Chapter XXIII: Front Matter (23)

Branches:
Army, Air Force, Gendarmerie, Republican Guard, National Police
(Surete Nationale)
Manpower availability:
males age 15-49 1,803,301; fit for military service 1,027,780
Defense expenditures:
exchange rate conversion - $41 million, 2% of GDP (1989)

@Malta, Geography

Location:
Southern Europe, in the central Mediterranean Sea, 93 km south of
Sicily (Italy), 290 km north of Libya
Map references:
Europe, Standard Time Zones of the World
Area:
total area:
320 sq km
land area:
320 sq km
comparative area:
slightly less than twice the size of Washington, DC
Land boundaries:
0 km
Coastline:
140 km
Maritime claims:
contiguous zone:
24 nm
continental shelf:
200-m depth or to depth of exploitation
exclusive fishing zone:
25 nm
territorial sea:
12 nm
International disputes:
none
Climate:
Mediterranean with mild, rainy winters and hot, dry summers
Terrain:
mostly low, rocky, flat to dissected plains; many coastal cliffs
Natural resources:
limestone, salt
Land use:
arable land:
38%
permanent crops:
3%
meadows and pastures:
0%
forest and woodland:
0%
other:
59%
Irrigated land:
10 sq km (1989)
Environment:
current issues:
fresh water very scarce; increasing reliance on desalination
natural hazards:
NA
international agreements:
party to - Climate Change, Endangered Species, Law of the Sea, Marine
Dumping, Nuclear Test Ban, Ozone Layer Protection, Ship Pollution,
Wetlands; signed, but not ratified - Biodiversity
Note:
the country comprises an archipelago, with only the 3 largest islands
(Malta, Gozo, and Comino) being inhabited; numerous bays provide good
harbors

@Malta, People

Population: 366,767 (July 1994 est.) Population growth rate: 0.79% (1994 est.) Birth rate: 13.56 births/1,000 population (1994 est.) Death rate: 7.45 deaths/1,000 population (1994 est.) Net migration rate: 1.84 migrant(s)/1,000 population (1994 est.) Infant mortality rate: 7.9 deaths/1,000 live births (1994 est.) Life expectancy at birth: total population: 76.77 years male: 74.53 years female: 79.18 years (1994 est.) Total fertility rate: 1.94 children born/woman (1994 est.) Nationality: noun: Maltese (singular and plural) adjective: Maltese Ethnic divisions: Arab, Sicilian, Norman, Spanish, Italian, English Religions: Roman Catholic 98% Languages: Maltese (official), English (official) Literacy: age 15 and over can read and write (1985) total population: 84% male: 86% female: 82% Labor force: 127,200 by occupation: government (excluding job corps) 37%, services 26%, manufacturing 22%, training programs 9%, construction 4%, agriculture 2% (1990)

@Malta, Government

Names:
conventional long form:
Republic of Malta
conventional short form:
Malta
Digraph:
MT
Type:
parliamentary democracy
Capital:
Valletta
Administrative divisions:
none (administration 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; has accepted
compulsory ICJ jurisdiction, with reservations
Suffrage:
18 years of age; universal
Executive branch:
chief of state:
President Ugo MIFSUD BONNICI (since 4 April 1994)
head of government:
Prime Minister Dr. Edward (Eddie) FENECH ADAMI (since 12 May 1987);
Deputy Prime Minister Dr. Guido DE MARCO (since 14 May 1987)
cabinet:
Cabinet; appointed by the president on advice of the prime minister
Legislative branch:
unicameral
House of Representatives:
elections last held on 22 February 1992 (next to be held by February
1997); results - NP 51.8%, MLP 46.5%; seats - (usually 65 total) MLP
36, NP 29; note - additional seats are given to the party with the
largest popular vote to ensure a legislative majority; current total
69 (MLP 33, NP 36 after adjustment)
Judicial branch:
Constitutional Court, Court of Appeal
Political parties and leaders:
Nationalist Party (NP), Edward FENECH ADAMI; Malta Labor Party (MLP),
Alfred SANT
Member of:
C, CCC, CE, CSCE, EBRD, ECE, FAO, G-77, GATT, IBRD, ICAO, ICFTU, IFAD,
ILO, IMF, IMO, INMARSAT, INTELSAT (nonsignatory user), INTERPOL, IOC,
IOM (observer), ISO (correspondent), ITU, NAM, PCA, UN, UNCTAD,
UNESCO, UNIDO, UPU, WCL, WHO, WIPO, WMO, WTO
Diplomatic representation in US:
chief of mission:
Ambassador Albert BORG OLIVIER DE PUGET
chancery:
2017 Connecticut Avenue NW, Washington, DC 20008
telephone:
(202) 462-3611 or 3612
FAX:
(202) 387-5470
consulate(s):
New York
US diplomatic representation:
chief of mission:
(vacant); Charge d'Affaires William A. MOFFITT (new ambassador
nominated, but not confirmed)
embassy:
2nd Floor, Development House, Saint Anne Street, Floriana, Valletta
mailing address:
P. O. Box 535, Valletta
telephone:
[356] 235960
FAX:
[356] 243229
Flag:
two equal vertical bands of white (hoist side) and red; in the upper
hoist-side corner is a representation of the George Cross, edged in
red

@Malta, Economy

Overview:
Significant 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. Consequently, the economy is highly dependent on
foreign trade and services. Manufacturing and tourism are the largest
contributors to the economy. Manufacturing accounts for about 27% of
GDP, with the electronics and textile industries major contributors
and the state-owned Malta drydocks which employs about 4,300 people.
In 1992, about 1,000,000 tourists visited the island. Per capita GDP
at $6,600 places Malta in the middle-income range of the world's
nations.
National product:
GDP - exchange rate conversion - $2.4 billion (1992 est.)
National product real growth rate:
4.5% (1992)
National product per capita:
$6,600 (1992)
Inflation rate (consumer prices):
1.64% (1992)
Unemployment rate:
4% (1992)
Budget:
revenues:
$1.2 billion
expenditures:
$1.2 billion, including capital expenditures of $182 million (FY94
est.)
Exports:
$1.3 billion (f.o.b., 1992)
commodities:
machinery and transport equipment, clothing and footware, printed
matter
partners:
Italy 30%, Germany 22%, UK 11%
Imports:
$1.93 million (f.o.b., 1992)
commodities:
food, petroleum, machinery and semimanufactured goods
partners:
Italy 30%, UK 16%, Germany 13%, US 4%
External debt:
$118 million (1990)
Industrial production:
growth rate 5.4% (1992); accounts for 27% of GDP
Electricity:
capacity:
328,000 kW
production:
1.11 billion kWh
consumption per capita:
3,000 kWh (1992)
Industries:
tourism, electronics, ship repair yard, construction, food
manufacturing, textiles, footwear, clothing, beverages, tobacco
Agriculture:
accounts for 3% of GDP and 2% of the work force (1992); overall, 20%
self-sufficient; main products - potatoes, cauliflower, grapes, wheat,
barley, tomatoes, citrus, cut flowers, green peppers, hogs, poultry,
eggs; generally adequate supplies of vegetables, poultry, milk, pork
products; seasonal or periodic shortages in grain, animal fodder,
fruits, other basic foodstuffs
Illicit drugs:
transshipment point for hashish from North Africa to Western Europe
Economic aid:
recipient:
US commitments, including Ex-Im (FY70-81), $172 million; Western
(non-US) countries, ODA and OOF bilateral commitments (1970-89), $336
million; OPEC bilateral aid (1979-89), $76 million; Communist
countries (1970-88), $48 million
Currency:
1 Maltese lira (LM) = 100 cents
Exchange rates:
Maltese liri (LM) per US$1 - 0.3951 (January 1994), 0.3821 (1993),
0.3178 (1992), 0.3226 (1991), 0.3172 (1990), 0.3483 (1989)
Fiscal year:
1 April - 31 March

@Malta, Communications

Highways:
total:
1,291 km
paved:
asphalt 1,179 km
unpaved:
gravel, crushed stone 77 km; earth 35 km
Ports:
Valletta, Marsaxlokk
Merchant marine:
897 ships (1,000 GRT or over) totaling 13,959,195 GRT/24,038,587 DWT,
barge carrier 3, bulk 259, cargo 296, chemical tanker 25, combination
bulk 28, combination ore/oil 18, container 26, liquefied gas 2,
multifunction large load carrier 3, oil tanker 157, passenger 6,
passenger-cargo 3, railcar carrier 1, refrigerated cargo 17,
roll-on/roll-off cargo 20, short-sea passenger 19, specialized tanker
5, vehicle carrier 9
note:
a flag of convenience registry; China owns 11 ships, Russia owns 42
ships, Cuba owns 10, Vietnam owns 6, Croatia owns 63, Romania owns 4
Airports:
total:
1
usable:
1
with permanent-surface runways:
1
with runways over 3,659 m:
0
with runways 2,440-3,659 m:
1
with runways 1,220-2,439 m:
0
Telecommunications:
automatic system satisfies normal requirements; 153,000 telephones;
excellent service by broadcast stations - 8 AM, 4 FM, and 2 TV;
submarine cable and microwave radio relay between islands;
international service by 1 submarine cable and 1 Atlantic Ocean
INTELSAT earth station

@Malta, Defense Forces

Branches:
Armed Forces, Maltese Police Force
Manpower availability:
males age 15-49 98,241; fit for military service 78,071
Defense expenditures:
exchange rate conversion - $21.9 million, 1.3% of GDP (1989 est.)

@Man, Isle of

Header

Affiliation:
(British crown dependency)

@Man, Isle of, Geography

Location: Western Europe, in the Irish Sea, between Ireland and Great Britain Map references: Europe Area: total area: 588 sq km land area: 588 sq km comparative area: nearly 3.5 times the size of Washington, DC Land boundaries: 0 km Coastline: 113 km Maritime claims: exclusive fishing zone: 200 nm territorial sea: 3 nm International disputes: none Climate: cool summers and mild winters; humid; overcast about half the time Terrain: hills in north and south bisected by central valley Natural resources: lead, iron ore Land use: arable land: NA% permanent crops: NA% meadows and pastures: NA% forest and woodland: NA% other: NA% (extensive arable land and forests) Irrigated land: NA sq km Environment: current issues: NA natural hazards: NA international agreements: NA Note: one small islet, the Calf of Man, lies to the southwest, and is a bird sanctuary

@Man, Isle of, People

Population: 72,017 (July 1994 est.) Population growth rate: 1.04% (1994 est.) Birth rate: 13.69 births/1,000 population (1994 est.) Death rate: 12.58 deaths/1,000 population (1994 est.) Net migration rate: 9.25 migrant(s)/1,000 population (1994 est.) Infant mortality rate: 8.3 deaths/1,000 live births (1994 est.) Life expectancy at birth: total population: 76.25 years male: 73.51 years female: 79.2 years (1994 est.) Total fertility rate: 1.8 children born/woman (1994 est.) Nationality: noun: Manxman, Manxwoman adjective: Manx Ethnic divisions: Manx (Norse-Celtic descent), Briton Religions: Anglican, Roman Catholic, Methodist, Baptist, Presbyterian, Society of Friends Languages: English, Manx Gaelic Literacy: total population: NA% male: NA% female: NA% Labor force: 25,864 (1981) by occupation: NA

@Man, Isle of, Government

Names:
conventional long form:
none
conventional short form:
Isle of Man
Digraph:
IM
Type:
British crown dependency
Capital:
Douglas
Administrative divisions:
none (British crown dependency)
Independence:
none (British crown dependency)
National holiday:
Tynwald Day, 5 July
Constitution:
1961, Isle of Man Constitution Act
Legal system:
English law and local statute
Suffrage:
21 years of age; universal
Executive branch:
chief of state:
Lord of Mann Queen ELIZABETH II (since 6 February 1952), represented
by Lieutenant Governor Air Marshal Sir Laurence JONES (since NA 1990)
head of government:
President of the Legislative Council Sir Charles KERRUISH (since NA
1990)
cabinet:
Council of Ministers
Legislative branch:
bicameral Tynwald
Legislative Council:
consists of a 10-member body composed of the Lord Bishop of Sodor and
Man, a nonvoting attorney general, and 8 others named by the House of
Keys
House of Keys:
elections last held in 1991 (next to be held NA 1996); results -
percent of vote NA; seats - (24 total) independents 24
Judicial branch:
Court of Tynwald
Political parties and leaders:
there is no party system and members sit as independents
Member of:
none
Diplomatic representation in US:
none (British crown dependency)
US diplomatic representation:
none (British crown dependency)
Flag:
red with the Three Legs of Man emblem (Trinacria), in the center; the
three legs are joined at the thigh and bent at the knee; in order to
have the toes pointing clockwise on both sides of the flag, a
two-sided emblem is used

@Man, Isle of, Economy

Overview:
Offshore banking, manufacturing, and tourism are key sectors of the
economy. The government's policy of offering incentives to
high-technology companies and financial institutions to locate on the
island has paid off in expanding employment opportunities in
high-income industries. As a result, agriculture and fishing, once the
mainstays of the economy, have declined in their shares of GNP.
Banking now contributes about 45% to GNP. Trade is mostly with the UK.
The Isle of Man enjoys free access to European Union markets.
National product:
GNP - exchange rate conversion - $490 million (1988)
National product real growth rate:
NA%
National product per capita:
$7,500 (1988)
Inflation rate (consumer prices):
7% (1992 est.)
Unemployment rate:
1% (1992 est.)
Budget:
revenues:
$130.4 million
expenditures:
$114.4 million, including capital expenditures of $18.1 million (1985
est.)
Exports:
$NA
commodities:
tweeds, herring, processed shellfish, meat
partners:
UK
Imports:
$NA
commodities:
timber, fertilizers, fish
partners:
UK
External debt:
$NA
Industrial production:
growth rate NA%
Electricity:
capacity:
61,000 kW
production:
190 million kWh
consumption per capita:
2,965 kWh (1992)
Industries:
an important offshore financial center; financial services, light
manufacturing, tourism
Agriculture:
cereals and vegetables; cattle, sheep, pigs, poultry
Economic aid:
$NA
Currency:
1 Manx pound (#M) = 100 pence
Exchange rates:
Manx pounds (#M) per US$1 - 0.6699 (January 1994), 0.6658 (1993),
0.5664 (1992), 0.5652 (1991), 0.5603 (1990), 0.6099 (1989); the Manx
pound is at par with the British pound
Fiscal year:
1 April - 31 March

@Man, Isle of, Communications

Railroads:
60 km; 36 km electric track, 24 km steam track
Highways:
total:
640 km
paved:
NA
unpaved:
NA
Ports:
Douglas, Ramsey, Peel
Merchant marine:
67 ships (1,000 GRT or over) totaling 1,359,951 GRT/2,316,628 DWT,
bulk 11, cargo 10, chemical tanker 5, container 5, liquefied gas 7,
oil tanker 17, roll-on/roll-off cargo 9, vehicle carrier 3
note:
a captive register of the United Kingdom, although not all ships on
the register are British owned
Airports:
total:
1
usable:
1
with permanent-surface runways:
1
with runways over 3,659 m:
0
with runways 2,440-3,659 m:
0
with runways 1,220-2,439 m:
1
Telecommunications:
24,435 telephones; broadcast stations - 1 AM, 4 FM, 4 TV

@Man, Isle of, Defense Forces

Note:
defense is the responsibility of the UK

@Marshall Islands, Geography

Location:
Oceania, Micronesia, in the North Pacific Ocean, about two-thirds of
the way between Hawaii and Papua New Guinea
Map references:
Oceania, Standard Time Zones of the World
Area:
total area:
181.3 sq km
land area:
181.3 sq km
comparative area:
slightly larger than Washington, DC
note:
includes the atolls of Bikini, Eniwetak, and Kwajalein
Land boundaries:
0 km
Coastline:
370.4 km
Maritime claims:
contiguous zone:
24 nm
exclusive economic zone:
200 nm
territorial sea:
12 nm
International disputes:
claims US territory of Wake Island
Climate:
wet season May to November; hot and humid; islands border typhoon belt
Terrain:
low coral limestone and sand islands
Natural resources:
phosphate deposits, marine products, deep seabed minerals
Land use:
arable land:
0%
permanent crops:
60%
meadows and pastures:
0%
forest and woodland:
0%
other:
40%
Irrigated land:
NA sq km
Environment:
current issues:
inadequate supplies of safe drinking water
natural hazards:
occasionally subject to typhoons
international agreements:
party to - Biodiversity, Climate Change, Law of the Sea, Ozone Layer
Protection, Ship Pollution
Note:
two archipelagic island chains of 30 atolls and 1,152 islands; Bikini
and Eniwetak are former US nuclear test sites; Kwajalein, the famous
World War II battleground, is now used as a US missile test range

@Marshall Islands, People

Population: 54,031 (July 1994 est.) Population growth rate: 3.86% (1994 est.) Birth rate: 46.31 births/1,000 population (1994 est.) Death rate: 7.68 deaths/1,000 population (1994 est.) Net migration rate: 0 migrant(s)/1,000 population (1994 est.) Infant mortality rate: 49.3 deaths/1,000 live births (1994 est.) Life expectancy at birth: total population: 63.13 years male: 61.6 years female: 64.74 years (1994 est.) Total fertility rate: 6.94 children born/woman (1994 est.) Nationality: noun: Marshallese (singular and plural) adjective: Marshallese Ethnic divisions: Micronesian Religions: Christian (mostly Protestant) Languages: English (universally spoken and is the official language), two major Marshallese dialects from the Malayo-Polynesian family, Japanese Literacy: age 15 and over can read and write (1980) total population: 93% male: 100% female: 88% Labor force: 4,800 (1986) by occupation: NA

@Marshall Islands, Government

Names:
conventional long form:
Republic of the Marshall Islands
conventional short form:
Marshall Islands
former:
Marshall Islands District (Trust Territory of the Pacific Islands)
Digraph:
RM
Type:
constitutional government in free association with the US; the Compact
of Free Association entered into force 21 October 1986
Capital:
Majuro
Administrative divisions:
none
Independence:
21 October 1986 (from the US-administered UN trusteeship)
National holiday:
Proclamation of the Republic of the Marshall Islands, 1 May (1979)
Constitution:
1 May 1979
Legal system:
based on adapted Trust Territory laws, acts of the legislature,
municipal, common, and customary laws
Suffrage:
18 years of age; universal
Executive branch:
chief of state and head of government:
President Amata KABUA (since 1979); election last held 6 January 1992
(next to be held NA; results - President Amata KABUA was reelected)
cabinet:
Cabinet; president selects from the parliament
Legislative branch:
unicameral
Parliament (Nitijela):
elections last held 18 November 1991 (next to be held November 1995);
results - percent of vote NA; seats - (33 total)
Judicial branch:
Supreme Court
Political parties and leaders:
no formal parties; President KABUA is chief political (and
traditional) leader
Member of:
AsDB, ESCAP, IBRD, ICAO, IDA, IFC, IMF, INTELSAT (nonsignatory user),
INTERPOL, SPARTECA, SPC, SPF, UN, UNCTAD, WHO
Diplomatic representation in US:
chief of mission:
Ambassador Wilfred I. KENDALL
chancery:
2433 Massachusetts Avenue NW, Washington, DC 20008
telephone:
(202) 234-5414
FAX:
(202) 232-3236
consulate(s) general:
Honolulu and Los Angeles
US diplomatic representation:
chief of mission:
Ambassador David C. FIELDS
embassy:
NA address, Majuro
mailing address:
P. O. Box 1379, Majuro, Republic of the Marshall Islands 96960-1379
telephone:
(692) 625-4011
FAX:
(692) 625-4012
Flag:
blue with two stripes radiating from the lower hoist-side corner -
orange (top) and white; there is a white star with four large rays and
20 small rays on the hoist side above the two stripes

@Marshall Islands, Economy

Overview:
Agriculture and tourism are the mainstays of the economy. Agricultural
production is concentrated on small farms, and the most important
commercial crops are coconuts, tomatoes, melons, and breadfruit. A few
cattle ranches supply the domestic meat market. Small-scale industry
is limited to handicrafts, fish processing, and copra. The tourist
industry is the primary source of foreign exchange and employs about
10% of the labor force. The islands have few natural resources, and
imports far exceed exports. In 1987 the US Government provided grants
of $40 million out of the Marshallese budget of $55 million.
National product:
GDP - purchasing power equivalent - $63 million (1989 est.)
National product real growth rate:
6% (1992)
National product per capita:
$1,500 (1992 est)
Inflation rate (consumer prices):
7% (1992 est)
Unemployment rate:
16% (1991 est)
Budget:
revenues:
$55 million
expenditures:
$NA, including capital expenditures of $NA (1987 est.)
Exports:
$3.9 million (f.o.b., 1992 est)
commodities:
coconut oil, fish, live animals, trichus shells
partners:
US, Japan, Australia
Imports:
$62.9 million (c.i.f., 1992 est)
commodities:
foodstuffs, machinery and equipment, beverages and tobacco, fuels
partners:
US, Japan, Australia
External debt:
$NA
Industrial production:
growth rate NA%
Electricity:
capacity:
42,000 kW
production:
80 million kWh
consumption per capita:
1,840 kWh (1990)
Industries:
copra, fish, tourism; craft items from shell, wood, and pearls;
offshore banking (embryonic)
Agriculture:
coconuts, cacao, taro, breadfruit, fruits, pigs, chickens
Economic aid:
recipient:
under the terms of the Compact of Free Association, the US is to
provide approximately $40 million in aid annually
Currency:
1 United States dollar (US$) = 100 cents
Exchange rates:
US currency is used
Fiscal year:
1 October - 30 September

@Marshall Islands, Communications

Highways:
total:
NA
note:
paved roads on major islands (Majuro, Kwajalein), otherwise stone-,
coral-, or laterite-surfaced roads and tracks
Ports:
Majuro
Merchant marine:
40 ships (1,000 GRT or over) totaling 2,255,348 GRT/4,351,997 DWT,
bulk carrier 23, cargo 2, combination ore/oil 1, container 1, oil
tanker 13
note:
a flag of convenience registry
Airports:
total:
16
usable:
16
with permanent-surface runways:
4
with runways over 3,659 m:
0
with runways 2,440-3,659 m:
0
with runways 1,220-2,439 m:
8
Telecommunications:
telephone network - 570 lines (Majuro) and 186 (Ebeye); telex
services; islands interconnected by shortwave radio (used mostly for
government purposes); broadcast stations - 1 AM, 2 FM, 1 TV, 1
shortwave; 2 Pacific Ocean INTELSAT earth stations; US Government
satellite communications system on Kwajalein

@Marshall Islands, Defense Forces

Note:
defense is the responsibility of the US

@Martinique

Header Affiliation: (overseas department of France)

@Martinique, Geography

Location: Caribbean, in the Caribbean Sea, off the coast of Venezuela Map references: Central America and the Caribbean, South America Area: total area: 1,100 sq km land area: 1,060 sq km comparative area: slightly more than six times the size of Washington, DC Land boundaries: 0 km Coastline: 290 km Maritime claims: exclusive economic zone: 200 nm territorial sea: 12 nm International disputes: none Climate: tropical; moderated by trade winds; rainy season (June to October) Terrain: mountainous with indented coastline; dormant volcano Natural resources: coastal scenery and beaches, cultivable land Land use: arable land: 10% permanent crops: 8% meadows and pastures: 30% forest and woodland: 26% other: 26% Irrigated land: 60 sq km (1989 est.) Environment: current issues: NA natural hazards: subject to hurricanes, flooding, and volcanic activity that result in an average of one major natural disaster every five years international agreements: NA

@Martinique, People

Population:
392,362 (July 1994 est.)
Population growth rate:
1.2% (1994 est.)
Birth rate:
17.96 births/1,000 population (1994 est.)
Death rate:
5.95 deaths/1,000 population (1994 est.)
Net migration rate:
0 migrant(s)/1,000 population (1994 est.)
Infant mortality rate:
10.4 deaths/1,000 live births (1994 est.)
Life expectancy at birth:
total population:
78.01 years
male:
74.88 years
female:
81.2 years (1994 est.)
Total fertility rate:
1.92 children born/woman (1994 est.)
Nationality:
noun:
Martiniquais (singular and plural)
adjective:
Martiniquais
Ethnic divisions:
African and African-Caucasian-Indian mixture 90%, Caucasian 5%, East
Indian, Lebanese, Chinese less than 5%
Religions:
Roman Catholic 95%, Hindu and pagan African 5%
Languages:
French, Creole patois
Literacy:
age 15 and over can read and write (1982)
total population:
93%
male:
92%
female:
93%
Labor force:
100,000
by occupation:
service industry 31.7%, construction and public works 29.4%,
agriculture 13.1%, industry 7.3%, fisheries 2.2%, other 16.3%

@Martinique, Government

Names:
conventional long form:
Department of Martinique
conventional short form:
Martinique
local long form:
Departement de la Martinique
local short form:
Martinique
Digraph:
MB
Type:
overseas department of France
Capital:
Fort-de-France
Administrative divisions:
none (overseas department of France)
Independence:
none (overseas department of France)
National holiday:
National Day, Taking of the Bastille, 14 July (1789)
Constitution:
28 September 1958 (French Constitution)
Legal system:
French legal system
Suffrage:
18 years of age; universal
Executive branch:
chief of state:
President Francois MITTERRAND (since 21 May 1981)
head of government:
Prefect Michel MORIN (since NA); President of the General Council
Claude LISE (since 22 March 1992); President of the Regional Council
Emile CAPGRAS (since 22 March 1992)
cabinet:
Council of Ministers
Legislative branch:
unicameral General Council and a unicameral Regional Assembly
General Council:
elections last held in 25 September and 8 October 1988 (next to be
held by NA); results - percent of vote by party NA; seats - (44 total)
number of seats by party NA; note - a leftist coalition obtained a
one-seat margin
Regional Assembly:
elections last held on 22 March 1992 (next to be held by March 1998);
results - percent of vote by party NA; seats - (41 total) RPR-UDF 16,
MIM 9, PPM 9, PCM 5, independents 2
French Senate:
elections last held 24 September 1989 (next to be held NA); results -
percent of vote by party NA; seats - (2 total) UDF 1, PPM 1
French National Assembly:
elections last held on NA June 1993 (next to be held June 1998);
results - percent of vote by party NA; seats - (4 total) RPR 3, FSM 1
Judicial branch:
Supreme Court
Political parties and leaders:
Rally for the Republic (RPR), Stephen BAGOE; Union for a Martinique of
Progress (UMP); Martinique Progressive Party (PPM), Aime CESAIRE and
Camille DARSIERES; Socialist Federation of Martinique (FSM), Jean
CRUSOL; Martinique Communist Party (PCM); Martinique Patriots (PM);
Union for French Democracy (UDF), Jean MARAN; Martinique Independence
Movement (MIM), Alfred MARIE-JEANNE
Other political or pressure groups:
Proletarian Action Group (GAP); Alhed Marie-Jeanne Socialist
Revolution Group (GRS); Caribbean Revolutionary Alliance (ARC);
Central Union for Martinique Workers (CSTM), Marc PULVAR; Frantz Fanon
Circle; League of Workers and Peasants; Parti Martiniquais Socialiste
(PMS)
Member of:
FZ, WCL, WFTU
Diplomatic representation in US:
none (overseas department of France)
US diplomatic representation:
the post closed in August 1993 (overseas department of France)
Flag:
the flag of France is used

@Martinique, Economy

Overview:
The economy is based on sugarcane, bananas, tourism, and light
industry. Agriculture accounts for about 10% of GDP and the small
industrial sector for 10%. Sugar production has declined, with most of
the sugarcane now used for the production of rum. Banana exports are
increasing, going mostly to France. The bulk of meat, vegetable, and
grain requirements must be imported, contributing to a chronic trade
deficit that requires large annual transfers of aid from France.
Tourism has become more important than agricultural exports as a
source of foreign exchange. The majority of the work force is employed
in the service sector and in administration. Banana workers launched
protests late in 1992 because of falling banana prices and fears of
greater competition in the European market from other producers.
National product:
GDP - exchange rate conversion - $3.3 billion (1991)
National product real growth rate:
NA%
National product per capita:
$9,500 (1991)
Inflation rate (consumer prices):
3.9% (1990)
Unemployment rate:
32.1% (1990)
Budget:
revenues:
$268 million
expenditures:
$268 million, including capital expenditures of $NA (1989 est.)
Exports:
$201.5 million (f.o.b., 1991)
commodities:
refined petroleum products, bananas, rum, pineapples
partners:
France 57.1%, Guadeloupe 31.5%, French Guiana 6.2%
Imports:
$1.5 billion (c.i.f., 1991)
commodities:
petroleum products, crude oil, foodstuffs, construction materials,
vehicles, clothing and other consumer goods
partners:
France 62.2%, UK, Italy, Germany, Japan, US
External debt:
$NA
Industrial production:
growth rate NA%
Electricity:
capacity:
113,100 kW
production:
588 million kWh
consumption per capita:
1,580 kWh (1992)
Industries:
construction, rum, cement, oil refining, sugar, tourism
Agriculture:
including fishing and forestry, accounts for about 10% of GDP;
principal crops - pineapples, avocados, bananas, flowers, vegetables,
sugarcane for rum; dependent on imported food, particularly meat and
vegetables
Illicit drugs:
transshipment point for cocaine and marijuana bound for the US and
Europe
Economic aid:
recipient:
Western (non-US) countries, ODA and OOF bilateral commitments
(1970-89), $10.1 billion
Currency:
1 French franc (F) = 100 centimes
Exchange rates:
French francs (F) per US$1 - 5.9305 (January 1994), 5.6632 (1993),
5.2938 (1992), 5.6421 (1991), 5.4453 (1990), 6.3801 (1989)
Fiscal year:
calendar year

@Martinique, Communications

Highways:
total:
1,680 km
paved:
1,300 km
unpaved:
gravel, earth 380 km
Ports:
Fort-de-France
Airports:
total:
2
usable:
2
with permanent-surface runways:
1
with runways over 3,659 m:
0
with runways 2,440-3,659 m:
1
with runways 1,220-2,439 m:
0
Telecommunications:
domestic facilities are adequate; 68,900 telephones; interisland
microwave radio relay links to Guadeloupe, Dominica, and Saint Lucia;
broadcast stations - 1 AM, 6 FM, 10 TV; 2 Atlantic Ocean INTELSAT
earth stations

@Martinique, Defense Forces

Branches:
French Forces, Gendarmerie
Note:
defense is the responsibility of France

@Mauritania, Geography

Location:
Northern Africa, along the North Atlantic Ocean, between Western
Sahara and Senegal
Map references:
Africa, Standard Time Zones of the World
Area:
total area:
1,030,700 sq km
land area:
1,030,400 sq km
comparative area:
slightly larger than three times the size of New Mexico
Land boundaries:
total 5,074 km, Algeria 463 km, Mali 2,237 km, Senegal 813 km, Western
Sahara 1,561 km
Coastline:
754 km
Maritime claims:
contiguous zone:
24 nm
continental shelf:
200 nm or the edge of continental margin
exclusive economic zone:
200 nm
territorial sea:
12 nm
International disputes:
boundary with Senegal
Climate:
desert; constantly hot, dry, dusty
Terrain:
mostly barren, flat plains of the Sahara; some central hills
Natural resources:
iron ore, gypsum, fish, copper, phosphate
Land use:
arable land:
1%
permanent crops:
0%
meadows and pastures:
38%
forest and woodland:
5%
other:
56%
Irrigated land:
120 sq km (1989 est.)
Environment:
current issues:
overgrazing, deforestation, and soil erosion aggravated by drought are
contributing to desertification; water scarcity away from the Senegal
which is the only perennial river
natural hazards:
hot, dry, dust/sand-laden sirocco wind blows primarily in March and
April
international agreements:
party to - Climate Change, Nuclear Test Ban, Wetlands; signed, but not
ratified - Biodiversity, Law of the Sea
Note:
most of the population concentrated along the Senegal River in the
southern part of the country

@Mauritania, People

Population: 2,192,777 (July 1994 est.) Population growth rate: 3.16% (1994 est.) Birth rate: 47.65 births/1,000 population (1994 est.) Death rate: 16.09 deaths/1,000 population (1994 est.) Net migration rate: 0 migrant(s)/1,000 population (1994 est.) Infant mortality rate: 85.3 deaths/1,000 live births (1994 est.) Life expectancy at birth: total population: 48.06 years male: 45.23 years female: 51.01 years (1994 est.) Total fertility rate: 6.99 children born/woman (1994 est.) Nationality: noun: Mauritanian(s) adjective: Mauritanian Ethnic divisions: mixed Maur/black 40%, Maur 30%, black 30% Religions: Muslim 100% Languages: Hasaniya Arabic (official), Pular, Soninke, Wolof (official) Literacy: age 10 and over can read and write (1990 est.) total population: 34% male: 47% female: 21% Labor force: 465,000 (1981 est.); 45,000 wage earners (1980) by occupation: agriculture 47%, services 29%, industry and commerce 14%, government 10% note: 53% of population of working age (1985)

@Mauritania, Government

Names:
conventional long form:
Islamic Republic of Mauritania
conventional short form:
Mauritania
local long form:
Al Jumhuriyah al Islamiyah al Muritaniyah
local short form:
Muritaniyah
Digraph:
MR
Type:
republic
Capital:
Nouakchott
Administrative divisions:
12 regions (regions, singular - region); Adrar, Assaba, Brakna,
Dakhlet Nouadhibou, Gorgol, Guidimaka, Hodh ech Chargui, Hodh el
Gharbi, Inchiri, Tagant, Tiris Zemmour, Trarza
note:
there may be a new capital district of Nouakchott
Independence:
28 November 1960 (from France)
National holiday:
Independence Day, 28 November (1960)
Constitution:
12 July 1991
Legal system:
three-tier system: Islamic (Shari'a) courts, special courts, state
security courts (in the process of being eliminated)
Suffrage:
18 years of age; universal
Executive branch:
chief of state and head of government:
President Col. Maaouya Ould Sid'Ahmed TAYA (since 12 December 1984);
election last held January 1992 (next to be held January 1998);
results - President Col. Maaouya Ould Sid 'Ahmed TAYA elected
cabinet:
Council of Ministers
Legislative branch:
bicameral legislature
Senate (Majlis al-Shuyukh):
elections last held 15 April 1994 (one-third of the seats up for
re-election in 1996)
National Assembly (Majlis al-Watani):
elections last held 6 and 13 March 1992 (next to be held March 1997)
Judicial branch:
Supreme Court (Cour Supreme)
Political parties and leaders:
legalized by constitution passed 12 July 1991, however, politics
continue to be tribally based; emerging parties include Democratic and
Social Republican Party (PRDS), led by President Col. Maaouya Ould
Sid'Ahmed TAYA; Union of Democratic Forces - New Era (UFD/NE), headed
by Ahmed Ould DADDAH; Assembly for Democracy and Unity (RDU), Ahmed
Ould SIDI BABA; Popular Social and Democratic Union (UPSD), Mohamed
Mahmoud Ould MAH; Mauritanian Party for Renewal (PMR), Hameida
BOUCHRAYA; National Avant-Garde Party (PAN), Khattry Ould JIDDOU;
Mauritanian Party of the Democratic Center (PCDM), Bamba Ould SIDI
BADI
Other political or pressure groups:
Mauritanian Workers Union (UTM)
Member of:
ABEDA, ACCT (associate), ACP, AfDB, AFESD, AL, AMF, AMU, CAEU, CCC,
CEAO, ECA, ECOWAS, FAO, G-77, GATT, IBRD, ICAO, IDA, IDB, IFAD, IFC,
ILO, IMF, IMO, INTELSAT, INTERPOL, IOC, ITU, LORCS, NAM, OAU, OIC, UN,
UNCTAD, UNESCO, UNIDO, UPU, WHO, WIPO, WMO, WTO
Diplomatic representation in US:
chief of mission:
Ambassador Mohamed Fall Ould AININA
chancery:
2129 Leroy Place NW, Washington, DC 20008
telephone:
(202) 232-5700
US diplomatic representation:
chief of mission:
Ambassador Gordon S. BROWN
embassy:
address NA, Nouakchott
mailing address:
B. P. 222, Nouakchott
telephone:
[222] (2) 526-60 or 526-63
FAX:
[222] (2) 515-92
Flag:
green with a yellow five-pointed star above a yellow, horizontal
crescent; the closed side of the crescent is down; the crescent, star,
and color green are traditional symbols of Islam

@Mauritania, Economy

Overview:
A majority of the population still depends on agriculture and
livestock for a livelihood, even though most of the nomads and many
subsistence farmers were forced into the cities by recurrent droughts
in the 1970s and 1980s. Mauritania has extensive deposits of iron ore,
which account for almost 50% of total exports. The decline in world
demand for this ore, however, has led to cutbacks in production. The
nation's coastal waters are among the richest fishing areas in the
world, but overexploitation by foreigners threatens this key source of
revenue. The country's first deepwater port opened near Nouakchott in
1986. In recent years, drought and economic mismanagement have
resulted in a substantial buildup of foreign debt. The government has
begun the second stage of an economic reform program in consultation
with the World Bank, the IMF, and major donor countries.
National product:
GDP - purchasing power equivalent - $2.2 billion (1992 est.)
National product real growth rate:
3.3% (1993 est.)
National product per capita:
$1,050 (1992 est.)
Inflation rate (consumer prices):
11.5% (1993 est.)
Unemployment rate:
20% (1991 est.)
Budget:
revenues:
$280 million
expenditures:
$346 million, including capital expenditures of $61 million (1989
est.)
Exports:
$432 million (f.o.b., 1992 est)
commodities:
iron ore, fish and fish products
partners:
Japan 27%, Italy, Belgium, Luxembourg
Imports:
$413 million (c.i.f., 1992 est)
commodities:
foodstuffs, consumer goods, petroleum products, capital goods
partners:
Algeria 15%, China 6%, US 3%, France, Germany, Spain, Italy
External debt:
$1.9 billion (1992 est.)
Industrial production:
growth rate 4.4% (1988 est.); accounts for almost 30% of GDP
Electricity:
capacity:
190,000 kW
production:
135 million kWh
consumption per capita:
70 kWh (1991)
Industries:
fish processing, mining of iron ore and gypsum
Agriculture:
accounts for 25% of GDP (including fishing); largely subsistence
farming and nomadic cattle and sheep herding except in Senegal river
valley; crops - dates, millet, sorghum, root crops; fish products
number-one export; large food deficit in years of drought
Economic aid:
recipient:
US commitments, including Ex-Im (FY70-89), $168 million; Western
(non-US) countries, ODA and OOF bilateral commitments (1970-89), $1.3
billion; OPEC bilateral aid (1979-89), $490 million; Communist
countries (1970-89), $277 million; Arab Development Bank (1991), $20
million
Currency:
1 ouguiya (UM) = 5 khoums
Exchange rates:
ouguiyas (UM) per US$1 - 124.480 (December 1993), 87.082 (1992),
81.946 (1991), 80.609 (1990), 83.051 (1989)
Fiscal year:
calendar year

@Mauritania, Communications

Railroads:
690 km 1.435-meter (standard) gauge, single track, owned and operated
by government mining company
Highways:
total:
7,525 km
paved:
1,685 km
unpaved:
gravel, crushed stone, otherwise improved 1,040 km; unimproved earth
4,800 km (roads, trails, tracks)
Inland waterways:
mostly ferry traffic on the Senegal River
Ports:
Nouadhibou, Nouakchott
Merchant marine:
1 cargo ship (1,000 GRT or over) totaling 1,290 GRT/1,840 DWT
Airports:
total:
28
usable:
28
with permanent-surface runways:
9
with runways over 3,659 m:
0
with runways 2,440-3,659 m:
5
with runways 1,220-2,439 m:
17
Telecommunications:
poor system of cable and open-wire lines, minor microwave radio relay
links, and radio communications stations (improvements being made);
broadcast stations - 2 AM, no FM, 1 TV; satellite earth stations - 1
Atlantic Ocean INTELSAT and 2 ARABSAT, with six planned

@Mauritania, Defense Forces

Branches:
Army, Navy, Air Force, National Gendarmerie, National Guard, National
Police, Presidential Guard
Manpower availability:
males age 15-49 467,677; fit for military service 228,385
Defense expenditures:
exchange rate conversion - $40 million, 4.2% of GDP (1989)

@Mauritius, Geography

Location:
Southern Africa, in the western Indian Ocean, 900 km east of
Madagascar
Map references:
Africa, Standard Time Zones of the World
Area:
total area:
1,860 sq km
land area:
1,850 sq km
comparative area:
slightly less than 10.5 times the size of Washington, DC
note:
includes Agalega Islands, Cargados Carajos Shoals (Saint Brandon), and
Rodrigues
Land boundaries:
0 km
Coastline:
177 km
Maritime claims:
contiguous zone:
24 nm
continental shelf:
200 nm or the edge of continental margin
exclusive economic zone:
200 nm
territorial sea:
12 nm
International disputes:
claims UK-administered Chagos Archipelago, which includes the island
of Diego Garcia in UK-administered British Indian Ocean Territory;
claims French-administered Tromelin Island
Climate:
tropical modified by southeast trade winds; warm, dry winter (May to
November); hot, wet, humid summer (November to May)
Terrain:
small coastal plain rising to discontinuous mountains encircling
central plateau
Natural resources:
arable land, fish
Land use:
arable land:
54%
permanent crops:
4%
meadows and pastures:
4%
forest and woodland:
31%
other:
7%
Irrigated land:
170 sq km (1989 est.)
Environment:
current issues:
water pollution
natural hazards:
subject to cyclones (November to April); almost completely surrounded
by reefs
international agreements:
party to - Biodiversity, Climate Change, Endangered Species,
Environmental Modification, Hazardous Wastes, Marine Life
Conservation, Nuclear Test Ban, Ozone Layer Protection, Whaling;
signed, but not ratified - Law of the Sea

@Mauritius, People

Population:
1,116,923 (July 1994 est.)
Population growth rate:
0.92% (1994 est.)
Birth rate:
19.28 births/1,000 population (1994 est.)
Death rate:
6.41 deaths/1,000 population (1994 est.)
Net migration rate:
-3.67 migrant(s)/1,000 population (1994 est.)
Infant mortality rate:
18.4 deaths/1,000 live births (1994 est.)
Life expectancy at birth:
total population:
70.54 years
male:
66.62 years
female:
74.63 years (1994 est.)
Total fertility rate:
2.22 children born/woman (1994 est.)
Nationality:
noun:
Mauritian(s)
adjective:
Mauritian
Ethnic divisions:
Indo-Mauritian 68%, Creole 27%, Sino-Mauritian 3%, Franco-Mauritian 2%
Religions:
Hindu 52%, Christian 28.3% (Roman Catholic 26%, Protestant 2.3%),
Muslim 16.6%, other 3.1%
Languages:
English (official), Creole, French, Hindi, Urdu, Hakka, Bojpoori
Literacy:
age 15 and over can read and write (1990)
total population:
80%
male:
85%
female:
75%
Labor force:
335,000
by occupation:
government services 29%, agriculture and fishing 27%, manufacturing
22%, other 22%
note:
43% of population of working age (1985)

@Mauritius, Government

Names:
conventional long form:
Republic of Mauritius
conventional short form:
Mauritius
Digraph:
MP
Type:
parliamentary democracy
Capital:
Port Louis
Administrative divisions:
9 districts and 3 dependencies*; Agalega Islands*, Black River,
Cargados Carajos*, Flacq, Grand Port, Moka, Pamplemousses, Plaines
Wilhems, Port Louis, Riviere du Rempart, Rodrigues*, Savanne
Independence:
12 March 1968 (from UK)
National holiday:
Independence Day, 12 March (1968)
Constitution:
12 March 1968; amended 12 March 1992
Legal system:
based on French civil law system with elements of English common law
in certain areas
Suffrage:
18 years of age; universal
Executive branch:
chief of state:
President Cassam UTEEM (since 1 July 1992); Vice President
Rabindranath GHURBURRON (since 1 July 1992)
head of government:
Prime Minister Sir Anerood JUGNAUTH (since 12 June 1982); Deputy Prime
Minister Prem NABABSING (since 26 September 1990)
cabinet:
Council of Ministers; appointed by the president on recommendation of
the prime minister
Legislative branch:
unicameral
Legislative Assembly:
elections last held on 15 September 1991 (next to be held by 15
September 1996); results - MSM/MMM 53%, MLP/PMSD 38%; seats - (70
total, 62 elected) MSM/MMM alliance 59 (MSM 29, MMM 26, OPR 2, MTD 2);
MLP/PMSD 3
Judicial branch:
Supreme Court
Political parties and leaders:
government coalition:
Militant Socialist Movement (MSM), A. JUGNAUTH; Mauritian Militant
Movement (MMM), Prem NABABSING (less 12 legislators under the
leadership of Paul BERENGER, now voting with the opposition);
Organization of the People of Rodrigues (OPR), Louis Serge CLAIR;
Democratic Labor Movement (MTD), Anil BAICHOO
opposition:
Mauritian Labor Party (MLP), Navin RAMGOOLMAN; Socialist Workers
Front, Sylvio MICHEL; Mauritian Social Democratic Party (PMSD), X.
DUVAL; MMM-Berenger Faction, Paul BERENGER
Other political or pressure groups:
various labor unions
Member of:
ACCT, ACP, AfDB, C, CCC, ECA, FAO, G-77, GATT, IAEA, IBRD, ICAO,
ICFTU, IDA, IFAD, IFC, ILO, IMF, INMARSAT, IMO, INTELSAT, INTERPOL,
IOC, ISO (correspondent), ITU, LORCS, NAM, OAU, PCA, UN, UNCTAD,
UNESCO, UNIDO, UPU, WCL, WFTU, WHO, WIPO, WMO, WTO
Diplomatic representation in US:
chief of mission:
Ambassador Anund NEEWOOR
chancery:
Suite 441, 4301 Connecticut Avenue NW, Washington, DC 20008
telephone:
(202) 244-1491 or 1492
FAX:
(202) 966-0983
US diplomatic representation:
chief of mission:
Ambassador Leslie ALEXANDER
embassy:
4th Floor, Rogers House, John Kennedy Street, Port Louis
mailing address:
use Embassy street address
telephone:
[230] 208-9763 through 208-9767
FAX:
[230] 208-9534
Flag:
four equal horizontal bands of red (top), blue, yellow, and green

@Mauritius, Economy

Overview:
The economy is based on sugar, manufacturing (mainly textiles), and
tourism. Sugarcane is grown on about 90% of the cultivated land area
and accounts for 40% of export earnings. The government's development
strategy centers on industrialization (with a view to exports),
agricultural diversification, and tourism. Economic performance in
1992 was impressive, with 6% real growth and low unemployment.
National product:
GDP - purchasing power equivalent - $8.6 billion (1993 est.)
National product real growth rate:
6.3% (1992 est.)
National product per capita:
$7,800 (1993 est.)
Inflation rate (consumer prices):
4.6% (1992 est.)
Unemployment rate:
2.4% (1991 est.)
Budget:
revenues:
$557 million
expenditures:
$607 million, including capital expenditures of $111 million (1990
est.)
Exports:
$1.32 billion (f.o.b., 1992 est.)
commodities:
textiles 44%, sugar 40%, light manufactures 10%
partners:
EC and US have preferential treatment, EU 77%, US 15%
Imports:
$1.63 billion (f.o.b., 1992 est.)
commodities:
manufactured goods 50%, capital equipment 17%, foodstuffs 13%,
petroleum products 8%, chemicals 7%
partners:
EC, US, South Africa, Japan
External debt:
$991 million (1992 est.)
Industrial production:
growth rate 7% (1990); accounts for 25% of GDP
Electricity:
capacity:
235,000 kW
production:
630 million kWh
consumption per capita:
570 kWh (1992)
Industries:
food processing (largely sugar milling), textiles, wearing apparel,
chemicals, metal products, transport equipment, nonelectrical
machinery, tourism
Agriculture:
accounts for 10% of GDP; about 90% of cultivated land in sugarcane;
other products - tea, corn, potatoes, bananas, pulses, cattle, goats,
fish; net food importer, especially rice and fish
Illicit drugs:
illicit producer of cannabis for the international drug trade; heroin
consumption and transshipment are growing problems
Economic aid:
recipient:
US commitments, including Ex-Im (FY70-89), $76 million; Western
(non-US) countries (1970-89), $709 million; Communist countries
(1970-89), $54 million
Currency:
1 Mauritian rupee (MauR) = 100 cents
Exchange rates:
Mauritian rupees (MauRs) per US$1 - 18.696 (January 1994), 17.648
(1993), 15.563 (1992), 15.652 (1991), 14.839 (1990), 15.250 (1989)
Fiscal year:
1 July - 30 June

@Mauritius, Communications

Highways:
total:
1,800 km
paved:
1,640 km
unpaved:
earth 160 km
Ports:
Port Louis
Merchant marine:
14 ships (1,000 GRT or over) totaling 162,387 GRT/260,552 DWT, bulk 6,
cargo 7, liquefied gas 1
Airports:
total:
5
usable:
4
with permanent-surface runways:
2
with runways over 3,659 m:
0
with runways 2,440-3,659 m:
1
with runways 1,220-2,439 m:
0
Telecommunications:
small system with good service utilizing primarily microwave radio
relay; new microwave link to Reunion; high-frequency radio links to
several countries; over 48,000 telephones; broadcast stations - 2 AM,
no FM, 4 TV; 1 Indian Ocean INTELSAT earth station

@Mauritius, Defense Forces

Branches:
National Police Force, including the paramilitary Special Mobile Force
(SMF), Special Support Units (SSU), and National Coast Guard
Manpower availability:
males age 15-49 316,975; fit for military service 161,634
Defense expenditures:
exchange rate conversion - $5 million, 0.2% of GDP (FY89)

@Mayotte

Header Affiliation: (territorial collectivity of France)

@Mayotte, Geography

Location: Southern Africa, in the northern Mozambique Channel about halfway between Madagascar and Mozambique Map references: Africa Area: total area: 375 sq km land area: 375 sq km comparative area: slightly more than twice the size of Washington, DC Land boundaries: 0 km Coastline: 185.2 km Maritime claims: exclusive economic zone: 200 nm territorial sea: 12 nm International disputes: claimed by Comoros Climate: tropical; marine; hot, humid, rainy season during northeastern monsoon (November to May); dry season is cooler (May to November) Terrain: generally undulating with ancient volcanic peaks, deep ravines Natural resources: negligible Land use: arable land: NA% permanent crops: NA% meadows and pastures: NA% forest and woodland: NA% other: NA% Irrigated land: NA sq km Environment: current issues: NA natural hazards: subject to cyclones during rainy season international agreements: NA Note: part of Comoro Archipelago

@Mayotte, People

Population: 93,468 (July 1994 est.) Population growth rate: 3.8% (1994 est.) Birth rate: 48.84 births/1,000 population (1994 est.) Death rate: 10.84 deaths/1,000 population (1994 est.) Net migration rate: 0 migrant(s)/1,000 population (1994 est.) Infant mortality rate: 79.6 deaths/1,000 live births (1994 est.) Life expectancy at birth: total population: 57.81 years male: 55.63 years female: 60.06 years (1994 est.) Total fertility rate: 6.77 children born/woman (1994 est.) Nationality: noun: Mahorais (singular and plural) adjective: Mahoran Ethnic divisions: NA Religions: Muslim 99%, Christian (mostly Roman Catholic) Languages: Mahorian (a Swahili dialect), French Literacy: total population: NA% male: NA% female: NA% Labor force: NA

@Mayotte, Government

Names:
conventional long form:
Territorial Collectivity of Mayotte
conventional short form:
Mayotte
Digraph:
MF
Type:
territorial collectivity of France
Capital:
Mamoutzou
Administrative divisions:
none (territorial collectivity of France)
Independence:
none (territorial collectivity of France)
National holiday:
Taking of the Bastille, 14 July (1789)
Constitution:
28 September 1958 (French Constitution)
Legal system:
French law
Suffrage:
18 years of age; universal
Executive branch:
chief of state:
President Francois MITTERRAND (since 21 May 1981)
head of government:
Prefect Jean-Jacques DERACQ (since NA); President of the General
Council Younoussa BAMANA (since NA 1976)
Legislative branch:
unicameral
General Council (Conseil General):
elections last held March 1991 (next to be held March 1996); results -
percent of vote by party NA; seats - (17 total) MPM 12, RPR 5
French Senate:
elections last held on 24 September 1989 (next to be held September
1995); results - percent of vote by party NA; seats - (1 total) MPM 1
French National Assembly:
elections last held 21 and 28 March 1993 (next to be held 1998);
results - UDF-CDS 54.3%, RPR 44.3%; seats - (1 total) UDF-CDS 1
Judicial branch:
Supreme Court (Tribunal Superieur d'Appel)
Political parties and leaders:
Mahoran Popular Movement (MPM), Younoussa BAMANA; Party for the
Mahoran Democratic Rally (PRDM), Daroueche MAOULIDA; Mahoran Rally for
the Republic (RPR), Mansour KAMARDINE; Union for French Democracy
(UDF), Maoulida AHMED; Center of Social Democrats (CDS),
Member of:
FZ
Diplomatic representation in US:
none (territorial collectivity of France)
US diplomatic representation:
none (territorial collectivity of France)
Flag:
the flag of France is used

@Mayotte, Economy

Overview:
Economic activity is based primarily on the agricultural sector,
including fishing and livestock raising. Mayotte is not
self-sufficient and must import a large portion of its food
requirements, mainly from France. The economy and future development
of the island are heavily dependent on French financial assistance.
Mayotte's remote location is an obstacle to the development of
tourism.
National product:
GDP - purchasing power equivalent - $54 million (1993 est.)
National product real growth rate:
NA%
National product per capita:
$600 (1993 est.)
Inflation rate (consumer prices):
NA%
Unemployment rate:
NA%
Budget:
revenues:
$NA
expenditures:
$37.3 million, including capital expenditures of $NA (1985 est.)
Exports:
$4 million (f.o.b., 1984)
commodities:
ylang-ylang, vanilla
partners:
France 79%, Comoros 10%, Reunion 9%
Imports:
$21.8 million (f.o.b., 1984)
commodities:
building materials, transportation equipment, rice, clothing, flour
partners:
France 57%, Kenya 16%, South Africa 11%, Pakistan 8%
External debt:
$NA
Industrial production:
growth rate NA%
Electricity:
capacity:
NA
production:
NA
consumption per capita:
NA
Industries:
newly created lobster and shrimp industry
Agriculture:
most important sector; provides all export earnings; crops - vanilla,
ylang-ylang, coffee, copra; imports major share of food needs
Economic aid:
recipient:
Western (non-US) countries, ODA and OOF bilateral commitments
(1970-89), $402 million
Currency:
1 French franc (F) = 100 centimes
Exchange rates:
French francs (F) per US$1 - 5.9205 (January 1994), 5.6632 (1993),
5.2938 (1992), 5.6421 (1991), 5.4453 (1990), 6.3801 (1989)
Fiscal year:
calendar year

@Mayotte, Communications

Highways:
total:
42 km
paved:
bituminous 18 km
unpaved:
24 km
Ports:
Dzaoudzi
Airports:
total:
1
usable:
1
with permanent-surface runways:
1
with runways over 3,659 m:
0
with runways 2,440-3,659 m:
0
with runways 1,220-2,439 m:
1
Telecommunications:
small system administered by French Department of Posts and
Telecommunications; includes radio relay and high-frequency radio
communications for links to Comoros and international communications;
450 telephones; broadcast stations - 1 AM, no FM, no TV

@Mayotte, Defense Forces

Note:
defense is the responsibility of France

@Mexico, Geography

Location:
Middle America, between Guatemala and the US
Map references:
North America, Standard Time Zones of the World
Area:
total area:
1,972,550 sq km
land area:
1,923,040 sq km
comparative area:
slightly less than three times the size of Texas
Land boundaries:
total 4,538 km, Belize 250 km, Guatemala 962 km, US 3,326 km
Coastline:
9,330 km
Maritime claims:
contiguous zone:
24 nm
continental shelf:
200 nm or the natural prolongation of continental margin
exclusive economic zone:
200 nm
territorial sea:
12 nm
International disputes:
claims Clipperton Island (French possession)
Climate:
varies from tropical to desert
Terrain:
high, rugged mountains, low coastal plains, high plateaus, and desert
Natural resources:
petroleum, silver, copper, gold, lead, zinc, natural gas, timber
Land use:
arable land:
12%
permanent crops:
1%
meadows and pastures:
39%
forest and woodland:
24%
other:
24%
Irrigated land:
51,500 sq km (1989 est.)
Environment:
current issues:
natural water resources scarce and polluted in north, inaccessible and
poor quality in center and extreme southeast; untreated sewage and
industrial effluents polluting rivers in urban areas; deforestation;
widespread erosion; desertification; serious air pollution in the
national capital and urban centers along US-Mexico border
natural hazards:
subject to tsunamis along the Pacific coast, destructive earthquakes
in the center and south, and hurricanes on the Gulf and Caribbean
coasts
international agreements:
party to - Biodiversity, Climate Change, Endangered Species, Hazardous
Wastes, Law of the Sea, Marine Dumping, Marine Life Conservation,
Nuclear Test Ban, Ozone Layer Protection, Ship Pollution, Wetlands,
Whaling
Note:
strategic location on southern border of US

@Mexico, People

Population:
92,202,199 (July 1994 est.)
Population growth rate:
1.94% (1994 est.)
Birth rate:
27.17 births/1,000 population (1994 est.)
Death rate:
4.73 deaths/1,000 population (1994 est.)
Net migration rate:
-3.09 migrant(s)/1,000 population (1994 est.)
Infant mortality rate:
27.4 deaths/1,000 live births (1994 est.)
Life expectancy at birth:
total population:
72.94 years
male:
69.36 years
female:
76.7 years (1994 est.)
Total fertility rate:
3.17 children born/woman (1994 est.)
Nationality:
noun:
Mexican(s)
adjective:
Mexican
Ethnic divisions:
mestizo (Indian-Spanish) 60%, Amerindian or predominantly Amerindian
30%, Caucasian or predominantly Caucasian 9%, other 1%
Religions:
nominally Roman Catholic 89%, Protestant 6%
Languages:
Spanish, various Mayan dialects
Literacy:
age 15 and over can read and write (1990)
total population:
87%
male:
90%
female:
85%
Labor force:
26.2 million (1990)
by occupation:
services 31.7%, agriculture, forestry, hunting, and fishing 28%,
commerce 14.6%, manufacturing 11.1%, construction 8.4%, transportation
4.7%, mining and quarrying 1.5%

@Mexico, Government

Names:
conventional long form:
United Mexican States
conventional short form:
Mexico
local long form:
Estados Unidos Mexicanos
local short form:
Mexico
Digraph:
MX
Type:
federal republic operating under a centralized government
Capital:
Mexico
Administrative divisions:
31 states (estados, singular - estado) and 1 federal district*
(distrito federal); Aguascalientes, Baja California, Baja California
Sur, Campeche, Chiapas, Chihuahua, Coahuila, Colima, Distrito
Federal*, Durango, Guanajuato, Guerrero, Hidalgo, Jalisco, Mexico,
Michoacan, Morelos, Nayarit, Nuevo Leon, Oaxaca, Puebla, Queretaro,
Quintana Roo, San Luis Potosi, Sinaloa, Sonora, Tabasco, Tamaulipas,
Tlaxcala, Veracruz, Yucatan, Zacatecas
Independence:
16 September 1810 (from Spain)
National holiday:
Independence Day, 16 September (1810)
Constitution:
5 February 1917
Legal system:
mixture of US constitutional theory and civil law system; judicial
review of legislative acts; accepts compulsory ICJ jurisdiction, with
reservations
Suffrage:
18 years of age; universal and compulsory (but not enforced)
Executive branch:
chief of state and head of government:
President Carlos SALINAS de Gortari (since 1 December 1988); election
last held on 6 July 1988 (next to be held 21 August 1994); results -
Carlos SALINAS de Gortari (PRI) 50.74%, Cuauhtemoc CARDENAS Solorzano
(FDN) 31.06%, Manuel CLOUTHIER (PAN) 16.81%; other 1.39%; note -
several of the smaller parties ran a common candidate under a
coalition called the National Democratic Front (FDN)
cabinet:
Cabinet; appointed by the president
Legislative branch:
bicameral National Congress (Congreso de la Union)
Senate (Camara de Senadores):
elections last held on 18 August 1991 (next to be held 21 August
1994); results - percent of vote by party NA; seats in full Senate -
(64 total; Senate will expand to 128 seats following next election)
PRI 62, PRD 1, PAN 1
Chamber of Deputies (Camara de Diputados):
elections last held on 18 August 1991 (next to be held 21 August
1994); results - PRI 53%, PAN 20%, PFCRN 10%, PPS 6%, PARM 7%, PMS
(now part of PRD) 4%; seats - (500 total) PRI 320, PAN 89, PRD 41,
PFCRN 23, PARM 15, PPS 12
Judicial branch:
Supreme Court of Justice (Corte Suprema de Justicia)
Political parties and leaders:
(recognized parties) Institutional Revolutionary Party (PRI), Ignacio
Pichardo PAGAZA; National Action Party (PAN), Carlos CASTILLO; Popular
Socialist Party (PPS), Indalecio SAYAGO Herrera; Democratic
Revolutionary Party (PRD), Porfirio MUNOZ Ledo; Cardenist Front for
the National Reconstruction Party (PFCRN), Rafael AGUILAR Talamantes;
Authentic Party of the Mexican Revolution (PARM), Rosa Maria MARTINEZ
Denagri; Democratic Forum Party (PFD), Pablo Emilio MADERO; Mexican
Green Ecologist Party (PVEM), Jorge GONZALEZ Torres
Other political or pressure groups:
Roman Catholic Church; Confederation of Mexican Workers (CTM);
Confederation of Industrial Chambers (CONCAMIN); Confederation of
National Chambers of Commerce (CONCANACO); National Peasant
Confederation (CNC); Revolutionary Workers Party (PRT); Revolutionary
Confederation of Workers and Peasants (CROC); Regional Confederation
of Mexican Workers (CROM); Confederation of Employers of the Mexican
Republic (COPARMEX); National Chamber of Transformation Industries
(CANACINTRA); Coordinator for Foreign Trade Business Organizations
(COECE); Federation of Unions Providing Goods and Services (FESEBES)
Member of:
AG (observer), BCIE, CARICOM (observer), CCC, CDB, CG, EBRD, ECLAC,
FAO, G-3, G-6, G-11, G-15, G-19, G-24, GATT, IADB, IAEA, IBRD, ICAO,
ICC, ICFTU, IDA, IFAD, IFC, ILO, IMF, IMO, INTELSAT, INTERPOL, IOC,
IOM (observer), ISO, ITU, LAES, LAIA, LORCS, NAM (observer), OAS,
OECD, ONUSAL, OPANAL, PCA, RG, UN, UNCTAD, UNESCO, UNIDO, UPU, WCL,
WFTI, WHO, WIPO, WMO, WTO
Diplomatic representation in US:
chief of mission:
Ambassador Jorge MONTANO Martinez
chancery:
1911 Pennsylvania Avenue NW, Washington, DC 20006
telephone:
(202) 728-1600
consulate(s) general:
Atlanta, Chicago, Dallas, Denver, El Paso, Houston, Los Angeles,
Miami, New Orleans, New York, San Antonio, San Diego, San Francisco,
San Juan (Puerto Rico)
consulate(s):
Albuquerque, Austin, Boston, Brownsville (Texas), Calexico
(California), Corpus Christi, Del Rio (Texas), Detroit, Eagle Pass
(Texas), Fresno (California), Loredo, Mc Allen (Texas), Midland
(Texas), Nogales (Arizona), Oxnard (California), Philadelphia
US diplomatic representation:
chief of mission:
Ambassador James JONES
embassy:
Paseo de la Reforma 305, Colonia Cuauhtemoc, 06500 Mexico, D.F.
mailing address:
P. O. Box 3087, Laredo, TX 78044-3087
telephone:
[52] (5) 211-0042
FAX:
[52] (5) 511-9980, 208-3373
consulate(s) general:
Ciudad Juarez, Guadalajara, Monterrey, Tijuana
consulate(s):
Hermosillo, Matamoros, Merida, Nuevo Laredo
Flag:
three equal vertical bands of green (hoist side), white, and red; the
coat of arms (an eagle perched on a cactus with a snake in its beak)
is centered in the white band

@Mexico, Economy