Chapter M: Major infectious diseases (45)

Unemployment rate:

5.8% (2008 est.) country comparison to the world: 71 3.5% (2007 est.)

note: based on survey data, official registered unemployment of 5.7%

Population below poverty line:

4% (2003)

Household income or consumption by percentage share:

lowest 10%: 2.7%

highest 10%: 27.4% (2003)

Distribution of family income - Gini index:

36 (2005) country comparison to the world: 85 34 (1999)

Investment (gross fixed):

24.8% of GDP (2008 est.) country comparison to the world: 53

Budget:

revenues: $15.15 billion

expenditures: $16.66 billion (2008 est.)

Public debt:

15.6% of GDP (2008 est.) country comparison to the world: 102 25.2% of GDP (2004 est.)

Inflation rate (consumer prices):

10.9% (2008 est.) country comparison to the world: 160 5.7% (2007 est.)

Central bank discount rate:

4.73% (31 December 2008) country comparison to the world: 109 4.85% (31 December 2007)

Commercial bank prime lending rate:

6.29% (31 December 2008) country comparison to the world: 122 6.86% (31 December 2007)

Stock of money:

$9.519 billion (31 December 2008) country comparison to the world: 45 $11.84 billion (31 December 2007)

Stock of quasi money:

$8.419 billion (31 December 2008) country comparison to the world: 57 $6.917 billion (31 December 2007)

Stock of domestic credit:

$29.21 billion (31 December 2008) country comparison to the world: 53 $25.05 billion (31 December 2007)

Market value of publicly traded shares:

$3.625 billion (31 December 2008) country comparison to the world: 74 $10.13 billion (31 December 2007)

$10.19 billion (31 December 2006)

Agriculture - products:

grain, potatoes, sugar beets, flax, vegetables; beef, milk, eggs; fish

Industries:

metal-cutting machine tools, electric motors, television sets, refrigerators and freezers, petroleum refining, shipbuilding (small ships), furniture making, textiles, food processing, fertilizers, agricultural machinery, optical equipment, electronic components, computers, amber jewelry

Industrial production growth rate:

1.5% (2008 est.) country comparison to the world: 116

Electricity - production:

12.09 billion kWh (2007 est.) country comparison to the world: 85

Electricity - consumption:

9.612 billion kWh (2007 est.) country comparison to the world: 86

Electricity - exports:

6.606 billion kWh (2008 est.)

Electricity - imports:

5.649 billion kWh (2008 est.)

Oil - production:

8,247 bbl/day (2008 est.) country comparison to the world: 88

Oil - consumption:

73,000 bbl/day (2008 est.) country comparison to the world: 87

Oil - exports:

137,200 bbl/day (2007 est.) country comparison to the world: 61

Oil - imports:

204,000 bbl/day (2007 est.) country comparison to the world: 48

Oil - proved reserves:

12 million bbl (1 January 2009 est.) country comparison to the world: 87

Natural gas - production:

0 cu m (2008 est.) country comparison to the world: 167

Natural gas - consumption:

3.53 billion cu m (2008 est.) country comparison to the world: 68

Natural gas - exports:

0 cu m (2008) country comparison to the world: 75

Natural gas - imports:

3.53 billion cu m (2008 est.) country comparison to the world: 37

Natural gas - proved reserves:

0 cu m (1 January 2009 est.) country comparison to the world: 159

Current account balance:

-$5.629 billion (2008 est.) country comparison to the world: 159 -$5.692 billion (2007 est.)

Exports:

$23.74 billion (2008 est.) country comparison to the world: 68 $17.16 billion (2007 est.)

Exports - commodities:

mineral products 23%, textiles and clothing 16%, machinery and equipment 11%, chemicals 6%, wood and wood products 5%, foodstuffs 5% (2001)

Exports - partners:

Russia 16%, Latvia 11.6%, Germany 7.2%, Poland 5.8%, Estonia 5.7%, France 4.9%, UK 4.7%, Denmark 4.7%, Belarus 4.5% (2008)

Imports:

$29.3 billion (2008 est.) country comparison to the world: 64 $23.04 billion (2007 est.)

Imports - commodities:

mineral products, machinery and equipment, transport equipment, chemicals, textiles and clothing, metals

Imports - partners:

Russia 30.1%, Germany 11.8%, Poland 10%, Latvia 5.2% (2008)

Reserves of foreign exchange and gold:

$6.441 billion (31 December 2008 est.) country comparison to the world: 78 $7.721 billion (31 December 2007 est.)

Debt - external:

$32.47 billion (31 December 2008) country comparison to the world: 63 $30.1 billion (31 December 2007)

Stock of direct foreign investment - at home:

$12.85 billion (31 December 2008 est.) country comparison to the world: 74 $15.06 billion (31 December 2007 est.)

Stock of direct foreign investment - abroad:

$1.985 billion (31 December 2008 est.) country comparison to the world: 63 $1.65 billion (31 December 2007 est.)

Exchange rates:

litai (LTL) per US dollar - 2.3251 (2008 est.), 2.5362 (2007), 2.7498 (2006), 2.774 (2005), 2.7806 (2004)

Communications ::Lithuania

Telephones - main lines in use:

784,900 (2008) country comparison to the world: 88

Telephones - mobile cellular:

5.023 million (2008) country comparison to the world: 87

Telephone system:

general assessment: adequate; being modernized to provide improved international capability and better residential access

domestic: rapid expansion of mobile-cellular services has resulted in a steady decline in the number of main line subscriptions; mobile-cellular teledensity has increased to about 140 per 100 persons while fixed-line teledensity has dropped to 22 per 100 persons

international: country code - 370; major international connections to Denmark, Sweden, and Norway by submarine cable for further transmission by satellite; landline connections to Latvia and Poland (2008)

Radio broadcast stations:

AM 29, FM 142, shortwave 1 (2001)

Television broadcast stations:

44 (may have as many as 100 transmitters, including repeater stations) (2008)

Internet country code:

.lt

Internet hosts:

885,064 (2009) country comparison to the world: 39

Internet users:

1.777 million (2008) country comparison to the world: 72

Transportation ::Lithuania

Airports:

87 (2009) country comparison to the world: 67

Airports - with paved runways:

total: 32

over 3,047 m: 3

2,438 to 3,047 m: 1

1,524 to 2,437 m: 7

914 to 1,523 m: 2

under 914 m: 19 (2009)

Airports - with unpaved runways:

total: 55

over 3,047 m: 1

914 to 1,523 m: 3

under 914 m: 51 (2009)

Pipelines:

gas 1,695 km; refined products 114 km (2008)

Railways:

total: 1,765 km country comparison to the world: 78 broad gauge: 1,743 km 1.524-m gauge (122 km electrified)

standard gauge: 22 km 1.435-m gauge (2008)

Roadways:

total: 80,715 km country comparison to the world: 57 paved: 71,301 km (includes 309 km of expressways)

unpaved: 9,414 km (2007)

Waterways:

441 km (2007) country comparison to the world: 86

Merchant marine:

total: 45 country comparison to the world: 73 by type: cargo 23, container 2, passenger/cargo 6, petroleum tanker 1, refrigerated cargo 13

foreign-owned: 6 (Denmark 5, Ukraine 1)

registered in other countries: 28 (Antigua and Barbuda 5, Cook Islands 1, North Korea 1, Malta 1, Norway 1, Panama 7, Saint Vincent and the Grenadines 9, unknown 3) (2008)

Ports and terminals:

Klaipeda

Military ::Lithuania

Military branches:

Ground Forces, Naval Forces, Air Forces (Karines Oro Pajegos, KOP), National Defense Volunteer Forces (2009)

Military service age and obligation:

19-26 years of age for compulsory military service; 18 years of age for volunteers; 12-month conscript service obligation; male registration required at age 16 (2009)

Manpower available for military service:

males age 16-49: 915,187

females age 16-49: 906,097 (2008 est.)

Manpower fit for military service:

males age 16-49: 677,689

females age 16-49: 743,468 (2009 est.)

Manpower reaching militarily significant age annually:

male: 23,556

female: 22,404 (2009 est.)

Military expenditures:

1.2% of GDP (2007 est.) country comparison to the world: 131

Transnational Issues ::Lithuania

Disputes - international:

Lithuania and Russia committed to demarcating their boundary in 2006 in accordance with the land and maritime treaty ratified by Russia in May 2003 and by Lithuania in 1999; Lithuania operates a simplified transit regime for Russian nationals traveling from the Kaliningrad coastal exclave into Russia, while still conforming, as a EU member state having an external border with a non-EU member, to strict Schengen border rules; the Latvian parliament has not ratified its 1998 maritime boundary treaty with Lithuania, primarily due to concerns over potential hydrocarbons; as of January 2007, ground demarcation of the boundary with Belarus was complete and mapped with final ratification documents in preparation

Illicit drugs:

transshipment and destination point for cannabis, cocaine, ecstasy, and opiates from Southwest Asia, Latin America, Western Europe, and neighboring Baltic countries; growing production of high-quality amphetamines, but limited production of cannabis, methamphetamines; susceptible to money laundering despite changes to banking legislation

page last updated on November 11, 2009

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

@Luxembourg (Europe)

Introduction ::Luxembourg

Background:

Founded in 963, Luxembourg became a grand duchy in 1815 and an independent state under the Netherlands. It lost more than half of its territory to Belgium in 1839, but gained a larger measure of autonomy. Full independence was attained in 1867. Overrun by Germany in both World Wars, it ended its neutrality in 1948 when it entered into the Benelux Customs Union and when it joined NATO the following year. In 1957, Luxembourg became one of the six founding countries of the European Economic Community (later the European Union), and in 1999 it joined the euro currency area.

Geography ::Luxembourg

Location:

Western Europe, between France and Germany

Geographic coordinates:

49 45 N, 6 10 E

Map references:

Europe

Area:

total: 2,586 sq km country comparison to the world: 178 land: 2,586 sq km

water: 0 sq km

Area - comparative:

slightly smaller than Rhode Island

Land boundaries:

total: 359 km

border countries: Belgium 148 km, France 73 km, Germany 138 km

Coastline:

0 km (landlocked)

Maritime claims:

none (landlocked)

Climate:

modified continental with mild winters, cool summers

Terrain:

mostly gently rolling uplands with broad, shallow valleys; uplands to slightly mountainous in the north; steep slope down to Moselle flood plain in the southeast

Elevation extremes:

lowest point: Moselle River 133 m

highest point: Buurgplaatz 559 m

Natural resources:

iron ore (no longer exploited), arable land

Land use:

arable land: 27.42%

permanent crops: 0.69%

other: 71.89% (includes Belgium) (2005)

Irrigated land:

NA

Total renewable water resources:

1.6 cu km (2005)

Freshwater withdrawal (domestic/industrial/agricultural):

total: 0.06 cu km/yr (42%/45%/13%)

per capita: 121 cu m/yr (1999)

Natural hazards:

NA

Environment - current issues:

air and water pollution in urban areas, soil pollution of farmland

Environment - international agreements:

party to: Air Pollution, Air Pollution-Nitrogen Oxides, Air Pollution-Persistent Organic Pollutants, Air Pollution-Sulfur 85, Air Pollution-Sulfur 94, Air Pollution-Volatile Organic Compounds, Biodiversity, Climate Change, Climate Change-Kyoto Protocol, Desertification, Endangered Species, Hazardous Wastes, Law of the Sea, Marine Dumping, Ozone Layer Protection, Ship Pollution, Tropical Timber 83, Tropical Timber 94, Wetlands

signed, but not ratified: Environmental Modification

Geography - note:

landlocked; the only Grand Duchy in the world

People ::Luxembourg

Population:

491,775 (July 2009 est.) country comparison to the world: 169

Age structure:

0-14 years: 18.5% (male 46,918/female 44,052)

15-64 years: 66.7% (male 165,342/female 162,681)

65 years and over: 14.8% (male 29,839/female 42,943) (2009 est.)

Median age:

total: 39.2 years

male: 38.2 years

female: 40.2 years (2009 est.)

Population growth rate:

1.172% (2009 est.) country comparison to the world: 113

Birth rate:

11.73 births/1,000 population (2009 est.) country comparison to the world: 170

Death rate:

8.44 deaths/1,000 population (July 2009 est.) country comparison to the world: 95

Net migration rate:

8.44 migrant(s)/1,000 population (2009 est.) country comparison to the world: 10

Urbanization:

urban population: 82% of total population (2008)

rate of urbanization: 1% annual rate of change (2005-10 est.)

Sex ratio:

at birth: 1.07 male(s)/female

under 15 years: 1.06 male(s)/female

15-64 years: 1.02 male(s)/female

65 years and over: 0.7 male(s)/female

total population: 0.97 male(s)/female (2009 est.)

Infant mortality rate:

total: 4.56 deaths/1,000 live births country comparison to the world: 199 male: 4.56 deaths/1,000 live births

female: 4.55 deaths/1,000 live births (2009 est.)

Life expectancy at birth:

total population: 79.33 years country comparison to the world: 31 male: 76.07 years

female: 82.81 years (2009 est.)

Total fertility rate:

1.78 children born/woman (2009 est.) country comparison to the world: 160

HIV/AIDS - adult prevalence rate:

0.2% (2007 est.) country comparison to the world: 96

HIV/AIDS - people living with HIV/AIDS:

fewer than 500 (2003 est.) country comparison to the world: 152

HIV/AIDS - deaths:

fewer than 100 (2003 est.) country comparison to the world: 140

Nationality:

noun: Luxembourger(s)

adjective: Luxembourg

Ethnic groups:

Luxembourger 63.1%, Portuguese 13.3%, French 4.5%, Italian 4.3%, German 2.3%, other EU 7.3%, other 5.2% (2000 census)

Religions:

Roman Catholic 87%, other (includes Protestant, Jewish, and Muslim) 13% (2000)

Languages:

Luxembourgish (national language), German (administrative language), French (administrative language)

Literacy:

definition: age 15 and over can read and write

total population: 100%

male: 100%

female: 100% (2000 est.)

School life expectancy (primary to tertiary education):

total: 14 years

male: 13 years

female: 14 years (2006)

Education expenditures:

3.4% of GDP (1999) country comparison to the world: 131

Government ::Luxembourg

Country name:

conventional long form: Grand Duchy of Luxembourg

conventional short form: Luxembourg

local long form: Grand Duche de Luxembourg

local short form: Luxembourg

Government type:

constitutional monarchy

Capital:

name: Luxembourg

geographic coordinates: 49 36 N, 6 07 E

time difference: UTC+1 (6 hours ahead of Washington, DC during Standard Time)

daylight saving time: +1hr, begins last Sunday in March; ends last Sunday in October

Administrative divisions:

3 districts; Diekirch, Grevenmacher, Luxembourg

Independence:

1839 (from the Netherlands)

National holiday:

National Day (Birthday of Grand Duchess Charlotte) 23 June; note - the actual date of birth was 23 January 1896, but the festivities were shifted by five months to allow observance during a more favorable time of year

Constitution:

17 October 1868; occasional revisions

Legal system:

based on civil law system; accepts compulsory ICJ jurisdiction

Suffrage:

18 years of age; universal and compulsory

Executive branch:

chief of state: Grand Duke HENRI (since 7 October 2000); Heir Apparent Prince GUILLAUME (son of the monarch, born 11 November 1981)

head of government: Prime Minister Jean-Claude JUNCKER (since 20 January 1995); Deputy Prime Minister Jean ASSELBORN (since 31 July 2004)

cabinet: Council of Ministers recommended by the prime minister and appointed by the monarch

elections: the monarch is hereditary; following popular elections to the Chamber of Deputies, the leader of the majority party or the leader of the majority coalition is usually appointed prime minister by the monarch; the deputy prime minister is appointed by the monarch; they are responsible to the Chamber of Deputies

note: government coalition - CSV and LSAP

Legislative branch:

unicameral Chamber of Deputies or Chambre des Deputes (60 seats; members are elected by popular vote to serve five-year terms)

elections: last held 7 June 2009 (next to be held by June 2014)

election results: percent of vote by party - CSV 38%, LSAP 21.6%, DP 15%, Green Party 11.7%, ADR 8.1%, The Left 3.3%, other 2.3%; seats by party - CSV 26, LSAP 13, DP 9, Green Party 7, ADR 4, The Left 1

note: there is also a Council of State that serves as an advisory body to the Chamber of Deputies; the Council of State has 21 members appointed by the Grand Duke on the advice of the prime minister

Judicial branch:

judicial courts and tribunals (three Justices of the Peace, two district courts, and one Supreme Court of Appeals); administrative courts and tribunals (State Prosecutor's Office, administrative courts and tribunals, and the Constitutional Court); judges for all courts are appointed for life by the monarch

Political parties and leaders:

Alternative Democratic Reform Party or ADR [Robert MEHLEN]; Christian Social People's Party or CSV [Francois BILTGEN]; Democratic Party or DP [Claude MEISCH]; Green Party [Francois BAUSCH]; dei Lenk/la Gauche (the Left); Luxembourg Socialist Workers' Party or LSAP [Alex BODRY]; other minor parties

Political pressure groups and leaders:

ABBL (bankers' association); ALEBA (financial sector trade union); Centrale Paysanne (federation of agricultural producers); CEP (professional sector chamber); CGFP (trade union representing civil service); Chambre de Commerce (Chamber of Commerce); Chambre des Metiers (Chamber of Artisans); FEDIL (federation of industrialists); Greenpeace (environment protection); LCGP (center-right trade union); Mouvement Ecologique (protection of ecology); OGBL (center-left trade union)

International organization participation:

ADB (nonregional member), Australia Group, Benelux, CE, EAPC, EBRD, EIB, EMU, ESA, EU, FAO, IAEA, IBRD, ICAO, ICC, ICCt, ICRM, IDA, IEA, IFAD, IFC, IFRCS, ILO, IMF, IMO, Interpol, IOC, IOM, IPU, ISO, ITSO, ITU, ITUC, MIGA, NATO, NEA, NSG, OAS (observer), OECD, OIF, OPCW, OSCE, PCA, Schengen Convention, UN, UNCTAD, UNESCO, UNHCR, UNIDO, UNIFIL, UNRWA, UPU, WCL, WCO, WEU, WFTU, WHO, WIPO, WMO, WTO, ZC

Diplomatic representation in the US:

chief of mission: Ambassador Jean-Paul SENNINGER

chancery: 2200 Massachusetts Avenue NW, Washington, DC 20008

telephone: [1] (202) 265-4171 through 72

FAX: [1] (202) 328-8270

consulate(s) general: New York, San Francisco

Diplomatic representation from the US:

chief of mission: Ambassador Ann WAGNER

embassy: 22 Boulevard Emmanuel Servais, L-2535 Luxembourg City

mailing address: American Embassy Luxembourg, Unit 1410, APO AE 09126-1410 (official mail); American Embassy Luxembourg, PSC 9, Box 9500, APO AE 09123 (personal mail)

telephone: [352] 46 01 23

FAX: [352] 46 14 01

Flag description:

three equal horizontal bands of red (top), white, and light blue; similar to the flag of the Netherlands, which uses a darker blue and is shorter; the coloring is derived from the Grand Duke's coat of arms (a red lion on a white and blue striped field)

Economy ::Luxembourg

Economy - overview:

This stable, high-income economy - benefiting from its proximity to France, Belgium, and Germany - has historically featured solid growth, low inflation, and low unemployment. The industrial sector, initially dominated by steel, has become increasingly diversified to include chemicals, rubber, and other products. Growth in the financial sector, which now accounts for about 28% of GDP, has more than compensated for the decline in steel. Most banks are foreign owned and have extensive foreign dealings. Agriculture is based on small family-owned farms. The economy depends on foreign and cross-border workers for about 60% of its labor force. Although Luxembourg, like all EU members, suffered from the global economic slump in the early part of this decade, the country continues to enjoy an extraordinarily high standard of living - GDP per capita ranks third in the world, after Liechtenstein and Qatar. After two years of strong economic growth in 2006-07, turmoil in the world financial markets trimmed Luxembourg's economy in 2008.

GDP (purchasing power parity):

$39.47 billion (2008 est.) country comparison to the world: 97 $39.84 billion (2007 est.)

$37.87 billion (2006 est.)

note: data are in 2008 US dollars

GDP (official exchange rate):

$54.97 billion (2008 est.)

GDP - real growth rate:

-0.9% (2008 est.) country comparison to the world: 205 5.2% (2007 est.)

6.4% (2006 est.)

GDP - per capita (PPP):

$81,200 (2008 est.) country comparison to the world: 3 $83,000 (2007 est.)

$79,800 (2006 est.)

note: data are in 2008 US dollars

GDP - composition by sector:

agriculture: 0.4%

industry: 13.6%

services: 86% (2007 est.)

Labor force:

206,000 of whom 125,400 are foreign cross-border workers commuting primarily from France, Belgium, and Germany (2008 est.) country comparison to the world: 163

Labor force - by occupation:

agriculture: 2.2%

industry: 17.2%

services: 80.6% (2007 est.)

Unemployment rate:

4.4% (2008 est.) country comparison to the world: 55 4.4% (2007 est.)

Population below poverty line:

NA%

Household income or consumption by percentage share:

lowest 10%: 3.5%

highest 10%: 23.8% (2000)

Distribution of family income - Gini index:

26 (2005) country comparison to the world: 126

Investment (gross fixed):

20.2% of GDP (2008 est.) country comparison to the world: 106

Budget:

revenues: $22.42 billion

expenditures: $21 billion (2008 est.)

Public debt:

10.2% of GDP (2008 est.) country comparison to the world: 113 6.4% of GDP (2007 est.)

Inflation rate (consumer prices):

3.4% (2008 est.) country comparison to the world: 44 2.3% (2007 est.)

Central bank discount rate:

3% (31 December 2008) country comparison to the world: 107 5% (31 December 2007)

note: this is the European Central Bank's rate on the marginal lending facility, which offers overnight credit to banks in the euro area

Stock of money:

$NA

note: see entry for the European Union for money supply in the euro area; the European Central Bank (ECB) controls monetary policy for the 16 members of the Economic and Monetary Union (EMU); individual members of the EMU do not control the quantity of money and quasi money circulating within their own borders

Stock of quasi money:

$NA

Stock of domestic credit:

$369.6 billion (31 December 2008) country comparison to the world: 22 $100.9 billion (31 December 2007)

Market value of publicly traded shares:

$NA (31 December 2008) country comparison to the world: 41 $166.1 billion (31 December 2007)

$79.52 billion (31 December 2006)

Agriculture - products:

wine, grapes, barley, oats, potatoes, wheat, fruits; dairy products, livestock products

Industries:

banking and financial services, iron and steel, information technology, telecommunications, cargo transportation, food processing, chemicals, metal products, engineering, tires, glass, aluminum, tourism

Industrial production growth rate:

1.7% (2007 est.) country comparison to the world: 113

Electricity - production:

2.696 billion kWh (2007 est.) country comparison to the world: 130

Electricity - consumption:

6.525 billion kWh (2007 est.) country comparison to the world: 100

Electricity - exports:

2.483 billion kWh (2008 est.)

Electricity - imports:

6.83 billion kWh (2008 est.)

Oil - production:

0 bbl/day (2008 est.) country comparison to the world: 142

Oil - consumption:

59,140 bbl/day (2008 est.) country comparison to the world: 93

Oil - exports:

168 bbl/day (2008 est.) country comparison to the world: 132

Oil - imports:

60,030 bbl/day (2008 est.) country comparison to the world: 82

Oil - proved reserves:

0 bbl (1 January 2009 est.) country comparison to the world: 110

Natural gas - production:

0 cu m (2008 est.) country comparison to the world: 164

Natural gas - consumption:

1.255 billion cu m (2008 est.) country comparison to the world: 86

Natural gas - exports:

0 cu m (2008) country comparison to the world: 160

Natural gas - imports:

1.255 billion cu m (2008 est.) country comparison to the world: 52

Natural gas - proved reserves:

0 cu m (1 January 2009 est.) country comparison to the world: 167

Current account balance:

$2.979 billion (2008 est.) country comparison to the world: 38 $4.928 billion (2007 est.)

Exports:

$21.43 billion (2008 est.) country comparison to the world: 70 $18.26 billion (2007 est.)

Exports - commodities:

machinery and equipment, steel products, chemicals, rubber products, glass

Exports - partners:

Germany 21.8%, France 17.4%, Belgium 10%, Italy 6.9%, UK 6.5%, Netherlands 6%, Spain 4.9% (2008)

Imports:

$27.73 billion (2008 est.) country comparison to the world: 66 $23.09 billion (2007 est.)

Imports - commodities:

minerals, metals, foodstuffs, quality consumer goods

Imports - partners:

Belgium 28%, Germany 24%, China 18.9%, France 10%, Netherlands 4.8% (2008)

Reserves of foreign exchange and gold:

$397.8 million (31 December 2008 est.) country comparison to the world: 138 $205.5 million (31 December 2007 est.)

Debt - external:

$2.02 trillion (31 December 2008) country comparison to the world: 10 $NA (31 December 2007)

Stock of direct foreign investment - at home:

$11.21 billion (31 December 2008 est.) country comparison to the world: 81

Stock of direct foreign investment - abroad:

$NA

Exchange rates:

euros (EUR) per US dollar - 0.6827 (2008 est.), 0.7345 (2007), 0.7964 (2006), 0.8041 (2005), 0.8054 (2004)

Communications ::Luxembourg

Telephones - main lines in use:

260,600 (2008) country comparison to the world: 118

Telephones - mobile cellular:

707,000 (2008) country comparison to the world: 149

Telephone system:

general assessment: highly developed, completely automated and efficient system, mainly buried cables

domestic: fixed line teledensity over 50 per 100 persons; nationwide cellular telephone system with market for mobile-cellular phones virtually saturated

international: country code - 352 (2008)

Radio broadcast stations:

AM 2, FM 9, shortwave 2 (1999)

Television broadcast stations:

5 (1999)

Internet country code:

.lu

Internet hosts:

220,107 (2009) country comparison to the world: 62

Internet users:

387,000 (2008) country comparison to the world: 113

Transportation ::Luxembourg

Airports:

2 (2009) country comparison to the world: 208

Airports - with paved runways:

total: 1

over 3,047 m: 1 (2009)

Airports - with unpaved runways:

total: 1

under 914 m: 1 (2009)

Heliports:

1 (2009)

Pipelines:

gas 155 km (2008)

Railways:

total: 275 km country comparison to the world: 125 standard gauge: 275 km 1.435-m gauge (243 km electrified) (2008)

Roadways:

total: 5,227 km country comparison to the world: 152 paved: 5,227 km (includes 147 km of expressways) (2004)

Waterways:

37 km (on Moselle River) (2008) country comparison to the world: 106

Merchant marine:

total: 45 country comparison to the world: 74 by type: bulk carrier 6, cargo 3, chemical tanker 15, container 4, liquefied gas 1, passenger 3, passenger/cargo 1, petroleum tanker 3, roll on/roll off 9

foreign-owned: 44 (Belgium 7, Denmark 1, France 17, Germany 5, Netherlands 2, UK 8, US 4)

registered in other countries: 1 (Ukraine 1) (2008)

Ports and terminals:

Mertert

Military ::Luxembourg

Military branches:

Army (2009)

Military service age and obligation:

17-25 years of age for male and female voluntary military service; soldiers under 18 are not deployed into combat or with peacekeeping missions; no conscription; Luxembourg citizen or EU citizen with 3-year residence in Luxembourg (2008)

Manpower available for military service:

males age 16-49: 116,305

females age 16-49: 114,566 (2008 est.)

Manpower fit for military service:

males age 16-49: 95,840

females age 16-49: 94,641 (2009 est.)

Manpower reaching militarily significant age annually:

male: 3,170

female: 2,995 (2009 est.)

Military expenditures:

0.9% of GDP (2005 est.) country comparison to the world: 141

Transnational Issues ::Luxembourg

Disputes - international:

none

page last updated on November 11, 2009

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

@Macau (East & Southeast Asia)

Introduction ::Macau

Background:

Colonized by the Portuguese in the 16th century, Macau was the first European settlement in the Far East. Pursuant to an agreement signed by China and Portugal on 13 April 1987, Macau became the Macau Special Administrative Region (SAR) of the People's Republic of China on 20 December 1999. In this agreement, China promised that, under its "one country, two systems" formula, China's socialist economic system would not be practiced in Macau, and that Macau would enjoy a high degree of autonomy in all matters except foreign and defense affairs for the next 50 years.

Geography ::Macau

Location:

Eastern Asia, bordering the South China Sea and China

Geographic coordinates:

22 10 N, 113 33 E

Map references:

Southeast Asia

Area:

total: 28.2 sq km country comparison to the world: 235 land: 28.2 sq km

water: 0 sq km

Area - comparative:

less than one-sixth the size of Washington, DC

Land boundaries:

total: 0.34 km

regional border: China 0.34 km

Coastline:

41 km

Maritime claims:

not specified

Climate:

subtropical; marine with cool winters, warm summers

Terrain:

generally flat

Elevation extremes:

lowest point: South China Sea 0 m

highest point: Coloane Alto 172 m

Natural resources:

NEGL

Land use:

arable land: 0%

permanent crops: 0%

other: 100% (2005)

Irrigated land:

NA

Natural hazards:

typhoons

Environment - current issues:

NA

Environment - international agreements:

party to: Marine Dumping (associate member), Ship Pollution (associate member)

Geography - note:

essentially urban; an area of land reclaimed from the sea measuring 5.2 sq km and known as Cotai now connects the islands of Coloane and Taipa; the island area is connected to the mainland peninsula by three bridges

People ::Macau

Population:

559,846 (July 2009 est.) country comparison to the world: 167

Age structure:

0-14 years: 16.1% (male 47,853/female 42,019)

15-64 years: 76.2% (male 199,593/female 227,010)

65 years and over: 7.7% (male 20,245/female 23,126) (2009 est.)

Median age:

total: 35.2 years

male: 35.9 years

female: 34.6 years (2009 est.)

Population growth rate:

1.995% (2009 est.) country comparison to the world: 60

Birth rate:

8.88 births/1,000 population (2009 est.) country comparison to the world: 213

Death rate:

3.5 deaths/1,000 population (July 2009 est.) country comparison to the world: 213

Net migration rate:

14.56 migrant(s)/1,000 population (2009 est.) country comparison to the world: 5

Urbanization:

urban population: 100% of total population (2008)

rate of urbanization: 0.7% annual rate of change (2005-10 est.)

Sex ratio:

at birth: 1.05 male(s)/female

under 15 years: 1.14 male(s)/female

15-64 years: 0.88 male(s)/female

65 years and over: 0.88 male(s)/female

total population: 0.92 male(s)/female (2009 est.)

Infant mortality rate:

total: 3.22 deaths/1,000 live births country comparison to the world: 219 male: 3.37 deaths/1,000 live births

female: 3.05 deaths/1,000 live births (2009 est.)

Life expectancy at birth:

total population: 84.36 years country comparison to the world: 1 male: 81.39 years

female: 87.47 years (2009 est.)

Total fertility rate:

0.91 children born/woman (2009 est.) country comparison to the world: 223

HIV/AIDS - adult prevalence rate:

NA

HIV/AIDS - people living with HIV/AIDS:

NA

HIV/AIDS - deaths:

NA

Nationality:

noun: Chinese

adjective: Chinese

Ethnic groups:

Chinese 94.3%, other 5.7% (includes Macanese - mixed Portuguese and Asian ancestry) (2006 census)

Religions:

Buddhist 50%, Roman Catholic 15%, none or other 35% (1997 est.)

Languages:

Cantonese 85.7%, Hokkien 4%, Mandarin 3.2%, other Chinese dialects 2.7%, English 1.5%, Tagalog 1.3%, other 1.6% (2001 census)

Literacy:

definition: age 15 and over can read and write

total population: 91.3%

male: 95.3%

female: 87.8% (2001 census)

School life expectancy (primary to tertiary education):

total: 15 years

male: 16 years

female: 14 years (2006)

Education expenditures:

2.4% of GDP (2005) country comparison to the world: 160

Government ::Macau

Country name:

conventional long form: Macau Special Administrative Region

conventional short form: Macau

local long form: Aomen Tebie Xingzhengqu (Chinese); Regiao Administrativa Especial de Macau (Portuguese)

local short form: Aomen (Chinese); Macau (Portuguese)

Dependency status:

special administrative region of China

Government type:

limited democracy

Administrative divisions:

none (special administrative region of the People's Republic of China)

Independence:

none (special administrative region of China)

National holiday:

National Day (Anniversary of the Founding of the People's Republic of China), 1 October (1949); note - 20 December 1999 is celebrated as Macau Special Administrative Region Establishment Day

Constitution:

Basic Law, approved on 31 March 1993 by China's National People's Congress, is Macau's "mini-constitution"

Legal system:

based on Portuguese civil law system

Suffrage:

direct election 18 years of age for some non-executive positions, universal for permanent residents living in Macau for the past seven years; indirect election limited to organizations registered as "corporate voters" (257 are currently registered) and a 300-member Election Committee drawn from broad regional groupings, municipal organizations, and central government bodies

Executive branch:

chief of state: President of China HU Jintao (since 15 March 2003)

head of government: Chief Executive Edmund HO Hau-wah (since 20 December 1999)

cabinet: Executive Council consists of 1 government secretary, 3 legislators, 4 businessmen, 1 pro-Beijing unionist, and 1 pro-Beijing educator

elections: chief executive chosen by a 300-member Election Committee for a five-year term (eligible for a second term); election last held 26 July 2009 (next to be held on in July 2014)

election results: Edmund HO Hau-wah reelected with 296 votes in 2004 election; Fernando CHUI Sai-on elected in 2009 with 282 votes, takes office on 20 December 2009

Legislative branch:

unicameral Legislative Assembly (29 seats; 12 members elected by popular vote, 10 by indirect vote, and 7 appointed by the chief executive; serve four-year terms)

elections: last held 25 September 2005 (next to be held on 20 September 2009)

election results: percent of vote - New Democratic Macau Association 18.8%, Macau United Citizens' Association 16.6%, Union for Development 13.3%, Union for Promoting Progress 9.6%, Macau Development Alliance 9.3%, others 32.4%; seats by political group - New Democratic Macau Association 2, Macau United Citizens' Association 2, Union for Development 2, Union for Promoting Progress 2, Macau Development Alliance 1, New Hope 1, Convergence for Development 1, General Union for the Good of Macau 1; 10 seats filled by professional and business groups; seven members appointed by chief executive

Judicial branch:

Court of Final Appeal in Macau Special Administrative Region

Political parties and leaders:

New Hope [Jose Maria Pereira COUTINHO]; Development Union [KWAN Tsui-hang]; Macau Development Alliance [Angela LEONG On-kei]; Macau United Citizens' Association [CHAN Meng-kam]; New Democratic Macau Association [Antonio NG Kuok-cheong]; Union for Promoting Progress [LEONG Heng-teng]

note: there is no political party ordinance, so there are no registered political parties; politically active groups register as societies or companies

Political pressure groups and leaders:

Civic Power [Agnes LAM Lok-fong]; Macau Society of Tourism and Entertainment or STDM [Stanley HO]; Macau Worker's Union [HO Heng-kuok]; Roman Catholic Church; Union for Democracy Development [Antonio NG Kuok-cheong]

International organization participation:

IHO, IMF, IMO (associate), ISO (correspondent), UNESCO (associate), UNWTO (associate), UPU, WCO, WFTU, WMO, WTO

Diplomatic representation in the US:

none (special administrative region of China)

Diplomatic representation from the US:

the US has no offices in Macau; US Consulate General in Hong Kong is accredited to Macau

Flag description:

light green with a lotus flower above a stylized bridge and water in white, beneath an arc of five gold, five-pointed stars: one large in the center of the arc and two smaller on either side; the lotus is the floral emblem of Macau, the three petals represent the peninsula and two islands that make up Macau; the five stars echo those on the flag of China

Economy ::Macau

Economy - overview:

Macau's economy has enjoyed strong growth in recent years on the back of its expanding tourism and gaming sectors. After opening up its locally-controlled casino industry to foreign competition in 2001, the territory attracted tens of billions of dollars in foreign investment, transforming Macao into the world's largest gaming center. By 2006, Macau's gaming revenue surpassed that of the Las Vegas strip, and gaming-related taxes accounted for 75% of total government revenue. In 2008, government revenue from gaming was set to double 2006 collections. The expanding casino sector, and China's decision beginning in 2002 to relax travel restrictions, reenergized Macau's tourism industry. This city of just over 500,000 hosted more than 30 million visitors in 2008. Almost 60% came from mainland China despite increasing restrictions on travel to the SAR. Macau's traditional manufacturing industry has been in a slow decline since the termination of the Multi-Fiber Agreement in 2005. In 2008, exports of textiles and garments generated only $1.1 billion, compared to $13.7 billion in gross gaming receipts. The Closer Economic Partnership Agreement (CEPA) between Macau and mainland China that came into effect on 1 January 2004 offers many Macau-made products tariff-free access to the mainland. Macau's currency, the Pataca, is closely tied to the Hong Kong dollar, which is also freely accepted in the territory.

GDP (purchasing power parity):

$18.14 billion (2008 est.) country comparison to the world: 127 $12.5 billion (2006)

note: data are in 2008 US dollars

GDP (official exchange rate):

$22.04 billion (2008 est.)

GDP - real growth rate:

15% (2008) country comparison to the world: 2 16.6% (2006)

GDP - per capita (PPP):

$30,000 (2007) country comparison to the world: 45 $28,400 (2006)

GDP - composition by sector:

agriculture: 0.1%

industry: 2.8%

services: 97.1% (2007 est.)

Labor force:

337,400 (2008 est.) country comparison to the world: 157

Labor force - by occupation:

manufacturing 7.4%, construction 12.6%, transport and communications 5%, wholesale and retail trade 12.5%, restaurants and hotels 12.7%, gambling 14%, public sector 6%, financial services 2.1%, other services and agriculture 27.7% (2008 est.)

Unemployment rate:

3% (2008) country comparison to the world: 33 3.1% (2006)

Population below poverty line:

NA%

Household income or consumption by percentage share:

lowest 10%: NA%

highest 10%: NA%

Budget:

revenues: $6.2 billion

expenditures: $2.9 billion (2008)

Inflation rate (consumer prices):

6.2% (December 2008) country comparison to the world: 105 7.2% (2006)

Commercial bank prime lending rate:

5.43% (31 December 2008)

Stock of money:

$1.591 billion (31 December 2008) country comparison to the world: 77 $1.16 billion (31 December 2007)

Stock of quasi money:

$22.15 billion (31 December 2008) country comparison to the world: 41 $21.91 billion (31 December 2007)

Stock of domestic credit:

$11.5 billion (31 December 2008) country comparison to the world: 68 $NA (31 December 2007)

Market value of publicly traded shares:

$2.3 billion (31 December 2008 est.)

$NA (31 December 2007)

$413.1 million (2004 est.)

Agriculture - products:

only 2% of land area is cultivated, mainly by vegetable growers; fishing, mostly for crustaceans, is important; some of the catch is exported to Hong Kong

Industries:

tourism, gambling, clothing, textiles, electronics, footwear, toys

Industrial production growth rate:

NA

Electricity - production:

1.106 billion kWh (2008 est.) country comparison to the world: 143

Electricity - consumption:

3.311 billion kWh (2008 est.) country comparison to the world: 120

Electricity - exports:

0 kWh (2008 est.)

Electricity - imports:

2.215 billion kWh (2008 est.)

Oil - production:

0 bbl/day (2008 est.) country comparison to the world: 169

Oil - consumption:

16,000 bbl/day (2008 est.) country comparison to the world: 131

Oil - exports:

0 bbl/day (2007 est.) country comparison to the world: 152

Oil - imports:

5,027 bbl/day (2008 est.) country comparison to the world: 156

Oil - proved reserves:

0 bbl (1 January 2009 est.) country comparison to the world: 108

Natural gas - production:

0 cu m (2008 est.) country comparison to the world: 162

Natural gas - consumption:

81.6 million cu m (2008 est.) country comparison to the world: 104

Natural gas - exports:

0 cu m (2008) country comparison to the world: 158

Natural gas - imports:

81.9 million cu m (2008 est.) country comparison to the world: 65

Natural gas - proved reserves:

300,000 cu m (1 January 2008 est.) country comparison to the world: 103

Exports:

$2 billion (2008 est.) country comparison to the world: 132 $2.557 billion (2006 est.); note - includes reexports

Exports - commodities:

clothing, textiles, footwear, toys, electronics, machinery and parts

Exports - partners:

US 39.9%, Hong Kong 19.7%, China 12.3%, Germany 4% (2008)

Imports:

$5.4 billion (2008 est.) country comparison to the world: 112 $4.559 billion (2006 est.)

Imports - commodities:

raw materials and semi-manufactured goods, consumer goods (foodstuffs, beverages, tobacco), capital goods, mineral fuels and oils

Imports - partners:

China 39.3%, Hong Kong 10.1%, Japan 8.5%, US 5.5%, France 5.3%, Switzerland 4.7% (2008)

Debt - external:

$0 (2006) country comparison to the world: 205

Stock of direct foreign investment - at home:

$7.9 billion (2007) country comparison to the world: 82 $6.5 billion (2006)

Stock of direct foreign investment - abroad:

$1.9 billion (2007) country comparison to the world: 65 $1.1 billion (2006)

Exchange rates:

patacas (MOP) per US dollar - 8.011 (2007), 8.0015 (2006), 8.011 (2005), 8.022 (2004), 8.021 (2003)

Communications ::Macau

Telephones - main lines in use:

173,533 (2009) country comparison to the world: 127

Telephones - mobile cellular:

993,545 (2009) country comparison to the world: 145

Telephone system:

general assessment: fairly modern communication facilities maintained for domestic and international services

domestic: termination of monopoly over mobile-cellular telephone services in 2001 spurred sharp increase in subscriptions with mobile-cellular teledensity approaching 180 per 100 persons in 2008; fixed-line subscribership appears to have peaked and is now in decline

international: country code - 853; landing point for the SEA-ME-WE-3 submarine cable network that provides links to Asia, the Middle East, and Europe; HF radiotelephone communication facility; satellite earth station - 1 Intelsat (Indian Ocean) (2009)

Radio broadcast stations:

AM 1, FM 2, shortwave 0 (2008)

Television broadcast stations:

1 (2008)

Internet country code:

.mo

Internet hosts:

244 (2009) country comparison to the world: 183

Internet users:

259,000 (2008) country comparison to the world: 130

Transportation ::Macau

Airports:

1 (2009) country comparison to the world: 221

Airports - with paved runways:

total: 1

over 3,047 m: 1 (2009)

Heliports:

2 (2009)

Roadways:

total: 404 km country comparison to the world: 196 paved: 404 km (2008)

Ports and terminals:

Macau

Military ::Macau

Military branches:

no regular military forces; defense is the responsibility of China (2009)

Manpower available for military service:

males age 16-49: 121,825 (2008 est.)

Manpower fit for military service:

males age 16-49: 122,962

females age 16-49: 148,809 (2009 est.)

Manpower reaching militarily significant age annually:

male: 4,578

female: 4,052 (2009 est.)

Military - note:

defense is the responsibility of China

Transnational Issues ::Macau

Disputes - international:

none

Illicit drugs:

transshipment point for drugs going into mainland China; consumer of opiates and amphetamines

page last updated on November 10, 2009

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

@Macedonia (Europe)

Introduction ::Macedonia

Background:

Macedonia gained its independence peacefully from Yugoslavia in 1991, but Greece's objection to the new state's use of what it considered a Hellenic name and symbols delayed international recognition, which occurred under the provisional designation of "the Former Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia." In 1995, Greece lifted a 20-month trade embargo and the two countries agreed to normalize relations. The United States began referring to Macedonia by its constitutional name, Republic of Macedonia, in 2004 and negotiations continue between Greece and Macedonia to resolve the name issue. Some ethnic Albanians, angered by perceived political and economic inequities, launched an insurgency in 2001 that eventually won the support of the majority of Macedonia's Albanian population and led to the internationally-brokered Framework Agreement, which ended the fighting by establishing a set of new laws enhancing the rights of minorities. Fully implementing the Framework Agreement and stimulating economic growth and development continue to be challenges for Macedonia, although progress has been made on both fronts over the past several years.

Geography ::Macedonia

Location:

Southeastern Europe, north of Greece

Geographic coordinates:

41 50 N, 22 00 E

Map references:

Europe

Area:

total: 25,713 sq km country comparison to the world: 149 land: 25,433 sq km

water: 280 sq km

Area - comparative:

slightly larger than Vermont

Land boundaries:

total: 766 km

border countries: Albania 151 km, Bulgaria 148 km, Greece 246 km, Kosovo 159 km, Serbia 62 km

Coastline:

0 km (landlocked)

Maritime claims:

none (landlocked)

Climate:

warm, dry summers and autumns; relatively cold winters with heavy snowfall

Terrain:

mountainous territory covered with deep basins and valleys; three large lakes, each divided by a frontier line; country bisected by the Vardar River

Elevation extremes:

lowest point: Vardar River 50 m

highest point: Golem Korab (Maja e Korabit) 2,764 m

Natural resources:

low-grade iron ore, copper, lead, zinc, chromite, manganese, nickel, tungsten, gold, silver, asbestos, gypsum, timber, arable land

Land use:

arable land: 22.01%

permanent crops: 1.79%

other: 76.2% (2005)

Irrigated land:

550 sq km (2003)

Total renewable water resources:

6.4 cu km (2001)

Freshwater withdrawal (domestic/industrial/agricultural):

total: 2.27

per capita: 1,118 cu m/yr (2000)

Natural hazards:

high seismic risks

Environment - current issues:

air pollution from metallurgical plants

Environment - international agreements:

party to: Air Pollution, Biodiversity, Climate Change, Climate Change-Kyoto Protocol, Desertification, Endangered Species, Hazardous Wastes, Law of the Sea, Ozone Layer Protection, Wetlands

signed, but not ratified: none of the selected agreements

Geography - note:

landlocked; major transportation corridor from Western and Central Europe to Aegean Sea and Southern Europe to Western Europe

People ::Macedonia

Population:

2,066,718 (July 2009 est.) country comparison to the world: 144

Age structure:

0-14 years: 19.2% (male 206,054/female 191,354)

15-64 years: 69.4% (male 722,823/female 710,830)

65 years and over: 11.4% (male 102,231/female 133,426) (2009 est.)

Median age:

total: 35.1 years

male: 34.1 years

female: 36.2 years (2009 est.)

Population growth rate:

0.262% (2009 est.) country comparison to the world: 179

Birth rate:

11.97 births/1,000 population (2009 est.) country comparison to the world: 168

Death rate:

8.83 deaths/1,000 population (July 2009 est.) country comparison to the world: 85

Net migration rate:

-0.52 migrant(s)/1,000 population (2009 est.) country comparison to the world: 112

Urbanization:

urban population: 67% of total population (2008)

rate of urbanization: 0.8% annual rate of change (2005-10 est.)

Sex ratio:

at birth: 1.08 male(s)/female

under 15 years: 1.08 male(s)/female

15-64 years: 1.02 male(s)/female

65 years and over: 0.77 male(s)/female

total population: 1 male(s)/female (2009 est.)

Infant mortality rate:

total: 9.01 deaths/1,000 live births country comparison to the world: 157 male: 9.21 deaths/1,000 live births

female: 8.8 deaths/1,000 live births (2009 est.)

Life expectancy at birth:

total population: 74.68 years country comparison to the world: 88 male: 72.18 years

female: 77.38 years (2009 est.)

Total fertility rate:

1.58 children born/woman (2009 est.) country comparison to the world: 182

HIV/AIDS - adult prevalence rate:

less than 0.1% (2007 est.) country comparison to the world: 149

HIV/AIDS - people living with HIV/AIDS:

fewer than 200 (2007 est.) country comparison to the world: 159

HIV/AIDS - deaths:

fewer than 100 (2003 est.) country comparison to the world: 138

Nationality:

noun: Macedonian(s)

adjective: Macedonian

Ethnic groups:

Macedonian 64.2%, Albanian 25.2%, Turkish 3.9%, Roma (Gypsy) 2.7%, Serb 1.8%, other 2.2% (2002 census)

Religions:

Macedonian Orthodox 64.7%, Muslim 33.3%, other Christian 0.37%, other and unspecified 1.63% (2002 census)

Languages:

Macedonian 66.5%, Albanian 25.1%, Turkish 3.5%, Roma 1.9%, Serbian 1.2%, other 1.8% (2002 census)

Literacy:

definition: age 15 and over can read and write

total population: 96.1%

male: 98.2%

female: 94.1% (2002 census)

School life expectancy (primary to tertiary education):

total: 12 years

male: 12 years

female: 12 years (2005)

Education expenditures:

3.5% of GDP (2002) country comparison to the world: 130

Government ::Macedonia

Country name:

conventional long form: Republic of Macedonia

conventional short form: Macedonia

local long form: Republika Makedonija

local short form: Makedonija

note: the provisional designation used by the UN, EU, and NATO is the "former Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia" (FYROM)

former: People's Republic of Macedonia, Socialist Republic of Macedonia

Government type:

parliamentary democracy

Capital:

name: Skopje

geographic coordinates: 42 00 N, 21 26 E

time difference: UTC+1 (6 hours ahead of Washington, DC during Standard Time)

daylight saving time: +1hr, begins last Sunday in March; ends last Sunday in October

Administrative divisions:

84 municipalities (opstini, singular - opstina); Aerodrom (Skopje), Aracinovo, Berovo, Bitola, Bogdanci, Bogovinje, Bosilovo, Brvenica, Butel (Skopje), Cair (Skopje), Caska, Centar (Skopje), Centar Zupa, Cesinovo, Cucer Sandevo, Debar, Debarca, Delcevo, Demir Hisar, Demir Kapija, Dojran, Dolneni, Dorce Petrov (Gjorce Petrov) (Skopje), Drugovo, Gazi Baba (Skopje), Gevgelija, Gostivar, Gradsko, Ilinden, Jegunovce, Karbinci, Karpos (Skopje), Kavadarci, Kicevo, Kisela Voda (Skopje), Kocani, Konce, Kratovo, Kriva Palanka, Krivogastani, Krusevo, Kumanovo, Lipkovo, Lozovo, Makedonska Kamenica, Makedonski Brod, Mavrovo i Rostusa, Mogila, Negotino, Novaci, Novo Selo, Ohrid, Oslomej, Pehcevo, Petrovec, Plasnica, Prilep, Probistip, Radovis, Rankovce, Resen, Rosoman, Saraj (Skopje), Sopiste, Staro Nagoricane, Stip, Struga, Strumica, Studenicani, Suto Orizari (Skopje), Sveti Nikole, Tearce, Tetovo, Valandovo, Vasilevo, Veles, Vevcani, Vinica, Vranestica, Vrapciste, Zajas, Zelenikovo, Zelino, Zrnovci

note: the 10 municipalities followed by Skopje in parentheses collectively constitute the larger Skopje Municipality

Independence:

8 September 1991 (referendum by registered voters endorsed independence from Yugoslavia)

National holiday:

Ilinden Uprising Day, 2 August (1903); note - also known as Saint Elijah's Day

Constitution:

adopted 17 November 1991, effective 20 November 1991; amended November 2001 and in 2005

note: amended November 2001 by a series of new constitutional amendments strengthening minority rights and in 2005 with amendments related to the judiciary

Legal system:

based on civil law system; judicial review of legislative acts; has not accepted compulsory ICJ jurisdiction

Suffrage:

18 years of age; universal

Executive branch:

chief of state: President Gjorge IVANOV (since 12 May 2009)

head of government: Prime Minister Nikola GRUEVSKI (since 26 August 2006)

cabinet: Council of Ministers elected by the majority vote of all the deputies in the Assembly; note - current cabinet formed by the government coalition parties VMRO/DPMNE, BDI/DUI, and several small parties

elections: president elected by popular vote for a five-year term (eligible for a second term); two-round election: first round held 22 March 2009, second round held 5 April 2009 (next to be held in March 2014); prime minister elected by the Assembly following legislative elections

election results: Gjorge IVANOV elected president on second-round ballot; percent of vote - Gjorge IVANOV 63.14%, Ljubomir FRCKOSKI 36.86%

Legislative branch:

unicameral Assembly or Sobranie (120 seats; members elected by popular vote from party lists based on the percentage of the overall vote the parties gain in each of six electoral districts; members serve four-year terms)

elections: last held 1 June and 15 June 2008 (next to be held by July 2012)

election results: percent of vote by party - VMRO-DPMNE-led block 49%, SDSM-led block 24%, BDI/DUI 13%, PDSh/DPA 8%, other 6%; seats by party - VMRO-DPMNE-led block 63, SDSM-led block 27, BDI/DUI 18, PDSh/DPA 11, PEI 1

Judicial branch:

Supreme Court; Constitutional Court; Republican Judicial Council

note: the Assembly appoints the judges

Political parties and leaders:

Democratic Alliance [Pavle TRAJANOV]; Democratic League of Bosniaks [Rafet MUMINOVIC]; Democratic Party of Albanians or PDSh/DPA [Menduh THACI]; Democratic Party of Serbs [Ivan STOILJKOVIC]; Democratic Party of Turks [Kenan HASIPI]; Democratic Renewal of Macedonia [Liljana POPOVSKA]; Democratic Union of Albanians or BDSh [Bardyl MAHMUTI]; Democratic Union of Vlachs for Macedonia [Mitko KOSTOV]; Democratic Union for Integration or BDI/DUI [Ali AHMETI]; For a Better Macedonia coalition [Nikola GRUEVSKI] (includes VMRO-DPMNE, SP, Democratic Union, Democratic Renewal of Macedonia, Democratic Party of Turks, Democratic Party of Serbs, SR, and smaller parties); Internal Macedonian Revolutionary Organization-Democratic Party for Macedonian National Unity or VMRO-DPMNE [Nikola GRUEVSKI]; League for Democracy [Gjorgi MARJANOVIC]; Liberal Democratic Party or LDP [Jovan MANSIEVSKI]; Liberal Party [Stojan ANDOV]; National Alternative [Harun ALIU]; National Democratic Union or BDK [Hysni SHAQIR]; New Democracy of DR/ND [Imer SELMANI]; New Social Democratic Party or NSDP [Tito PETKOVSKI]; Party for Democratic Prosperity or PPD/PDP [Sefedin HARUNI]; Party for European Future or PEI [Fijat CANOSKI]; Party of Free Democrats or PSD [Ljubco JORDANOVSKI]; Social Democratic Alliance of Macedonia or SDSM [Zoran ZAEV]; Socialist Party of Macedonia or SP [Ljubisav IVANOV-ZINGO]; Sun-Coalition for Europe [Radmila SKERINSKA] (includes SDSM, NSDP, LDP, Liberal Party and smaller parties); Union of Romas or SR [Shaban SALIU]; United Party for Emancipation or OPE [Nezdet MUSTAFA]

Political pressure groups and leaders:

Federation of Free Trade Unions [Svetlana PETROVIC]; Federation of Trade Unions [Vanco MURATOVSKI]; Trade Union of Education, Science and Culture [Dojcin CVETANOSKI]; World Macedonian Congress [Todor PETROV]

International organization participation:

BIS, CE, CEI, EAPC, EBRD, FAO, IAEA, IBRD, ICAO, ICCt, ICRM, IDA, IFAD, IFC, IFRCS, ILO, IMF, IMO, Interpol, IOC, IOM (observer), IPU, ISO, ITU, ITUC, MIGA, OIF, OPCW, OSCE, PCA, PFP, SECI, UN, UNCTAD, UNESCO, UNHCR, UNIDO, UNIFIL, UNWTO, UPU, WCL, WCO, WFTU, WHO, WIPO, WMO, WTO

Diplomatic representation in the US:

chief of mission: Ambassador Zoran JOLEVSKI

chancery: 2129 Wyoming Avenue NW, Washington, DC 20008

telephone: [1] (202) 667-0501

FAX: [1] (202) 667-2131

consulate(s) general: Southfield (Michigan)

Diplomatic representation from the US:

chief of mission: Ambassador Philip T. REEKER

embassy: Bul. Ilindenska bb, 1000 Skopje

mailing address: American Embassy Skopje, US Department of State, 7120 Skopje Place, Washington, DC 20521-7120 (pouch)

telephone: [389] 2 311-6180

FAX: [389] 2 311-7103

Flag description:

a yellow sun with eight broadening rays extending to the edges of the red field

Economy ::Macedonia

Economy - overview:

Having a small, open economy makes Macedonia vulnerable to economic developments in Europe and dependent on regional integration and progress toward EU membership for continued economic growth. At independence in September 1991, Macedonia was the least developed of the Yugoslav republics, producing a mere 5% of the total federal output of goods and services. The collapse of Yugoslavia ended transfer payments from the central government and eliminated advantages from inclusion in a de facto free trade area. An absence of infrastructure, UN sanctions on the downsized Yugoslavia, and a Greek economic embargo over a dispute about the country's constitutional name and flag hindered economic growth until 1996. GDP subsequently rose each year through 2000. In 2001, during a civil conflict, the economy shrank 4.5% because of decreased trade, intermittent border closures, increased deficit spending on security needs, and investor uncertainty. Growth averaged 4% per year during 2003-06 and more than 5% per year during 2007-08. Macedonia has maintained macroeconomic stability with low inflation, but it has so far lagged the region in attracting foreign investment and creating jobs, despite making extensive fiscal and business sector reforms. Official unemployment remains high at nearly 35%, but may be overstated based on the existence of an extensive gray market, estimated to be more than 20% of GDP, that is not captured by official statistics. In the wake of the global economic downturn, Macedonia has experienced decreased foreign direct investment, lowered credit, and a slowdown of export growth. The Government of Macedonia now predicts growth in 2009 to be no more than 3%.

GDP (purchasing power parity):

$18.83 billion (2008 est.) country comparison to the world: 125 $17.88 billion (2007 est.)

$16.88 billion (2006 est.)

note: data are in 2008 US dollars

Macedonia has a large informal sector

GDP (official exchange rate):

$9.569 billion (2008 est.)

GDP - real growth rate:

5.3% (2008 est.) country comparison to the world: 79 5.9% (2007 est.)

3.7% (2006 est.)

GDP - per capita (PPP):

$9,100 (2008 est.) country comparison to the world: 111 $8,700 (2007 est.)

$8,200 (2006 est.)

note: data are in 2008 US dollars

GDP - composition by sector:

agriculture: 11.5%

industry: 27.8%

services: 60.7% (2008 est.)

Labor force:

925,000 (2008 est.) country comparison to the world: 141

Labor force - by occupation:

agriculture: 19.6%

industry: 30.4%

services: 50% (September 2007)

Unemployment rate:

33.8% (2008 est.) country comparison to the world: 182 34.9% (2007 est.)

Population below poverty line:

29.8% (2006)

Household income or consumption by percentage share:

lowest 10%: 2.4%

highest 10%: 29.6% (2003)

Distribution of family income - Gini index:

39 (2003) country comparison to the world: 68

Investment (gross fixed):

20.6% of GDP (2008 est.) country comparison to the world: 101

Budget:

revenues: $3.167 billion

expenditures: $3.239 billion (2008 est.)

Public debt:

20.8% of GDP (2008 est.) country comparison to the world: 92 20% of GDP (2004 est.)

Inflation rate (consumer prices):

8.3% (2008 est.) country comparison to the world: 130 2.3% (2007 est.)

Central bank discount rate:

6.5% (31 December 2008) country comparison to the world: 64 6.5% (31 December 2007)

Commercial bank prime lending rate:

9.68% (31 December 2008) country comparison to the world: 83 10.23% (31 December 2007)

Stock of money:

$1.307 billion (31 December 2008) country comparison to the world: 81 $1.173 billion (31 December 2007)

Stock of quasi money:

$3.254 billion (31 December 2008) country comparison to the world: 80 $3.127 billion (31 December 2007)

Stock of domestic credit:

$3.906 billion (31 December 2008) country comparison to the world: 84 $2.924 billion (31 December 2007)

Market value of publicly traded shares:

$NA (31 December 2008) country comparison to the world: 93 $2.715 billion (31 December 2007)

$1.098 billion (31 December 2006)

Agriculture - products:

grapes, wine, tobacco, vegetables, fruits; milk, eggs

Industries:

food processing, beverages, textiles, chemicals, iron, steel, cement, energy, pharmaceuticals

Industrial production growth rate:

4% (2008 est.) country comparison to the world: 67

Electricity - production:

6.376 billion kWh (2007 est.) country comparison to the world: 103

Electricity - consumption:

7.358 billion kWh (2007 est.) country comparison to the world: 94

Electricity - exports:

0 kWh (2008 est.)

Electricity - imports:

2.491 billion kWh (2007 est.)

Oil - production:

0 bbl/day (2008 est.) country comparison to the world: 164

Oil - consumption:

21,000 bbl/day (2008 est.) country comparison to the world: 123

Oil - exports: