to 6,900 hectares yielding a potential production of 18 metric tons
of pure heroin, or 50 metric tons of "black tar" heroin, the
dominant form of Mexican heroin in the western United States;
marijuana cultivation increased to 8,900 hectares in 2007 and
yielded a potential production of 15,800 metric tons; government
conducts the largest independent illicit-crop eradication program in
the world; continues as the primary transshipment country for
US-bound cocaine from South America, with an estimated 90% of annual
cocaine movements toward the US stopping in Mexico; major drug
syndicates control the majority of drug trafficking throughout the
country; producer and distributor of ecstasy; significant
money-laundering center; major supplier of heroin and largest
foreign supplier of marijuana and methamphetamine to the US market
(2007)
page last updated on January 20, 2011
======================================================================
@Micronesia, Federated States of (Australia-Oceania)
Introduction ::Micronesia, Federated States of
Background:
In 1979 the Federated States of Micronesia, a UN Trust Territory
under US administration, adopted a constitution. In 1986
independence was attained under a Compact of Free Association with
the US, which was amended and renewed in 2004. Present concerns
include large-scale unemployment, overfishing, and overdependence on
US aid.
Geography ::Micronesia, Federated States of
Location:
Oceania, island group in the North Pacific Ocean, about
three-quarters of the way from Hawaii to Indonesia
Geographic coordinates:
6 55 N, 158 15 E
Map references:
Oceania
Area:
total: 702 sq km
country comparison to the world: 190
land: 702 sq km
water: 0 sq km (fresh water only)
note: includes Pohnpei (Ponape), Chuuk (Truk) Islands, Yap Islands,
and Kosrae (Kosaie)
Area - comparative:
four times the size of Washington, DC (land area only)
Land boundaries:
0 km
Coastline:
6,112 km
Maritime claims:
territorial sea: 12 nm
exclusive economic zone: 200 nm
Climate:
tropical; heavy year-round rainfall, especially in the eastern
islands; located on southern edge of the typhoon belt with
occasionally severe damage
Terrain:
islands vary geologically from high mountainous islands to low,
coral atolls; volcanic outcroppings on Pohnpei, Kosrae, and Chuuk
Elevation extremes:
lowest point: Pacific Ocean 0 m
highest point: Dolohmwar (Totolom) 791 m
Natural resources:
timber, marine products, deep-seabed minerals, phosphate
Land use:
arable land: 5.71%
permanent crops: 45.71%
other: 48.58% (2005)
Irrigated land:
NA
Natural hazards:
typhoons (June to December)
Environment - current issues:
overfishing, climate change, pollution
Environment - international agreements:
party to: Biodiversity, Climate Change, Climate Change-Kyoto
Protocol, Desertification, Hazardous Wastes, Law of the Sea, Ozone
Layer Protection
signed, but not ratified: none of the selected agreements
Geography - note:
four major island groups totaling 607 islands
People ::Micronesia, Federated States of
Population:
107,154 (July 2010 est.)
country comparison to the world: 191
Age structure:
0-14 years: 34.8% (male 19,010/female 18,411)
15-64 years: 62.3% (male 33,286/female 33,629)
65 years and over: 2.9% (male 1,317/female 1,781) (2010 est.)
Median age:
total: 22.4 years
male: 21.8 years
female: 22.9 years (2010 est.)
Population growth rate:
-0.284% (2010 est.)
country comparison to the world: 218
Birth rate:
22.57 births/1,000 population (2010 est.)
country comparison to the world: 77
Death rate:
4.4 deaths/1,000 population (July 2010 est.)
country comparison to the world: 203
Net migration rate:
-21.01 migrant(s)/1,000 population (2010 est.)
country comparison to the world: 220
Urbanization:
urban population: 22% of total population (2008)
rate of urbanization: 0.8% annual rate of change (2005-10 est.)
Sex ratio:
at birth: 1.05 male(s)/female
under 15 years: 1.03 male(s)/female
15-64 years: 0.99 male(s)/female
65 years and over: 0.74 male(s)/female
total population: 0.99 male(s)/female (2010 est.)
Infant mortality rate:
total: 25.2 deaths/1,000 live births
country comparison to the world: 83
male: 27.82 deaths/1,000 live births
female: 22.45 deaths/1,000 live births (2010 est.)
Life expectancy at birth:
total population: 71.23 years
country comparison to the world: 132
male: 69.32 years
female: 73.24 years (2010 est.)
Total fertility rate:
2.8 children born/woman (2010 est.)
country comparison to the world: 74
HIV/AIDS - adult prevalence rate:
NA
HIV/AIDS - people living with HIV/AIDS:
NA
HIV/AIDS - deaths:
NA
Nationality:
noun: Micronesian(s)
adjective: Micronesian; Chuukese, Kosraen(s), Pohnpeian(s), Yapese
Ethnic groups:
Chuukese 48.8%, Pohnpeian 24.2%, Kosraean 6.2%, Yapese 5.2%, Yap
outer islands 4.5%, Asian 1.8%, Polynesian 1.5%, other 6.4%, unknown
1.4% (2000 census)
Religions:
Roman Catholic 52.7%, Congregational 40.1%, Baptist 0.9%,
Seventh-Day Adventist 0.7%, other 3.8%, none or unspecified 0.8%
(2000 Census)
Languages:
English (official and common language), Chuukese, Kosrean,
Pohnpeian, Yapese, Ulithian, Woleaian, Nukuoro, Kapingamarangi
Literacy:
definition: age 15 and over can read and write
total population: 89%
male: 91%
female: 88% (1980 est.)
Education expenditures:
7.3% of GDP (2000)
country comparison to the world: 16
Government ::Micronesia, Federated States of
Country name:
conventional long form: Federated States of Micronesia
conventional short form: none
local long form: Federated States of Micronesia
local short form: none
former: Trust Territory of the Pacific Islands, Ponape, Truk, and
Yap Districts
abbreviation: FSM
Government type:
constitutional government in free association with the US; the
Compact of Free Association entered into force on 3 November 1986
and the Amended Compact entered into force in May 2004
Capital:
name: Palikir
geographic coordinates: 6 55 N, 158 09 E
time difference: UTC+11 (16 hours ahead of Washington, DC during
Standard Time)
Administrative divisions:
4 states; Chuuk (Truk), Kosrae (Kosaie), Pohnpei (Ponape), Yap
Independence:
3 November 1986 (from the US-administered UN trusteeship)
National holiday:
Constitution Day, 10 May (1979)
Constitution:
10 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 Emanuel MORI (since 11 May 2007); Vice
President Alik L. ALIK (since 11 May 2007); note - the president is
both the chief of state and head of government
head of government: President Emanuel MORI (since 11 May 2007); Vice
President Alik L. ALIK (since 11 May 2007)
cabinet: Cabinet includes the vice president and the heads of the 8
executive departments
(For more information visit the World Leaders website )
elections: president and vice president elected by Congress from
among the four senators at large for a four-year term (eligible for
a second term); election last held on 11 May 2007 (next to be held
in May 2011); note - a proposed constitutional amendment to
establish popular elections for president and vice president failed
election results: Emanuel MORI elected president; percent of
Congress vote - NA; Alik L. ALIK elected vice president; percent of
Congress vote - NA
Legislative branch:
unicameral Congress (14 seats; 4 - one elected from each state to
serve four-year terms and 10 - elected from single-member districts
delineated by population to serve two-year terms; members elected by
popular vote)
elections: last held on 3 March 2009 (next to be held in March 2011)
election results: percent of vote - NA%; seats - independents 14
Judicial branch:
Supreme Court
Political parties and leaders:
no formal parties
Political pressure groups and leaders:
NA
International organization participation:
ACP, ADB, AOSIS, FAO, G-77, IBRD, ICAO, ICRM, IDA, IFC, IFRCS, IMF,
IOC, ITSO, ITU, MIGA, OPCW, PIF, Sparteca, SPC, UN, UNCTAD, UNESCO,
WHO, WMO
Diplomatic representation in the US:
chief of mission: Ambassador Yosiwo GEORGE
chancery: 1725 N Street NW, Washington, DC 20036
telephone: [1] (202) 223-4383
FAX: [1] (202) 223-4391
consulate(s) general: Honolulu, Tamuning (Guam)
Diplomatic representation from the US:
chief of mission: Ambassador Peter A. PRAHAR
embassy: 101 Upper Pics Road, Kolonia
mailing address: P. O. Box 1286, Kolonia, Pohnpei, 96941
telephone: [691] 320-2187
FAX: [691] 320-2186
Flag description:
light blue with four white five-pointed stars centered; the stars
are arranged in a diamond pattern; blue symbolizes the Pacific
Ocean, the stars represent the four island groups of Chuuk, Kosrae,
Pohnpei, and Yap
National anthem:
name: "Patriots of Micronesia"
lyrics/music: unknown
note: adopted 1991; the anthem is also known as "Across All
Micronesia;" the music is based on the 1820 German patriotic song
"Ich hab mich ergeben," which was the West German national anthem
from 1949-1950; variants of this tune are used in Johannes Brahms'
"Festival Overture" and Gustav Mahler's "Third Symphony"
Economy ::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 remote location, a lack of adequate
facilities, and limited air connections hinder development. Under
the original terms of the Compact of Free Association, the US
provided $1.3 billion in grant aid during the period 1986-2001; the
level of aid has been subsequently reduced. The Amended Compact of
Free Association with the US guarantees the Federated States of
Micronesia (FSM) millions of dollars in annual aid through 2023, and
establishes a Trust Fund into which the US and the FSM make annual
contributions in order to provide annual payouts to the FSM in
perpetuity after 2023. The country's medium-term economic outlook
appears fragile due not only to the reduction in US assistance but
also to the current slow growth of the private sector.
GDP (purchasing power parity):
$238.1 million (2008 est.)
country comparison to the world: 214
$277 million (2002 est.)
note: data are in 2008 US dollars
GDP supplemented by grant aid, averaging perhaps $100 million
annually
GDP (official exchange rate):
$238.1 million (2008)
GDP - real growth rate:
NA%
0.3% (2005 est.)
GDP - per capita (PPP):
$2,200 (2008 est.)
country comparison to the world: 185
$2,300 (2005 est.)
note: data are in 2008 US dollars
GDP - composition by sector:
agriculture: 28.9%
industry: 15.2%
services: 55.9% (2004 est.)
Labor force:
16,360 (2008)
country comparison to the world: 211
Labor force - by occupation:
agriculture: 0.9%
industry: 34.4%
services: 64.7%
note: two-thirds are government employees (FY05 est.)
Unemployment rate:
22% (2000 est.)
country comparison to the world: 171
Population below poverty line:
26.7% (2000)
Household income or consumption by percentage share:
lowest 10%: NA%
highest 10%: NA%
Inflation rate (consumer prices):
2.2% (2005)
country comparison to the world: 64
Commercial bank prime lending rate:
15.38% (31 December 2009 est.)
country comparison to the world: 52
14.38% (31 December 2008 est.)
Stock of narrow money:
$29.02 million (31 December 2009)
country comparison to the world: 185
$21.21 million (31 December 2008)
Stock of broad money:
$114 million (31 December 2009 est.)
country comparison to the world: 184
$98 million (31 December 2008 est.)
Stock of domestic credit:
$65.68 million (31 December 2009)
country comparison to the world: 180
$43.75 million (31 December 2008)
Agriculture - products:
black pepper, tropical fruits and vegetables, coconuts, bananas,
cassava (tapioca), sakau (kava), Kosraen citrus, betel nuts, sweet
potatoes; pigs, chickens; fish
Industries:
tourism, construction; fish processing, specialized aquaculture;
craft items (from shell, wood, and pearls)
Industrial production growth rate:
NA%
Electricity - production:
192 million kWh (2002)
country comparison to the world: 177
Electricity - consumption:
178.6 million kWh (2002)
country comparison to the world: 179
Electricity - exports:
0 kWh (2002)
Electricity - imports:
0 kWh (2002)
Current account balance:
-$34.3 million (FY05 est.)
country comparison to the world: 67
Exports:
$14 million (2004 est.)
country comparison to the world: 209
Exports - commodities:
fish, garments, bananas, black pepper, sakau (kava), betel nut
Imports:
$132.7 million (2004)
country comparison to the world: 207
Imports - commodities:
food, manufactured goods, machinery and equipment, beverages
Debt - external:
$60.8 million (FY05 est.)
country comparison to the world: 186
Exchange rates:
the US dollar is used
Communications ::Micronesia, Federated States of
Telephones - main lines in use:
8,700 (2009)
country comparison to the world: 203
Telephones - mobile cellular:
38,000 (2009)
country comparison to the world: 199
Telephone system:
general assessment: adequate system
domestic: islands interconnected by shortwave radiotelephone (used
mostly for government purposes), satellite (Intelsat) ground
stations, and some coaxial and fiber-optic cable; mobile-cellular
service available on Kosrae, Pohnpei, and Yap
international: country code - 691; satellite earth stations - 5
Intelsat (Pacific Ocean) (2002)
Broadcast media:
no television broadcast stations; each state has a multi-channel
cable service with television transmissions carrying roughly 95%
imported programming and 5% local programming; about a half dozen
radio stations in operation (2009)
Internet country code:
.fm
Internet hosts:
3,097 (2010)
country comparison to the world: 144
Internet users:
17,000 (2009)
country comparison to the world: 194
Transportation ::Micronesia, Federated States of
Airports:
6 (2010)
country comparison to the world: 170
Airports - with paved runways:
total: 6
1,524 to 2,437 m: 4
914 to 1,523 m: 2 (2010)
Roadways:
total: 240 km
country comparison to the world: 206
paved: 42 km
unpaved: 198 km (2000)
Merchant marine:
total: 3
country comparison to the world: 140
by type: cargo 1, passenger/cargo 2 (2010)
Ports and terminals:
Colonia (Tomil Harbor), Lele Harbor, Pohnepi Harbor
Military ::Micronesia, Federated States of
Military branches:
no regular military forces
Manpower available for military service:
males age 16-49: 26,687 (2010 est.)
Manpower fit for military service:
males age 16-49: 21,909
females age 16-49: 23,410 (2010 est.)
Manpower reaching militarily significant age annually:
male: 1,270
female: 1,221 (2010 est.)
Military - note:
defense is the responsibility of the US
Transnational Issues ::Micronesia, Federated States of
Disputes - international:
none
Illicit drugs:
major consumer of cannabis
page last updated on January 11, 2011
======================================================================
@Moldova (Europe)
Introduction ::Moldova
Background:
Part of Romania during the interwar period, Moldova was incorporated
into the Soviet Union at the close of World War II. Although the
country has been independent from the USSR since 1991, Russian
forces have remained on Moldovan territory east of the Dniester
River supporting the Slavic majority population, mostly Ukrainians
and Russians, who have proclaimed a "Transnistria" republic. One of
the poorest nations in Europe, Moldova became the first former
Soviet state to elect a Communist, Vladimir VORONIN, as its
president in 2001. VORONIN served as Moldova's president until he
resigned in September 2009, following the opposition's gain of a
narrow majority in July parliamentary elections and the Communist
Party's (PCRM) subsequent inability to attract the three-fifths of
parliamentary votes required to elect a president. Moldova's four
opposition parties formed a new coalition, the Alliance for European
Integration (AEI), which acted as Moldova's governing coalition
until parliamentary elections were held in November 2010 and a new
governing coalition could be formed. Moldova experienced significant
political uncertainty in 2009 and 2010, holding three general
elections (in April 2009, July 2009, and November 2010) and four
presidential ballots in parliament, all of which failed to secure a
president.
Geography ::Moldova
Location:
Eastern Europe, northeast of Romania
Geographic coordinates:
47 00 N, 29 00 E
Map references:
Europe
Area:
total: 33,851 sq km
country comparison to the world: 139
land: 32,891 sq km
water: 960 sq km
Area - comparative:
slightly larger than Maryland
Land boundaries:
total: 1,390 km
border countries: Romania 450 km, Ukraine 940 km
Coastline:
0 km (landlocked)
Maritime claims:
none (landlocked)
Climate:
moderate winters, warm summers
Terrain:
rolling steppe, gradual slope south to Black Sea
Elevation extremes:
lowest point: Dniester (Nistru) 2 m
highest point: Dealul Balanesti 430 m
Natural resources:
lignite, phosphorites, gypsum, arable land, limestone
Land use:
arable land: 54.52%
permanent crops: 8.81%
other: 36.67% (2005)
Irrigated land:
3,000 sq km (2003)
Total renewable water resources:
11.7 cu km (1997)
Freshwater withdrawal (domestic/industrial/agricultural):
total: 2.31 cu km/yr (10%/58%/33%)
per capita: 549 cu m/yr (2000)
Natural hazards:
landslides
Environment - current issues:
heavy use of agricultural chemicals, including banned pesticides
such as DDT, has contaminated soil and groundwater; extensive soil
erosion from poor farming methods
Environment - international agreements:
party to: Air Pollution, Air Pollution-Persistent Organic
Pollutants, Biodiversity, Climate Change, Climate Change-Kyoto
Protocol, Desertification, Endangered Species, Hazardous Wastes,
Ozone Layer Protection, Ship Pollution, Wetlands
signed, but not ratified: none of the selected agreements
Geography - note:
landlocked; well endowed with various sedimentary rocks and minerals
including sand, gravel, gypsum, and limestone
People ::Moldova
Population:
4,317,483 (July 2010 est.)
country comparison to the world: 124
Age structure:
0-14 years: 15.9% (male 353,495/female 334,592)
15-64 years: 73.3% (male 1,536,263/female 1,629,882)
65 years and over: 10.8% (male 172,070/female 294,446) (2010 est.)
Median age:
total: 35 years
male: 33.1 years
female: 37.1 years (2010 est.)
Population growth rate:
-0.072% (2010 est.)
country comparison to the world: 206
Birth rate:
11.16 births/1,000 population (2010 est.)
country comparison to the world: 174
Death rate:
10.76 deaths/1,000 population (July 2010 est.)
country comparison to the world: 44
Net migration rate:
-1.13 migrant(s)/1,000 population (2010 est.)
country comparison to the world: 159
Urbanization:
urban population: 42% of total population (2008)
rate of urbanization: -1.5% annual rate of change (2005-10 est.)
Sex ratio:
at birth: 1.059 male(s)/female
under 15 years: 1.06 male(s)/female
15-64 years: 0.94 male(s)/female
65 years and over: 0.58 male(s)/female
total population: 0.91 male(s)/female (2010 est.)
Infant mortality rate:
total: 12.77 deaths/1,000 live births
country comparison to the world: 135
male: 14.2 deaths/1,000 live births
female: 11.25 deaths/1,000 live births (2010 est.)
Life expectancy at birth:
total population: 71.09 years
country comparison to the world: 133
male: 67.39 years
female: 75 years (2010 est.)
Total fertility rate:
1.28 children born/woman (2010 est.)
country comparison to the world: 211
HIV/AIDS - adult prevalence rate:
0.4% (2007 est.)
country comparison to the world: 81
HIV/AIDS - people living with HIV/AIDS:
8,900 (2007 est.)
country comparison to the world: 109
HIV/AIDS - deaths:
fewer than 100 (2007 est.)
country comparison to the world: 135
Nationality:
noun: Moldovan(s)
adjective: Moldovan
Ethnic groups:
Moldovan/Romanian 78.2%, Ukrainian 8.4%, Russian 5.8%, Gagauz 4.4%,
Bulgarian 1.9%, other 1.3% (2004 census)
note: internal disputes with ethnic Slavs in the Transnistrian region
Religions:
Eastern Orthodox 98%, Jewish 1.5%, Baptist and other 0.5% (2000)
Languages:
Moldovan (official, virtually the same as the Romanian language),
Russian, Gagauz (a Turkish dialect)
Literacy:
definition: age 15 and over can read and write
total population: 99.1%
male: 99.7%
female: 98.6% (2005 est.)
School life expectancy (primary to tertiary education):
total: 12 years
male: 12 years
female: 13 years (2008)
Education expenditures:
8.2% of GDP (2008)
country comparison to the world: 9
Government ::Moldova
Country name:
conventional long form: Republic of Moldova
conventional short form: Moldova
local long form: Republica Moldova
local short form: Moldova
former: Moldavian Soviet Socialist Republic, Moldovan Soviet
Socialist Republic
Government type:
republic
Capital:
name: Chisinau (Kishinev)
note: pronounced KEE-shee-now
geographic coordinates: 47 00 N, 28 51 E
time difference: UTC+2 (7 hours ahead of Washington, DC during
Standard Time)
daylight saving time: +1hr, begins last Sunday in March; ends last
Sunday in October
Administrative divisions:
32 raions (raioane, singular - raion), 3 municipalities (municipii,
singular - municipiu), 1 autonomous territorial unit (unitatea
teritoriala autonoma), and 1 territorial unit (unitatea teritoriala)
raions: Anenii Noi, Basarabeasca, Briceni, Cahul, Cantemir,
Calarasi, Causeni, Cimislia, Criuleni, Donduseni, Drochia, Dubasari,
Edinet, Falesti, Floresti, Glodeni, Hincesti, Ialoveni, Leova,
Nisporeni, Ocnita, Orhei, Rezina, Riscani, Singerei, Soldanesti,
Soroca, Stefan-Voda, Straseni, Taraclia, Telenesti, Ungheni
municipalities: Balti, Bender, Chisinau
autonomous territorial unit: Gagauzia
territorial unit: Stinga Nistrului (Transnistria)
Independence:
27 August 1991 (from the Soviet Union)
National holiday:
Independence Day, 27 August (1991)
Constitution:
adopted 29 July 1994; effective 27 August 1994; note - replaced 1979
Soviet constitution
Legal system:
based on civil law system; Constitutional Court reviews legality of
legislative acts and governmental decisions of resolution; accepts
many UN and Organization for Security and Cooperation in Europe
(OSCE) documents; has not accepted compulsory ICJ jurisdiction
Suffrage:
18 years of age; universal
Executive branch:
chief of state: Acting President Marian LUPU (since 30 December 2010)
note: Vladimir VORONIN, president since 4 April 2001, resigned on 11
September 2009; Marian LUPU, the Speaker of Parliament, is serving
as acting president until new elections can be held
head of government: Prime Minister Vladimir FILAT (since 25
September 2009)
note: Vladimir Filat resigned on 27 December 2010, but was
reappointed on 31 December 2010
cabinet: Cabinet selected by president, subject to approval of
Parliament
(For more information visit the World Leaders website )
elections: president elected by Parliament for a four-year term
(eligible for a second term); last successful election held on 4
April 2005, most recent (failed) election held on 10 December 2009);
note - prime minister designated by the president upon consultation
with Parliament; within 15 days from designation, the prime
minister-designate must request a vote of confidence from the
Parliament regarding his/her work program and entire cabinet; prime
minister (re)designated on 31 December 2010; cabinet received a vote
of confidence on 14 January 2011
election results: Vladimir VORONIN reelected president (2005);
parliamentary votes - Vladimir VORONIN 75, Gheorghe DUCA 1; Vladimir
FILAT (re)designated prime minister; parliamentary votes of
confidence - 59 of 101
Legislative branch: