Internet Service Providers (ISPs): 5 (2001)
Internet users: 7,500 (2001)
Transportation Mauritania
Railways: 704 km standard gauge: 704 km 1.435-m gauge note: owned and
operated by government mining company (2001)
Highways: total: 7,720 km paved: 830 km unpaved: 6,890 km (2000)
Waterways: note: ferry traffic on the Senegal River
Ports and harbors: Bogue, Kaedi, Nouadhibou, Nouakchott, Rosso
Merchant marine: none (2002 est.)
Airports: 26 (2001)
Airports - with paved runways: total: 9 2,438 to 3,047 m: 3 1,524 to
2,437 m: 6 (2001)
Airports - with unpaved runways: 5 914 to 1,523 m: Military Mauritania
Military branches: Army, Navy, Air Force, National Gendarmerie, National
Guard, National Police, Presidential Guard
Military manpower - availability: males age 15-49: 644,294 (2002 est.)
Military manpower - fit for military service: males age 15-49: 312,276
(2002 est.)
Military expenditures - dollar figure: $37.1 million (FY01)
Military expenditures - percent of GDP: 3.7% (FY01)
Transnational Issues Mauritania
Disputes - international: none
This page was last updated on 1 January 2002
========================================================================
Malta
Introduction
Malta
Background: Great Britain formally acquired possession of Malta in
1814. The island staunchly supported the UK through both World Wars
and remained in the Commonwealth when it became independent in 1964. A
decade later Malta became a republic. Over the last 15 years, the island
has become a freight transshipment point, financial center, and tourist
destination. It is an official candidate for EU membership.
Geography Malta
Location: Southern Europe, islands in the Mediterranean Sea, south of
Sicily (Italy)
Geographic coordinates: 35 50 N, 14 35 E
Map references: Europe
Area: total: 316 sq km water: 0 sq km land: 316 sq km
Area - comparative: slightly less than twice the size of Washington, DC
Land boundaries: 0 km
Coastline: 196.8 km (does not include 56.01 km for the island of Gozo)
Maritime claims: 12 NM exclusive fishing zone: Climate: Mediterranean
with mild, rainy winters and hot, dry summers
Terrain: mostly low, rocky, flat to dissected plains; many coastal cliffs
Elevation extremes: lowest point: Mediterranean Sea 0 m highest point:
Ta'Dmejrek 253 m (near Dingli)
Natural resources: limestone, salt, arable land
Land use: arable land: 31% permanent crops: 3% other: 66% (1998 est.)
Irrigated land: 20 sq km (1998 est.)
Natural hazards: NA
Environment - current issues: very limited natural fresh water resources;
increasing reliance on desalination
Environment - international agreements: party to: Air Pollution,
Biodiversity, Climate Change, Climate Change-Kyoto Protocol,
Desertification, Endangered Species, Hazardous Wastes, Law of the Sea,
Marine Dumping, Nuclear Test Ban, Ozone Layer Protection, Ship Pollution,
Wetlands signed, but not ratified: none of the selected agreements
Geography - note: the country comprises an archipelago, with only the
three largest islands (Malta, Ghawdex or Gozo, and Kemmuna or Comino)
being inhabited; numerous bays provide good harbors; Malta and Tunisia
are discussing the commercial exploitation of the continental shelf
between their countries, particularly for oil exploration
People Malta
Population: 397,499 (July 2002 est.)
Age structure: 0-14 years: 19.7% (male 40,609; female 37,882) 15-64
years: 67.5% (male 135,047; female 133,207) 65 years and over: 12.8%
(male 21,215; female 29,539) (2002 est.)
Population growth rate: 0.73% (2002 est.)
Birth rate: 12.76 births/1,000 population (2002 est.)
Death rate: 7.77 deaths/1,000 population (2002 est.)
Net migration rate: 2.36 migrant(s)/1,000 population (2002 est.)
Sex ratio: at birth: 1.09 male(s)/female under 15 years: 1.07
male(s)/female 15-64 years: 1.01 male(s)/female 65 years and over:
0.72 male(s)/female total population: 0.98 male(s)/female (2002 est.)
Infant mortality rate: 5.72 deaths/1,000 live births (2002 est.)
Life expectancy at birth: 80.96 years (2002 est.) male: Total fertility
rate: 1.91 children born/woman (2002 est.)
HIV/AIDS - adult prevalence rate: 0.52% (1999 est.)
HIV/AIDS - people living with HIV/AIDS: NA
HIV/AIDS - deaths: less than 100 (1999 est.)
Nationality: noun: Maltese (singular and plural) adjective: Maltese
Ethnic groups: Maltese (descendants of ancient Carthaginians and
Phoenicians, with strong elements of Italian and other Mediterranean
stock)
Religions: Roman Catholic 91%
Languages: Maltese (official), English (official)
Literacy: definition: age 10 and over can read and write total
population: 88.76% male: 86.91% female: 89.55% (1995 census)
Government Malta
Country name: Republic of Malta conventional short form: Government
type: republic
Capital: Valletta
Administrative divisions: none (administered directly from Valletta)
Independence: 21 September 1964 (from UK)
National holiday: Independence Day, 21 September (1964)
Constitution: 1964 constitution substantially amended on 13 December 1974
Legal system: based on English common law and Roman civil law; accepts
compulsory ICJ jurisdiction, with reservations
Suffrage: 18 years of age; universal
Executive branch: chief of state: President Guido DE MARCO (since
4 April 1999) head of government: Prime Minister Eddie FENECH ADAMI
(since 6 September 1998); Deputy Prime Minister Lawrence GONZI (since 4
April 1999) cabinet: Cabinet appointed by the president on the advice
of the prime minister elections: election last held NA April 1999
(next to be held by April 2004); following legislative elections,
the leader of the majority party or leader of a majority coalition is
usually appointed prime minister by the president for a five-year term;
the deputy prime minister is appointed by the president on the advice of
the prime minister election results: Guido DE MARCO elected president;
percent of House of Representatives vote - 54%
Legislative branch: unicameral House of Representatives (usually 65
seats; note - additional seats are given to the party with the largest
popular vote to ensure a legislative majority; members are elected
by popular vote on the basis of proportional representation to serve
five-year terms) elections: results: percent of vote by party - PN 51.8%,
MLP 46.9%, AD 1.2%; seats by party - PN 35, MLP 30
Judicial branch: Constitutional Court; Court of Appeal; judges for both
courts are appointed by the president on the advice of the prime minister
Political parties and leaders: Alternativa Demokratika/Alliance for
Social Justice or AD [Harry VASSALLO]; Malta Labor Party or MLP [Alfred
SANT]; Nationalist Party or PN [Edward FENECH ADAMI]
Political pressure groups and leaders: NA
International organization participation: C, CCC, CE, EBRD, ECE, EU
(applicant), FAO, G-77, IAEA, IBRD, ICAO, ICFTU, ICRM, IFAD, IFRCS, ILO,
IMF, IMO, Interpol, IOC, IOM (observer), ISO, ITU, NAM, OPCW, OSCE, PCA,
UN, UNCTAD, UNESCO, UNIDO, UPU, WCL, WHO, WIPO, WMO, WToO, WTrO
Diplomatic representation in the US: New York FAX: Connecticut Avenue
NW, Washington, DC 20008
Diplomatic representation from the US: chief of mission: Ambassador
Anthony H. GIOIA embassy: 3rd Floor, Development House, Saint Anne Street,
Floriana, Malta VLT 01 mailing address: P. O. Box 535, Valletta, Malta,
CMR 01 telephone: [356] 235960 through 235965 FAX: [356] 243229
Flag description: two equal vertical bands of white (hoist side) and
red; in the upper hoist-side corner is a representation of the Saint
George Cross, edged in red
Economy Malta
Economy - overview: Major resources are limestone, a favorable geographic
location, and a productive labor force. Malta produces only about 20%
of its food needs, has limited freshwater supplies, and has no domestic
energy sources. The economy is dependent on foreign trade, manufacturing
(especially electronics and textiles), and tourism. Malta is privatizing
state-controlled firms and liberalizing markets in order to prepare for
membership in the European Union and is expected to complete EU accession
negotiations in 2002. The island is divided politically, however, over
the question of joining the EU.
GDP: purchasing power parity - $5.95 billion (2001 est.)
GDP - real growth rate: 4% (2001 est.)
GDP - per capita: purchasing power parity - $15,000 (2001 est.)
GDP - composition by sector: agriculture: 2.8% industry: 25.5% services:
71.7% (1999)
Population below poverty line: NA%
Household income or consumption by percentage share: lowest 10%: NA%
highest 10%: NA%
Inflation rate (consumer prices): 2.8% (2001 est.)
Labor force: 147,700 (2000)
Labor force - by occupation: industry 24%, services 71%, agriculture 5%
(1999 est.)
Unemployment rate: 4.5% (2000)
Budget: revenues: $1.5 billion expenditures: $1.6 billion, including
capital expenditures of $NA (2000)
Industries: tourism; electronics, ship building and repair, construction;
food and beverages, textiles, footwear, clothing, tobacco
Industrial production growth rate: NA%
Electricity - production: 1.75 billion kWh (2000)
Electricity - production by source: fossil fuel: 100% hydro: 0% other: 0%
(2000) nuclear: 0%
Electricity - consumption: 1.628 billion kWh (2000)
Electricity - exports: 0 kWh (2000)
Electricity - imports: 0 kWh (2000)
Agriculture - products: potatoes, cauliflower, grapes, wheat, barley,
tomatoes, citrus, cut flowers, green peppers; pork, milk, poultry, eggs
Exports: $2.5 billion (f.o.b., 2000)
Exports - commodities: machinery and transport equipment, manufactures
Exports - partners: US 27.3%, Germany 9.6%, France 8%, UK 7.3%, Italy
3.4% (2000)
Imports: $3.1 billion (f.o.b., 2000)
Imports - commodities: machinery and transport equipment, manufactured
and semi-manufactured goods; food, drink, and tobacco
Imports - partners: France 19.2%, Italy 16.3%, US 10.7%, UK 8.1%,
Germany 8.1% (2000)
Debt - external: $130 million (1997)
Economic aid - recipient: $NA
Currency: Maltese lira (MTL)
Currency code: MTL
Exchange rates: Maltese liri per US dollar - 0.4542 (January 2002),
0.4499 (2001), 0.4376 (2000), 0.3994 (1999), 0.3885 (1998), 0.3857 (1997)
Fiscal year: 1 April - 31 March
Communications Malta
Telephones - main lines in use: 187,000 (1997)
Telephones - mobile cellular: 17,691 (1997)
Telephone system: general assessment: automatic system satisfies normal
requirements domestic: submarine cable and microwave radio relay between
islands international: 2 submarine cables; satellite earth station -
1 Intelsat (Atlantic Ocean)
Radio broadcast stations: AM 1, FM 18, shortwave 6 (1999)
Radios: 255,000 (1997)
Television broadcast stations: 6 (2000)
Televisions: 280,000 (1997)
Internet country code: .mt
Internet Service Providers (ISPs): 2 (2000)
Internet users: 40,000 (2000)
Transportation Malta
Railways: 0 km
Highways: total: 1,742 km paved: 1,677 km unpaved: 65 km (1997)
Waterways: none
Ports and harbors: Marsaxlokk, Valletta
Merchant marine: total: 1,323 ships (1,000 GRT or over) totaling
27,208,819 GRT/44,617,877 DWT note: includes some foreign-owned ships
registered here as a flag of convenience: Australia 4, Austria 6,
Bangladesh 1, Belgium 3, Bulgaria 19, Canada 2, China 16, Croatia 14,
Cuba 1, Cyprus 7, Denmark 3, Estonia 5, Finland 1, Germany 54, Greece
627, Hong Kong 12, Iceland 3, India 10, Iran 2, Israel 26, Italy 36,
Japan 2, Latvia 24, Lebanon 6, Monaco 29, Netherlands 10, Nigeria 2,
Norway 43, Poland 29, Portugal 2, Romania 15, Russia 85, Saudi Arabia 1,
Slovenia 2, South Korea 5, Spain 1, Switzerland 54, Syria 4, Turkey 84,
Ukraine 25, United Arab Emirates 3, United Kingdom 4, United States 10
(2002 est.) ships by type: bulk 440, cargo 334, chemical tanker 54,
combination bulk 10, combination ore/oil 12, container 75, liquefied
gas 4, livestock carrier 3, multi-functional large-load carrier 1,
passenger 6, passenger/cargo 1, petroleum tanker 270, refrigerated cargo
39, roll on/roll off 45, short-sea passenger 9, specialized tanker 3,
vehicle carrier 17
Airports: 1 (2001)
Airports - with paved runways: total: 1 over 3,047 m: 1 (2001)
Military Malta
Military branches: Armed Forces (including land forces [with subordinate
air squadron and maritime squadron] and the Revenue Security Corps),
Maltese Police Force
Military manpower - availability: males age 15-49: 99,107 (2002 est.)
Military manpower - fit for military service: males age 15-49: 78,909
(2002 est.)
Military expenditures - dollar figure: $60 million (2000 est.)
Military expenditures - percent of GDP: 1.7% (2000)
Transnational Issues Malta
Disputes - international: none
Illicit drugs: minor transshipment point for hashish from North Africa
to Western Europe
This page was last updated on 1 January 2002
========================================================================
Oman
Introduction
Oman
Background: In 1970, QABOOS bin Said Al Said ousted his father and has
ruled as sultan ever since. His extensive modernization program has
opened the country to the outside world and has preserved a long-standing
political and military relationship with the UK. Oman's moderate,
independent foreign policy has sought to maintain good relations with
all Middle Eastern countries.
Geography Oman
Location: Middle East, bordering the Arabian Sea, Gulf of Oman, and
Persian Gulf, between Yemen and UAE
Geographic coordinates: 21 00 N, 57 00 E
Map references: Middle East
Area: total: 212,460 sq km water: 0 sq km land: 212,460 sq km
Area - comparative: slightly smaller than Kansas
Land boundaries: total: 1,374 km border countries: Saudi Arabia 676 km,
UAE 410 km, Yemen 288 km
Coastline: 2,092 km
Maritime claims: 200 NM territorial sea: Climate: dry desert; hot,
humid along coast; hot, dry interior; strong southwest summer monsoon
(May to September) in far south
Terrain: central desert plain, rugged mountains in north and south
Elevation extremes: lowest point: Arabian Sea 0 m highest point: Jabal
Shams 2,980 m
Natural resources: petroleum, copper, asbestos, some marble, limestone,
chromium, gypsum, natural gas
Land use: arable land: 0% permanent crops: 0% other: 100% (1998 est.)
Irrigated land: 620 sq km (1998 est.)
Natural hazards: summer winds often raise large sandstorms and dust
storms in interior; periodic droughts
Environment - current issues: rising soil salinity; beach pollution
from oil spills; very limited natural fresh water resources
Environment - international agreements: party to: Biodiversity, Climate
Change, Desertification, Hazardous Wastes, Law of the Sea, Marine Dumping,
Ozone Layer Protection, Ship Pollution, Whaling signed, but not ratified:
none of the selected agreements
Geography - note: strategic location on Musandam Peninsula adjacent to
Strait of Hormuz, a vital transit point for world crude oil
People Oman
Population: 2,713,462 note: includes 527,078 non-nationals (July
2002 est.)
Age structure: 0-14 years: 41.9% (male 579,065; female 556,923) 15-64
years: 55.7% (male 914,494; female 597,948) 65 years and over: 2.4%
(male 34,555; female 30,477) (2002 est.)
Population growth rate: 3.41% (2002 est.)
Birth rate: 37.76 births/1,000 population (2002 est.)
Death rate: 4.03 deaths/1,000 population (2002 est.)
Net migration rate: 0.35 migrant(s)/1,000 population (2002 est.)
Sex ratio: at birth: 1.05 male(s)/female under 15 years: 1.04
male(s)/female 15-64 years: 1.53 male(s)/female 65 years and over:
1.13 male(s)/female total population: 1.29 male(s)/female (2002 est.)
Infant mortality rate: 21.77 deaths/1,000 live births (2002 est.)
Life expectancy at birth: 74.57 years (2002 est.) male: Total fertility
rate: 5.99 children born/woman (2002 est.)
HIV/AIDS - adult prevalence rate: 0.11% (1999 est.)
HIV/AIDS - people living with HIV/AIDS: NA
HIV/AIDS - deaths: NA
Nationality: noun: Omani(s) adjective: Omani
Ethnic groups: Arab, Baluchi, South Asian (Indian, Pakistani, Sri Lankan,
Bangladeshi), African
Religions: Ibadhi Muslim 75%, Sunni Muslim, Shi'a Muslim, Hindu
Languages: Arabic (official), English, Baluchi, Urdu, Indian dialects
Literacy: definition: NA total population: approaching 80% male: NA%
female: NA%
Government Oman
Country name: Sultanate of Oman conventional short form: form: Uman
Government type: monarchy
Capital: Muscat
Administrative divisions: 6 regions (mintaqat, singular - mintaqah)
and 2 governorates* (muhafazat, singular - muhafazah) Ad Dakhiliyah, Al
Batinah, Al Wusta, Ash Sharqiyah, Az Zahirah, Masqat, Musandam*, Zufar*;
note - the US Embassy in Oman reports that Masqat is a governorate,
but this has not been confirmed by the US Board on Geographic Names (BGN)
Independence: 1650 (expulsion of the Portuguese)
National holiday: Birthday of Sultan QABOOS, 18 November (1940)
Constitution: none; note - on 6 November 1996, Sultan QABOOS issued a
royal decree promulgating a new basic law which, among other things,
clarifies the royal succession, provides for a prime minister, bars
ministers from holding interests in companies doing business with the
government, establishes a bicameral legislature, and guarantees basic
civil liberties for Omani citizens
Legal system: based on English common law and Islamic law; ultimate
appeal to the monarch; has not accepted compulsory ICJ jurisdiction
Suffrage: in Oman's most recent elections in 2000, limited to
approximately 175,000 Omanis chosen by the government to vote in elections
for the Majlis ash-Shura
Executive branch: chief of state: Sultan and Prime Minister QABOOS
bin Said Al Said (since 23 July 1970); note - the monarch is both the
chief of state and head of government head of government: Sultan and
Prime Minister QABOOS bin Said Al Said (since 23 July 1970); note - the
monarch is both the chief of state and head of government cabinet: Cabinet
appointed by the monarch elections: none; the monarch is hereditary
Legislative branch: bicameral Majlis Oman consists of an upper chamber
or Majlis al-Dawla (48 seats; members appointed by the monarch; has
advisory powers only) and a lower chamber or Majlis al-Shura (83 seats;
members elected by limited suffrage for three-year term, however, the
monarch makes final selections and can negate election results; body
has some limited power to propose legislation, but otherwise has only
advisory powers) elections: results: NA; note - two women were elected
for the first time to the Majlis al-Shura, about 100,000 people voted
Judicial branch: Supreme Court note: the nascent civil court system,
administered by region, has non-Islamic judges as well as traditional
Islamic judges
Political parties and leaders: none
Political pressure groups and leaders: none
International organization participation: ABEDA, AFESD, AL, AMF, CCC,
ESCWA, FAO, G-77, GCC, IBRD, ICAO, IDA, IDB, IFAD, IFC, IHO, ILO, IMF,
IMO, Interpol, IOC, ISO (correspondent), ITU, NAM, OIC, OPCW, UN, UNCTAD,
UNESCO, UNIDO, UPU, WFTU, WHO, WIPO, WMO, WTrO
Diplomatic representation in the US: chief of mission: Ambassador Mohamed
Ali AL KHUSAIBY chancery: 2535 Belmont Road, NW, Washington, DC 20008
telephone: [1] (202) 387-1980 through 1981, 1988 FAX: [1] (202) 745-4933
Diplomatic representation from the US: chief of mission: Charge
d'Affaires Robert W. DRY embassy: Jameat A'Duwal
international: [968] 698989 FAX: [968] 699189
Flag description: three horizontal bands of white, red, and green of
equal width with a broad, vertical, red band on the hoist side; the
national emblem (a khanjar dagger in its sheath superimposed on two
crossed swords in scabbards) in white is centered at the top of the
vertical band
Economy Oman
Economy - overview: Oman's economic performance improved significantly
in 2000 due largely to the upturn in oil prices. The government is moving
ahead with privatization of its utilities, the development of a body of
commercial law to facilitate foreign investment, and increased budgetary
outlays. Oman continues to liberalize its markets and joined the World
Trade Organization (WTrO) in November 2000. GDP growth improved in 2001
despite the global slowdown.
GDP: purchasing power parity - $21.5 billion (2001 est.)
GDP - real growth rate: 7.4% (2001 est.)
GDP - per capita: purchasing power parity - $8,200 (2001 est.)
GDP - composition by sector: agriculture: 3% industry: 40% services: 57%
(1999 est.)
Population below poverty line: NA%
Household income or consumption by percentage share: lowest 10%: NA%
highest 10%: NA%
Inflation rate (consumer prices): 1% (2001 est.)
Labor force: 920,000 (2002 est.)
Labor force - by occupation: agriculture NA%, industry NA%, services NA%
Unemployment rate: NA%
Budget: revenues: $9.2 billion expenditures: $6.9 billion, including
capital expenditures of $NA (2000 est.)
Industries: crude oil production and refining, natural gas production,
construction, cement, copper
Industrial production growth rate: 4% (2000 est.)
Electricity - production: 8.1 billion kWh (2000)
Electricity - production by source: fossil fuel: 100% hydro: 0% other: 0%
(2000) nuclear: 0%
Electricity - consumption: 7.533 billion kWh (2000)
Electricity - exports: 0 kWh (2000)
Electricity - imports: 0 kWh (2000)
Agriculture - products: dates, limes, bananas, alfalfa, vegetables;
camels, cattle; fish
Exports: $10.9 billion (f.o.b., 2001 est.)
Exports - commodities: petroleum, reexports, fish, metals, textiles
Exports - partners: Japan 21%, Thailand 18%, China 16%, South Korea 12%,
UAE 12%, US 3% (2001)
Imports: $5.4 billion (f.o.b., 2001 est.)
Imports - commodities: machinery and transport equipment, manufactured
goods, food, livestock, lubricants
Imports - partners: UAE 23% (largely reexports), Japan 16%, UK 13%,
Italy 7%, Germany 5%, US 5% (2001)
Debt - external: $5.3 billion (2000 est.)
Economic aid - recipient: $76.4 million (1995)
Currency: Omani rial (OMR)
Currency code: OMR
Exchange rates: Omani rials per US dollar - 0.3845 (fixed rate since
1986)
Fiscal year: calendar year
Communications Oman
Telephones - main lines in use: 201,000 (1997)
Telephones - mobile cellular: 59,822 (1997)
Telephone system: general assessment: modern system consisting
of open wire, microwave, and radiotelephone communication stations;
limited coaxial cable domestic: satellite system with 8 earth stations
international: satellite earth stations - 2 Intelsat (Indian Ocean)
and 1 Arabsat
Radio broadcast stations: AM 3, FM 9, shortwave 2 (1999)
Radios: 1.4 million (1997)
Television broadcast stations: 13 (plus 25 low-power repeaters) (1999)
Televisions: 1.6 million (1997)
Internet country code: .om
Internet Service Providers (ISPs): 1 (2000)
Internet users: 90,000 (2001)
Transportation Oman
Railways: 0 km
Highways: total: 32,800 km paved: 9,840 km (including 550 km of
expressways) unpaved: 22,960 km (1996)
Waterways: none
Pipelines: crude oil 1,300 km; natural gas 1,030 km
Ports and harbors: Matrah, Mina' al Fahl, Mina' Raysut
Merchant marine: total: 3 ships (1,000 GRT or over) totaling 17,291
GRT/9,457 DWT ships by type: cargo 1, passenger 1, passenger/cargo 1 note:
includes a foreign-owned ship registered here as a flag of convenience:
Singapore 1 (2002 est.)
Airports: 143 (2001)
Airports - with paved runways: total: 6 over 3,047 m: 4 2,438 to 3,047 m:
1 914 to 1,523 m: 1 (2001)
Airports - with unpaved runways: 36 (2001) 1,524 to 2,437 m: Heliports:
1 (2001)
Military Oman
Military branches: Royal Omani Armed Forces (Army, Navy, Air Force),
Royal Omani Police
Military manpower - military age: 14 years of age (2002 est.)
Military manpower - availability: males age 15-49: 780,292 (2002 est.)
Military manpower - fit for military service: males age 15-49: 434,026
(2002 est.)