an at-large basis by popular vote to serve four-year terms)
elections: last held on 28 November 2010 (next to be held in 2014);
note - this was the third parliamentary election in less than two
years; the earlier parliaments (elected 5 April 2009 and 29 July
2009) could not agree on a presidential candidate
election results: percent of vote by party - PCRM 39.3%, PLDM 29.4%,
PD 12.7%, PL 10%, other 8.6%; seats by party - PCRM 42, PLDM 32, PD
15, PL 12; note - the PLDM, PD, and PL governing coalition, termed
the Alliance for European Integration, has 59 seats; it remains 2
votes short of the 61 needed to elect a new president
Judicial branch:
Supreme Court; Constitutional Court (the sole authority for
constitutional judicature)
Political parties and leaders:
represented in Parliament: Communist Party of the Republic of
Moldova or PCRM [Vladimir VORONIN]; Democratic Party or PD [Mihai
LUPU]; Liberal Democratic Party or PLDM [Vladmir FILAT]; Liberal
Party or PL [Mihai GHIMPU]
not represented in Parliament: Christian Democratic People's Party
or PPCD [Iurie ROSCA]; Conservative Party or PC [Natalia NIRCA];
Ecological Party of Moldova "Green Alliance" or PEMAVE [Vladimir
BRAGA]; European Action Movement or MAE [Veaceslav UNTILA]; For
Nation and Country Party or PpNT [Sergiu MOCANU]; Humanist Party of
Moldova or PUM [Valeriu PASAT]; Labor Party or PM [Gheorghe SIMA];
National Liberal Party or PNL [Vitalia PAVLICENKO]; Our Moldova
Alliance or AMN [Serafim URECHEAN]; Patriots of Moldova Party or PPM
[Mihail GARBUZ]; Popular Republican Party or PPR [Nicolae ANDRONIC];
Republican Party of Moldova or PRM [Andrei STRATAN]; Roma Social
Political Movement of the Republic of Moldova or MRRM [Ion BUCUR];
Social Democratic Party or PSD [Victor SELIN]; Social Political
Movement "Equality" or MR [Valeriy KLIMENCO]; United Moldova Party
or PMUEM [Vladimir TURCAN]
Political pressure groups and leaders:
NA
International organization participation:
BSEC, CE, CEI, CIS, EAEC (observer), EAPC, EBRD, FAO, GCTU, GUAM,
IAEA, IBRD, ICAO, ICCt, ICRM, IDA, IFAD, IFC, IFRCS, ILO, IMF, IMO,
Interpol, IOC, IOM, IPU, ISO (correspondent), ITU, MIGA, OIF, OPCW,
OSCE, PFP, SECI, UN, UNCTAD, UNESCO, UNHCR, UNIDO, Union Latina,
UNMIL, UNMIS, UNOCI, UNWTO, UPU, WCO, WHO, WIPO, WMO, WTO
Diplomatic representation in the US:
chief of mission: Ambassador Igor MUNTEANU
chancery: 2101 S Street NW, Washington, DC 20008
telephone: [1] (202) 667-1130
FAX: [1] (202) 667-1204
Diplomatic representation from the US:
chief of mission: Ambassador Asif J. CHAUDHRY
embassy: 103 Mateevici Street, Chisinau MD-2009
mailing address: use embassy street address
telephone: [373] (22) 40-8300
FAX: [373] (22) 23-3044
Flag description:
three equal vertical bands of blue (hoist side), yellow, and red;
emblem in center of flag is of a Roman eagle of gold outlined in
black with a red beak and talons carrying a yellow cross in its beak
and a green olive branch in its right talons and a yellow scepter in
its left talons; on its breast is a shield divided horizontally red
over blue with a stylized ox head, star, rose, and crescent all in
black-outlined yellow; based on the color scheme of the flag of
Romania - with whom Moldova shares a history and culture - but
Moldova's blue band is lighter; the reverse of the flag does not
display any coat of arms
note: one of only three national flags that differ on their obverse
and reverse sides - the others are Paraguay and Saudi Arabia
National anthem:
name: "Limba noastra" (Our Tongue)
lyrics/music: Alexei MATEEVICI/Alexandru CRISTEA
note: adopted 1994
Economy ::Moldova
Economy - overview:
Moldova remains one of the poorest countries in Europe despite
recent progress from its small economic base. It enjoys a favorable
climate and good farmland but has no major mineral deposits. As a
result, the economy depends heavily on agriculture, featuring
fruits, vegetables, wine, and tobacco. Moldova must import almost
all of its energy supplies. Moldova's dependence on Russian energy
was underscored at the end of 2005, when a Russian-owned electrical
station in Moldova's separatist Transnistria region cut off power to
Moldova and Russia's Gazprom cut off natural gas in disputes over
pricing. In January 2009, gas supplies were cut during a dispute
between Russia and Ukraine. Russia's decision to ban Moldovan wine
and agricultural products, coupled with its decision to double the
price Moldova paid for Russian natural gas, have hurt growth. The
onset of the global financial crisis and poor economic conditions in
Moldova's main foreign markets, caused GDP to fall 6.5% in 2009.
Unemployment almost doubled and inflation disappeared - at -0.1%, a
record low. Moldova's IMF agreement expired in May 2009. In fall
2009, the IMF allocated $186 million to Moldova to cover its
immediate budgetary needs, and the government signed an new
agreement with the IMF in January 2010 for a program worth $574
million. In 2010, an upturn in the world economy boosted GDP growth
to 3.1% and inflation to 7.3%. Economic reforms have been slow
because of corruption and strong political forces backing government
controls. Nevertheless, the government's primary goal of EU
integration has resulted in some market-oriented progress. The
granting of EU trade preferences and increased exports to Russia
will encourage higher growth rates, but the agreements are unlikely
to serve as a panacea, given the extent to which export success
depends on higher quality standards and other factors. The economy
has made a modest recovery, but remains vulnerable to political
uncertainty, weak administrative capacity, vested bureaucratic
interests, higher fuel prices, poor agricultural weather, and the
skepticism of foreign investors as well as the presence of an
illegal separatist regime in Moldova's Transnistria region.
GDP (purchasing power parity):
$10.6 billion (2010 est.)
country comparison to the world: 147
$10.28 billion (2009 est.)
$10.99 billion (2008 est.)
note: data are in 2010 US dollars
GDP (official exchange rate):
$5.357 billion (2010 est.)
GDP - real growth rate:
3.1% (2010 est.)
country comparison to the world: 115
-6.5% (2009 est.)
7.8% (2008 est.)
GDP - per capita (PPP):
$2,500 (2010 est.)
country comparison to the world: 178
$2,400 (2009 est.)
$2,500 (2008 est.)
note: data are in 2010 US dollars
GDP - composition by sector:
agriculture: 16.3%
industry: 20.1%
services: 63.6% (2010 est.)
Labor force:
1.203 million (2010 est.)
country comparison to the world: 138
Labor force - by occupation:
agriculture: 40.6%
industry: 16%
services: 43.3% (2005 est.)
Unemployment rate:
3.4% (2010 est.)
country comparison to the world: 26
3.1% (2009 est.)
Population below poverty line:
29.5% (2005)
Household income or consumption by percentage share:
lowest 10%: 3%
highest 10%: 28.2% (2004)
Distribution of family income - Gini index:
33.2 (2003)
country comparison to the world: 95
40.6 (1997)
Investment (gross fixed):
21.7% of GDP (2010 est.)
country comparison to the world: 69
Public debt:
25% of GDP (2010 est.)
country comparison to the world: 99
25.7% of GDP (2009 est.)
Inflation rate (consumer prices):
7.3% (2010 est.)
country comparison to the world: 184
-0.1% (2009 est.)
Commercial bank prime lending rate:
20.54% (31 December 2009 est.)
country comparison to the world: 15
21.06% (31 December 2008 est.)
Stock of narrow money:
$1.221 billion (31 December 2010 est)
country comparison to the world: 134
$1.189 billion (31 December 2009 est)
Stock of broad money:
$2.889 billion (31 December 2010 est.)
country comparison to the world: 133
$2.942 billion (31 December 2009 est.)
Stock of domestic credit:
$2.11 billion (31 December 2010 est.)
country comparison to the world: 124
$2.251 billion (31 December 2009 est.)
Market value of publicly traded shares:
$NA (2004)
country comparison to the world: 103
$573.9 million (2004)
Agriculture - products:
vegetables, fruits, grapes, grain, sugar beets,sunflower seed,
tobacco; beef, milk; wine
Industries:
sugar, vegetable oil, food processing, agricultural machinery;
foundry equipment, refrigerators and freezers, washing machines;
hosiery, shoes, textiles
Industrial production growth rate:
4.5% (2010 est.)
country comparison to the world: 75
Electricity - production:
3.617 billion kWh (2007 est.)
country comparison to the world: 120
Electricity - consumption:
4.37 billion kWh (2007 est.)
country comparison to the world: 114
Electricity - exports:
240 million kWh (2007 est.)
Electricity - imports:
2.931 billion kWh (2007 est.)
Oil - production:
0 bbl/day (2009 est.)
country comparison to the world: 148
Oil - consumption:
19,000 bbl/day (2009 est.)
country comparison to the world: 128
Oil - exports:
36 bbl/day (2007 est.)
country comparison to the world: 135
Oil - imports:
14,230 bbl/day (2007 est.)
country comparison to the world: 128
Oil - proved reserves:
0 bbl (1 January 2010 est.)
country comparison to the world: 157
Natural gas - production:
50 million cu m (2007 est.)
country comparison to the world: 82
Natural gas - consumption:
2.52 billion cu m (2008 est.)
country comparison to the world: 77
Natural gas - exports:
0 cu m (2008 est.)
country comparison to the world: 94
Natural gas - imports:
2.52 billion cu m (2008 est.)
country comparison to the world: 44
Natural gas - proved reserves:
0 cu m (1 January 2010 est.)
country comparison to the world: 145
Current account balance:
-$565 million (2010 est.)
country comparison to the world: 119
-$464.6 million (2009 est.)
Exports:
$1.45 billion (2010 est.)
country comparison to the world: 138
$1.332 billion (2009 est.)
Exports - commodities:
foodstuffs, textiles, machinery
Exports - partners:
Russia 23.77%, Italy 14.11%, Romania 12.74%, Germany 6.92%, Turkey
6.08%, Belarus 5.38% (2009)
Imports:
$3.66 billion (2010 est.)
country comparison to the world: 132
$3.276 billion (2009 est.)
Imports - commodities:
mineral products and fuel, machinery and equipment, chemicals,
textiles
Imports - partners:
Ukraine 19.9%, Romania 15.1%, Russia 14.52%, Germany 8.69%, Italy
5.7%, Belarus 4.38% (2009)
Reserves of foreign exchange and gold:
$1.6 billion (31 December 2010 est.)
country comparison to the world: 104
$1.48 billion (31 December 2009 est.)
Debt - external:
$4.146 billion (31 December 2010 est.)
country comparison to the world: 115
$3.844 billion (31 December 2009 est.)
Stock of direct foreign investment - at home:
$NA (31 December 2010)
$1.813 billion (2008)
Stock of direct foreign investment - abroad:
$NA
Exchange rates:
Moldovan lei (MDL) per US dollar - 12.443 (2010), 11.11 (2009),
10.326 (2008), 12.177 (2007), 13.131 (2006)
Communications ::Moldova
Telephones - main lines in use:
1.139 million (2009)
country comparison to the world: 72
Telephones - mobile cellular:
2.785 million (2009)
country comparison to the world: 116
Telephone system:
general assessment: poor service outside Chisinau; some
modernization is under way
domestic: depending on location, new subscribers may face long wait
for service; multiple private operators of GSM mobile-cellular
telephone service are operating; GPRS system is being introduced; a
CDMA mobile telephone network began operations in 2007; combined
fixed-line and mobile-cellular teledensity 90 per 100 persons
international: country code - 373; service through Romania and
Russia via landline; satellite earth stations - at least 3
(Intelsat, Eutelsat, and Intersputnik) (2009)
Broadcast media:
state-owned national radio-TV broadcaster operates 2 television and
2 radio stations; a total of nearly 40 terrestrial TV channels and
some 50 radio stations are in operation; Russian and Romanian
channels also are available (2007)
Internet country code:
.md
Internet hosts:
492,181 (2010)
country comparison to the world: 50
Internet users:
1.333 million (2009)
country comparison to the world: 89
Transportation ::Moldova
Airports:
11 (2010)
country comparison to the world: 154
Airports - with paved runways:
total: 5
over 3,047 m: 1
2,438 to 3,047 m: 2
1,524 to 2,437 m: 2 (2010)
Airports - with unpaved runways:
total: 6
1,524 to 2,437 m: 3
under 914 m: 3 (2010)
Pipelines:
gas 1,906 km (2009)
Railways:
total: 1,138 km
country comparison to the world: 88
broad gauge: 1,124 km 1.520-m gauge
standard gauge: 14 km 1.435-m gauge (2008)
Roadways:
total: 9,343 km
country comparison to the world: 137
paved: 8,810 km
unpaved: 533 km (2008)
Waterways:
558 km (in public use on Danube, Dniester and Prut rivers) (2008)
country comparison to the world: 83
Merchant marine:
total: 107
country comparison to the world: 48
by type: bulk carrier 7, cargo 89, chemical tanker 2,
passenger/cargo 1, petroleum tanker 1, refrigerated cargo 1, roll
on/roll off 6
foreign-owned: 63 (Belgium 2, Egypt 5, Greece 4, Israel 4, Lebanon
1, Romania 2, Russia 5, Syria 3, Turkey 18, UK 6, Ukraine 12, Yemen
1) (2010)
Military ::Moldova
Military branches:
National Army: Land Forces Command (includes special forces), Air
Forces Command (includes air defense unit), Logistics Command (2010)
Military service age and obligation:
18 years of age for compulsory military service; 17 years of age for
voluntary service; male registration required at age 16; 12-month
service obligation (2009)
Manpower available for military service:
males age 16-49: 1,150,585
females age 16-49: 1,168,169 (2010 est.)
Manpower fit for military service:
males age 16-49: 877,031
females age 16-49: 979,128 (2010 est.)
Manpower reaching militarily significant age annually:
male: 30,012
female: 28,450 (2010 est.)
Military expenditures:
0.4% of GDP (2005 est.)
country comparison to the world: 168
Transnational Issues ::Moldova
Disputes - international:
Moldova and Ukraine operate joint customs posts to monitor the
transit of people and commodities through Moldova's break-away
Transnistria region, which remains under OSCE supervision
Trafficking in persons:
current situation: Moldova is a major source and, to a lesser
extent, a transit country for women and girls trafficked for the
purpose of commercial sexual exploitation; Moldovan women are
trafficked to the Middle East, Eastern Europe, and Western Europe;
girls and young women are trafficked within the country from rural
areas to Chisinau; children are also trafficked to neighboring
countries for forced labor and begging; labor trafficking of men to
work in the construction, agriculture, and service sectors of Russia
is increasingly a problem; according to an ILO report, Moldova's
national Bureau of Statistics estimated that there were likely over
25,000 Moldovan victims of trafficking for forced labor in 2008
tier rating: Tier 2 Watch List - The Government of Moldova does not
fully comply with the minimum standards for the elimination of
trafficking; however, it is making significant efforts to do so;
despite initial efforts to combat trafficking-related complicity
since the government's reassessment on the Tier 2 Watch List in
September 2008, and increased victim assistance, the government did
not demonstrate sufficiently meaningful efforts to curb
trafficking-related corruption, which is a government-acknowledged
problem in Moldova; the government improved victim protection
efforts, deployed more law-enforcement officers in the effort and
contributed direct financial assistance toward victim protection and
assistance for the first time (2010)
Illicit drugs:
limited cultivation of opium poppy and cannabis, mostly for CIS
consumption; transshipment point for illicit drugs from Southwest
Asia via Central Asia to Russia, Western Europe, and possibly the
US; widespread crime and underground economic activity
page last updated on January 19, 2011
======================================================================
@Monaco (Europe)
Introduction ::Monaco
Background:
The Genoese built a fortress on the site of present day Monaco in
1215. The current ruling Grimaldi family first seized temporary
control in 1297, and again in 1331, but were not able to permanently
secure their holding until 1419. Economic development was spurred in
the late 19th century with a railroad linkup to France and the
opening of a casino. Since then, the principality's mild climate,
splendid scenery, and gambling facilities have made Monaco world
famous as a tourist and recreation center.
Geography ::Monaco
Location:
Western Europe, bordering the Mediterranean Sea on the southern
coast of France, near the border with Italy
Geographic coordinates:
43 44 N, 7 24 E
Map references:
Europe
Area:
total: 2 sq km
country comparison to the world: 249
land: 2 sq km
water: 0 sq km
Area - comparative:
about three times the size of The Mall in Washington, DC
Land boundaries:
total: 4.4 km
border countries: France 4.4 km
Coastline:
4.1 km
Maritime claims:
territorial sea: 12 nm
exclusive economic zone: 12 nm
Climate:
Mediterranean with mild, wet winters and hot, dry summers
Terrain:
hilly, rugged, rocky
Elevation extremes:
lowest point: Mediterranean Sea 0 m
highest point: Mont Agel 140 m
Natural resources:
none
Land use:
arable land: 0%
permanent crops: 0%
other: 100% (urban area) (2005)
Irrigated land:
NA
Natural hazards:
NA
Environment - current issues:
NA
Environment - international agreements:
party to: Air Pollution, Air Pollution-Sulfur 94, Air
Pollution-Volatile Organic Compounds, Biodiversity, Climate Change,
Climate Change-Kyoto Protocol, Desertification, Endangered Species,
Hazardous Wastes, Law of the Sea, Marine Dumping, Ozone Layer
Protection, Ship Pollution, Wetlands, Whaling
signed, but not ratified: none of the selected agreements
Geography - note:
second-smallest independent state in the world (after Holy See);
almost entirely urban
People ::Monaco
Population:
30,586 (July 2010 est.)
country comparison to the world: 213
Age structure:
0-14 years: 14.6% (male 2,466/female 2,349)
15-64 years: 62.4% (male 10,184/female 10,395)
65 years and over: 23% (male 3,068/female 4,503) (2010 est.)
Median age:
total: 48.9 years
male: 48 years
female: 49.9 years (2010 est.)
Population growth rate:
-0.183% (2010 est.)
country comparison to the world: 214
Birth rate:
7.03 births/1,000 population (2010 est.)
country comparison to the world: 223
Death rate:
8.01 deaths/1,000 population (July 2010 est.)
country comparison to the world: 105
Net migration rate:
-0.85 migrant(s)/1,000 population (2010 est.)
country comparison to the world: 152
Urbanization:
urban population: 100% of total population (2008)
rate of urbanization: 0.3% annual rate of change (2005-10 est.)
Sex ratio:
at birth: 1.048 male(s)/female
under 15 years: 1.05 male(s)/female
15-64 years: 1 male(s)/female
65 years and over: 0.8 male(s)/female
total population: 0.95 male(s)/female (2010 est.)
Infant mortality rate:
total: 1.78 deaths/1,000 live births
country comparison to the world: 223
male: 2.03 deaths/1,000 live births
female: 1.53 deaths/1,000 live births (2010 est.)
Life expectancy at birth:
total population: 89.78 years
country comparison to the world: 1
male: 85.81 years
female: 93.9 years (2010 est.)
Total fertility rate:
1.5 children born/woman (2010 est.)
country comparison to the world: 187
HIV/AIDS - adult prevalence rate:
NA
HIV/AIDS - people living with HIV/AIDS:
NA
HIV/AIDS - deaths:
NA
Nationality:
noun: Monegasque(s) or Monacan(s)
adjective: Monegasque or Monacan
Ethnic groups:
French 47%, Monegasque 16%, Italian 16%, other 21%
Religions:
Roman Catholic 90%, other 10%
Languages:
French (official), English, Italian, Monegasque
Literacy:
definition: age 15 and over can read and write
total population: 99%
male: 99%
female: 99% (2003 est.)
Education expenditures:
4.4% of GDP (2004)
country comparison to the world: 97
Government ::Monaco
Country name:
conventional long form: Principality of Monaco
conventional short form: Monaco
local long form: Principaute de Monaco
local short form: Monaco
Government type:
constitutional monarchy
Capital:
name: Monaco
geographic coordinates: 43 44 N, 7 25 E
time difference: UTC+1 (6 hours ahead of Washington, DC during
Standard Time)
daylight saving time: +1hr, begins last Sunday in March; ends last
Sunday in October
Administrative divisions:
none; there are no first-order administrative divisions as defined
by the US Government, but there are four quarters (quartiers,
singular - quartier); Fontvieille, La Condamine, Monaco-Ville,
Monte-Carlo
Independence:
1419 (beginning of permanent rule by the House of Grimaldi)
National holiday:
National Day (Saint Rainier's Day), 19 November (1857)
Constitution:
17 December 1962; modified 2 April 2002
Legal system:
based on French law; has not accepted compulsory ICJ jurisdiction
Suffrage:
18 years of age; universal
Executive branch:
chief of state: Prince ALBERT II (since 6 April 2005)
head of government: Minister of State Michel ROGER (since 29 March
2010)
cabinet: Council of Government under the authority of the monarch
(For more information visit the World Leaders website )
elections: the monarchy is hereditary; minister of state appointed
by the monarch from a list of three French national candidates
presented by the French Government
Legislative branch:
unicameral National Council or Conseil National (24 seats; 16
members elected by list majority system, 8 by proportional
representation to serve five-year terms)
elections: last held on 3 February 2008 (next to be held in February
2013)
election results: percent of vote by party - UPM 52.2%, REM 40.5%,
Monaco Together 7.3%; seats by party - UPM 21, REM 3
Judicial branch:
Supreme Court or Tribunal Supreme (judges appointed by the monarch
on the basis of nominations by the National Council)
Political parties and leaders:
Monaco Together; Rally and Issues for Monaco or REM; Union for
Monaco or UPM (including National Union for the Future of Monaco or
UNAM)
Political pressure groups and leaders:
NA
International organization participation:
CE, FAO, IAEA, ICAO, ICC, ICRM, IFRCS, IHO, IMO, IMSO, Interpol,
IOC, IPU, ITSO, ITU, OAS (observer), OIF, OPCW, OSCE, Schengen
Convention (de facto member), UN, UNCTAD, UNESCO, UNIDO, Union
Latina, UNWTO, UPU, WHO, WIPO, WMO
Diplomatic representation in the US:
chief of mission: Ambassador Gilles NOGHES
chancery: 3400 International Drive NW, Suite 2K-100, Washington, DC
20008
telephone: (202) 234-1530
FAX: (202) 244-7656
consulate(s) general: New York
Diplomatic representation from the US:
the US does not have an embassy in Monaco; the US Ambassador to
France is accredited to Monaco; the US Consul General in Marseille
(France), under the authority of the US ambassador to France,
handles routine diplomatic and consular matters concerning Monaco
Flag description:
two equal horizontal bands of red (top) and white; the colors are
those of the ruling House of Grimaldi and have been in use since
1339, making the flag one of the world's oldest national banners
note: similar to the flag of Indonesia which is longer and the flag
of Poland which is white (top) and red
National anthem:
name: "A Marcia de Muneghu" (The March of Monaco)
lyrics/music: Louis NOTARI/Charles ALBRECHT
note: music adopted 1867, lyrics adopted 1931; although French is
much more commonly spoken, only the Monegasque lyrics are official;
the French version is known as "Hymne Monegasque" (Monegasque
Anthem); the words are generally only sung on official occasions
Economy ::Monaco
Economy - overview: