
phosphate rock mining and processing, food processing, leather goods,
textiles, construction, tourism
*Morocco, Economy
Agriculture:
accounts for 16% of GDP, 50% of employment, and 30% of export value; not
self-sufficient in food; cereal farming and livestock raising predominate;
barley, wheat, citrus fruit, wine, vegetables, olives; fish catch of 491,000
metric tons in 1987
Illicit drugs:
illicit producer of hashish; trafficking on the increase for both domestic
and international drug markets; shipments of hashish mostly directed to
Western Europe; occasional transit point for cocaine from South America
destined for Western Europe.
Economic aid:
US commitments, including Ex-Im (FY70-89), $1.3 billion and an additional
$123.6 million for 1992; Western (non-US) countries, ODA and OOF bilateral
commitments (1970-89), $7.5 billion; OPEC bilateral aid (1979-89), $4.8
billion; Communist countries (1970-89), $2.5 billion; $2.8 billion debt
canceled by Saudi Arabia (1991); IMF standby agreement worth $13 million;
World Bank, $450 million (1991)
Currency:
1 Moroccan dirham (DH) = 100 centimes
Exchange rates:
Moroccan dirhams (DH) per US$1 - 9.207 (February 1993), 8.538 (1992), 8.707
(1991), 8.242 (1990), 8.488 (1989), 8.209 (1988)
Fiscal year:
calendar year
*Morocco, Communications
Railroads:
1,893 km 1.435-meter standard gauge (246 km double track, 974 km
electrified)
Highways:
59,198 km total; 27,740 km paved, 31,458 km gravel, crushed stone, improved
earth, and unimproved earth
Pipelines:
crude oil 362 km; petroleum products (abandoned) 491 km; natural gas 241 km
Ports:
Agadir, Casablanca, El Jorf Lasfar, Kenitra, Mohammedia, Nador, Safi,
Tangier; also Spanish-controlled Ceuta and Melilla
Merchant marine:
50 ships (1,000 GRT or over) totaling 305,758 GRT/484,825 DWT; 10 cargo, 2
container, 11 refrigerated cargo, 6 roll-on/roll-off, 4 oil tanker, 11
chemical tanker, 4 bulk, 2 short-sea passenger
Airports:
total:
73
usable:
65
with permanent-surface runways:
26
with runways over 3,659 m:
2
with runways 2,440-3,659 m:
13
with runways 1,220-2,439 m:
26
Telecommunications:
good system composed of wire lines, cables, and microwave radio relay links;
principal centers are Casablanca and Rabat; secondary centers are Fes,
Marrakech, Oujda, Tangier, and Tetouan; 280,000 telephones (10.5 telephones
per 1,000 persons); broadcast stations - 20 AM, 7 FM, 26 TV and 26
repeaters; 5 submarine cables; satellite earth stations - 2 Atlantic Ocean
INTELSAT and 1 ARABSAT; microwave radio relay to Gibraltar, Spain, and
Western Sahara; coaxial cable and microwave to Algeria; microwave radio
relay network linking Syria, Jordan, Egypt, Libya, Tunisia, Algeria, and
Morocco
*Morocco, Defense Forces
Branches:
Royal Moroccan Army, Royal Moroccan Navy, Royal Moroccan Air Force, Royal
Gendarmerie, Auxiliary Forces
Manpower availability:
males age 15-49 6,852,698; fit for military service 4,355,670; reach
military age (18) annually 309,666 (1993 est.); limited conscription
Defense expenditures:
exchange rate conversion - $1.1 billion, 3.8% of GDP (1993 budget)
*Mozambique, Geography
Location:
Southern Africa, bordering the Mozambique Channel between South Africa and
Tanzania opposite the island of Madagascar
Map references:
Africa, Standard Time Zones of the World
Area:
total area:
801,590 km2
land area:
784,090 km2
comparative area:
slightly less than twice the size of California
Land boundaries:
total 4,571 km, Malawi 1,569 km, South Africa 491 km, Swaziland 105 km,
Tanzania 756 km, Zambia 419 km, Zimbabwe 1,231 km
Coastline:
2,470 km
Maritime claims:
exclusive economic zone:
200 nm
territorial sea:
12 nm
International disputes:
none
Climate:
tropical to subtropical
Terrain:
mostly coastal lowlands, uplands in center, high plateaus in northwest,
mountains in west
Natural resources:
coal, titanium
Land use:
arable land:
4%
permanent crops:
0%
meadows and pastures:
56%
forest and woodland: 20%
other:
20%
Irrigated land:
1,150 km2 (1989 est.)
Environment:
severe drought and floods occur in south; desertification
*Mozambique, People
Population:
16,341,777 (July 1993 est.)
Population growth rate:
6.06% (1993 est.)
Birth rate:
45.35 births/1,000 population (1993 est.)
Death rate:
16.71 deaths/1,000 population (1993 est.)
Net migration rate:
31.95 migrant(s)/1,000 population (1993 est.)
Infant mortality rate:
131.4 deaths/1,000 live births (1993 est.)
Life expectancy at birth:
total population:
48.03 years
male:
46.22 years
female:
49.9 years (1993 est.)
Total fertility rate:
6.31 children born/woman (1993 est.)
Nationality:
noun:
Mozambican(s)
adjective:
Mozambican
Ethnic divisions:
indigenous tribal groups, Europeans about 10,000, Euro-Africans 35,000,
Indians 15,000
Religions:
indigenous beliefs 60%, Christian 30%, Muslim 10%
Languages:
Portuguese (official), indigenous dialects
Literacy:
age 15 and over can read and write (1990)
total population:
33%
male:
45%
female:
21%
Labor force:
NA
by occupation: 90% engaged in agriculture
*Mozambique, Government
Names:
conventional long form:
Republic of Mozambique
conventional short form:
Mozambique
local long form:
Republica Popular de Mocambique
local short form:
Mocambique
Digraph:
MZ
Type:
republic
Capital:
Maputo
Administrative divisions:
10 provinces (provincias, singular - provincia); Cabo Delgado, Gaza,
Inhambane, Manica, Maputo, Nampula, Niassa, Sofala, Tete, Zambezia
Independence:
25 June 1975 (from Portugal)
Constitution:
30 November 1990
Legal system:
based on Portuguese civil law system and customary law
National holiday:
Independence Day, 25 June (1975)
Political parties and leaders:
Front for the Liberation of Mozambique (FRELIMO), Joaquim Alberto CHISSANO,
chairman; formerly a Marxist organization with close ties to the USSR;
FRELIMO was the only legal party before 30 November 1990, when the new
Constitution went into effect establishing a multiparty system
note:
the government plans multiparty elections as early as 1993; 14 parties,
including the Liberal Democratic Party of Mozambique (PALMO), the Mozambique
National Union (UNAMO), the Mozambique National Movement (MONAMO), and the
Mozambique National Resistance (RENAMO, Alfonso DHLAKAMA, president), have
already emerged
Suffrage:
18 years of age; universal
Elections:
draft electoral law provides for periodic, direct presidential and Assembly
elections
Executive branch:
president, prime minister, Cabinet
Legislative branch:
unicameral Assembly of the Republic (Assembleia da Republica)
Judicial branch:
Supreme Court
Leaders:
Chief of State: President Joaquim Alberto CHISSANO (since 6 November 1986)
Head of Government:
Prime Minister Mario da Graca MACHUNGO (since 17 July 1986)
Member of:
ACP, AfDB, CCC, ECA, FAO, FLS, G-77, IBRD, ICAO, IDA, IFAD, IFC, ILO, IMF,
INMARSAT, IMO, INTELSAT, INTERPOL, IOC, ITU, LORCS, NAM, OAU, SADC, UN,
UNCTAD, UNESCO, UNIDO, UPU, WHO, WMO
*Mozambique, Government
Diplomatic representation in US:
chief of mission:
Ambassador Hipolito PATRICIO
chancery:
Suite 570, 1990 M Street NW, Washington, DC 20036
telephone:
(202) 293-7146
US diplomatic representation:
chief of mission:
Ambassador Townsend B. FRIEDMAN, Jr.
embassy:
Avenida Kenneth Kuanda, 193 Maputo
mailing address:
P. O. Box 783, Maputo
telephone:
[258] (1) 49-27-97, 49-01-67, 49-03-50
FAX:
[258] (1) 49-01-14
Flag:
three equal horizontal bands of green (top), black, and yellow with a red
isosceles triangle based on the hoist side; the black band is edged in
white; centered in the triangle is a yellow five-pointed star bearing a
crossed rifle and hoe in black superimposed on an open white book
*Mozambique, Economy
Overview:
One of Africa's poorest countries, Mozambique has failed to exploit the
economic potential of its sizable agricultural, hydropower, and
transportation resources. Indeed, national output, consumption, and
investment declined throughout the first half of the 1980s because of
internal disorders, lack of government administrative control, and a growing
foreign debt. A sharp increase in foreign aid, attracted by an economic
reform policy, resulted in successive years of economic growth in the late
1980s, but aid has declined steadily since 1989. Agricultural output,
nevertheless, is at about only 75% of its 1981 level, and grain has to be
imported. Industry operates at only 20-40% of capacity. The economy depends
heavily on foreign assistance to keep afloat. The continuation of civil
strife has dimmed chances of foreign investment, and growth was a mere 0.3%
in 1992. Living standards, already abysmally low, fell further in 1991-92.
National product:
GDP - exchange rate conversion - $1.75 billion (1992 est.)
National product real growth rate:
0.3% (1992 est.)
National product per capita:
$115 (1992 est.)
Inflation rate (consumer prices):
50% (1992 est.)
Unemployment rate:
50% (1989 est.)
Budget:
revenues $252 million; expenditures $607 million, including capital
expenditures of $NA (1992 est.)
Exports:
$162 million (f.o.b., 1991 est.)
commodities:
shrimp 48%, cashews 21%, sugar 10%, copra 3%, citrus 3%
partners:
US, Western Europe, Germany, Japan
Imports:
$899 million (c.i.f., 1991 est.)
commodities:
food, clothing, farm equipment, petroleum
partners:
US, Western Europe, USSR
External debt:
$5.4 billion (1991 est.)
Industrial production:
growth rate 5% (1989 est.)
Electricity:
2,270,000 kW capacity; 1,745 million kWh produced, 115 kWh per capita (1991)
Industries:
food, beverages, chemicals (fertilizer, soap, paints), petroleum products,
textiles, nonmetallic mineral products (cement, glass, asbestos), tobacco
Agriculture:
accounts for 50% of GDP and about 90% of exports; cash crops - cotton,
cashew nuts, sugarcane, tea, shrimp; other crops - cassava, corn, rice,
tropical fruits; not self-sufficient in food
Economic aid:
US commitments, including Ex-Im (FY70-89), $350 million; Western (non-US)
countries, ODA and OOF bilateral commitments (1970-89), $4.4 billion; OPEC
bilateral aid (1979-89), $37 million; Communist countries (1970-89), $890
million
Currency:
1 metical (Mt) = 100 centavos
*Mozambique, Economy
Exchange rates:
meticais (Mt) per US$1 - 2,74.15 (January 1993), 2,433.34 (1992), 1,434.47
(1991), 929.00 (1990), 800.00 (1989), 528.60 (1988)
Fiscal year:
calendar year
*Mozambique, Communications
Railroads:
3,288 km total; 3,140 km 1.067-meter gauge; 148 km 0.762-meter narrow gauge;
Malawi-Nacala, Malawi-Beira, and Zimbabwe-Maputo lines are subject to
closure because of insurgency
Highways:
26,498 km total; 4,593 km paved; 829 km gravel, crushed stone, stabilized
soil; 21,076 km unimproved earth
Inland waterways:
about 3,750 km of navigable routes
Pipelines:
crude oil (not operating) 306 km; petroleum products 289 km
Ports:
Maputo, Beira, Nacala
Merchant marine:
4 cargo ships (1,000 GRT or over) totaling 5,686 GRT/9,742 DWT
Airports:
total:
194
usable:
131
with permanent-surface runways:
25
with runways over 3,659 m:
1
with runways 2,440-3,659 m:
4
with runways 1,220-2,439 m:
26
Telecommunications:
fair system of troposcatter, open-wire lines, and radio relay; broadcast
stations - 29 AM, 4 FM, 1 TV; earth stations - 2 Atlantic Ocean INTELSAT and
3 domestic Indian Ocean INTELSAT
*Mozambique, Defense Forces
Branches:
Army, Naval Command, Air and Air Defense Forces, Militia
Manpower availability:
males age 15-49 3,675,189; fit for military service 2,110,489 (1993 est.)
Defense expenditures:
exchange rate conversion - $118 million, 8% of GDP (1993 est.)
*Namibia, Geography
Location:
Southern Africa, bordering the South Atlantic Ocean between Angola and South
Africa
Map references:
Africa, Standard Time Zones of the World
Area: total area:
824,290 km2
land area:
823,290 km2
comparative area:
slightly more than half the size of Alaska
Land boundaries:
total 3,935 km, Angola 1,376 km, Botswana 1,360 km, South Africa 966 km,
Zambia 233 km
Coastline:
1,489 km
Maritime claims:
contiguous zone:
24 nm
exclusive economic zone:
200 nm
territorial sea:
12 nm
International disputes:
short section of boundary with Botswana is indefinite; disputed island with
Botswana in the Chobe River; quadripoint with Botswana, Zambia, and Zimbabwe
is in disagreement; claim by Namibia to Walvis Bay and 12 offshore islands
administered by South Africa; Namibia and South Africa have agreed to
jointly administer the area for an interim period; the terms and dates to be
covered by joint administration arrangements have not been established at
this time, and Namibia will continue to maintain a claim to sovereignty over
the entire area; recent dispute with Botswana over uninhabited Kasikili
(Sidudu) Island in the Linyanti River
Climate:
desert; hot, dry; rainfall sparse and erratic
Terrain:
mostly high plateau; Namib Desert along coast; Kalahari Desert in east
Natural resources:
diamonds, copper, uranium, gold, lead, tin, lithium, cadmium, zinc, salt,
vanadium, natural gas, fish; suspected deposits of oil, natural gas, coal,
iron ore
Land use:
arable land:
1%
permanent crops:
0%
meadows and pastures:
64%
forest and woodland:
22%
other:
13%
Irrigated land:
40 km2 (1989 est.)
Environment:
inhospitable with very limited natural water resources; desertification
Note:
Walvis Bay area is an exclave of South Africa in Namibia
*Namibia, People
Population:
1,541,321 (July 1993 est.)
Population growth rate:
3.46% (1993 est.)
Birth rate:
43.77 births/1,000 population (1993 est.)
Death rate:
9.13 deaths/1,000 population (1993 est.)
Net migration rate:
0 migrant(s)/1,000 population (1993 est.)
Infant mortality rate:
63.8 deaths/1,000 live births (1993 est.)
Life expectancy at birth:
total population:
61.2 years
male:
58.57 years
female:
63.91 years (1993 est.)
Total fertility rate:
6.46 children born/woman (1993 est.)
Nationality:
noun:
Namibian(s)
adjective:
Namibian
Ethnic divisions:
black 86%, white 6.6%, mixed 7.4%
note:
about 50% of the population belong to the Ovambo tribe and 9% to the
Kavangos tribe
Religions:
Christian
Languages:
English 7% (official), Afrikaans common language of most of the population
and about 60% of the white population, German 32%, indigenous languages
Literacy:
age 15 and over can read and write (1960)
total population:
38%
male:
45%
female:
31%
Labor force:
500,000
by occupation:
agriculture 60%, industry and commerce 19%, services 8%, government 7%,
mining 6% (1981 est.)
*Namibia, Government
Names:
conventional long form:
Republic of Namibia
conventional short form:
Namibia
Digraph:
WA
Type:
republic
Capital:
Windhoek
Administrative divisions:
13 districts; Erango, Hardap, Karas, Khomas, Kunene, Liambezi, Ohanguena,
Okarango, Omaheke, Omusat, Oshana, Oshikoto, Otjozondjupa
note:
the 26 districts were Bethanien, Boesmanland, Caprivi Oos, Damaraland,
Gobabis, Grootfontein, Hereroland Oos, Hereroland Wes, Kaokoland, Karasburg,
Karibib, Kavango, Keetmanshoop, Luderitz, Maltahohe, Mariental, Namaland,
Okahandja, Omaruru, Otjiwarongo, Outjo, Owambo, Rehoboth, Swakopmund,
Tsumeb, Windhoek
Independence:
21 March 1990 (from South African mandate)
Constitution:
ratified 9 February 1990
Legal system:
based on Roman-Dutch law and 1990 constitution
National holiday:
Independence Day, 21 March (1990)
Political parties and leaders:
South West Africa People's Organization (SWAPO), Sam NUJOMA; DTA of Namibia
(DTA; formerly Democratic Turnhalle Alliance of Namibia), Dirk MUDGE; United
Democratic Front (UDF), Justus GAROEB; Action Christian National (ACN),
Kosie PRETORIUS; National Patriotic Front (NPF), Moses KATJIUONGUA; Federal
Convention of Namibia (FCN), Hans DIERGAARDT; Namibia National Front (NNF),
Vekuii RUKORO
Other political or pressure groups:
NA
Suffrage:
18 years of age; universal
Elections:
President:
last held 16 February 1990 (next to be held March 1995); results - Sam
NUJOMA was elected president by the Constituent Assembly (now the National
Assembly)
National Assembly:
last held on 7-11 November 1989 (next to be held by November 1994); results
- percent of vote by party NA; seats - (72 total) SWAPO 41, DTA 21, UDF 4,
ACN 3, NNF 1, FCN 1, NPF 1
National Council:
last held 30 November-3 December 1992 (next to be held by December 1998);
seats - (26 total) SWAPO 19, DTA 6, UDF 1
Executive branch:
president, Cabinet
Legislative branch:
bicameral legislature consists of an upper house or National Council and a
lower house or National Assembly
Judicial branch:
Supreme Court
*Namibia, Government
Leaders:
Chief of State and Head of Government:
President Sam NUJOMA (since 21 March 1990)
Member of:
ACP, C, ECA, FAO, FLS, G-77, IAEA, IBRD, ICAO, IFAD, IFC, ILO, IMF, IOM
(observer), ITU, NAM, OAU, SACU, SADC, UN, UNCTAD, UNESCO, UNHCR, UNIDO,
UPU, WCL, WFTU, WHO, WIPO, WMO
Diplomatic representation in US:
chief of mission:
Ambassador Tuliameni KALOMOH
chancery:
1605 New Hampshire Ave. NW, Washington, DC 20009 (mailing address is PO Box
34738, Washington, DC 20043)
telephone:
(202) 986-0540
US diplomatic representation:
chief of mission:
Charge d'Affaires Marshall MCCAULEY
embassy:
Ausplan Building, 14 Lossen St., Windhoek
mailing address:
P. O. Box 9890, Windhoek 9000
telephone:
[264] (61) 221-601, 222-675, 222-680
FAX:
[264] (61) 229-792
Flag:
a large blue triangle with a yellow sunburst fills the upper left section,
and an equal green triangle (solid) fills the lower right section; the
triangles are separated by a red stripe that is contrasted by two narrow
white-edge borders
*Namibia, Economy
Overview:
The economy is heavily dependent on the mining industry to extract and
process minerals for export. Mining accounts for almost 25% of GDP. Namibia
is the fourth-largest exporter of nonfuel minerals in Africa and the world's
fifth-largest producer of uranium. Alluvial diamond deposits are among the
richest in the world, making Namibia a primary source for gem-quality
diamonds. Namibia also produces large quantities of lead, zinc, tin, silver,
and tungsten. More than half the population depends on agriculture (largely
subsistence agriculture) for its livelihood.
National product:
GDP - exchange rate conversion - $2 billion (1992 est.)
National product real growth rate:
2% (1992 est.)
National product per capita:
$1,300 (1992 est.)
Inflation rate (consumer prices):
10% (1992) in urban area
Unemployment rate:
25-35% (1992)
Budget:
revenues $864 million; expenditures $1,112 million, including capital
expenditures of $144 million (FY 92)
Exports:
$1.184 billion (f.o.b., 1991)
commodities:
diamonds, copper, gold, zinc, lead, uranium, cattle, processed fish, karakul
skins
partners:
Switzerland, South Africa, Germany, Japan
Imports:
$1.238 billion (f.o.b., 1991)
*Namibia, Economy
commodities:
foodstuffs, petroleum products and fuel, machinery and equipment
partners:
South Africa, Germany, US, Switzerland
External debt:
about $220 million (1992 est.)
Industrial production: growth rate 4.9% (1991); accounts for 35% of GDP, including mining
Electricity:
490,000 kW capacity; 1,290 million kWh produced, 850 kWh per capita (1991)
Industries:
meatpacking, fish processing, dairy products, mining (copper, lead, zinc,
diamond, uranium)
Agriculture:
accounts for 15% of GDP; mostly subsistence farming; livestock raising major
source of cash income; crops - millet, sorghum, peanuts; fish catch
potential of over 1 million metric tons not being fulfilled, 1988 catch
reaching only 384,000 metric tons; not self-sufficient in food
Economic aid:
Western (non-US) countries, ODA and OOF bilateral commitments (1970-87),
$47.2 million
Currency:
1 South African rand (R) = 100 cents
Exchange rates:
South African rand (R) per US$1 - 3.1576 (May 1993), 2.8497 (1992), 2.7653
(1991), 2.5863 (1990), 2.6166 (1989), 2.2611 (1988)
Fiscal year:
1 April - 31 March
*Namibia, Communications
Railroads:
2,341 km 1.067-meter gauge, single track
Highways:
54,500 km; 4,079 km paved, 2,540 km gravel, 47,881 km earth roads and tracks
Ports:
Luderitz; primary maritime outlet is Walvis Bay (South Africa)
Airports:
total:
137
usable:
112
with permanent-surface runways:
21
with runways over 3,659 m:
1
with runways 2,440-3,659 m:
4
with runways 1,220-2,439 m:
62
Telecommunications:
good urban, fair rural services; radio relay connects major towns, wires
extend to other population centers; 62,800 telephones; broadcast stations -
4 AM, 40 FM, 3 TV
*Namibia, Defense Forces
Branches:
National Defense Force (Army), Police
Manpower availability:
males age 15-49 324,599; fit for military service 192,381 (1993 est.)
Defense expenditures:
exchange rate conversion - $66 million, 3.4% of GDP (FY92)
*Nauru, Geography
Location:
Oceania, 500 km north-northeast of Papua New Guinea
Map references:
Oceania, Standard Time Zones of the World
Area:
total area:
21 km2
land area:
21 km2
comparative area:
about one-tenth the size of Washington, DC
Land boundaries:
0 km
Coastline:
30 km
Maritime claims:
exclusive fishing zone:
200 nm
territorial sea:
12 nm
International disputes:
none
Climate:
tropical; monsoonal; rainy season (November to February)
Terrain:
sandy beach rises to fertile ring around raised coral reefs with phosphate
plateau in center
Natural resources:
phosphates
Land use:
arable land:
0%
permanent crops:
0%
meadows and pastures:
0%
forest and woodland:
0%
other:
100%
Irrigated land:
NA km2
Environment:
only 53 km south of Equator
Note:
Nauru is one of the three great phosphate rock islands in the Pacific Ocean
- the others are Banaba (Ocean Island) in Kiribati and Makatea in French
Polynesia
*Nauru, People
Population:
9,882 (July 1993 est.)
Population growth rate:
1.42% (1993 est.)
Birth rate:
18.92 births/1,000 population (1993 est.)
Death rate:
5.1 deaths/1,000 population (1993 est.)
Net migration rate:
0.4 migrant(s)/1,000 population (1993 est.)
Infant mortality rate:
40.6 deaths/1,000 live births (1993 est.)
Life expectancy at birth:
total population:
66.68 years
male:
64.3 years
female:
69.18 years (1993 est.)
Total fertility rate:
2.2 children born/woman (1993 est.)
Nationality:
noun:
Nauruan(s)
adjective:
Nauruan
Ethnic divisions:
Nauruan 58%, other Pacific Islander 26%, Chinese 8%, European 8%
Religions:
Christian (two-thirds Protestant, one-third Roman Catholic)
Languages:
Nauruan (official; a distinct Pacific Island language), English widely
understood, spoken, and used for most government and commercial purposes
Literacy:
total population:
NA%
male:
NA%
female:
NA%
Labor force:
by occupation:
NA
*Nauru, Government
Names:
conventional long form: Republic of Nauru
conventional short form:
Nauru
former:
Pleasant Island
Digraph:
NR
Type:
republic
Capital:
no official capital; government offices in Yaren
Administrative divisions:
14 districts; Aiwo, Anabar, Anetan, Anibare, Baiti, Boe, Buada, Denigomodu,
Ewa, Ijuw, Meneng, Nibok, Uaboe, Yaren
Independence:
31 January 1968 (from UN trusteeship under Australia, New Zealand, and UK)
Constitution:
29 January 1968
Legal system:
own Acts of Parliament and British common law
National holiday:
Independence Day, 31 January (1968)
Political parties and leaders:
none
Suffrage:
20 years of age; universal and compulsory
Elections:
President:
last held 19 November 1992 (next to be held NA November 1995); results -
Bernard DOWIYOGO elected by Parliament
Parliament:
last held on 14 November 1992 (next to be held NA November 1995); results -
percent of vote NA; seats - (18 total) independents 18
Executive branch:
president, Cabinet
Legislative branch:
unicameral Parliament
Judicial branch:
Supreme Court
Leaders:
Chief of State and Head of Government:
President Bernard DOWIYOGO (since 12 December 1989)
Member of:
AsDB, C (special), ESCAP, ICAO, INTERPOL, ITU, SPARTECA, SPC, SPF, UPU
Diplomatic representation in US:
there is a Nauruan Consulate in Agana (Guam)
US diplomatic representation:
the US Ambassador to Australia is accredited to Nauru
Flag:
blue with a narrow, horizontal, yellow stripe across the center and a large
white 12-pointed star below the stripe on the hoist side; the star indicates
the country's location in relation to the Equator (the yellow stripe) and
the 12 points symbolize the 12 original tribes of Nauru
*Nauru, Economy
Overview:
Revenues come from the export of phosphates, the reserves of which are
expected to be exhausted by the year 2000. Phosphates have given Nauruans
one of the highest per capita incomes in the Third World - $10,000 annually.
Few other resources exist, so most necessities must be imported, including
fresh water from Australia. The rehabilitation of mined land and the
replacement of income from phosphates are serious long-term problems.
Substantial amounts of phosphate income are invested in trust funds to help
cushion the transition.
National product:
GNP - exchange rate conversion - $90 million (1989 est.)
National product real growth rate:
NA%
National product per capita:
$10,000 (1989 est.)
Inflation rate (consumer prices):
NA%
Unemployment rate:
0%
Budget:
revenues $69.7 million; expenditures $51.5 million, including capital
expenditures of $NA (FY86 est.)
Exports:
$93 million (f.o.b., 1984)
commodities:
phosphates
partners:
Australia, NZ
Imports:
$73 million (c.i.f., 1984)
commodities:
food, fuel, manufactures, building materials, machinery
partners:
Australia, UK, NZ, Japan
External debt:
$33.3 million
Industrial production:
growth rate NA%
Electricity:
14,000 kW capacity; 50 million kWh produced, 5,430 kWh per capita (1990)
Industries:
phosphate mining, financial services, coconut products
Agriculture:
coconuts; other agricultural activity negligible; almost completely
dependent on imports for food and water
Economic aid:
Western (non-US) countries (1970-89), $2 million
Currency:
1 Australian dollar ($A) = 100 cents
Exchange rates:
Australian dollars ($A) per US$1 - 1.4837 (January 1993), 1.3600 (1992),
1.2834 (1991), 1.2799 (1990), 1.2618 (1989), 1.2752 (1988)
Fiscal year:
1 July - 30 June
*Nauru, Communications
Railroads:
3.9 km; used to haul phosphates from the center of the island to processing
facilities on the southwest coast
Highways:
about 27 km total; 21 km paved, 6 km improved earth
Ports:
Nauru
Merchant marine:
1 bulk ship (1,000 GRT or over) totaling 4,426 GRT/5,750 DWT
Airports:
total:
1
useable:
1
with permanent-surface runways:
1
with runways over 3,659 m:
0
with runways 2,440-3,659 m:
0
with runways 1,220-2,439 m:
1
Telecommunications:
adequate local and international radio communications provided via
Australian facilities; 1,600 telephones; 4,000 radios; broadcast stations -
1 AM, no FM, no TV; 1 Pacific Ocean INTELSAT earth station
*Nauru, Defense Forces
Branches:
Directorate of the Nauru Police Force
note:
no regular armed forces
Manpower availability:
males age 15-49 NA; fit for military service NA
Defense expenditures:
$NA - no formal defense structure
*Navassa Island, Header
Affiliation:
(territory of the US)
*Navassa Island, Geography
Location:
in the Caribbean Sea, 160 km south of the US Naval Base at Guantanamo
(Cuba), between Cuba, Haiti, and Jamaica
Map references:
Central America and the Caribbean
Area:
total area:
5.2 km2
land area:
5.2 km2
comparative area:
about nine times the size of the Mall in Washington, DC
Land boundaries:
0 km
Coastline:
8 km
Maritime claims:
contiguous zone:
24 nm
continental shelf:
200 m or depth of exploitation
exclusive economic zone:
200 nm
territorial sea:
12 nm
International disputes:
claimed by Haiti
Climate:
marine, tropical
Terrain:
raised coral and limestone plateau, flat to undulating; ringed by vertical
white cliffs (9 to 15 meters high)
Natural resources:
guano
Land use:
arable land:
0%
permanent crops:
0%
meadows and pastures:
10%
forest and woodland:
0%
other:
90%
Irrigated land:
0 km2
Environment:
mostly exposed rock, but enough grassland to support goat herds; dense
stands of fig-like trees, scattered cactus
Note:
strategic location 160 km south of the US Naval Base at Guantanamo, Cuba
*Navassa Island, People
Population:
uninhabited; note - transient Haitian fishermen and others camp on the
island
*Navassa Island, Government
Names:
conventional long form:
none
conventional short form:
Navassa Island
Digraph:
BQ
Type:
unincorporated territory of the US administered by the US Coast Guard
Capital:
none; administered from Washington, DC
*Navassa Island, Economy
Overview:
no economic activity
*Navassa Island, Communications
Ports:
none; offshore anchorage only
*Navassa Island, Defense Forces
Note:
defense is the responsibility of the US
*Nepal, Geography
Location:
South Asia, in the Himalayas, between China and India
Map references:
Asia, Standard Time Zones of the World
Area:
total area:
140,800 km2
land area:
136,800 km2
comparative area: slightly larger than Arkansas
Land boundaries:
total 2,926 km, China 1,236 km, India 1,690 km
Coastline:
0 km (landlocked)
Maritime claims:
none; landlocked
International disputes:
none
Climate:
varies from cool summers and severe winters in north to subtropical summers
and mild winters in south
Terrain:
Terai or flat river plain of the Ganges in south, central hill region,
rugged Himalayas in north
Natural resources:
quartz, water, timber, hydroelectric potential, scenic beauty, small
deposits of lignite, copper, cobalt, iron ore
Land use:
arable land:
17%
permanent crops:
0%
meadows and pastures:
13%
forest and woodland:
33%
other:
37%
Irrigated land:
9,430 km2 (1989)
Environment:
contains eight of world's 10 highest peaks; deforestation; soil erosion;
water pollution
Note:
landlocked; strategic location between China and India
*Nepal, People
Population:
20,535,466 (July 1993 est.)
Population growth rate:
2.43% (1993 est.)
Birth rate:
37.99 births/1,000 population (1993 est.)
Death rate:
13.66 deaths/1,000 population (1993 est.)
Net migration rate:
0 migrant(s)/1,000 population (1993 est.)
Infant mortality rate:
85.8 deaths/1,000 live births (1993 est.)
Life expectancy at birth:
total population:
51.98 years male:
51.84 years
female:
52.12 years (1993 est.)
Total fertility rate:
5.33 children born/woman (1993 est.)
Nationality:
noun:
Nepalese (singular and plural)
adjective:
Nepalese
Ethnic divisions:
Newars, Indians, Tibetans, Gurungs, Magars, Tamangs, Bhotias, Rais, Limbus,
Sherpas
Religions:
Hindu 90%, Buddhist 5%, Muslim 3%, other 2% (1981)
note:
only official Hindu state in world, although no sharp distinction between
many Hindu and Buddhist groups
Languages:
Nepali (official), 20 languages divided into numerous dialects
Literacy:
age 15 and over can read and write (1990)
total population:
26%
male:
38%
female:
13%
Labor force:
8.5 million (1991 est.)
by occupation:
agriculture 93%, services 5%, industry 2%
note:
severe lack of skilled labor
*Nepal, Government
Names:
conventional long form:
Kingdom of Nepal
conventional short form:
Nepal
Digraph:
NP
Type:
parliamentary democracy as of 12 May 1991
Capital:
Kathmandu
Administrative divisions:
14 zones (anchal, singular and plural); Bagmati, Bheri, Dhawalagiri,
Gandaki, Janakpur, Karnali, Kosi, Lumbini, Mahakali, Mechi, Narayani, Rapti,
Sagarmatha, Seti
Independence: 1768 (unified by Prithvi Narayan Shah)
Constitution:
9 November 1990
Legal system:
based on Hindu legal concepts and English common law; has not accepted
compulsory ICJ jurisdiction
National holiday:
Birthday of His Majesty the King, 28 December (1945)
Political parties and leaders:
ruling party:
Nepali Congress Party (NCP), Party president Krishna Prasad BHATTARAI, Prime
Minister Girija Prasad KOIRALA, Ganesh Man SINGH
center:
the NDP has two factions: National Democratic Party/Chand (NDP/Chand),
Lokendra Bahadur CHAND; and National Democratic Party/Thapa (NDP/Thapa),
Surya Bahadur THAPA; Terai Rights Sadbhavana (Goodwill) Party, Gayendra
Narayan SINGH
Communist:
Communist Party of Nepal/United Marxist and Leninist (CPN/UML), Man Mohan
ADIKHARY; United People's Front (UPF), N. K. PRASAI, Lila Mani POKHAREL;
Nepal Workers and Peasants Party, leader NA; Rohit Party, N. M. BIJUKCHHE;
Democratic Party, leader NA
note:
the two factions of the NDP announced a merger in late 1991
Other political or pressure groups:
numerous small, left-leaning student groups in the capital; several small,
radical Nepalese antimonarchist groups
Suffrage:
18 years of age; universal
Elections:
House of Representatives:
last held on 12 May 1991 (next to be held May 1996); results - NCP 38%,
CPN/UML 28%, NDP/Chand 6%, UPF 5%, NDP/Thapa 5%, Terai Rights Sadbhavana
Party 4%, Rohit 2%, CPN (Democratic) 1%, independents 4%, other 7%; seats -
(205 total) NCP 110, CPN/UML 69, UPF 9, Terai Rights Sadbhavana Party 6,
NDP/Chand 3, Rohit 2, CPN (Democratic) 2, NDP/Thapa 1, independents 3; note
- the new Constitution of 9 November 1990 gave Nepal a multiparty democracy
system for the first time in 32 years
Executive branch:
monarch, prime minister, Council of Ministers
Legislative branch:
bicameral Parliament consists of an upper house or National Council and a
lower house or House of Representatives
*Nepal, Government
Judicial branch:
Supreme Court (Sarbochha Adalat)
Leaders:
Chief of State:
King BIRENDRA Bir Bikram Shah Dev (since 31 January 1972, crowned King 24
February 1985); Heir Apparent Crown Prince DIPENDRA Bir Bikram Shah Dev, son
of the King (born 21 June 1971)
Head of Government: Prime Minister Girija Prasad KOIRALA (since 29 May 1991)
Member of:
AsDB, CCC, CP, ESCAP, FAO, G-77, IBRD, ICAO, IDA, IFAD, IFC, ILO, IMF, IMO,
INTELSAT, INTERPOL, IOC, ITU, LORCS, NAM, SAARC, UN, UNCTAD, UNESCO, UNIDO,
UNIFIL, UNPROFOR, UPU, WFTU, WHO, WMO, WTO
Diplomatic representation in US:
chief of mission:
Ambassador Yog Prasad UPADHYAYA
chancery:
2131 Leroy Place NW, Washington, DC 20008
telephone:
(202) 667-4550
consulate general:
New York
US diplomatic representation:
chief of mission:
Ambassador Julia Chang BLOCH
embassy:
Pani Pokhari, Kathmandu
mailing address:
use embassy street address
telephone:
[977] (1) 411179 or 412718, 411604, 411613, 413890
FAX:
[977] (1) 419963
Flag:
red with a blue border around the unique shape of two overlapping right
triangles; the smaller, upper triangle bears a white stylized moon and the
larger, lower triangle bears a white 12-pointed sun
*Nepal, Economy
Overview:
Nepal is among the poorest and least developed countries in the world.
Agriculture is the mainstay of the economy, providing a livelihood for over
90% of the population and accounting for 60% of GDP. Industrial activity is
limited, mainly involving the processing of agricultural produce (jute,
sugarcane, tobacco, and grain). Production of textiles and carpets has
expanded recently and accounted for 85% of foreign exchange earnings in
FY91. Apart from agricultural land and forests, exploitable natural
resources are mica, hydropower, and tourism. Agricultural production in the
late 1980s grew by about 5%, as compared with annual population growth of
2.6%. More than 40% of the population is undernourished partly because of
poor distribution. The top 10% of the population receives 47% of total
income, the bottom 20% less than 5% of the total. Since May 1991, the
government has been encouraging trade and foreign investment, e.g., by
eliminating business licenses and registration requirements in order to
simplify domestic and foreign investment. The government also has been
cutting public expenditures by reducing subsides, privatizing state
industries, and laying off civil servants. Prospects for foreign trade and
investment in the 1990s remain poor, however, because of the small size of
the economy, its technological backwardness, and its remoteness.
National product:
GDP - exchange rate conversion - $3.4 billion (FY92)
National product real growth rate:
3.1% (FY92)
National product per capita:
$170 (FY92)
Inflation rate (consumer prices):
14% (November 1992)
Unemployment rate:
5% (1987); underemployment estimated at 25-40%
Budget:
revenues $308.0 million; expenditures $672.0 million, including capital
expenditures of $396 million (FY92 est.)
Exports:
$313 million (f.o.b., FY92 est.) but does not include unrecorded border
trade with India
commodities:
carpets, clothing, leather goods, jute goods, grain
partners:
US, Germany, India, UK
Imports:
$751 million (c.i.f., FY92 est.)
commodities:
petroleum products 20%, fertilizer 11%, machinery 10%
partners:
India, Singapore, Japan, Germany
External debt:
$2 billion (FY92 est.)
Industrial production:
growth rate 6% (FY91 est.); accounts for 7% of GDP
Electricity:
300,000 kW capacity; 1,000 million kWh produced, 50 kWh per capita (1992)
Industries:
small rice, jute, sugar, and oilseed mills; cigarette, textile, carpet,
cement, and brick production; tourism
Agriculture:
accounts for 60% of GDP and 90% of work force; farm products - rice, corn,
wheat, sugarcane, root crops, milk, buffalo meat; not self-sufficient in
food, particularly in drought years
*Nepal, Economy
Illicit drugs:
illicit producer of cannabis for the domestic and international drug
markets; probable transit point for heroin from Southeast Asia to the West
Economic aid:
US commitments, including Ex-Im (FY70-89), $304 million; Western (non-US)
countries, ODA and OOF bilateral commitments (1980-89), $2,230 million; OPEC
bilateral aid (1979-89), $30 million; Communist countries (1970-89), $286
million
Currency:
1 Nepalese rupee (NR) = 100 paisa
Exchange rates:
Nepalese rupees (NRs) per US$1 - 43.200 (January 1993), 42.742 (1992),
37.255 (1991), 29.370 (1990), 27.189 (1989), 23.289 (1988)
Fiscal year: 16 July - 15 July
*Nepal, Communications
Railroads:
52 km (1990), all 0.762-meter narrow gauge; all in Terai close to Indian
border; 10 km from Raxaul to Birganj is government owned
Highways:
7,080 km total (1990); 2,898 km paved, 1,660 km gravel or crushed stone;
also 2,522 km of seasonally motorable tracks
Airports:
total:
37
usable:
37
with permanent-surface runways:
5
with runways over 3,659 m:
0
with runways 2,440-3,659 m:
1
with runways 1,220-2,439 m:
8
Telecommunications:
poor telephone and telegraph service; fair radio communication and broadcast
service; international radio communication service is poor; 50,000
telephones (1990); broadcast stations - 88 AM, no FM, 1 TV; 1 Indian Ocean
INTELSAT earth station
*Nepal, Defense Forces
Branches:
Royal Nepalese Army, Royal Nepalese Army Air Service, Nepalese Police Force
Manpower availability:
males age 15-49 4,849,109; fit for military service 2,517,385; reach
military age (17) annually 234,060 (1993 est.)
Defense expenditures:
exchange rate conversion - $34 million, 2% of GDP (FY91/92)
*Netherlands, Geography
Location:
Western Europe, bordering the North Sea, between Belgium and Germany
Map references:
Europe, Standard Time Zones of the World
Area:
total area:
37,330 km2
land area:
33,920 km2 comparative area:
slightly less than twice the size of New Jersey
Land boundaries:
total 1,027 km, Belgium 450 km, Germany 577 km
Coastline:
451 km
Maritime claims:
continental shelf:
not specified
exclusive fishing zone:
200 nm
territorial sea:
12 nm
International disputes:
none
Climate:
temperate; marine; cool summers and mild winters
Terrain:
mostly coastal lowland and reclaimed land (polders); some hills in southeast
Natural resources:
natural gas, petroleum, fertile soil
Land use:
arable land:
26%
permanent crops:
1%
meadows and pastures:
32%
forest and woodland:
9%
other:
32%
Irrigated land:
5,500 km2 (1989 est.)
Environment:
without an extensive system of dikes and dams, nearly one-half of the total
area would be inundated by sea water
Note:
located at mouths of three major European rivers (Rhine, Maas or Meuse,
Schelde)
*Netherlands, People
Population:
15,274,942 (July 1993 est.)
Population growth rate:
0.63% (1993 est.)
Birth rate:
12.81 births/1,000 population (1993 est.)
Death rate:
8.53 deaths/1,000 population (1993 est.)
Net migration rate:
2.06 migrant(s)/1,000 population (1993 est.)
Infant mortality rate: 6.2 deaths/1,000 live births (1993 est.)
Life expectancy at birth:
total population:
77.55 years
male:
74.48 years
female:
80.78 years (1993 est.)
Total fertility rate:
1.59 children born/woman (1993 est.)
Nationality:
noun:
Dutchman(men), Dutchwoman(women)
adjective:
Dutch
Ethnic divisions:
Dutch 96%, Moroccans, Turks, and other 4% (1988)
Religions:
Roman Catholic 36%, Protestant 27%, other 6%, unaffiliated 31% (1988)
Languages:
Dutch
Literacy:
age 15 and over can read and write (1979)
total population:
99%
male:
NA%
female:
NA%
Labor force:
5.3 million
by occupation:
services 50.1%, manufacturing and construction 28.2%, government 15.9%,
agriculture 5.8% (1986)
*Netherlands, Government
Names:
conventional long form:
Kingdom of the Netherlands
conventional short form:
Netherlands
local long form:
Koninkrijk de Nederlanden
local short form:
Nederland
Digraph:
NL
Type:
constitutional monarchy
Capital:
Amsterdam; The Hague is the seat of government
Administrative divisions:
12 provinces (provincien, singular - provincie); Drenthe, Flevoland,
Friesland, Gelderland, Groningen, Limburg, Noord-Brabant, Noord-Holland,
Overijssel, Utrecht, Zeeland, Zuid-Holland
Dependent areas:
Aruba, Netherlands Antilles
Independence:
1579 (from Spain)
Constitution:
17 February 1983
Legal system:
civil law system incorporating French penal theory; judicial review in the
Supreme Court of legislation of lower order rather than Acts of the States
General; accepts compulsory ICJ jurisdiction, with reservations
National holiday:
Queen's Day, 30 April (1938)
Political parties and leaders:
Christian Democratic Appeal (CDA), Willem van VELZEN; Labor (PvdA), Wim KOK;
Liberal (VVD), Frederick BOLKSTEIN; Democrats '66 (D'66), Hans van MIERIO; a
host of minor parties
Other political or pressure groups:
large multinational firms; Federation of Netherlands Trade Union Movement
(comprising Socialist and Catholic trade unions) and a Protestant trade
union; Federation of Catholic and Protestant Employers Associations; the
nondenominational Federation of Netherlands Enterprises; and Interchurch
Peace Council (IKV)
Suffrage:
18 years of age; universal
Elections:
First Chamber:
last held on 9 June l991 (next to be held 9 June 1995); results - elected by
the country's 12 provincial councils; seats - (75 total) percent of seats by
party NA
Second Chamber:
last held on 6 September 1989 (next to be held in May 1994); results - CDA
35.3%, PvdA 31.9%, VVD 14.6%, D'66 7.9%, other 10.3%; seats - (150 total)
CDA 54, PvdA 49, VVD 22, D'66 12, other 13
Executive branch:
monarch, prime minister, vice prime minister, Cabinet, Cabinet of Ministers
Legislative branch:
bicameral legislature (Staten Generaal) consists of an upper chamber or
First Chamber (Eerste Kamer) and a lower chamber or Second Chamber (Tweede
Kamer)
*Netherlands, Government
Judicial branch:
Supreme Court (De Hoge Raad)
Leaders:
Chief of State:
Queen BEATRIX Wilhelmina Armgard (since 30 April 1980); Heir Apparent
WILLEM-ALEXANDER, Prince of Orange, son of Queen Beatrix (born 27 April
1967)
Head of Government:
Prime Minister Ruud (Rudolph) F. M. LUBBERS (since 4 November 1982); Vice
Prime Minister Willem (Wim) KOK (since 2 November 1989)
Member of:
AfDB, AG (observer), AsDB, Australia Group, Benelux, BIS, CCC, CE, CERN,
COCOM, CSCE, EBRD, EC, ECE, ECLAC, EIB, ESA, ESCAP, FAO, G-10, GATT, IADB,
IAEA, IBRD, ICAO, ICC, ICFTU, IDA, IEA, IFAD, IFC, ILO, IMF, IMO, INMARSAT,
INTELSAT, INTERPOL, IOC, IOM, ISO, ITU, LORCS, MTCR, NACC, NAM (guest),
NATO, NEA, NSG, OAS (observer), OECD, PCA, UN, UNAVEM II, UNCTAD, UNESCO,
UNHCR, UNIDO, UNPROFOR, UNTAC, UNTSO, UPU, WCL, WEU, WHO, WIPO, WMO, WTO, ZC
Diplomatic representation in US:
chief of mission:
Ambassador Johan Hendrick MEESMAN
chancery:
4200 Linnean Avenue NW, Washington DC 20008
telephone:
(202) 244-5300
FAX:
(202) 362-3430
consulates general:
Chicago, Houston, Los Angeles, Manila (Trust Territories of the Pacific
Islands), New York
US diplomatic representation:
chief of mission:
(vacant); Charge d'Affaires Thomas H. GEWECKE
embassy:
Lange Voorhout 102, The Hague
mailing address:
PSC 71, Box 1000, APO AE 09715
telephone:
[31] (70) 310-9209
FAX:
[31] (70) 361-4688
consulate general:
Amsterdam
Flag:
three equal horizontal bands of red (top), white, and blue; similar to the
flag of Luxembourg, which uses a lighter blue and is longer
*Netherlands, Economy
Overview:
This highly developed and affluent economy is based on private enterprise.
The government makes its presence felt, however, through many regulations,
permit requirements, and welfare programs affecting most aspects of economic
activity. The trade and financial services sector contributes over 50% of
GDP. Industrial activity provides about 25% of GDP and is led by the
food-processing, oil-refining, and metalworking industries. The highly
mechanized agricultural sector employs only 5% of the labor force, but
provides large surpluses for export and the domestic food-processing
industry. Unemployment and a sizable budget deficit are currently the most
serious economic problems. Many of the economic issues of the 1990s will
reflect the course of European economic integration.
National product:
GDP - purchasing power equivalent - $259.8 billion (1992)
National product real growth rate:
1.6% (1992)
National product per capita:
$17,200 (1992)
Inflation rate (consumer prices):
3.5% (1992 est.)
Unemployment rate:
5.3% (1992 est.)
Budget:
revenues $109.9 billion; expenditures $122.1 billion, including capital
expenditures of $NA (1992 est.)
Exports:
$128.5 billion (f.o.b., 1992)
commodities:
agricultural products, processed foods and tobacco, natural gas, chemicals,
metal products, textiles, clothing
partners:
EC 77% (Germany 27%, Belgium-Luxembourg 15%, UK 10%), US 4% (1991)
Imports:
$117.7 billion (f.o.b., 1992)
commodities:
raw materials and semifinished products, consumer goods, transportation
equipment, crude oil, food products
partners:
EC 64% (Germany 26%, Belgium-Luxembourg 14%, UK 8%), US 8% (1991)
External debt:
$0
Industrial production:
growth rate 1.6% (1992 est.); accounts for 25% of GDP
Electricity:
22,216,000 kW capacity; 63,500 million kWh produced, 4,200 kWh per capita
(1992)
Industries:
agroindustries, metal and engineering products, electrical machinery and
equipment, chemicals, petroleum, fishing, construction, microelectronics
Agriculture:
accounts for 4.6% of GDP; animal production predominates; crops - grains,
potatoes, sugar beets, fruits, vegetables; shortages of grain, fats, and
oils
Illicit drugs:
transit country for illicit narcotics produced in neighboring countries;
European producer of illicit amphetamines and other synthetic drugs
Economic aid:
donor - ODA and OOF commitments (1970-89), $19.4 billion
*Netherlands, Economy
Currency:
1 Netherlands guilder, gulden, or florin (f.) = 100 cents
Exchange rates:
Netherlands guilders, gulden, or florins (f.) per US$1 - 1.8167 (January
1993), 1.7585 (1992), 1.8697 (1991), 1.8209 (1990), 2.1207 (1989), 1.9766
(1988)
Fiscal year:
calendar year
*Netherlands, Communications
Railroads:
2,828 km 1.435-meter standard gauge operated by Netherlands Railways (NS)
(includes 1,957 km electrified and 1,800 km double track)
Highways:
108,360 km total; 92,525 km paved (including 2,185 km of limited access,
divided highways); 15,835 km gravel, crushed stone
Inland waterways:
6,340 km, of which 35% is usable by craft of 1,000 metric ton capacity or
larger
Pipelines:
crude oil 418 km; petroleum products 965 km; natural gas 10,230 km
Ports:
coastal - Amsterdam, Delfzijl, Den Helder, Dordrecht, Eemshaven, Ijmuiden,
Rotterdam, Scheveningen, Terneuzen, Vlissingen; inland - 29 ports
Merchant marine:
344 ships (1,000 GRT or over) totaling 2,762,000 GRT/3,675,649 DWT; includes
3 short-sea passenger, 193 cargo, 30 refrigerated cargo, 26 container, 13
roll-on/roll-off, 1 livestock carrier, 11 multifunction large-load carrier,
23 oil tanker, 22 chemical tanker, 10 liquefied gas, 2 specialized tanker, 6
bulk, 4 combination bulk; note - many Dutch-owned ships are also registered
on the captive Netherlands Antilles register
Airports:
total:
28
usable:
28
with permanent-surface runways:
20
with runways over 3,659 m:
0
with runways 2,440-3,659 m:
11
with runways 1,220-2,439 m:
6
Telecommunications:
highly developed, well maintained, and integrated; extensive redundant
system of multiconductor cables, supplemented by microwave radio relay
microwave links; 9,418,000 telephones; broadcast stations - 3 (3 relays) AM,
12 (39 repeaters) FM, 8 (7 repeaters) TV; 5 submarine cables; 1
communication satellite earth station operating in INTELSAT (1 Indian Ocean
and 2 Atlantic Ocean antenna) and EUTELSAT systems; nationwide mobile phone
system
*Netherlands, Defense Forces
Branches:
Royal Netherlands Army, Royal Netherlands Navy (including Naval Air Service
and Marine Corps), Royal Netherlands Air Force, Royal Constabulary
Manpower availability:
males age 15-49 4,183,167; fit for military service 3,677,445; reach
military age (20) annually 104,263 (1993 est.)
Defense expenditures:
exchange rate conversion - $7.8 billion, 3% of GDP (1992)
*Netherlands Antilles, Header
Affiliation:
(part of the Dutch realm)
*Netherlands Antilles, Geography