Chapter XXIV: Front Matter (24)

Industrial production: growth rate 12% (1994); accounts for 38% of GDP (1993 est.)

Electricity: capacity: 6,700,000 kW production: 31 billion kWh consumption per capita: 1,528 kWh (1993)

Industries: Peninsular Malaysia: rubber and oil palm processing and manufacturing, light manufacturing industry, electronics, tin mining and smelting, logging and processing timber Sabah: logging, petroleum production Sarawak: agriculture processing, petroleum production and refining, logging

Agriculture: accounts for 16% of GDP (1993 est.) Peninsular Malaysia: natural rubber, palm oil, rice Sabah: mainly subsistence, but also rubber, timber, coconut, rice Sarawak: rubber, timber, pepper; deficit of rice in all areas

Illicit drugs: transit point for Golden Triangle heroin going to the US, Western Europe, and the Third World despite severe penalties for drug trafficking; increasing indigenous abuse of methamphetamine

Economic aid: recipient: US commitments, including Ex-Im (FY70-84), $170 million; Western (non-US) countries, ODA and OOF bilateral commitments (1970-89), $4.7 million; OPEC bilateral aid (1979-89), $42 million

Currency: 1 ringgit (M$) = 100 sen

Exchange rates: ringgits (M$) per US$1 - 2.5542 (January 1995), 2.6242 (1994), 2.5741 (1993), 2.5474 (1992), 2.7501 (1991), 1.7048 (1990)

Fiscal year: calendar year

@Malaysia:Transportation

Railroads: total: 1,801 km (Peninsular Malaysia 1,665 km; Sabah 136 km; Sarawak 0 km) narrow gauge: 1,801 km 1.000-m gauge (Peninsular Malaysia 1,665 km; Sabah 136 km)

Highways: total: 29,028 km (Peninsular Malaysia 23,602 km, Sabah 3,782 km, Sarawak 1,644 km) paved: NA (Peninsular Malaysia 19,354 km mostly bituminous treated) unpaved: NA (Peninsular Malaysia 4,248 km)

Inland waterways: Peninsular Malaysia: 3,209 km Sabah: 1,569 km Sarawak: 2,518 km

Pipelines: crude oil 1,307 km; natural gas 379 km

Ports: Kota Kinabalu, Kuantan, Kuching, Kudat, Lahad Datu, Labuan, Lumut, Miri, Pasir Gudang, Penang, Port Dickson, Port Kelang, Sandakan, Sibu, Tanjong Berhala, Tanjong Kidurong, Tawau

Merchant marine: total: 213 ships (1,000 GRT or over) totaling 2,410,823 GRT/3,635,966 DWT ships by type: bulk 34, cargo 73, chemical tanker 11, container 27, liquefied gas tanker 9, livestock carrier 1, oil tanker 50, roll-on/roll-off cargo 4, short-sea passenger 1, vehicle carrier 3

Airports: total: 115 with paved runways over 3,047 m: 3 with paved runways 2,438 to 3,047 m: 5 with paved runways 1,524 to 2,437 m: 11 with paved runways 914 to 1,523 m: 6 with paved runways under 914 m: 82 with unpaved runways 1,524 to 2,438 m: 1 with unpaved runways 914 to 1,523 m: 7

@Malaysia:Communications

Telephone system: 994,860 telephones (1984); international service good local: NA intercity: good intercity service provided on Peninsular Malaysia mainly by microwave radio relay; adequate intercity microwave radio relay network between Sabah and Sarawak via Brunei; 2 domestic satellite links international: submarine cables extend to India and Sarawak; SEACOM submarine cable links to Hong Kong and Singapore; satellite earth stations - 2 INTELSAT (1 Indian Ocean and 1 Pacific Ocean)

Radio: broadcast stations: AM 28, FM 3, shortwave 0 radios: NA

Television: broadcast stations: 33 televisions: NA

@Malaysia:Defense Forces

Branches: Malaysian Army, Royal Malaysian Navy, Royal Malaysian Air Force, Royal Malaysian Police Force, Marine Police, Sarawak Border Scouts

Manpower availability: males age 15-49 5,041,003; males fit for military service 3,058,445; males reach military age (21) annually 183,760 (1995 est.)

Defense expenditures: exchange rate conversion - $2.1 billion, 2.9% of GDP (1994)

________________________________________________________________________

MALDIVES

@Maldives:Geography

Location: Southern Asia, group of atolls in the Indian Ocean, south-southwest of India

Map references: Asia

Area: total area: 300 sq km land area: 300 sq km comparative area: slightly more than 1.5 times the size of Washington, DC

Land boundaries: 0 km

Coastline: 644 km

Maritime claims: exclusive economic zone: 35-310 nm as defined by geographic coordinates; segment of zone coincides with maritime boundary with India territorial sea: 12 nm

International disputes: none

Climate: tropical; hot, humid; dry, northeast monsoon (November to March); rainy, southwest monsoon (June to August)

Terrain: flat with elevations only as high as 2.5 meters

Natural resources: fish

Land use: arable land: 10% permanent crops: 0% meadows and pastures: 3% forest and woodland: 3% other: 84%

Irrigated land: NA sq km

Environment: current issues: depletion of freshwater aquifers threatens water supplies natural hazards: low level of islands makes them very sensitive to sea level rise international agreements: party to - Biodiversity, Climate Change, Hazardous Wastes, Ozone Layer Protection; signed, but not ratified - Law of the Sea

Note: 1,190 coral islands grouped into 26 atolls; archipelago of strategic location astride and along major sea lanes in Indian Ocean

@Maldives:People

Population: 261,310 (July 1995 est.)

Age structure: 0-14 years: 47% (female 60,038; male 63,042) 15-64 years: 50% (female 63,526; male 67,020) 65 years and over: 3% (female 3,537; male 4,147) (July 1995 est.)

Population growth rate: 3.58% (1995 est.)

Birth rate: 42.8 births/1,000 population (1995 est.)

Death rate: 7 deaths/1,000 population (1995 est.)

Net migration rate: 0 migrant(s)/1,000 population (1995 est.)

Infant mortality rate: 50 deaths/1,000 live births (1995 est.)

Life expectancy at birth: total population: 65.49 years male: 63.99 years female: 67.07 years (1995 est.)

Total fertility rate: 6.17 children born/woman (1995 est.)

Nationality: noun: Maldivian(s) adjective: Maldivian

Ethnic divisions: Sinhalese, Dravidian, Arab, African

Religions: Sunni Muslim

Languages: Divehi (dialect of Sinhala; script derived from Arabic), English spoken by most government officials

Literacy: age 15 and over can read and write (1985) total population: 91% male: 91% female: 92%

Labor force: 66,000 (est.) by occupation: fishing industry 25%

@Maldives:Government

Names: conventional long form: Republic of Maldives conventional short form: Maldives

Digraph: MV

Type: republic

Capital: Male

Administrative divisions: 19 districts (atolls); Aliff, Baa, Daalu, Faafu, Gaafu Aliff, Gaafu Daalu, Haa Aliff, Haa Daalu, Kaafu, Laamu, Laviyani, Meemu, Naviyani, Noonu, Raa, Seenu, Shaviyani, Thaa, Waavu

Independence: 26 July 1965 (from UK)

National holiday: Independence Day, 26 July (1965)

Constitution: 4 June 1968

Legal system: based on Islamic law with admixtures of English common law primarily in commercial matters; has not accepted compulsory ICJ jurisdiction

Suffrage: 21 years of age; universal

Executive branch: chief of state and head of government: President Maumoon Abdul GAYOOM (since 11 November 1978); election last held 1 October 1993 (next to be held 1998); results - President Maumoon Abdul GAYOOM was reelected with 92.76% of the vote cabinet: Ministry of Atolls; appointed by the president

Legislative branch: unicameral Citizens' Council (Majlis): elections last held 2 December 1994 (next to be held NA December 1999); results - percent of vote NA; seats - (48 total, 40 elected, 8 appointed by the president) independents 40

Judicial branch: High Court

Political parties and leaders: although political parties are not banned, none exist; country governed by the Didi clan for the past eight centuries

Member of: AsDB, C, CP, ESCAP, FAO, G-77, GATT, IBRD, ICAO, IDA, IDB, IFAD, IFC, IMF, IMO, INTELSAT (nonsignatory user), INTERPOL, IOC, ITU, NAM, OIC, SAARC, UN, UNCTAD, UNESCO, UNIDO, UPU, WHO, WMO, WTO

Diplomatic representation in US: Maldives has no embassy in the US, but does have a UN mission in New York; Permanent Representative to the UN Ahmed ZAKI

US diplomatic representation: chief of mission: the US Ambassador to Sri Lanka is accredited to Maldives and makes periodic visits there consular agency: Midhath Hilmy, Male telephone: 322581

Flag: red with a large green rectangle in the center bearing a vertical white crescent; the closed side of the crescent is on the hoist side of the flag

@Maldives:Economy

Overview: Fishing is the largest industry, employing 25% of the work force and accounting for over 60% of exports. Over 90% of government tax revenue comes from import duties and tourism-related taxes. During the 1980s tourism became one of the most important and highest growth sectors of the economy. In 1993, tourism accounted for 17% of GDP and more than 60% of the Maldives' foreign exchange receipts. The Maldivian government initiated an economic reform program in 1989 initially by lifting import quotas and opening some exports to the private sector. Subsequently, it has liberalized regulations to allow more foreign investment. Agriculture and manufacturing continue to play a minor role in the economy, constrained by the limited availability of cultivatable land and the shortage of domestic labor. Most staple foods must be imported. In 1993, industry which consisted mainly of garment production, boat building, and handicrafts accounted for about 6% of GDP.

National product: GDP - purchasing power parity - $360 million (1993 est.)

National product real growth rate: 5.4% (1993 est.)

National product per capita: $1,500 (1993 est.)

Inflation rate (consumer prices): 20% (1993)

Unemployment rate: NEGL%

Budget: revenues: $95 million (excluding foreign transfers) expenditures: $143 million, including capital expenditures of $71 million (1993 est.)

Exports: $38.5 million (f.o.b., 1993 est.) commodities: fish, clothing partners: US, UK, Sri Lanka, Singapore, Germany

Imports: $177.8 million (c.i.f., 1993) commodities: consumer goods, intermediate and capital goods, petroleum products partners: Singapore, Germany, Sri Lanka, India, Japan

External debt: $130 million (1993 est.)

Industrial production: growth rate 24% (1990); accounts for 6% of GDP

Electricity: capacity: 5,000 kW production: 30 million kWh consumption per capita: 123 kWh (1993)

Industries: fishing and fish processing, tourism, shipping, boat building, some coconut processing, garments, woven mats, coir (rope), handicrafts

Agriculture: fishing, coconuts, corn, sweet potatoes

Economic aid: recipient: US commitments, including Ex-Im (FY70-88), $28 million; Western (non-US) countries, ODA and OOF bilateral commitments (1970-89), $125 million; OPEC bilateral aid (1979-89), $14 million

Currency: 1 rufiyaa (Rf) = 100 laari

Exchange rates: rufiyaa (Rf) per US$1 - 11.770 (January 1995), 11.586 (1994), 10.957 (1993), 10.569 (1992), 10.253 (1991), 9.509 (1990)

Fiscal year: calendar year

@Maldives:Transportation

Railroads: 0 km

Highways: total: NA paved: NA unpaved: NA (Male has 9.6 km of coral highways within the city)

Ports: Gan, Male

Merchant marine: total: 16 ships (1,000 GRT or over) totaling 50,384 GRT/77,771 DWT ships by type: cargo 14, container 1, oil tanker 1

Airports: total: 2 with paved runways over 3,047 m: 1 with paved runways 2,438 to 3,047 m: 1

@Maldives:Communications

Telephone system: 2,804 telephones; minimal domestic and international facilities local: NA intercity: NA international: 1 INTELSAT (Indian Ocean) earth station

Radio: broadcast stations: AM 2, FM 1, shortwave 0 radios: NA

Television: broadcast stations: 1 televisions: NA

@Maldives:Defense Forces

Branches: National Security Service (paramilitary police force)

Manpower availability: males age 15-49 57,172; males fit for military service 31,911 (1995 est.)

Defense expenditures: $NA, NA% of GDP

________________________________________________________________________

MALI

@Mali:Geography

Location: Western Africa, southwest of Algeria

Map references: Africa

Area: total area: 1.24 million sq km land area: 1.22 million sq km comparative area: slightly less than twice the size of Texas

Land boundaries: total 7,243 km, Algeria 1,376 km, Burkina 1,000 km, Guinea 858 km, Cote d'Ivoire 532 km, Mauritania 2,237 km, Niger 821 km, Senegal 419 km

Coastline: 0 km (landlocked)

Maritime claims: none; landlocked

International disputes: the disputed international boundary between Burkina and Mali was submitted to the International Court of Justice (ICJ) in October 1983 and the ICJ issued its final ruling in December 1986, which both sides agreed to accept; Burkina and Mali are proceeding with boundary demarcation, including the tripoint with Niger

Climate: subtropical to arid; hot and dry February to June; rainy, humid, and mild June to November; cool and dry November to February

Terrain: mostly flat to rolling northern plains covered by sand; savanna in south, rugged hills in northeast

Natural resources: gold, phosphates, kaolin, salt, limestone, uranium, bauxite, iron ore, manganese, tin, and copper deposits are known but not exploited

Land use: arable land: 2% permanent crops: 0% meadows and pastures: 25% forest and woodland: 7% other: 66%

Irrigated land: 50 sq km (1989 est.)

Environment: current issues: deforestation; soil erosion; desertification; inadequate supplies of potable water; poaching natural hazards: hot, dust-laden harmattan haze common during dry seasons; recurring droughts international agreements: party to - Climate Change, Desertification, Endangered Species, Law of the Sea, Ozone Layer Protection, Wetlands; signed, but not ratified - Biodiversity, Nuclear Test Ban

Note: landlocked

@Mali:People

Population: 9,375,132 (July 1995 est.)

Age structure: 0-14 years: 48% (female 2,240,565; male 2,242,373) 15-64 years: 49% (female 2,416,952; male 2,165,043) 65 years and over: 3% (female 162,234; male 147,965) (July 1995 est.)

Population growth rate: 2.89% (1995 est.)

Birth rate: 51.88 births/1,000 population (1995 est.)

Death rate: 19.93 deaths/1,000 population (1995 est.)

Net migration rate: -3 migrant(s)/1,000 population (1995 est.)

Infant mortality rate: 104.5 deaths/1,000 live births (1995 est.)

Life expectancy at birth: total population: 46.37 years male: 44.7 years female: 48.09 years (1995 est.)

Total fertility rate: 7.33 children born/woman (1995 est.)

Nationality: noun: Malian(s) adjective: Malian

Ethnic divisions: Mande 50% (Bambara, Malinke, Sarakole), Peul 17%, Voltaic 12%, Songhai 6%, Tuareg and Moor 10%, other 5%

Religions: Muslim 90%, indigenous beliefs 9%, Christian 1%

Languages: French (official), Bambara 80%, numerous African languages

Literacy: age 6 and over can read and write (1988) total population: 19% male: 27% female: 12%

Labor force: 2.666 million (1986 est.) by occupation: agriculture 80%, services 19%, industry and commerce 1% (1981)

@Mali:Government

Names: conventional long form: Republic of Mali conventional short form: Mali local long form: Republique de Mali local short form: Mali former: French Sudan

Digraph: ML

Type: republic

Capital: Bamako

Administrative divisions: 8 regions (regions, singular - region); Gao, Kayes, Kidal, Koulikoro, Mopti, Segou, Sikasso, Tombouctou

Independence: 22 September 1960 (from France)

National holiday: Anniversary of the Proclamation of the Republic, 22 September (1960)

Constitution: adopted 12 January 1992

Legal system: based on French civil law system and customary law; judicial review of legislative acts in Constitutional Court (which was formally established on 9 March 1994); has not accepted compulsory ICJ jurisdiction

Suffrage: 21 years of age; universal

Executive branch: chief of state: President Alpha Oumar KONARE (since 8 June 1992); election last held in April 1992 (next to be held April 1997); Alpha KONARE was elected in runoff race against Montaga TALL head of government: Prime Minister Ibrahima Boubacar KEITA (since March 1994) cabinet: Council of Ministers; appointed by the prime minister

Legislative branch: unicameral National Assembly: elections last held on 8 March 1992 (next to be held February 1997); results - percent of vote by party NA; seats - (116 total) Adema 76, CNID 9, US/RAD 8, Popular Movement for the Development of the Republic of West Africa 6, RDP 4, UDD 4, RDT 3, UFDP 3, PDP 2, UMDD 1

Judicial branch: Supreme Court (Cour Supreme)

Political parties and leaders: Association for Democracy (Adema), Ibrahim Baubacar KEITA; National Congress for Democratic Initiative (CNID), Mountaga TALL; Sudanese Union/African Democratic Rally (US/RDA), Mamadou Madeira KEITA; Popular Movement for the Development of the Republic of West Africa; Rally for Democracy and Progress (RDP), Almamy SYLLA; Union for Democracy and Development (UDD), Moussa Balla COULIBALY; Rally for Democracy and Labor (RDT); Union of Democratic Forces for Progress (UFDP), Dembo DIALLO; Party for Democracy and Progress (PDP), Idrissa TRAORE; Malian Union for Democracy and Development (UMDD)

Member of: ACCT, ACP, AfDB, CCC, CEAO, ECA, ECOWAS, FAO, FZ, G-77, GATT, IAEA, IBRD, ICAO, ICFTU, ICRM, IDA, IDB, IFAD, IFC, IFRCS, ILO, IMF, INTELSAT, INTERPOL, IOC, ITU, NAM, OAU, OIC, UN, UNAMIR, UNCTAD, UNESCO, UNIDO, UPU, WADB, WCL, WFTU, WHO, WIPO, WMO, WTO

Diplomatic representation in US: chief of mission: Ambassador Ibrahim Siragatou CISSE chancery: 2130 R Street NW, Washington, DC 20008 telephone: [1] (202) 332-2249, 939-8950

US diplomatic representation: chief of mission: (vacant) (Ambassador William H. DAMERON III retired March 1995) embassy: Rue Rochester NY and Rue Mohamed V, Bamako mailing address: B. P. 34, Bamako telephone: [223] 22 54 70 FAX: [223] 22 37 12

Flag: three equal vertical bands of green (hoist side), yellow, and red; uses the popular pan-African colors of Ethiopia

@Mali:Economy

Overview: Mali is among the poorest countries in the world, with 65% of its land area desert or semidesert. Economic activity is largely confined to the riverine area irrigated by the Niger. About 10% of the population is nomadic and some 80% of the labor force is engaged in agriculture and fishing. Industrial activity is concentrated on processing farm commodities. The economy is beginning to turn around after contracting through 1992-93, largely because of enhanced exports and import substitute production in the wake of the 50% devaluation of January 1994. Post-devaluation inflation appears to have peaked at 35% in 1994 and the government appears to be keeping on track with its IMF structural adjustment program.

National product: GDP - purchasing power parity - $5.4 billion (1994 est.)

National product real growth rate: 2.4% (1994 est.)

National product per capita: $600 (1994 est.)

Inflation rate (consumer prices): 35% (1994 est.)

Unemployment rate: NA%

Budget: revenues: $376 million expenditures: $697 million, including capital expenditures of $NA (1992 est.)

Exports: $415 million (f.o.b., 1993) commodities: cotton, livestock, gold partners: mostly franc zone and Western Europe

Imports: $842 million (f.o.b., 1993) commodities: machinery and equipment, foodstuffs, construction materials, petroleum, textiles partners: mostly franc zone and Western Europe

External debt: $2.6 billion (1991 est.)

Industrial production: growth rate -1.4% (1992 est.); accounts for 13.0% of GDP

Electricity: capacity: 90,000 kW production: 310 million kWh consumption per capita: 33 kWh (1993)

Industries: minor local consumer goods production and food processing, construction, phosphate and gold mining

Agriculture: accounts for 50% of GDP; mostly subsistence farming; cotton and livestock products account for over 70% of exports; other crops - millet, rice, corn, vegetables, peanuts; livestock - cattle, sheep, goats

Economic aid: recipient: US commitments, including Ex-Im (FY70-89), $349 million; Western (non-US) countries, ODA and OOF bilateral commitments (1970-89), $3.02 billion; OPEC bilateral aid (1979-89), $92 million; Communist countries (1970-89), $190 million

Currency: 1 CFA franc (CFAF) = 100 centimes

Exchange rates: Communaute Financiere Africaine francs (CFAF) per US$1 - 529.43 (January 1995), 555.20 (1994), 283.16 (1993), 264.69 (1992), 282.11 (1991), 272.26 (1990) note: beginning 12 January 1994, the CFA franc was devalued to CFAF 100 per French franc from CFAF 50 at which it had been fixed since 1948

Fiscal year: calendar year

@Mali:Transportation

Railroads: total: 642 km; note - linked to Senegal's rail system through Kayes narrow gauge: 642 km 1.000-m gauge

Highways: total: 15,700 km paved: 1,670 km unpaved: gravel, improved earth 3,670 km; unimproved earth 10,360 km

Inland waterways: 1,815 km navigable

Ports: Koulikoro

Airports: total: 33 with paved runways 2,438 to 3,047 m: 4 with paved runways 1,524 to 2,437 m: 1 with paved runways 914 to 1,523 m: 2 with paved runways under 914 m: 10 with unpaved runways 2,438 to 3,047 m: 1 with unpaved runways 1,524 to 2,438 m: 3 with unpaved runways 914 to 1,523 m: 12

@Mali:Communications

Telephone system: 11,000 telephones; domestic system poor but improving; provides only minimal service local: NA intercity: microwave radio relay, wire, and radio communications stations; expansion of microwave radio relay in progress international: 2 INTELSAT (1 Atlantic Ocean and 1 Indian Ocean) earth stations

Radio: broadcast stations: AM 2, FM 2, shortwave 0 radios: NA

Television: broadcast stations: 2 televisions: NA

@Mali:Defense Forces

Branches: Army, Air Force, Gendarmerie, Republican Guard, National Guard, National Police (Surete Nationale)

Manpower availability: males age 15-49 1,861,977; males fit for military service 1,062,916 (1995 est.)

Defense expenditures: exchange rate conversion - $66 million, 2.2% of GDP (1994)

________________________________________________________________________

MALTA

@Malta:Geography

Location: Southern Europe, islands in the Mediterranean Sea, south of Sicily (Italy)

Map references: Europe

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 the depth of exploitation exclusive fishing zone: 25 nm territorial sea: 12 nm

International disputes: Malta and Tunisia are discussing the commercial exploitation of the continental shelf between their countries, particularly for oil exploration

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: very limited natural fresh water resources; 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, Desertification

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: 369,609 (July 1995 est.)

Age structure: 0-14 years: 22% (female 39,199; male 41,581) 15-64 years: 67% (female 123,665; male 124,167) 65 years and over: 11% (female 23,597; male 17,400) (July 1995 est.)

Population growth rate: 0.75% (1995 est.)

Birth rate: 13.22 births/1,000 population (1995 est.)

Death rate: 7.43 deaths/1,000 population (1995 est.)

Net migration rate: 1.7 migrant(s)/1,000 population (1995 est.)

Infant mortality rate: 7.7 deaths/1,000 live births (1995 est.)

Life expectancy at birth: total population: 77.02 years male: 74.75 years female: 79.48 years (1995 est.)

Total fertility rate: 1.92 children born/woman (1995 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 and Foreign 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 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, EBRD, ECE, FAO, G-77, GATT, IBRD, ICAO, ICFTU, ICRM, IFAD, ILO, IMF, IMO, INMARSAT, INTELSAT (nonsignatory user), INTERPOL, IOC, ISO (correspondent), ITU, NAM, OSCE, 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: [1] (202) 462-3611, 3612 FAX: [1] (202) 387-5470 consulate(s): New York

US diplomatic representation: chief of mission: Ambassador Joseph R. PAOLINO, Jr. embassy: 2nd Floor, Development House, Saint Anne Street, Floriana, Malta 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 24% of GDP, with the electronics and textile industries major contributors and with the state-owned Malta drydocks employing about 4,300 people. In 1994, over 1,000,000 tourists visited the island. Per capita GDP of $10,760 places Malta in the range of the less affluent EU countries.

National product: GDP - purchasing power parity - $3.9 billion (1994 est.)

National product real growth rate: 4.4% (1994 est.)

National product per capita: $10,760 (1994 est.)

Inflation rate (consumer prices): 5% (1994 est.)

Unemployment rate: 4.5% (March 1994)

Budget: revenues: $1.4 billion expenditures: $1.4 billion, including capital expenditures of $215 million (FY94/95 est.)

Exports: $1.3 billion (f.o.b., 1993) commodities: machinery and transport equipment, clothing and footware, printed matter partners: Italy 32%, Germany 16%, UK 8%

Imports: $2.1 billion (c.i.f., 1993) commodities: food, petroleum, machinery and semimanufactured goods partners: Italy 27%, Germany 14%, UK 13%, US 9%

External debt: $603 million (1992)

Industrial production: growth rate 5.4% (1992); accounts for 27% of GDP

Electricity: capacity: 250,000 kW production: 1.1 billion kWh consumption per capita: 2,749 kWh (1993)

Industries: tourism, electronics, ship repairyard, 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 - 0.3656 (January 1995), 0.3776 (1994), 0.3821 (1993), 0.3178 (1992), 0.3226 (1991), 0.3172 (1990)

Fiscal year: 1 April - 31 March

@Malta:Transportation

Railroads: 0 km

Highways: total: 1,291 km paved: asphalt 1,179 km unpaved: gravel, crushed stone 77 km; earth 35 km

Ports: Marsaxlokk, Valletta

Merchant marine: total: 964 ships (1,000 GRT or over) totaling 15,518,359 GRT/26,604,739 DWT ships by type: barge carrier 3, bulk 272, cargo 300, chemical tanker 30, combination bulk 26, combination ore/oil 16, container 33, liquefied gas tanker 3, multifunction large-load carrier 3, oil tanker 191, passenger 7, passenger-cargo 3, railcar carrier 1, refrigerated cargo 14, roll-on/roll-off cargo 26, short-sea passenger 20, specialized tanker 5, vehicle carrier 11 note: a flag of convenience registry; includes 49 countries; the 10 major fleet flags are: Greece 351 ships, Russia 66, Croatia 63, Switzerland 31, Montenegro 29, Italy 27, Germany 23, Monaco 20, UK 20, and Georgia 10

Airports: total: 1 with paved runways over 3,047 m: 1

@Malta:Communications

Telephone system: 153,000 telephones; automatic system satisfies normal requirements local: NA intercity: submarine cable and microwave radio relay between islands international: 1 submarine cable and 1 INTELSAT (Atlantic Ocean) earth station

Radio: broadcast stations: AM 8, FM 4, shortwave 0 radios: NA

Television: broadcast stations: 2 televisions: NA

@Malta:Defense Forces

Branches: Armed Forces, Maltese Police Force

Manpower availability: males age 15-49 98,525; males fit for military service 78,305 (1995 est.)

Defense expenditures: exchange rate conversion - $21.4 million, about 0.9% of GDP (FY92/93)

________________________________________________________________________

MAN, ISLE OF

(British crown dependency)

@Man, Isle Of:Geography

Location: Western Europe, island in the Irish Sea, between Great Britain and Ireland

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: 72,751 (July 1995 est.)

Age structure: 0-14 years: 18% (female 6,462; male 6,833) 15-64 years: 64% (female 23,219; male 23,348) 65 years and over: 18% (female 7,759; male 5,130) (July 1995 est.)

Population growth rate: 0.99% (1995 est.)

Birth rate: 13.73 births/1,000 population (1995 est.)

Death rate: 12.36 deaths/1,000 population (1995 est.)

Net migration rate: 8.55 migrant(s)/1,000 population (1995 est.)

Infant mortality rate: 8 deaths/1,000 live births (1995 est.)

Life expectancy at birth: total population: 76.53 years male: 73.78 years female: 79.48 years (1995 est.)

Total fertility rate: 1.8 children born/woman (1995 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: 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 NA 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 GDP. Banking now contributes about 45% to GDP. Trade is mostly with the UK. The Isle of Man enjoys free access to European Union markets.

National product: GDP - purchasing power parity - $780 million (1994 est.)

National product real growth rate: NA%

National product per capita: $10,800 (1994 est.)

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, beef, lamb 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: 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 - 0.6350 (January 1995), 0.6529 (1994), 0.6658 (1993), 0.5664 (1992), 0.5652 (1991), 0.5603 (1990); the Manx pound is at par with the British pound

Fiscal year: 1 April - 31 March

@Man, Isle Of:Transportation

Railroads: total: 60 km (36 km electrified)

Highways: total: 640 km paved: NA unpaved: NA

Ports: Castletown, Douglas, Peel, Ramsey

Merchant marine: total: 68 ships (1,000 GRT or over) totaling 1,810,355 GRT/3,183,773 DWT ships by type: bulk 11, cargo 10, chemical tanker 4, container 9, liquefied gas tanker 8, oil tanker 15, roll-on/roll-off cargo 9, vehicle carrier 2 note: a flag of convenience registry; UK owns 9 ships, Switzerland 2, Denmark 1, Netherlands 1

Airports: total: 1 with paved runways 1,524 to 2,437 m: 1

@Man, Isle Of:Communications

Telephone system: 24,435 telephones local: NA intercity: NA international: NA

Radio: broadcast stations: AM 1, FM 4, shortwave 0 radios: NA

Television: broadcast stations: 4 televisions: NA

@Man, Isle Of:Defense Forces

Note: defense is the responsibility of the UK

________________________________________________________________________

MARSHALL ISLANDS

@Marshall Islands:Geography

Location: Oceania, group of atolls and reefs in the North Pacific Ocean, about one-half of the way from Hawaii to Papua New Guinea

Map references: Oceania

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 potable water natural hazards: occasional 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: 56,157 (July 1995 est.)

Age structure: 0-14 years: 51% (female 13,950; male 14,547) 15-64 years: 47% (female 12,801; male 13,470) 65 years and over: 2% (female 740; male 649) (July 1995 est.)

Population growth rate: 3.86% (1995 est.)

Birth rate: 46.03 births/1,000 population (1995 est.)

Death rate: 7.48 deaths/1,000 population (1995 est.)

Net migration rate: 0 migrant(s)/1,000 population (1995 est.)

Infant mortality rate: 48 deaths/1,000 live births (1995 est.)

Life expectancy at birth: total population: 63.49 years male: 61.94 years female: 65.11 years (1995 est.)

Total fertility rate: 6.89 children born/woman (1995 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) independents 33

Judicial branch: Supreme Court

Political parties and leaders: no formal parties; President KABUA is chief political (and traditional) leader

Member of: AsDB, ESCAP, IAEA, 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: [1] (202) 234-5414 FAX: [1] (202) 232-3236 consulate(s) general: Honolulu and Los Angeles

US diplomatic representation: chief of mission: Ambassador David C. FIELDS embassy: address NA, Majuro mailing address: P. O. Box 1379, Majuro, Republic of the Marshall Islands 96960-1379 telephone: [692] 247-4011 FAX: [692] 247-4012

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. The US Government provides about 70% of the budget.

National product: GDP - purchasing power parity - $75 million (1992 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: $106 million expenditures: $128.7 million, including capital expenditures of $NA (1993)

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:Transportation

Railroads: 0 km

Highways: total: NA note: paved roads on major islands (Majuro, Kwajalein), otherwise stone-, coral-, or laterite-surfaced roads and tracks

Ports: Majuro

Merchant marine: total: 37 ships (1,000 GRT or over) totaling 2,205,275 GRT/4,263,247 DWT ships by type: bulk carrier 23, cargo 1, combination ore/oil 1, oil tanker 12

Airports: total: 16 with paved runways 1,524 to 2,437 m: 3 with paved runways 914 to 1,523 m: 1 with paved runways under 914 m: 5 with unpaved runways 1,524 to 2,438 m: 1 with unpaved runways 914 to 1,523 m: 6

@Marshall Islands:Communications

Telephone system: 570 telephones (Majuro) and 186 telephones (Ebeye); telex services local: NA intercity: islands interconnected by shortwave radio (used mostly for government purposes) international: 2 INTELSAT (Pacific Ocean) earth stations; US Government satellite communications system on Kwajalein

Radio: broadcast stations: AM 1, FM 2, shortwave 1 radios: NA

Television: broadcast stations: 1 televisions: NA

@Marshall Islands:Defense Forces

Branches: no regular military forces; Police

Note: defense is the responsibility of the US

________________________________________________________________________

MARTINIQUE

(overseas department of France)

@Martinique:Geography

Location: Caribbean, island in the Caribbean Sea, north of Trinidad and Tobago

Map references: Central America and the Caribbean

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: hurricanes, flooding, and volcanic activity (an average of one major natural disaster every five years) international agreements: NA

@Martinique:People

Population: 394,787 (July 1995 est.)

Age structure: 0-14 years: 23% (female 44,960; male 46,512) 15-64 years: 67% (female 134,439; male 130,642) 65 years and over: 10% (female 22,058; male 16,176) (July 1995 est.)

Population growth rate: 1.1% (1995 est.)

Birth rate: 16.92 births/1,000 population (1995 est.)

Death rate: 5.82 deaths/1,000 population (1995 est.)

Net migration rate: -0.1 migrant(s)/1,000 population (1995 est.)

Infant mortality rate: 7.3 deaths/1,000 live births (1995 est.)

Life expectancy at birth: total population: 78.67 years male: 75.94 years female: 81.53 years (1995 est.)

Total fertility rate: 1.81 children born/woman (1995 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 25 September and 8 October 1988 (next to be held 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 NA June 1993 (next to be held NA 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; Socialist Federation of Martinique (FSM), Michel YOYO; Martinique Communist Party (PCM); Martinique Patriots (PM); Union for French Democracy (UDF), Jean MARAN; Martinique Independence Movement (MIM), Alfred MARIE-JEANNE; Republican Party (PR), Jean BAILLY

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); Association for the Protection of Martinique's Heritage (ecologist)

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 - purchasing power parity - $3.9 billion (1993 est.)

National product real growth rate: NA%

National product per capita: $10,000 (1993 est.)

Inflation rate (consumer prices): 3.9% (1990)

Unemployment rate: 32.1% (1990)

Budget: revenues: $610 million expenditures: $1.3 billion, including capital expenditures of $NA (1991)

Exports: $247 million (f.o.b., 1992) commodities: refined petroleum products, bananas, rum, pineapples partners: France 57%, Guadeloupe 31%, French Guiana (1991)

Imports: $1.75 billion (c.i.f., 1992) commodities: petroleum products, crude oil, foodstuffs, construction materials, vehicles, clothing and other consumer goods partners: France 62%, UK, Italy, Germany, Japan, US (1991)

External debt: $NA

Industrial production: growth rate NA%

Electricity: capacity: 113,100 kW production: 700 million kWh consumption per capita: 1,677 kWh (1993)

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 - 5.2943 (January 1995), 5.5520 (1994), 5.6632 (1993), 5.2938 (1992), 5.6421 (1991), 5.4453 (1990)

Fiscal year: calendar year

@Martinique:Transportation

Railroads: 0 km

Highways: total: 1,680 km paved: 1,300 km unpaved: gravel, earth 380 km

Ports: Fort-de-France, La Trinite

Merchant marine: none

Airports: total: 2 with paved runways over 3,047 m: 1 with unpaved runways 914 to 1,523 m: 1

@Martinique:Communications

Telephone system: 68,900 telephones; domestic facilities are adequate local: NA intercity: NA international: interisland microwave radio relay links to Guadeloupe, Dominica, and Saint Lucia; 2 INTELSAT (Atlantic Ocean) earth stations

Radio: broadcast stations: AM 1, FM 6, shortwave 0 radios: NA

Television: broadcast stations: 10 televisions: NA

@Martinique:Defense Forces

Branches: French forces (Army, Navy, Air Force), Gendarmerie

Note: defense is the responsibility of France

________________________________________________________________________

MAURITANIA

@Mauritania:Geography

Location: Northern Africa, bordering the North Atlantic Ocean, between Senegal and Western Sahara

Map references: Africa

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 to the edge of the continental margin exclusive economic zone: 200 nm territorial sea: 12 nm

International disputes: boundary with Senegal in dispute

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; very limited natural fresh water resources 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; periodic droughts international agreements: party to - Climate Change, Nuclear Test Ban, Ozone Layer Protection, Wetlands; signed, but not ratified - Biodiversity, Desertification, Law of the Sea

Note: most of the population concentrated along the Senegal River in the southern part of the country

@Mauritania:People

Population: 2,263,202 (July 1995 est.)

Age structure: 0-14 years: 48% (female 544,674; male 551,099) 15-64 years: 49% (female 574,282; male 542,762) 65 years and over: 3% (female 28,955; male 21,430) (July 1995 est.)

Population growth rate: 3.17% (1995 est.)

Birth rate: 47.32 births/1,000 population (1995 est.)

Death rate: 15.66 deaths/1,000 population (1995 est.)

Net migration rate: 0 migrant(s)/1,000 population (1995 est.)

Infant mortality rate: 83.5 deaths/1,000 live births (1995 est.)

Life expectancy at birth: total population: 48.54 years male: 45.66 years female: 51.54 years (1995 est.)

Total fertility rate: 6.92 children born/woman (1995 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 15 and over can read and write (1988) total population: 35% male: 46% female: 25%

Labor force: 465,000 (1981 est.); 45,000 wage earners (1980) by occupation: agriculture 47%, services 29%, industry and commerce 14%, government 10%

@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 NA January 1992 (next to be held NA 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 (nex to be held NA 1996); results - percent of vote by party NA; seats (56 total, with 17 up for election every two years) PRDS 16, UFD/NE 1 National Assembly (Majlis al-Watani): elections last held 6 and 13 March 1992 (next to be held NA March 1997); results - percent of vote by party NA; seats - (79 total) UFD/NE 67, PMR 1, RDU 1, independents 10

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, ICRM, IDA, IDB, IFAD, IFC, IFRCS, ILO, IMF, IMO, INTELSAT, INTERPOL, IOC, ITU, NAM, OAU, OIC, UN, UNCTAD, UNESCO, UNIDO, UPU, WHO, WIPO, WMO, WTO

Diplomatic representation in US: chief of mission: Ambassador Ismail Ould IYAHI (since 22 September 1994) chancery: 2129 Leroy Place NW, Washington, DC 20008 telephone: [1] (202) 232-5700

US diplomatic representation: chief of mission: Ambassador Dorothy Myers SAMPAS embassy: address NA, Nouakchott mailing address: B. P. 222, Nouakchott telephone: [222] (2) 526-60, 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. Short-term growth prospects are gloomy because of the heavy debt service burden, rapid population growth, and vulnerability to climatic conditions.

National product: GDP - purchasing power parity - $2.4 billion (1993 est.)

National product real growth rate: 5% (1993 est.)

National product per capita: $1,110 (1994 est.)

Inflation rate (consumer prices): 10% (1993)

Unemployment rate: 20% (1991 est.)

Budget: revenues: $280 million expenditures: $346 million, including capital expenditures of $61 million (1989 est.)

Exports: $401 million (f.o.b., 1993 est.) commodities: iron ore, fish and fish products partners: Japan 27%, Italy, Belgium, Luxembourg

Imports: $378 million (c.i.f., 1993 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 NA%; accounts for almost 30% of GDP

Electricity: capacity: 110,000 kW production: 135 million kWh consumption per capita: 61 kWh (1993)

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 - 125.910 (January 1995), 123.575 (1994), 120.806 (1993),87.027 (1992), 81.946 (1991), 80.609 (1990)

Fiscal year: calendar year

@Mauritania:Transportation

Railroads: total: 690 km (single track); note - owned and operated by government mining company standard gauge: 690 km 1.435-m gauge

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: Bogue, Kaedi, Nouadhibou, Nouakchott, Rosso

Merchant marine: none