Chapter XXXVII: Front Matter (37)

Political pressure groups and leaders:
Confederation of Employers of the Mexican Republic or COPARMEX;
Confederation of Industrial Chambers or CONCAMIN; Confederation of
Mexican Workers or CTM; Confederation of National Chambers of
Commerce or CONCANACO; Coordinator for Foreign Trade Business
Organizations or COECE; Federation of Unions Providing Goods and
Services or FESEBES; National Chamber of Transformation Industries
or CANACINTRA; National Peasant Confederation or CNC; National Union
of Workers or UNT; Regional Confederation of Mexican Workers or
CROM; Revolutionary Confederation of Workers and Peasants or CROC;
Roman Catholic Church

International organization participation:
APEC, BCIE, BIS, Caricom (observer), CDB, CE (observer), EBRD,
ECLAC, FAO, G-3, G-6, G-15, G-19, G-24, IADB, IAEA, IBRD, ICAO, ICC,
ICCt (signatory), ICFTU, ICRM, IDA, IEA (observer), IFAD, IFC,
IFRCS, ILO, IMF, IMO, Interpol, IOC, IOM, ISO, ITU, LAES, LAIA, NAM
(observer), NEA, OAS, OECD, OPANAL, OPCW, PCA, RG, UN, UN Security
Council (temporary), UNCTAD, UNESCO, UNHCR, UNIDO, UNITAR, UNMOVIC,
UNU, UPU, WCL, WCO, WFTU, WHO, WIPO, WMO, WToO, WTrO

Diplomatic representation in the US:
chief of mission: Ambassador Juan Jose BREMER Martino
FAX: [1] (202) 728-1698
consulate(s): Albuquerque, Brownsville (Texas), Calexico
(California), Corpus Christi, Del Rio (Texas), Detroit, Douglas
(Arizona), Eagle Pass (Texas), Fresno (California), Indianapolis
(Indiana), Las Vegas, McAllen (Texas), Midland (Texas), Omaha,
Orlando, Oxnard (California), Philadelphia, Portland (Oregon),
Presidio (Texas), Raleigh, Saint Louis, Salt Lake City, San
Bernardino, Santa Ana (California), Seattle, Tucson, Yuma (Arizona)
consulate(s) general: Atlanta, Austin, Boston, Chicago, Dallas,
Denver, El Paso, Houston, Laredo (Texas), Los Angeles, Miami, New
Orleans, New York, Nogales (Arizona), Phoenix, Sacramento, San
Antonio, San Diego, San Francisco, San Jose, San Juan (Puerto Rico)
chancery: 1911 Pennsylvania Avenue NW, Washington, DC 20006
telephone: [1] (202) 728-1600

Diplomatic representation from the US:
chief of mission: Ambassador Antonio O. GARZA
embassy: Paseo de la Reforma 305, Colonia Cuauhtemoc, 06500 Mexico,
Distrito Federal
mailing address: P. O. Box 9000, Brownsville, TX 78520-0900
telephone: [52] (55) 5080-2000
FAX: [52] (55) 5080-2005, 5080-2834
consulate(s) general: Ciudad Juarez, Guadalajara, Monterrey, Tijuana
consulate(s): Hermosillo, Matamoros, Merida, Nuevo Laredo, Nogales

Flag description:
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

Economy Mexico

Economy - overview:
Mexico has a free market economy with a mixture of modern and
outmoded industry and agriculture, increasingly dominated by the
private sector. Recent administrations have expanded competition in
seaports, railroads, telecommunications, electricity, natural gas
distribution, and airports. Income distribution remains highly
unequal. Trade with the US and Canada has tripled since the
implementation of NAFTA in 1994. Following 6.9% growth in 2000, real
GDP fell 0.3% in 2001, recovering to only a plus 1% in 2002, with
the US slowdown the principal cause. Mexico implemented free trade
agreements with Guatemala, Honduras, El Salvador, and the European
Free Trade Area in 2001, putting more than 90% of trade under free
trade agreements. Foreign direct investment reached $25 billion in
2001, of which $12.5 billion came from the purchase of Mexico's
second-largest bank, Banamex, by Citigroup.

GDP:
purchasing power parity - $924.4 billion (2002 est.)

GDP - real growth rate:
0.7% (2002 est.)

GDP - per capita:
purchasing power parity - $8,900 (2002 est.)

GDP - composition by sector:
agriculture: 5%
industry: 26%
services: 69% (2001 est.)

Population below poverty line:
40% (2001 est.)

Household income or consumption by percentage share:
lowest 10%: 1.6%
highest 10%: 41.1% (2001)

Distribution of family income - Gini index:
53.1 (1998)

Inflation rate (consumer prices):
6.4% (2002 est.)

Labor force:
39.8 million (2000)

Labor force - by occupation:
agriculture 20%, industry 24%, services 56% (1998)

Unemployment rate:
urban - 3% plus considerable underemployment (2002)

Budget:
revenues: $136 billion
expenditures: $140 billion, including capital expenditures of $NA
(2001 est.)

Industries:
food and beverages, tobacco, chemicals, iron and steel, petroleum,
mining, textiles, clothing, motor vehicles, consumer durables,
tourism

Industrial production growth rate:
4.9% (2002 est.)

Electricity - production:
198.6 billion kWh (2001)

Electricity - production by source:
fossil fuel: 78.7%
hydro: 14.2%
other: 2.9% (2001)
nuclear: 4.2%

Electricity - consumption:
186.7 billion kWh (2001)

Electricity - exports:
77 million kWh (2001)

Electricity - imports:
2.068 billion kWh (2001)

Oil - production:
3.59 million bbl/day (2001 est.)

Oil - consumption:
1.507 million bbl/day (2001 est.)

Oil - exports:
1.881 million bbl/day (2001)

Oil - imports:
374,700 bbl/day (2001)

Oil - proved reserves:
25.03 billion bbl (37257)

Natural gas - production:
36.87 billion cu m (2001 est.)

Natural gas - consumption:
38.84 billion cu m (2001 est.)

Natural gas - exports:
254 million cu m (2001 est.)

Natural gas - imports:
2.967 billion cu m (2001 est.)

Natural gas - proved reserves:
969.2 billion cu m (37257)

Agriculture - products:
corn, wheat, soybeans, rice, beans, cotton, coffee, fruit,
tomatoes; beef, poultry, dairy products; wood products

Exports:
$158.4 billion f.o.b. (2002 est.)

Exports - commodities:
manufactured goods, oil and oil products, silver, fruits,
vegetables, coffee, cotton

Exports - partners:
US 82.7%, Canada 5.4%, Japan 1.1% (2002)

Imports:
$168.4 billion f.o.b. (2002)

Imports - commodities:
metalworking machines, steel mill products, agricultural machinery,
electrical equipment, car parts for assembly, repair parts for motor
vehicles, aircraft, and aircraft parts

Imports - partners:
US 70.6%, Germany 3.5%, Japan 2.7% (2002)

Debt - external:
$150 billion (2000 est.)

Economic aid - recipient:
$1.166 billion (1995)

Currency:
Mexican peso (MXN)

Currency code:
MXN

Exchange rates:
Mexican pesos per US dollar - 9.66 (2002), 9.34 (2001), 9.46
(2000), 9.56 (1999), 9.14 (1998)

Fiscal year:
calendar year

Communications Mexico

Telephones - main lines in use:
12.332 million (2000)

Telephones - mobile cellular:
2.02 million (1998)

Telephone system:
general assessment: low telephone density with about 12 main lines
per 100 persons; privatized in December 1990; the opening to
competition in January 1997 improved prospects for development
domestic: adequate telephone service for business and government,
but the population is poorly served; domestic satellite system with
120 earth stations; extensive microwave radio relay network;
considerable use of fiber-optic cable, coaxial cable, and mobile
cellular service
international: satellite earth stations - 32 Intelsat, 2 Solidaridad
(giving Mexico improved access to South America, Central America,
and much of the US as well as enhancing domestic communications),
numerous Inmarsat mobile earth stations; linked to Central American
Microwave System of trunk connections; high capacity Columbus-2
fiber-optic submarine cable with access to the US, Virgin Islands,
Canary Islands, Morocco, Spain, and Italy (1997)

Radio broadcast stations:
AM 851, FM 598, shortwave 16 (2000)

Radios:
31 million (1997)

Television broadcast stations:
236 (plus repeaters) (1997)

Televisions:
25.6 million (1997)

Internet country code:
.mx

Internet Service Providers (ISPs):
51 (2000)

Internet users:
3.5 million (2002)

Transportation Mexico

Railways:
total: 19,510 km
standard gauge: 19,510 km 1.435-m gauge (2002)

Highways:
total: 329,532 km
paved: 108,087 km (including 6,429 km of expressways)
unpaved: 221,445 km (1999 est.)

Waterways:
2,900 km
note: navigable rivers and coastal canals

Pipelines:
crude oil 28,200 km; petroleum products 10,150 km; natural gas
13,254 km; petrochemical 1,400 km

Ports and harbors:
Acapulco, Altamira, Coatzacoalcos, Ensenada, Guaymas, La Paz,
Lazaro Cardenas, Manzanillo, Mazatlan, Progreso, Salina Cruz,
Tampico, Topolobampo, Tuxpan, Veracruz

Merchant marine:
total: 47 ships (1,000 GRT or over) 636,271 GRT/933,686 DWT
ships by type: bulk 1, cargo 1, chemical tanker 4, combination
ore/oil 1, liquefied gas 3, petroleum tanker 26, roll on/roll off 8,
short-sea passenger 3
note: includes some foreign-owned ships registered here as a flag of
convenience: Canada 2, Denmark 1 (2002 est.)

Airports:
1,823 (2002)

Airports - with paved runways:
total: 231
over 3,047 m: 11
2,438 to 3,047 m: 28
914 to 1,523 m: 82
under 914 m: 27 (2002)
1,524 to 2,437 m: 83

Airports - with unpaved runways:
total: 1,592
under 914 m: 1,067 (2002)
over 3,047 m: 1
2,438 to 3,047 m: 1
914 to 1,523 m: 454
1,524 to 2,437 m: 69

Heliports:
2 (2002)

Military Mexico

Military branches:
National Defense Secretariat (SEDENA) (including Army and Air
Force), Navy Secretariat (including Naval Air and Marines)

Military manpower - military age:
18 years of age
note: starting in 2000, females were allowed to volunteer for
military service (2003 est.)

Military manpower - availability:
males age 15-49: 27,751,539 (2003 est.)

Military manpower - fit for military service:
males age 15-49: 20,123,970 (2003 est.)

Military manpower - reaching military age annually:
males: 1,093,752 (2003 est.)

Military expenditures - dollar figure:
$4 billion (FY99)

Military expenditures - percent of GDP:
1% (FY99)

Transnational Issues Mexico

Disputes - international:
prolonged regional drought in the border region with the US has
strained water-sharing arrangements

Illicit drugs:
illicit cultivation of opium poppy (cultivation in 2001 - 4,400
hectares; potential heroin production - 7 metric tons) and of
cannabis (in 2001 - 4,100 hectares); government eradication efforts
have been key in keeping illicit crop levels low; major supplier of
heroin and largest foreign supplier of marijuana and methamphetamine
to the US market; continues as the primary transshipment country for
US-bound cocaine from South America; major drug syndicates control
majority of drug trafficking throughout the country; growing
producer and distributor of ecstasy; significant money-laundering
center

This page was last updated on 18 December, 2003

======================================================================

@Micronesia, Federated States of

Introduction Micronesia, Federated States of

Background:
In 1979 the Federated States of Micronesia, a UN Trust Territory
under US administration, adopted a constitution. In 1986
independence was attained under a Compact of Free Association with
the US. Present concerns include large-scale unemployment,
overfishing, and overdependence on US aid.

Geography Micronesia, Federated States of

Location:
Oceania, island group in the North Pacific Ocean, about
three-quarters of the way from Hawaii to Indonesia

Geographic coordinates:
6 55 N, 158 15 E

Map references:
Oceania

Area:
total: 702 sq km
note: includes Pohnpei (Ponape), Chuuk (Truk) Islands, Yap Islands,
and Kosrae (Kosaie)
water: 0 sq km (fresh water only)
land: 702 sq km

Area - comparative:
four times the size of Washington, DC (land area only)

Land boundaries:
0 km

Coastline:
6,112 km

Maritime claims:
exclusive economic zone: 200 NM
territorial sea: 12 NM

Climate:
tropical; heavy year-round rainfall, especially in the eastern
islands; located on southern edge of the typhoon belt with
occasionally severe damage

Terrain:
islands vary geologically from high mountainous islands to low,
coral atolls; volcanic outcroppings on Pohnpei, Kosrae, and Chuuk

Elevation extremes:
lowest point: Pacific Ocean 0 m
highest point: Dolohmwar (Totolom) 791 m

Natural resources:
forests, marine products, deep-seabed minerals

Land use:
arable land: 5.71%
permanent crops: 45.71%
other: 48.58% (1998 est.)

Irrigated land:
NA sq km

Natural hazards:
typhoons (June to December)

Environment - current issues:
overfishing, climate change, pollution

Environment - international agreements:
party to: Biodiversity, Climate Change, Climate Change-Kyoto
Protocol, Desertification, Hazardous Wastes, Law of the Sea, Ozone
Layer Protection
signed, but not ratified: none of the selected agreements

Geography - note:
four major island groups totaling 607 islands

People Micronesia, Federated States of

Population:
108,143 (July 2003 est.)

Age structure:
0-14 years: 38.4% (male 21,163; female 20,335)
15-64 years: 58.5% (male 31,746; female 31,477)
65 years and over: 3.2% (male 1,558; female 1,864) (2003 est.)

Population growth rate:
0.04% (2003 est.)

Birth rate:
26.47 births/1,000 population (2003 est.)

Death rate:
5.1 deaths/1,000 population (2003 est.)

Net migration rate:
-20.98 migrant(s)/1,000 population (2003 est.)

Sex ratio:
1.05 male(s)/female (2003 est.)

Infant mortality rate:
total: 32.39 deaths/1,000 live births
male: 35.65 deaths/1,000 live births
female: 28.97 deaths/1,000 live births

Life expectancy at birth:
total population: 69.13 years
male: 67.39 years
female: 70.95 years (2003 est.)

Total fertility rate:
3.5 children born/woman (2003 est.)

HIV/AIDS - adult prevalence rate:
NA%

HIV/AIDS - people living with HIV/AIDS:
NA

HIV/AIDS - deaths:
NA

Nationality:
noun: Micronesian(s)
adjective: Micronesian; Chuukese, Kosraen(s), Pohnpeian(s), Yapese

Ethnic groups:
nine ethnic Micronesian and Polynesian groups

Religions:
Roman Catholic 50%, Protestant 47%

Languages:
English (official and common language), Trukese, Pohnpeian, Yapese,
Kosrean, Ulithian, Woleaian, Nukuoro, Kapingamarangi

Literacy:
definition: age 15 and over can read and write
total population: 89%
male: 91%
female: 88% (1980 est.)

Government Micronesia, Federated States of

Country name:
conventional long form: Federated States of Micronesia
conventional short form: none
abbreviation: FSM
former: Ponape, Truk, and Yap Districts (Trust Territory of the
Pacific Islands)

Government type:
constitutional government in free association with the US; the
Compact of Free Association entered into force 3 November 1986;
economic provisions of the Compact are being renegotiated

Capital:
Palikir

Administrative divisions:
4 states; Chuuk (Truk), Kosrae (Kosaie), Pohnpei (Ponape), Yap

Independence:
3 November 1986 (from the US-administered UN Trusteeship)

National holiday:
Constitution Day, 10 May (1979)

Constitution:
10 May 1979

Legal system:
based on adapted Trust Territory laws, acts of the legislature,
municipal, common, and customary laws

Suffrage:
18 years of age; universal

Executive branch:
chief of state: President Joseph J. URUSEMAL (since 11 May 2003);
Vice President Redley KILLION; note - the president is both the
chief of state and head of government
head of government: President Joseph J. URUSEMAL (since 11 May
2003); Vice President Redley KILLION; note - the president is both
the chief of state and head of government
cabinet: Cabinet
elections: president and vice president elected by Congress from
among the four senators at large for four-year terms; election last
held 11 May 2003 (next to be held NA May 2007); note - a proposed
constitutional amendment to establish popular elections for
president and vice president failed
election results: Joseph J. URUSEMAL elected president; percent of
Congress vote - NA%; Redley KILLION elected vice president; percent
of Congress vote - NA%

Legislative branch:
unicameral Congress (14 seats; members elected by popular vote;
four - one elected from each state to serve four-year terms; and 10
- elected from single-member districts delineated by population to
serve two-year terms)
elections: elections for four-year term seats last held 4 March 2003
(next to be held NA March 2007); elections for two-year term seats
last held 4 March 2003 (next to be held NA March 2005)
election results: percent of vote - NA%; seats - independents 14

Judicial branch:
Supreme Court

Political parties and leaders:
no formal parties

International organization participation:
ACP, AsDB, ESCAP, G-77, IBRD, ICAO, IDA, IFC, IFRCS (associate),
IMF, IOC, ITU, OPCW, Sparteca, SPC, SPF, UN, UNCTAD, UNESCO, WHO, WMO

Diplomatic representation in the US:
chief of mission: Ambassador Jesse Bibiano MAREHALAU
telephone: [1] (202) 223-4383
consulate(s) general: Honolulu and Tamuning (Guam)
FAX: [1] (202) 223-4391
chancery: 1725 N Street NW, Washington, DC 20036

Diplomatic representation from the US:
chief of mission: Ambassador Larry M. DINGER
embassy: address NA, Kolonia
mailing address: P. O. Box 1286, Kolonia, Pohnpei, Federated States
of Micronesia 96941
telephone: [691] 320-2187
FAX: [691] 320-2186

Flag description:
light blue with four white five-pointed stars centered; the stars
are arranged in a diamond pattern

Economy Micronesia, Federated States of

Economy - overview:
Economic activity consists primarily of subsistence farming and
fishing. The islands have few mineral deposits worth exploiting,
except for high-grade phosphate. The potential for a tourist
industry exists, but the remote location, a lack of adequate
facilities, and limited air connections hinder development. In
November 2002, the country experienced a further reduction in future
revenues from the Compact of Free Association - the agreement with
the US in which Micronesia received $1.3 billion in financial and
technical assistance over a 15-year period until 2001. The country's
medium-term economic outlook appears fragile due not only to the
reduction in US assistance but also to the slow growth of the
private sector. Geographical isolation and a poorly developed
infrastructure remain major impediments to long-term growth.

GDP:
purchasing power parity - $277 million
note: $277 million $277 million GDP is supplemented by grant aid,
averaging perhaps $100 million annually (2002 est.)

GDP - real growth rate:
1% (2002 est.)

GDP - per capita:
purchasing power parity - $2,000 (2002 est.)

GDP - composition by sector:
agriculture: 50%
industry: 4%
services: 46% (2000 est.)

Population below poverty line:
26.7%

Household income or consumption by percentage share:
lowest 10%: NA%
highest 10%: NA%

Inflation rate (consumer prices):
1% (2002 est.)

Labor force:
NA

Labor force - by occupation:
two-thirds are government employees

Unemployment rate:
16% (1999 est.)

Budget:
revenues: $161 million ($69 million less grants)
expenditures: $160 million, including capital expenditures of $NA
(1998 est.)

Industries:
tourism, construction, fish processing, specialized aquaculture,
craft items from shell, wood, and pearls

Industrial production growth rate:
NA%

Electricity - production:
NA kWh

Electricity - production by source:
fossil fuel: 0%
nuclear: 0%
other: 0%
hydro: 0%

Electricity - consumption:
NA kWh

Agriculture - products:
black pepper, tropical fruits and vegetables, coconuts, cassava
(tapioca), betel nuts, sweet potatoes; pigs, chickens

Exports:
$22 million (f.o.b.) (FY 99/00 est.)

Exports - commodities:
fish, garments, bananas, black pepper

Exports - partners:
Japan, US, Guam (2000)

Imports:
$149 million f.o.b. (FY 99/00 est.)

Imports - commodities:
food, manufactured goods, machinery and equipment, beverages

Imports - partners:
US, Australia, Japan (2000)

Debt - external:
$53.1 million (FY 02/03 est.)

Economic aid - recipient:
under terms of the Compact of Free Association, the US pledged $1.3
billion in grant aid during the period 1986-2001

Currency:
US dollar (USD)

Currency code:
USD

Exchange rates:
the US dollar is used 1

Fiscal year:
1 October - 30 September

Communications Micronesia, Federated States of

Telephones - main lines in use:
11,000 (2001)

Telephones - mobile cellular:
newly installed in Pohnpei and Yap

Telephone system:
general assessment: adequate system
domestic: islands interconnected by shortwave radiotelephone (used
mostly for government purposes)
international: satellite earth stations - 5 Intelsat (Pacific Ocean)
(2002)

Radio broadcast stations:
AM 5, FM 1, shortwave 0 (1998)

Radios:
9,400 (1996)

Television broadcast stations:
2 (1997)

Televisions:
2,800 (1999)

Internet country code:
.fm

Internet Service Providers (ISPs):
1 (2000)

Internet users:
2,000 (2000)

Transportation Micronesia, Federated States of

Railways:
0 km

Highways:
total: 240 km
paved: 42 km
unpaved: 198 km (1999 est.)

Waterways:
none

Ports and harbors:
Colonia (Yap), Kolonia (Pohnpei), Lele, Moen

Merchant marine:
none
note: includes a foreign-owned ship registered here as a flag of
convenience: US 1 (2002 est.)

Airports:
7 (2002)

Airports - with paved runways:
total: 6
1,524 to 2,437 m: 4
914 to 1,523 m: 2 (2002)

Airports - with unpaved runways:
total: 1
914 to 1,523 m: 1 (2002)

Military Micronesia, Federated States of

Military - note:
Federated States of Micronesia (FSM) is a sovereign, self-governing
state in free association with the US; FSM is totally dependent on
the US for its defense

Transnational Issues Micronesia, Federated States of

Disputes - international:
none

This page was last updated on 18 December, 2003

======================================================================

@Midway Islands

Introduction Midway Islands

Background:
The US took formal possession of the islands in 1867. The laying of
the trans-Pacific cable, which passed through the islands, brought
the first residents in 1903. Between 1935 and 1947, Midway was used
as a refueling stop for trans-Pacific flights. The US naval victory
over a Japanese fleet off Midway in 1942 was one of the turning
points of World War II. The islands continued to serve as a naval
station until closed in 1993. Today the islands are a national
wildlife refuge. From 1996 to 2001 the refuge was open to the
public. It is now temporarily closed.

Geography Midway Islands

Location:
Oceania, atoll in the North Pacific Ocean, about one-third of the
way from Honolulu to Tokyo

Geographic coordinates:
28 13 N, 177 22 W

Map references:
Oceania

Area:
total: 6.2 sq km
note: includes Eastern Island, Sand Island, and Spit Island
water: 0 sq km
land: 6.2 sq km

Area - comparative:
about nine times the size of The Mall in Washington, DC

Land boundaries:
0 km

Coastline:
15 km

Maritime claims:
exclusive economic zone: 200 NM
territorial sea: 12 NM

Climate:
subtropical, but moderated by prevailing easterly winds

Terrain:
low, nearly level

Elevation extremes:
lowest point: Pacific Ocean 0 m
highest point: unnamed location 13 m

Natural resources:
wildlife, terrestrial and aquatic

Land use:
arable land: 0%
permanent crops: 0%
other: 100% (1998 est.)

Irrigated land:
0 sq km (1998 est.)

Natural hazards:
NA

Environment - current issues:
NA

Geography - note:
a coral atoll managed as a national wildlife refuge and open to the
public for wildlife-related recreation in the form of wildlife
observation and photography, sport fishing, snorkeling, and scuba
diving; the refuge is temporarily closed for reorganization at
present (2003)

People Midway Islands

Population:
no indigenous inhabitants; approximately 40 people make up the
staff of US Fish and Wildlife Service and their services cooperator
living at the atoll (July 2003 est.)

Government Midway Islands

Country name:
conventional long form: none
conventional short form: Midway Islands

Dependency status:
unincorporated territory of the US; formerly administered from
Washington, DC, by the US Navy, under Naval Facilities Engineering
Command, Pacific Division; this facility has been operationally
closed since 10 September 1993; on 31 October 1996, through a
presidential executive order, the jurisdiction and control of the
atoll was transferred to the Fish and Wildlife Service of the US
Department of the Interior as part of the National Wildlife Refuge
system

Legal system:
the laws of the US, where applicable, apply

Flag description:
the flag of the US is used

Economy Midway Islands

Economy - overview:
The economy is based on providing support services for the national
wildlife refuge activities located on the islands. All food and
manufactured goods must be imported.

Transportation Midway Islands

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

Waterways:
none

Pipelines:
7.8 km

Ports and harbors:
Sand Island

Airports:
2 (2002)

Airports - with paved runways:
total: 2
1,524 to 2,437 m: 2 (2002)

Military Midway Islands

Military - note:
defense is the responsibility of the US

Transnational Issues Midway Islands

Disputes - international:
none

This page was last updated on 18 December, 2003

======================================================================

@Moldova

Introduction Moldova

Background:
Formerly ruled by Romania, Moldova became part of the Soviet Union
at the close of World War II. Although independent from the USSR
since 1991, Russian forces have remained on Moldovan territory east
of the Dniester River supporting the Slavic majority population,
mostly Ukrainians and Russians, who have proclaimed a "Transnistria"
republic. One of the poorest nations in Europe, Moldova became the
first former Soviet state to elect a Communist as its president in
2001.

Geography Moldova

Location:
Eastern Europe, northeast of Romania

Geographic coordinates:
47 00 N, 29 00 E

Map references:
Europe

Area:
total: 33,843 sq km
water: 472 sq km
land: 33,371 sq km

Area - comparative:
slightly larger than Maryland

Land boundaries:
total: 1,389 km
border countries: Romania 450 km, Ukraine 939 km

Coastline:
0 km (landlocked)

Maritime claims:
none (landlocked)

Climate:
moderate winters, warm summers

Terrain:
rolling steppe, gradual slope south to Black Sea

Elevation extremes:
lowest point: Dniester River 2 m
highest point: Dealul Balanesti 430 m

Natural resources:
lignite, phosphorites, gypsum, arable land, limestone

Land use:
arable land: 54.08%
permanent crops: 12.1%
other: 33.82% (1998 est.)

Irrigated land:
3,070 sq km (1998 est.)

Natural hazards:
landslides (57 cases in 1998)

Environment - current issues:
heavy use of agricultural chemicals, including banned pesticides
such as DDT, has contaminated soil and groundwater; extensive soil
erosion from poor farming methods

Environment - international agreements:
party to: Air Pollution, Biodiversity, Climate Change,
Desertification, Endangered Species, Hazardous Wastes, Ozone Layer
Protection, Wetlands
signed, but not ratified: Air Pollution-Persistent Organic Pollutants

Geography - note:
landlocked; well endowed with various sedimentary rocks and
minerals including sand, gravel, gypsum, and limestone

People Moldova

Population:
4,439,502 (July 2003 est.)

Age structure:
0-14 years: 21.1% (male 477,063; female 459,992)
15-64 years: 68.7% (male 1,465,248; female 1,584,402)
65 years and over: 10.2% (male 168,068; female 284,729) (2003 est.)

Median age:
total: 32 years
male: 29.8 years
female: 34.2 years (2002)

Population growth rate:
0.13% (2003 est.)

Birth rate:
14.31 births/1,000 population (2003 est.)

Death rate:
12.7 deaths/1,000 population (2003 est.)

Net migration rate:
-0.27 migrant(s)/1,000 population (2003 est.)

Sex ratio:
at birth: 1.05 male(s)/female
under 15 years: 1.04 male(s)/female
15-64 years: 0.92 male(s)/female
65 years and over: 0.59 male(s)/female
total population: 0.91 male(s)/female (2003 est.)

Infant mortality rate:
total: 41.58 deaths/1,000 live births
female: 38.19 deaths/1,000 live births (2003 est.)
male: 44.81 deaths/1,000 live births

Life expectancy at birth:
total population: 64.88 years
male: 60.63 years
female: 69.35 years (2003 est.)

Total fertility rate:
1.74 children born/woman (2003 est.)

HIV/AIDS - adult prevalence rate:
0.2% (2001 est.)

HIV/AIDS - people living with HIV/AIDS:
5,500 (2001 est.)

HIV/AIDS - deaths:
less than 300 (2001 est.)

Nationality:
noun: Moldovan(s)
adjective: Moldovan

Ethnic groups:
Moldovan/Romanian 64.5%, Ukrainian 13.8%, Russian 13%, Jewish 1.5%,
Bulgarian 2%, Gagauz and other 5.2% (1989 est.)
note: internal disputes with ethnic Slavs in the Transnistrian region

Religions:
Eastern Orthodox 98%, Jewish 1.5%, Baptist and other 0.5% (2000)

Languages:
Moldovan (official, virtually the same as the Romanian language),
Russian, Gagauz (a Turkish dialect)

Literacy:
definition: age 15 and over can read and write
total population: 99.1%
male: 99.6%
female: 98.7% (2003 est.)

Government Moldova

Country name:
conventional long form: Republic of Moldova
conventional short form: Moldova
local short form: none
former: Soviet Socialist Republic of Moldova; Moldavia
local long form: Republica Moldova

Government type:
republic

Capital:
Chisinau

Administrative divisions:
9 counties (judetele, singular - judetul), 1 municipality*
(municipiul), 1 autonomous territorial unit** (unitate teritoriala
autonoma), and 1 territorial unit*** (unitate teritoriala); Balti,
Cahul, Chisinau, Chisinau*, Edinet, Gagauzia**, Lapusna, Orhei,
Soroca, Stinga Nistrului***, Tighina, Ungheni

Independence:
27 August 1991 (from Soviet Union)

National holiday:
Independence Day, 27 August (1991)

Constitution:
new constitution adopted 28 July 1994; replaces old Soviet
constitution of 1979

Legal system:
based on civil law system; Constitutional Court reviews legality of
legislative acts and governmental decisions of resolution; it is
unclear if Moldova accepts compulsory ICJ jurisdiction but accepts
many UN and Organization for Security and Cooperation in Europe
(OSCE) documents

Suffrage:
18 years of age; universal

Executive branch:
chief of state: President Vladimir VORONIN (since 4 April 2001)
head of government: Prime Minister Vasile TARLEV (since 15 April
2001), First Deputy Prime Minister Vasile IOVV (since NA 2002),
Deputy Prime Minister Stefan ODAGIU (since NA 2002)
cabinet: selected by prime minister, subject to approval of
Parliament
elections: president elected by Parliament for a four-year term;
election last held 4 April 2001 (next to be held NA 2005); note -
presidential elections were scheduled for December 2000, but in July
2000, Parliament canceled direct, popular elections; Parliament's
failure to chose a new president in December 2000 led to early
parliamentary elections in February 2001; prime minister designated
by the president, upon consultation with Parliament; note - within
15 days from designation, the prime minister-designate must request
a vote of confidence from the Parliament regarding his/her work
program and entire cabinet; prime minister designated 15 April 2001,
cabinet received a vote of confidence 19 April 2001
election results: Vladimir VORONIN elected president; parliamentary
votes - Vladimir VORONIN 71, Dumitru BRAGHIS 15, Valerian CHRISTEA
3; Vasile TARLEV designated prime minister; parliamentary votes of
confidence - 75 of 101

Legislative branch:
unicameral Parliament or Parlamentul (101 seats; parties and
electoral blocs, as well as independent candidates, elected by
popular vote to serve four-year terms)
elections: last held 25 February 2001 (next to be held NA 2005)
election results: percent of vote by party - PCM 50.1%, Braghis
Alliance 13.4%, PPCD 8.2%, other parties 28.3%; seats by party - PCM
71, Braghis Alliance 19, PPCD 11

Judicial branch:
Supreme Court; Constitutional Court (the sole authority for
constitutional judicature)

Political parties and leaders:
Braghis Alliance [Dumitru BRAGHIS]; Communist Party or PCM
[Vladimir VORONIN, first chairman]; Popular Christian Democratic
Party or PPCD [Iurie ROSCA]; Social Democratic Union (composed of
Braghis Alliance and the Democratic Party of Moldova) [leader NA]

Political pressure groups and leaders:
NA

International organization participation:
ACCT, BIS, BSEC, CE, CEI, CIS, EAPC, EBRD, ECE, FAO, GUUAM, IAEA,
IBRD, ICAO, ICCt (signatory), ICFTU, IDA, IFAD, IFC, IFRCS, ILO,
IMF, IMO, Interpol, IOC, IOM (observer), ISO (correspondent), ITU,
OPCW, OSCE, PFP, UN, UNCTAD, UNESCO, UNIDO, UPU, WCO, WHO, WIPO,
WMO, WToO, WTrO

Diplomatic representation in the US:
chief of mission: Ambassador Mihail MANOLI
FAX: [1] (202) 667-1204
telephone: [1] (202) 667-1130
chancery: 2101 S Street NW, Washington, DC 20008

Diplomatic representation from the US:
chief of mission: Ambassador Pamela Hyde SMITH
embassy: 103 Alexei Mateevici Street, Chisinau MD-2009
mailing address: use embassy street address
telephone: [373] (2) 23-37-72
FAX: [373] (2) 23-30-44

Flag description:
same color scheme as Romania - three equal vertical bands of blue
(hoist side), yellow, and red; emblem in center of flag is of a
Roman eagle of gold outlined in black with a red beak and talons
carrying a yellow cross in its beak and a green olive branch in its
right talons and a yellow scepter in its left talons; on its breast
is a shield divided horizontally red over blue with a stylized ox
head, star, rose, and crescent all in black-outlined yellow

Economy Moldova

Economy - overview:
Moldova remains a very poor country despite recent progress from
its small economic base. It enjoys a favorable climate and good
farmland but has no major mineral deposits. As a result, the economy
depends heavily on agriculture, featuring fruits, vegetables, wine,
and tobacco. Moldova must import all of its supplies of oil, coal,
and natural gas, largely from Russia. Energy shortages contributed
to sharp production declines after the breakup of the Soviet Union
in 1991. As part of an ambitious reform effort, Moldova introduced a
convertible currency, freed all prices, stopped issuing preferential
credits to state enterprises, backed steady land privatization,
removed export controls, and freed interest rates. The government
entered into agreements with the World Bank and the IMF to promote
growth and reduce poverty. The economy returned to positive growth,
of 2.1% in 2000, 6.1% in 2001, 7.2% in 2002, and 5.3% in 2003.
Further reforms will come slowly because of strong political forces
backing government controls. The economy remains vulnerable to
higher fuel prices, poor agricultural weather, and the skepticism of
foreign investors.

GDP:
purchasing power parity - $11.51 billion (2002 est.)

GDP - real growth rate:
6.5% (2002 est.)

GDP - per capita:
purchasing power parity - $2,600 (2002 est.)

GDP - composition by sector:
agriculture: 28%
industry: 23%
services: 49% (2000)

Population below poverty line:
80% (2001 est.)

Household income or consumption by percentage share:
lowest 10%: 2.2%
highest 10%: 30.7% (1997)

Distribution of family income - Gini index:
40.6 (1997)

Inflation rate (consumer prices):
5.5% (2002 est.)

Labor force:
1.7 million (1998)

Labor force - by occupation:
agriculture 40%, industry 14%, services 46% (1998)

Unemployment rate:
8% (roughly 25% of working age Moldovans are employed abroad) (2002
est.)

Budget:
revenues: $536 million
expenditures: $594 million, including capital expenditures of $NA
(1998 est.)

Industries:
food processing, agricultural machinery, foundry equipment,
refrigerators and freezers, washing machines, hosiery, sugar,
vegetable oil, shoes, textiles

Industrial production growth rate:
9% (2002 est.)

Electricity - production:
3.394 billion kWh (2001)

Electricity - production by source:
fossil fuel: 90.6%
hydro: 9.4%
other: 0% (2001)
nuclear: 0%

Electricity - consumption:
3.216 billion kWh (2001)

Electricity - exports:
0 kWh (2001)

Electricity - imports:
60 million kWh (2001)

Oil - production:
0 bbl/day (2001 est.)

Oil - consumption:
24,000 bbl/day (2001 est.)

Oil - exports:
NA (2001)

Oil - imports:
NA (2001)

Natural gas - production:
0 cu m (2001 est.)

Natural gas - consumption:
2.05 billion cu m (2001 est.)

Natural gas - exports:
0 cu m (2001 est.)

Natural gas - imports:
2.05 billion cu m (2001 est.)

Agriculture - products:
vegetables, fruits, wine, grain, sugar beets, sunflower seed,
tobacco; beef, milk

Exports:
$590 million f.o.b. (2002 est.)

Exports - commodities:
foodstuffs, textiles, machinery

Exports - partners:
Russia 35%, Italy 11.7%, Germany 8.8%, Ukraine 8.5%, Romania 5.7%,
US 5.2%, Belarus 4.5%, Spain 4.1% (2002)

Imports:
$980 million f.o.b. (2002 est.)

Imports - commodities:
mineral products and fuel 32%, machinery and equipment, chemicals,
textiles (2000)

Imports - partners:
Russia 23.9%, Ukraine 13.4%, Germany 12.6%, Italy 8.3%, Romania
8.2% (2002)

Debt - external:
$1.3 billion (2002)

Economic aid - recipient:
$100 million (2000)

Currency:
Moldovan leu (MDL)

Currency code:
MDL

Exchange rates:
lei per US dollar - NA (2002), 12.87 (2001), 12.43 (2000), 10.52
(1999), 5.37 (1998)

Fiscal year:
calendar year

Communications Moldova

Telephones - main lines in use:
627,000 (1997)

Telephones - mobile cellular:
2,200 (1997)

Telephone system:
general assessment: inadequate, outmoded, poor service outside
Chisinau; some effort to modernize is under way
domestic: new subscribers face long wait for service; mobile
cellular telephone service being introduced
international: service through Romania and Russia via landline;
satellite earth stations - Intelsat, Eutelsat, and Intersputnik

Radio broadcast stations:
AM 7, FM 50, shortwave 3 (1998)

Radios:
3.22 million (1997)

Television broadcast stations:
1 (plus 30 repeaters) (1995)

Televisions:
1.26 million (1997)

Internet country code:
.md

Internet Service Providers (ISPs):
2 (1999)

Internet users:
15,000 (2000)

Transportation Moldova

Railways:
total: 1,300 km
broad gauge: 1,300 km 1.520-m gauge (2002)

Highways:
total: 12,657 km
paved: 11,012 km
unpaved: 1,645 km (1999)

Waterways:
424 km (1994)

Pipelines:
gas 606 km (2003)

Ports and harbors:
none

Airports:
36 (2002)

Airports - with paved runways:
total: 8
over 3,047 m: 1
2,438 to 3,047 m: 2
1,524 to 2,437 m: 3
under 914 m: 2 (2002)

Airports - with unpaved runways:
total: 28
2,438 to 3,047 m: 3
1,524 to 2,437 m: 2
914 to 1,523 m: 11
under 914 m: 12 (2002)

Military Moldova

Military branches:
Ground Forces (includes Air and Air Defense Forces), Republic
Security Forces (includes paramilitary Internal Troops and Border
Troops)

Military manpower - military age:
18 years of age (2003 est.)

Military manpower - availability:
males age 15-49: 1,180,874 (2003 est.)

Military manpower - fit for military service:
males age 15-49: 936,629 (2003 est.)

Military manpower - reaching military age annually:
males: 44,084 (2003 est.)

Military expenditures - dollar figure:
$6.4 million (FY02)

Military expenditures - percent of GDP:
0.4% (FY02)

Transnational Issues Moldova

Disputes - international:
difficulties with the Transnistria region complicate border
crossing and customs with Ukraine, facilitating smuggling, arms
transfers, and other illegal activities

Illicit drugs:
limited cultivation of opium poppy and cannabis, mostly for CIS
consumption; transshipment point for illicit drugs from Southwest
Asia via Central Asia to Russia, Western Europe, and possibly the
US; widespread crime and underground economic activity

This page was last updated on 18 December, 2003

======================================================================

@Monaco

Introduction Monaco

Background:
Economic development was spurred in the late 19th century with a
railroad linkup to France and the opening of a casino. Since then,
the principality's mild climate, splendid scenery, and gambling
facilities have made Monaco world famous as a tourist and recreation
center.

Geography Monaco

Location:
Western Europe, bordering the Mediterranean Sea on the southern
coast of France, near the border with Italy

Geographic coordinates:
43 44 N, 7 24 E

Map references:
Europe

Area:
total: 1.95 sq km
water: 0 sq km
land: 1.95 sq km

Area - comparative:
about three times the size of The Mall in Washington, DC

Land boundaries:
total: 4.4 km
border countries: France 4.4 km

Coastline:
4.1 km

Maritime claims:
territorial sea: 12 NM

Climate:
Mediterranean with mild, wet winters and hot, dry summers

Terrain:
hilly, rugged, rocky

Elevation extremes:
lowest point: Mediterranean Sea 0 m
highest point: Mont Agel 140 m

Natural resources:
none

Land use:
arable land: 0%
permanent crops: 0%
other: 100% (urban area) (1998 est.)

Irrigated land:
NA sq km

Natural hazards:
NA

Environment - current issues:
NA

Environment - international agreements:
party to: Air Pollution, Air Pollution-Volatile Organic Compounds,
Biodiversity, Climate Change, Desertification, Endangered Species,
Hazardous Wastes, Law of the Sea, Marine Dumping, Ozone Layer
Protection, Ship Pollution, Wetlands, Whaling
signed, but not ratified: Climate Change-Kyoto Protocol

Geography - note:
second-smallest independent state in the world (after Holy See);
almost entirely urban

People Monaco

Population:
32,130 (July 2003 est.)

Age structure:
0-14 years: 15.5% (male 2,551; female 2,445)
15-64 years: 62.1% (male 9,814; female 10,130)
65 years and over: 22.4% (male 2,937; female 4,253) (2003 est.)

Median age:
total: 45 years
male: 43 years
female: 47 years (2002)

Population growth rate:
0.44% (2003 est.)

Birth rate:
9.46 births/1,000 population (2003 est.)

Death rate:
12.82 deaths/1,000 population (2003 est.)

Net migration rate:
7.78 migrant(s)/1,000 population (2003 est.)

Sex ratio:
at birth: 1.05 male(s)/female
under 15 years: 1.04 male(s)/female
15-64 years: 0.97 male(s)/female
65 years and over: 0.69 male(s)/female
total population: 0.91 male(s)/female (2003 est.)

Infant mortality rate:
total: 5.63 deaths/1,000 live births
female: 4.69 deaths/1,000 live births (2003 est.)
male: 6.52 deaths/1,000 live births

Life expectancy at birth:
total population: 79.27 years
male: 75.37 years
female: 83.37 years (2003 est.)

Total fertility rate:
1.76 children born/woman (2003 est.)

HIV/AIDS - adult prevalence rate:
NA%

HIV/AIDS - people living with HIV/AIDS:
NA

HIV/AIDS - deaths:
NA

Nationality:
noun: Monegasque(s) or Monacan(s)
adjective: Monegasque or Monacan

Ethnic groups:
French 47%, Monegasque 16%, Italian 16%, other 21%

Religions:
Roman Catholic 90%

Languages:
French (official), English, Italian, Monegasque

Literacy:
definition: NA
total population: 99%
male: NA%
female: NA%

Government Monaco

Country name:
conventional long form: Principality of Monaco
conventional short form: Monaco
local short form: Monaco
local long form: Principaute de Monaco

Government type:
constitutional monarchy

Capital:
Monaco

Administrative divisions:
none; there are no first-order administrative divisions as defined
by the US Government, but there are four quarters (quartiers,
singular - quartier); Fontvieille, La Condamine, Monaco-Ville,
Monte-Carlo

Independence:
1419 (beginning of the rule by the House of Grimaldi)

National holiday:
National Day (Prince of Monaco Holiday), 19 November

Constitution:
17 December 1962

Legal system:
based on French law; has not accepted compulsory ICJ jurisdiction

Suffrage:
21 years of age; universal

Executive branch:
chief of state: Prince RAINIER III (since 9 May 1949); Heir
Apparent Prince ALBERT Alexandre Louis Pierre, son of the monarch
(born 14 March 1958)
elections: none; the monarchy is hereditary; minister of state
appointed by the monarch from a list of three French national
candidates presented by the French Government
cabinet: Council of Government is under the authority of the monarch
head of government: Minister of State Patrick LECLERCQ (since 5
January 2000)

Legislative branch:
unicameral National Council or Conseil National (24 seats; 16
members elected by list majority system, 8 by proportional
representation; to serve five-year terms)
election results: percent of vote by party - NA%; seats by party -
UNAM 21, UND 3
elections: last held 9 February 2003 (next to be held NA February
2008)

Judicial branch:
Supreme Court or Tribunal Supreme (judges appointed by the monarch
on the basis of nominations by the National Council)

Political parties and leaders:
National and Democratic Union or UND [Jean-Louis CAMPORA]; Union
for Monaco or UPM (including National Union for the Future of Monaco
or UNAM [leader NA]

Political pressure groups and leaders:
NA

International organization participation:
ACCT, ECE, FAO, IAEA, ICAO, ICC, ICCt (signatory), ICRM, IFRCS,
IHO, IMO, Interpol, IOC, ITU, OPCW, OSCE, UN, UNCTAD, UNESCO,
UNITAR, UPU, WHO, WIPO, WMO, WToO

Diplomatic representation in the US:
Monaco does not have an embassy in the US
consulate(s) general: New York

Diplomatic representation from the US:
the US does not have an embassy in Monaco; the US Consul General in
Marseille (France) is accredited to Monaco

Flag description:
two equal horizontal bands of red (top) and white; similar to the
flag of Indonesia which is longer and the flag of Poland which is
white (top) and red

Economy Monaco

Economy - overview:
Monaco, situated on the French Mediterranean coast, is a popular
resort, attracting tourists to its casino and pleasant climate. In
2001, a major new construction project will extend the pier used by
cruise ships in the main harbor. The principality has successfully
sought to diversify into services and small, high-value-added,
nonpolluting industries. The state has no income tax and low
business taxes and thrives as a tax haven both for individuals who
have established residence and for foreign companies that have set
up businesses and offices. The state retains monopolies in a number
of sectors, including tobacco, the telephone network, and the postal
service. Living standards are high, roughly comparable to those in
prosperous French metropolitan areas. Monaco does not publish
national income figures; the estimates below are extremely rough.

GDP:
purchasing power parity - $870 million (1999 est.)

GDP - real growth rate:
NA%

GDP - per capita:
purchasing power parity - $27,000 (1999 est.)

GDP - composition by sector:
agriculture: NA%
industry: NA%
services: NA%

Population below poverty line:
NA%

Household income or consumption by percentage share:
lowest 10%: NA%
highest 10%: NA%

Inflation rate (consumer prices):
NA%

Labor force:
30,540 (January 1994)

Unemployment rate:
3.1% (1998)

Budget:
revenues: $518 million
expenditures: $531 million, including capital expenditures of $NA
(1995)

Industries:
tourism, construction, small-scale industrial and consumer products

Industrial production growth rate:
NA%

Electricity - consumption:
NA kWh

Electricity - imports:
NA kWh
note: electricity supplied by France

Agriculture - products:
none

Exports:
$NA; full customs integration with France, which collects and
rebates Monegasque trade duties; also participates in EU market
system through customs union with France

Imports:
$NA; full customs integration with France, which collects and
rebates Monegasque trade duties; also participates in EU market
system through customs union with France

Debt - external:
$NA

Economic aid - recipient:
$NA

Currency:
euro (EUR)

Currency code:
EUR

Exchange rates:
euros per US dollar - 1.06 1.0626 (2002), 1.1175 (2001), 1.0854
(2000), 0.9386 (1999); French francs per US dollar - 5.8995 (1998)

Fiscal year:
calendar year

Communications Monaco

Telephones - main lines in use:
31,027 (1995)

Telephones - mobile cellular:
NA

Telephone system:
general assessment: modern automatic telephone system
domestic: NA
international: no satellite earth stations; connected by cable into
the French communications system

Radio broadcast stations:
AM 1, FM NA, shortwave 8 (1998)

Radios:
34,000 (1997)

Television broadcast stations:
5 (1998)

Televisions:
25,000 (1997)

Internet country code:
.mc

Internet Service Providers (ISPs):
2 (2000)

Internet users:
NA

Transportation Monaco

Railways:
total: 1.7 km
standard gauge: 1.7 km 1.435-m gauge (2002)

Highways:
total: 50 km
paved: 50 km
unpaved: 0 km (1999 est.)

Waterways:
none

Ports and harbors:
Monaco

Merchant marine:
none (2002 est.)

Airports:
none; linked to airport in Nice, France, by helicopter service
(2002)

Heliports:
1 (shuttle service between the international airport at Nice,
France, and Monaco's heliport at Fontvieille) (2002)

Military Monaco

Military - note:
defense is the responsibility of France

Transnational Issues Monaco

Disputes - international:
none

This page was last updated on 18 December, 2003

======================================================================

@Mongolia

Introduction Mongolia

Background:
The Mongols gained fame in the 13th century when under Genghis KHAN
they conquered a huge Eurasian empire. After his death the empire
was divided into several powerful Mongol states, but these broke
apart in the 14th century. The Mongols eventually retired to their
original steppe homelands and came under Chinese rule. Mongolia won
its independence in 1921 with Soviet backing. A Communist regime was
installed in 1924. During the early 1990s, the ex-Communist
Mongolian People's Revolutionary Party (MPRP) gradually yielded its
monopoly on power to the Democratic Union Coalition (DUC), which
defeated the MPRP in a national election in 1996. Over the next four
years, the DUC put forward a number of key reforms to modernize the
economy and to democratize the political system. The former
Communists were a strong opposition that stalled additional
restructuring and made implementation difficult. In 2000, the MPRP
won an overwhelming victory in the legislature - with 72 of the 76
seats - and completely reshuffled the government. While it continues
many of the reform policies, the MPRP has focused on social welfare
and public order priorities.

Geography Mongolia

Location:
Northern Asia, between China and Russia

Geographic coordinates:
46 00 N, 105 00 E

Map references:
Asia

Area:
total: 1.565 million sq km
water: 9,600 sq km
land: 1,555,400 sq km

Area - comparative:
slightly smaller than Alaska

Land boundaries:
total: 8,162 km
border countries: China 4,677 km, Russia 3,485 km

Coastline:
0 km (landlocked)

Maritime claims:
none (landlocked)

Climate:
desert; continental (large daily and seasonal temperature ranges)

Terrain:
vast semidesert and desert plains, grassy steppe, mountains in west
and southwest; Gobi Desert in south-central

Elevation extremes:
lowest point: Hoh Nuur 518 m
highest point: Nayramadlin Orgil (Huyten Orgil) 4,374 m

Natural resources:
oil, coal, copper, molybdenum, tungsten, phosphates, tin, nickel,
zinc, wolfram, fluorspar, gold, silver, iron, phosphate

Land use:
arable land: 0.84%
permanent crops: 0%
other: 99.16% (1998 est.)

Irrigated land:
840 sq km (1998 est.)

Natural hazards:
dust storms, grassland and forest fires, drought, and "zud", which
is harsh winter conditions

Environment - current issues:
limited natural fresh water resources in some areas; the policies
of former Communist regimes promoted rapid urbanization and
industrial growth that had negative effects on the environment; the
burning of soft coal in power plants and the lack of enforcement of
environmental laws severely polluted the air in Ulaanbaatar;
deforestation, overgrazing, and the converting of virgin land to
agricultural production increased soil erosion from wind and rain;
desertification and mining activities had a deleterious effect on
the environment

Environment - international agreements:
party to: Biodiversity, Climate Change, Climate Change-Kyoto
Protocol, Desertification, Endangered Species, Environmental
Modification, Hazardous Wastes, Law of the Sea, Ozone Layer
Protection, Wetlands
signed, but not ratified: none of the selected agreements

Geography - note:
landlocked; strategic location between China and Russia

People Mongolia

Population:
2,712,315 (July 2003 est.)

Age structure:
0-14 years: 30.7% (male 423,081; female 408,119)
15-64 years: 65.7% (male 890,482; female 892,140)
65 years and over: 3.6% (male 42,292; female 56,201) (2003 est.)

Median age:
total: 23.5 years
male: 23.2 years
female: 23.9 years (2002)

Population growth rate:
1.42% (2003 est.)

Birth rate:
21.39 births/1,000 population (2003 est.)

Death rate:
7.18 deaths/1,000 population (2003 est.)

Net migration rate:
0 migrant(s)/1,000 population (2003 est.)

Sex ratio:
at birth: 1.05 male(s)/female
under 15 years: 1.04 male(s)/female
15-64 years: 1 male(s)/female
65 years and over: 0.75 male(s)/female
total population: 1 male(s)/female (2003 est.)

Infant mortality rate:
total: 57.16 deaths/1,000 live births
female: 53.38 deaths/1,000 live births (2003 est.)
male: 60.75 deaths/1,000 live births

Life expectancy at birth:
total population: 63.81 years
male: 61.63 years
female: 66.09 years (2003 est.)

Total fertility rate:
2.28 children born/woman (2003 est.)

HIV/AIDS - adult prevalence rate:
less than 0.1% (2001 est.)

HIV/AIDS - people living with HIV/AIDS:
less than 100 (1999 est.)

HIV/AIDS - deaths:
NA

Nationality:
noun: Mongolian(s)
adjective: Mongolian

Ethnic groups:
Mongol (predominantly Khalkha) 85%, Turkic (of which Kazakh is the
largest group) 7%, Tungusic 4.6%, other (including Chinese and
Russian) 3.4% (1998)

Religions:
Tibetan Buddhist Lamaism 96%, Muslim (primarily in the southwest),
Shamanism, and Christian 4% (1998)

Languages:
Khalkha Mongol 90%, Turkic, Russian (1999)

Literacy:
definition: age 15 and over can read and write
total population: 99.1%
male: 99.2%
female: 99% (2003 est.)

Government Mongolia

Country name:
conventional long form: none
conventional short form: Mongolia
local short form: Mongol Uls
former: Outer Mongolia
local long form: none

Government type:
parliamentary

Capital:
Ulaanbaatar

Administrative divisions:
21 provinces (aymguud, singular - aymag) and 1 municipality*
(singular - hot); Arhangay, Bayanhongor, Bayan-Olgiy, Bulgan, Darhan
Uul, Dornod, Dornogovi, Dundgovi, Dzavhan, Govi-Altay, Govi-Sumber,
Hentiy, Hovd, Hovsgol, Omnogovi, Orhon, Ovorhangay, Selenge,
Suhbaatar, Tov, Ulaanbaatar*, Uvs

Independence:
11 July 1921 (from China)

National holiday:
Independence Day/Revolution Day, 11 July (1921)

Constitution:
12 February 1992

Legal system:
blend of Soviet, German, and US systems of law that combines
aspects of a parliamentary system with some aspects of a
presidential system; constitution ambiguous on judicial review of
legislative acts; has not accepted compulsory ICJ jurisdiction

Suffrage:
18 years of age; universal

Executive branch:
chief of state: President Natsagiyn BAGABANDI (since 20 June 1997)
head of government: Prime Minister Nambaryn ENKHBAYAR (since 26 July
2000)
cabinet: Cabinet appointed by the State Great Hural in consultation
with the president
elections: president nominated by parties in the State Great Hural
and elected by popular vote for a four-year term; election last held
20 May 2001 (next to be held NA May 2005); following legislative
elections, the leader of the majority party or majority coalition is
usually elected prime minister by the State Great Hural; election
last held 2 July 2000 (next to be held NA 2004)
election results: Natsagiyn BAGABANDI reelected president; percent
of vote - Natsagiyn BAGABANDI (MPRP) 58.13%, Radnaasumbereliyn
GONCHIGDORJ (DP) 36.58%, Luvsandamba DASHNYAM (CWP) 3.54%, other
1.75%; Nambaryn ENKHBAYAR elected prime minister by a vote in the
State Great Hural of 68 to 3

Legislative branch:
unicameral State Great Hural (76 seats; members elected by popular
vote to serve four-year terms)
elections: last held 2 July 2000 (next to be held NA July 2004)
election results: percent of vote by party - NA%; seats by party -
MPRP 72, other 4

Judicial branch:
Supreme Court (serves as appeals court for people's and provincial
courts but rarely overturns verdicts of lower courts; judges are
nominated by the General Council of Courts for approval by the
president)

Political parties and leaders:
Citizens' Will Party or CWP (also called Civil Will Party or Civil
Courage Party) [Sanjaasurengyn OYUN]; Democratic Party or DP [D.
DORLIGJAN]; Mongolian People's Revolutionary Party or MPRP [Nambaryn
ENKHBAYAR]; Mongolian New Socialist Democratic Party or MNSDP [B.
ERDENEBAT]; Mongolian Republican Party or MRP [B. JARGALSAIHAN]
note: the MPRP is the ruling party

Political pressure groups and leaders:
NA

International organization participation:
ARF (dialogue partner), AsDB, ASEAN (observer), CP (provisional),
EBRD, ESCAP, FAO, G-77, IAEA, IBRD, ICAO, ICC, ICCt, ICFTU, ICRM,
IDA, IFAD, IFC, IFRCS, ILO, IMF, IMO, Interpol, IOC, ISO, ITU,
MONUC, NAM, OPCW, UN, UNCTAD, UNESCO, UNIDO, UPU, WCO, WHO, WIPO,
WMO, WToO, WTrO

Diplomatic representation in the US:
chief of mission: Ambassador Ravdangiyn BOLD
chancery: 2833 M Street NW, Washington, DC 20007
consulate(s) general: New York
FAX: [1] (202) 298-9227
telephone: [1] (202) 333-7117

Diplomatic representation from the US:
chief of mission: Ambassador Pamela J. Slutz
embassy: Micro Region 11, Big Ring Road, C.P.O. 1021, Ulaanbaatar 13
mailing address: PSC 461, Box 300, FPO AP 96521-0002
telephone: [976] (11) 329095
FAX: [976] (11) 320776

Flag description:
three equal, vertical bands of red (hoist side), blue, and red;
centered on the hoist-side red band in yellow is the national emblem
("soyombo" - a columnar arrangement of abstract and geometric
representation for fire, sun, moon, earth, water, and the yin-yang
symbol)

Economy Mongolia

Economy - overview:
Economic activity traditionally has been based on agriculture and
breeding of livestock. Mongolia also has extensive mineral deposits;
copper, coal, molybdenum, tin, tungsten, and gold account for a
large part of industrial production. Soviet assistance, at its
height one-third of GDP, disappeared almost overnight in 1990-1991
at the time of the dismantlement of the USSR. Mongolia was driven
into deep recession, prolonged by the Mongolian People's
Revolutionary Party's (MPRP) reluctance to undertake serious
economic reform. The Democratic Coalition (DC) government embraced
free-market economics, eased price controls, liberalized domestic
and international trade, and attempted to restructure the banking
system and the energy sector. Major domestic privatization programs
were undertaken, as well as the fostering of foreign investment
through international tender of the oil distribution company, a
leading cashmere company, and banks. Reform was held back by the
ex-Communist MPRP opposition and by the political instability
brought about through four successive governments under the DC.
Economic growth picked up in 1997-1999 after stalling in 1996 due to
a series of natural disasters and declines in world prices of copper
and cashmere. In August and September 1999, the economy suffered
from a temporary Russian ban on exports of oil and oil products, and
Mongolia remains vulnerable in this sector. Mongolia joined the
World Trade Organization (WTrO) in 1997. The international donor
community pledged over $300 million per year at the Consultative
Group Meeting, held in Ulaanbaatar in June 1999. The MPRP
government, elected in July 2000, is anxious to improve the
investment climate; it must also deal with a heavy burden of
external debt. Falling prices for Mongolia's mainly primary sector
exports, widespread opposition to privatization, and adverse effects
of weather on agriculture in early 2000 and 2001 restrained real GDP
growth in 2000-2001. Despite drought problems in 2002, GDP rose
4.0%, followed by a solid 5.0% increase in 2003. The first
applications under the land privatization law have been marked by a
number of disputes over particular sites. Russia claims Mongolia
owes it $11 billion from the old Soviet period; any settlement could
substantially increase Mongolia's foreign debt burden.

GDP:
purchasing power parity - $5.06 billion (2002 est.)

GDP - real growth rate:
3.9% (2002 est.)

GDP - per capita:
purchasing power parity - $1,900 (2002 est.)

GDP - composition by sector:
agriculture: 32%
industry: 23%
services: 45% (2001 est.)

Population below poverty line:
36% (2001 est.)

Household income or consumption by percentage share:
lowest 10%: 2.9%
highest 10%: 24.5% (1995)

Distribution of family income - Gini index:
33.2 (1995)

Inflation rate (consumer prices):
3% (2002 est.)

Labor force:
1.4 million (2001)

Labor force - by occupation:
primarily herding/agricultural

Unemployment rate:
20% (2000)

Budget:
revenues: $386 million
expenditures: $427 million, including capital expenditures of $NA
(2002 est.)

Industries:
construction materials, mining (coal, copper, molybdenum,
fluorspar, and gold); oil; food and beverages, processing of animal
products

Industrial production growth rate:
4.1% (2002 est.)

Electricity - production:
2.225 billion kWh (2001)

Electricity - production by source:
fossil fuel: 100%
hydro: 0%
other: 0% (2001)
nuclear: 0%

Electricity - consumption:
2.194 billion kWh (2001)

Electricity - exports:
25 million kWh (2001)

Electricity - imports:
196 million kWh (2001)

Oil - production:
0 bbl/day (2001 est.)

Oil - consumption:
8,750 bbl/day (2001 est.)

Oil - exports:
NA (2001)

Oil - imports:
NA (2001)

Agriculture - products:
wheat, barley, potatoes, forage crops; sheep, goats, cattle,
camels, horses

Exports:
$501 million f.o.b. (2002 est.)

Exports - commodities:
copper, livestock, animal products, cashmere, wool, hides,
fluorspar, other nonferrous metals

Exports - partners:
China 43.8%, US 33.6%, Russia 9.6% (2002)

Imports:
$659 million c.i.f. (2002 est.)

Imports - commodities:
machinery and equipment, fuels, food products, industrial consumer
goods, chemicals, building materials, sugar, tea

Imports - partners:
Russia 32%, China 19.4%, South Korea 12.1%, US 9.1%, Germany 4.7%,
Japan 4.3% (2002)

Debt - external:
$913 million (2001 est.)

Economic aid - recipient:
$208.7 million (1999 est.)

Currency:
togrog/tugrik (MNT)

Currency code:
MNT

Exchange rates:
togrogs/tugriks per US dollar - 1,134 (2002), 1,097.7 (2001),
1,076.67 (2000), 1,021.87 (1999), 840.83 (1998)

Fiscal year:
calendar year

Communications Mongolia

Telephones - main lines in use:
104,100 (1999)

Telephones - mobile cellular:
110,000 (2001)