part of the UN Trust Territory of the Pacific Islands, the Marshall
Islands attained independence in 1986 under a Compact of Free
Association. Compensation claims continue as a result of US nuclear
testing on some of the atolls between 1947 and 1962. The Marshall
Islands hosts the US Army Kwajalein Atoll (USAKA) Reagan Missile
Test Site, a key installation in the US missile defense network.
Geography ::Marshall Islands
Location:
Oceania, two archipelagic island chains of 29 atolls, each made up
of many small islets, and five single islands in the North Pacific
Ocean, about half way between Hawaii and Australia
Geographic coordinates:
9 00 N, 168 00 E
Map references:
Oceania
Area:
total: 181 sq km
country comparison to the world: 216
land: 181 sq km
water: 0 sq km
note: the archipelago includes 11,673 sq km of lagoon waters and
includes the atolls of Bikini, Enewetak, Kwajalein, Majuro,
Rongelap, and Utirik
Area - comparative:
about the size of Washington, DC
Land boundaries:
0 km
Coastline:
370.4 km
Maritime claims:
territorial sea: 12 nm
contiguous zone: 24 nm
exclusive economic zone: 200 nm
Climate:
tropical; hot and humid; wet season May to November; islands border
typhoon belt
Terrain:
low coral limestone and sand islands
Elevation extremes:
lowest point: Pacific Ocean 0 m
highest point: unnamed location on Likiep 10 m
Natural resources:
coconut products, marine products, deep seabed minerals
Land use:
arable land: 11.11%
permanent crops: 44.44%
other: 44.45% (2005)
Irrigated land:
0 sq km
Natural hazards:
infrequent typhoons
Environment - current issues:
inadequate supplies of potable water; pollution of Majuro lagoon
from household waste and discharges from fishing vessels
Environment - international agreements:
party to: Biodiversity, Climate Change, Climate Change-Kyoto
Protocol, Desertification, Hazardous Wastes, Law of the Sea, Ozone
Layer Protection, Ship Pollution, Wetlands, Whaling
signed, but not ratified: none of the selected agreements
Geography - note:
the islands of Bikini and Enewetak are former US nuclear test sites;
Kwajalein atoll, famous as a World War II battleground, surrounds
the world's largest lagoon and is used as a US missile test range;
the island city of Ebeye is the second largest settlement in the
Marshall Islands, after the capital of Majuro, and one of the most
densely populated locations in the Pacific
People ::Marshall Islands
Population:
65,859 (July 2010 est.)
country comparison to the world: 203
Age structure:
0-14 years: 38.6% (male 12,683/female 12,217)
15-64 years: 58.5% (male 19,302/female 18,459)
65 years and over: 2.9% (male 902/female 959) (2010 est.)
Median age:
total: 21.5 years
male: 21.5 years
female: 21.5 years (2010 est.)
Population growth rate:
2.023% (2010 est.)
country comparison to the world: 54
Birth rate:
29.94 births/1,000 population (2010 est.)
country comparison to the world: 44
Death rate:
4.42 deaths/1,000 population (July 2010 est.)
country comparison to the world: 200
Net migration rate:
-5.3 migrant(s)/1,000 population (2010 est.)
country comparison to the world: 200
Urbanization:
urban population: 71% of total population (2008)
rate of urbanization: 2.7% annual rate of change (2005-10 est.)
Sex ratio:
at birth: 1.05 male(s)/female
under 15 years: 1.04 male(s)/female
15-64 years: 1.04 male(s)/female
65 years and over: 0.94 male(s)/female
total population: 1.04 male(s)/female (2010 est.)
Infant mortality rate:
total: 24.57 deaths/1,000 live births
country comparison to the world: 86
male: 27.61 deaths/1,000 live births
female: 21.38 deaths/1,000 live births (2010 est.)
Life expectancy at birth:
total population: 71.48 years
country comparison to the world: 130
male: 69.41 years
female: 73.65 years (2010 est.)
Total fertility rate:
3.51 children born/woman (2010 est.)
country comparison to the world: 48
HIV/AIDS - adult prevalence rate:
NA
HIV/AIDS - people living with HIV/AIDS:
NA
HIV/AIDS - deaths:
NA
Nationality:
noun: Marshallese (singular and plural)
adjective: Marshallese
Ethnic groups:
Marshallese 92.1%, mixed Marshallese 5.9%, other 2% (2006)
Religions:
Protestant 54.8%, Assembly of God 25.8%, Roman Catholic 8.4%, Bukot
nan Jesus 2.8%, Mormon 2.1%, other Christian 3.6%, other 1%, none
1.5% (1999 census)
Languages:
Marshallese (official) 98.2%, other languages 1.8% (1999 census)
note: English (official), widely spoken as a second language
Literacy:
definition: age 15 and over can read and write
total population: 93.7%
male: 93.6%
female: 93.7% (1999)
School life expectancy (primary to tertiary education):
total: 13 years
male: 13 years
female: 13 years (2003)
Education expenditures:
12.3% of GDP (2004)
country comparison to the world: 4
Government ::Marshall Islands
Country name:
conventional long form: Republic of the Marshall Islands
conventional short form: Marshall Islands
local long form: Republic of the Marshall Islands
local short form: Marshall Islands
abbreviation: RMI
former: Trust Territory of the Pacific Islands, Marshall Islands
District
Government type:
constitutional government in free association with the US; the
Compact of Free Association entered into force on 21 October 1986
and the Amended Compact entered into force in May 2004
Capital:
name: Majuro
geographic coordinates: 7 06 N, 171 23 E
time difference: UTC+12 (17 hours ahead of Washington, DC during
Standard Time)
Administrative divisions:
33 municipalities; Ailinginae, Ailinglaplap, Ailuk, Arno, Aur,
Bikar, Bikini, Bokak, Ebon, Enewetak, Erikub, Jabat, Jaluit, Jemo,
Kili, Kwajalein, Lae, Lib, Likiep, Majuro, Maloelap, Mejit, Mili,
Namorik, Namu, Rongelap, Rongrik, Toke, Ujae, Ujelang, Utirik,
Wotho, Wotje
Independence:
21 October 1986 (from the US-administered UN trusteeship)
National holiday:
Constitution Day, 1 May (1979)
Constitution:
1 May 1979
Legal system:
based on adapted Trust Territory laws, acts of the legislature,
municipal, common, and customary laws; has not accepted compulsory
ICJ jurisdiction
Suffrage:
18 years of age; universal
Executive branch:
chief of state: President Jurelang ZEDKAIA (since 2 November 2009);
note - the president is both the chief of state and head of
government
head of government: President Jurelang ZEDKAIA (since 2 November
2009)
cabinet: Cabinet selected by the president from among the members of
the legislature
(For more information visit the World Leaders website )
elections: president elected by Nitijela (legislature) from among
its members for a four-year term; election last held on 7 January
2008 (next to be held in 2012)
election results: Litokwa TOMEING removed as president by no
confidence vote on 21 October 2009; legislature elects ZEDKAIA
president on 26 October 2009
Legislative branch:
unicameral legislature or Nitijela (33 seats; members elected by
popular vote to serve four-year terms)
elections: last held on 19 November 2007 (next to be held by
November 2011)
election results: percent of vote by party - NA; seats by party -
independents 4
note: the Council of Chiefs or Ironij is a 12-member body comprised
of tribal chiefs that advises on matters affecting customary law and
practice
Judicial branch:
Supreme Court; High Court; Traditional Rights Court
Political parties and leaders:
traditionally there have been no formally organized political
parties; what has existed more closely resembles factions or
interest groups because they do not have party headquarters, formal
platforms, or party structures; the following two "groupings" have
competed in legislative balloting in recent years - Aelon Kein Ad
Party [Michael KABUA] and United Democratic Party or UDP [Litokwa
TOMEING]
Political pressure groups and leaders:
NA
International organization participation:
ACP, ADB, AOSIS, FAO, G-77, IAEA, IBRD, ICAO, ICCt, IDA, IFAD, IFC,
ILO, IMF, IMO, IMSO, Interpol, IOC, ITU, OPCW, PIF, Sparteca, SPC,
UN, UNCTAD, UNESCO, WHO
Diplomatic representation in the US:
chief of mission: Ambassador Banny DEBRUM
chancery: 2433 Massachusetts Avenue NW, Washington, DC 20008
telephone: [1] (202) 234-5414
FAX: [1] (202) 232-3236
consulate(s) general: Honolulu
Diplomatic representation from the US:
chief of mission: Ambassador Martha L. CAMPBELL
embassy: Oceanside, Mejen Weto, Long Island, Majuro
mailing address: P. O. Box 1379, Majuro, Republic of the Marshall
Islands 96960-1379
telephone: [692] 247-4011
FAX: [692] 247-4012
Flag description:
blue with two stripes radiating from the lower hoist-side corner -
orange (top) and white; a white star with four large rays and 20
small rays appears on the hoist side above the two stripes; blue
represents the Pacific Ocean, the orange stripe signifies the Ralik
Chain or sunset and courage, while the white stripe signifies the
Ratak Chain or sunrise and peace; the star symbolizes the cross of
Christianity, each of the 24 rays designates one of the electoral
districts in the country and the four larger rays highlight the
principal cultural centers of Majuro, Jaluit, Wotje, and Ebeye; the
rising diagonal band can also be interpreted as representing the
equator, with the star showing the archipelago's position just to
the north
National anthem:
name: "Forever Marshall Islands"
lyrics/music: Amata KABUA
note: adopted 1981
Economy ::Marshall Islands
Economy - overview:
US Government assistance is the mainstay of this tiny island
economy. The Marshall Islands received more than $1 billion in aid
from the US from 1986-2002. Agricultural production, primarily
subsistence, is concentrated on small farms; the most important
commercial crops are coconuts and breadfruit. Small-scale industry
is limited to handicrafts, tuna processing, and copra. The tourist
industry, now a small source of foreign exchange employing less than
10% of the labor force, remains the best hope for future added
income. The islands have few natural resources, and imports far
exceed exports. Under the terms of the Amended Compact of Free
Association, the US will provide millions of dollars per year to the
Marshall Islands (RMI) through 2023, at which time a Trust Fund made
up of US and RMI contributions will begin perpetual annual payouts.
Government downsizing, drought, a drop in construction, the decline
in tourism, and less income from the renewal of fishing vessel
licenses have held GDP growth to an average of 1% over the past
decade.
GDP (purchasing power parity):
$133.5 million (2008 est.)
country comparison to the world: 219
$115 million (2001 est.)
note: data are in 2010 US dollars
GDP (official exchange rate):
$161.7 million (2008 est.)
GDP - real growth rate:
-0.3% (2008 est.)
country comparison to the world: 191
3.5% (2005 est.)
GDP - per capita (PPP):
$2,500 (2008 est.)
country comparison to the world: 179
$2,900 (2005 est.)
GDP - composition by sector:
agriculture: 31.7%
industry: 14.9%
services: 53.4% (2004 est.)
Labor force:
14,680 (2000)
country comparison to the world: 212
Labor force - by occupation:
agriculture: 21.4%
industry: 20.9%
services: 57.7% (2000)
Unemployment rate:
36% (2006 est.)
country comparison to the world: 185
30.9% (2000 est.)
Population below poverty line:
NA%
Household income or consumption by percentage share:
lowest 10%: NA%
highest 10%: NA%
Inflation rate (consumer prices):
12.9% (2008 est.)
country comparison to the world: 211
3% (2005 est.)
Agriculture - products:
coconuts, tomatoes, melons, taro, breadfruit, fruits; pigs, chickens
Industries:
copra, tuna processing, tourism, craft items (from seashells, wood,
and pearls)
Industrial production growth rate:
NA%
Exports:
$19.4 million (2008 est.)
country comparison to the world: 206
$9.1 million (2000 est.)
Exports - commodities:
copra cake, coconut oil, handicrafts, fish
Imports:
$79.4 million (2008 est.)
country comparison to the world: 212
$54.7 million (2000 est.)
Imports - commodities:
foodstuffs, machinery and equipment, fuels, beverages and tobacco
Debt - external:
$87 million (2008 est.)
country comparison to the world: 180
$86.5 million (FY99/00 est.)
Exchange rates:
the US dollar is used
Communications ::Marshall Islands
Telephones - main lines in use:
4,400 (2009)
country comparison to the world: 214
Telephones - mobile cellular:
1,000 (2009)
country comparison to the world: 218
Telephone system:
general assessment: digital switching equipment; modern services
include telex, cellular, Internet, international calling, caller ID,
and leased data circuits
domestic: Majuro Atoll and Ebeye and Kwajalein islands have regular,
seven-digit, direct-dial telephones; other islands interconnected by
high frequency radiotelephone (used mostly for government purposes)
and mini-satellite telephones
international: country code - 692; satellite earth stations - 2
Intelsat (Pacific Ocean); US Government satellite communications
system on Kwajalein (2005)
Broadcast media:
no television broadcast station; a cable network is available on
Majuro with programming via videotape replay and satellite relays; 4
radio broadcast stations; American Armed Forces Radio and Television
Service (AFRTS) provides satellite radio and television service to
Kwajalein Atoll (2009)
Internet country code:
.mh
Internet hosts:
3 (2010)
country comparison to the world: 230
Internet users:
2,200 (2009)
country comparison to the world: 209
Transportation ::Marshall Islands
Airports:
15 (2010)
country comparison to the world: 147
Airports - with paved runways:
total: 4
1,524 to 2,437 m: 3
914 to 1,523 m: 1 (2010)
Airports - with unpaved runways:
total: 11
914 to 1,523 m: 10
under 914 m: 1 (2010)
Roadways:
total: 2,028 km (includes 75 km of expressways) (2007)
country comparison to the world: 174
Merchant marine:
total: 1,381
country comparison to the world: 7
by type: barge carrier 1, bulk carrier 415, cargo 63, chemical
tanker 314, combination ore/oil 2, container 206, liquefied gas 83,
passenger 7, passenger/cargo 1, petroleum tanker 259, refrigerated
cargo 14, roll on/roll off 9, vehicle carrier 7
foreign-owned: 1,284 (Australia 1, Bermuda 34, Brazil 1, Canada 4,
China 16, Croatia 12, Cyprus 38, Denmark 7, Egypt 1, Germany 247,
Greece 358, Hong Kong 3, India 8, Iraq 2, Isle of Man 2, Israel 1,
Italy 1, Japan 41, Jersey 9, Latvia 18, Malaysia 11, Mexico 4,
Monaco 21, Netherlands 16, Norway 57, Pakistan 1, Qatar 24, Romania
2, Russia 6, Singapore 28, Slovenia 6, South Korea 25, Switzerland
12, Taiwan 2, Turkey 72, UAE 17, UK 7, Ukraine 1, US 168) (2010)
Ports and terminals:
Enitwetak Island, Kwajalein, Majuro
Military ::Marshall Islands
Military branches:
no regular military forces; under the 1983 Compact of Free
Association, the US has full authority and responsibility for
security and defense of the Marshall Islands; Marshall Islands
Police (2009)
Manpower available for military service:
males age 16-49: 16,138 (2010 est.)
Manpower fit for military service:
males age 16-49: 13,277
females age 16-49: 13,374 (2010 est.)
Manpower reaching militarily significant age annually:
male: 602
female: 580 (2010 est.)
Military expenditures:
NA
Military - note:
defense is the responsibility of the US
Transnational Issues ::Marshall Islands
Disputes - international:
claims US territory of Wake Island
page last updated on January 11, 2011
======================================================================
@Mauritania (Africa)
Introduction ::Mauritania
Background:
Independent from France in 1960, Mauritania annexed the southern
third of the former Spanish Sahara (now Western Sahara) in 1976 but
relinquished it after three years of raids by the Polisario
guerrilla front seeking independence for the territory. Maaouya Ould
Sid Ahmed TAYA seized power in a coup in 1984 and ruled Mauritania
with a heavy hand for more than two decades. A series of
presidential elections that he held were widely seen as flawed. A
bloodless coup in August 2005 deposed President TAYA and ushered in
a military council that oversaw a transition to democratic rule.
Independent candidate Sidi Ould Cheikh ABDALLAHI was inaugurated in
April 2007 as Mauritania's first freely and fairly elected
president. His term ended prematurely in August 2008 when a military
junta led by General Mohamed Ould Abdel AZIZ deposed him and ushered
in a military council government. AZIZ was subsequently elected
president in July 2009. The country continues to experience ethnic
tensions among its black population (Afro-Mauritanians) and white
and black Moor (Arab-Berber) communities, and is having to confront
a growing terrorism threat by al-Qa'ida in the Islamic Maghreb
(AQIM).
Geography ::Mauritania
Location:
Northern Africa, bordering the North Atlantic Ocean, between Senegal
and Western Sahara
Geographic coordinates:
20 00 N, 12 00 W
Map references:
Africa
Area:
total: 1,030,700 sq km
country comparison to the world: 29
land: 1,030,700 sq km
water: 0 sq km
Area - comparative:
slightly larger than three times the size of New Mexico
Land boundaries:
total: 5,074 km
border countries: Algeria 463 km, Mali 2,237 km, Senegal 813 km,
Western Sahara 1,561 km
Coastline:
754 km
Maritime claims:
territorial sea: 12 nm
contiguous zone: 24 nm
exclusive economic zone: 200 nm
continental shelf: 200 nm or to the edge of the continental margin
Climate:
desert; constantly hot, dry, dusty
Terrain:
mostly barren, flat plains of the Sahara; some central hills
Elevation extremes:
lowest point: Sebkhet Te-n-Dghamcha -5 m
highest point: Kediet Ijill 915 m
Natural resources:
iron ore, gypsum, copper, phosphate, diamonds, gold, oil, fish
Land use:
arable land: 0.2%
permanent crops: 0.01%
other: 99.79% (2005)
Irrigated land:
490 sq km (2002)
Total renewable water resources:
11.4 cu km (1997)
Freshwater withdrawal (domestic/industrial/agricultural):
total: 1.7 cu km/yr (9%/3%/88%)
per capita: 554 cu m/yr (2000)
Natural hazards:
hot, dry, dust/sand-laden sirocco wind blows primarily in March and
April; periodic droughts
Environment - current issues:
overgrazing, deforestation, and soil erosion aggravated by drought
are contributing to desertification; limited natural fresh water
resources away from the Senegal, which is the only perennial river;
locust infestation
Environment - international agreements:
party to: Biodiversity, Climate Change, Climate Change-Kyoto
Protocol, Desertification, Endangered Species, Hazardous Wastes, Law
of the Sea, Ozone Layer Protection, Ship Pollution, Wetlands, Whaling
signed, but not ratified: none of the selected agreements
Geography - note:
most of the population is concentrated in the cities of Nouakchott
and Nouadhibou and along the Senegal River in the southern part of
the country
People ::Mauritania
Population:
3,205,060 (July 2010 est.)
country comparison to the world: 133
Age structure:
0-14 years: 41% (male 643,436/female 638,793)
15-64 years: 55.7% (male 818,778/female 923,046)
65 years and over: 3.4% (male 44,836/female 60,597) (2010 est.)
Median age:
total: 19.3 years
male: 18.5 years
female: 20.2 years (2010 est.)
Population growth rate:
2.373% (2010 est.)
country comparison to the world: 35
Birth rate:
33.67 births/1,000 population (2010 est.)
country comparison to the world: 37
Death rate:
9 deaths/1,000 population (July 2010 est.)
country comparison to the world: 74
Net migration rate:
-0.94 migrant(s)/1,000 population (2010 est.)
country comparison to the world: 155
Urbanization:
urban population: 41% of total population (2008)
rate of urbanization: 3% annual rate of change (2005-10 est.)
Sex ratio:
at birth: 1.03 male(s)/female
under 15 years: 1.01 male(s)/female
15-64 years: 0.89 male(s)/female
65 years and over: 0.74 male(s)/female
total population: 0.93 male(s)/female (2010 est.)
Infant mortality rate:
total: 61.94 deaths/1,000 live births
country comparison to the world: 34
male: 67.13 deaths/1,000 live births
female: 56.6 deaths/1,000 live births (2010 est.)
Life expectancy at birth:
total population: 60.75 years
country comparison to the world: 184
male: 58.57 years
female: 62.99 years (2010 est.)
Total fertility rate:
4.37 children born/woman (2010 est.)
country comparison to the world: 38
HIV/AIDS - adult prevalence rate:
0.8% (2007 est.)
country comparison to the world: 58
HIV/AIDS - people living with HIV/AIDS:
14,000 (2007 est.)
country comparison to the world: 89
HIV/AIDS - deaths:
fewer than 1,000 (2007 est.)
country comparison to the world: 78
Major infectious diseases:
degree of risk: high
food or waterborne diseases: bacterial and protozoal diarrhea,
hepatitis A, and typhoid fever
vectorborne diseases: malaria and Rift Valley fever
respiratory disease: meningococcal meningitis
animal contact disease: rabies (2009)
Nationality:
noun: Mauritanian(s)
adjective: Mauritanian
Ethnic groups:
mixed Moor/black 40%, Moor 30%, black 30%
Religions:
Muslim 100%
Languages:
Arabic (official and national), Pulaar, Soninke, Wolof (all national
languages), French, Hassaniya
Literacy:
definition: age 15 and over can read and write
total population: 51.2%
male: 59.5%
female: 43.4% (2000 census)
School life expectancy (primary to tertiary education):
total: 8 years
male: 8 years
female: 8 years (2007)
Education expenditures:
4.4% of GDP (2008)
country comparison to the world: 95
Government ::Mauritania
Country name:
conventional long form: Islamic Republic of Mauritania
conventional short form: Mauritania
local long form: Al Jumhuriyah al Islamiyah al Muritaniyah
local short form: Muritaniyah
Government type:
military junta
Capital:
name: Nouakchott
geographic coordinates: 18 07 N, 16 02 W
time difference: UTC 0 (5 hours ahead of Washington, DC during
Standard Time)
Administrative divisions:
13 regions (wilayas, singular - wilaya); Adrar, Assaba, Brakna,
Dakhlet Nouadhibou, Gorgol, Guidimaka, Hodh ech Chargui, Hodh El
Gharbi, Inchiri, Nouakchott, Tagant, Tiris Zemmour, Trarza
Independence:
28 November 1960 (from France)
National holiday:
Independence Day, 28 November (1960)
Constitution:
12 July 1991
Legal system:
a combination of Islamic law and French civil law; has not accepted
compulsory ICJ jurisdiction
Suffrage:
18 years of age; universal
Executive branch:
chief of state: President Mohamed Ould Abdel AZIZ (since 5 August
2009); note - AZIZ, who deposed democratically elected President
Sidi Ould Cheikh ABDELLAHI in a coup and installed himself as
President of the High State Council on 6 August 2008, retired from
the military and stepped down from the Presidency in April 2009 to
run for president; he was elected president in an election held on
18 July 2009
head of government: Prime Minister Moulaye Ould Mohamed LAGHDAF
(since 14 August 2008)
cabinet: Council of Ministers
(For more information visit the World Leaders website )
elections: following the August 2008 coup, the High State Council
planned to hold a new presidential election in June 2009; the
election was subsequently rescheduled to 18 July 2009 following the
Dakar Accords, which brought Mauritania back to constitutional rule;
under Mauritania's constitution, the president elected by popular
vote for a five-year term; election last held on 18 July 2009 (next
to be held by 2014)
election results: percent of vote - Mohamed Ould Abdel AZIZ 52.6%,
Messaoud Ould BOULKHEIR 16.3%, Ahmed Ould DADDAH 13.7%, Other 17.4%
Legislative branch:
bicameral legislature consists of the Senate or Majlis al-Shuyukh
(56 seats; 53 members elected by municipal leaders and 3 members
elected for Mauritanians abroad to serve six-year terms; a portion
of seats up for election every two years) and the National Assembly
or Al Jamiya Al Wataniya (95 seats; members elected by popular vote
to serve five-year terms)
elections: Senate - last held on November 2009; National Assembly -
last held on 19 November and 3 December 2006 (next to be held in
2011)