Chapter M: Major infectious diseases (46)

7,410 bbl/day (2007 est.) country comparison to the world: 98

Oil - imports:

26,730 bbl/day (2007 est.) country comparison to the world: 105

Oil - proved reserves:

0 bbl (1 January 2009 est.) country comparison to the world: 102

Natural gas - production:

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

Natural gas - consumption:

70 million cu m (2008 est.) country comparison to the world: 105

Natural gas - exports:

0 cu m (2008) country comparison to the world: 153

Natural gas - imports:

70 million cu m (2008 est.) country comparison to the world: 66

Natural gas - proved reserves:

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

Current account balance:

-$1.21 billion (2008 est.) country comparison to the world: 126 -$247 million (2007 est.)

Exports:

$3.971 billion (2008 est.) country comparison to the world: 118 $3.35 billion (2007 est.)

Exports - commodities:

food, beverages, tobacco; textiles, miscellaneous manufactures, iron and steel

Exports - partners:

Serbia and Montenegro 20.4%, Germany 15.4%, Greece 12.4%, Bulgaria 10.1%, Italy 8.8%, Croatia 6.5% (2008)

Imports:

$6.523 billion (2008 est.) country comparison to the world: 108 $4.976 billion (2007 est.)

Imports - commodities:

machinery and equipment, automobiles, chemicals, fuels, food products

Imports - partners:

Germany 13.3%, Greece 12.4%, Bulgaria 9.9%, Serbia and Montenegro 6.9%, Italy 6.3%, Turkey 5.6%, Slovenia 5.3%, Poland 4.4% (2008)

Reserves of foreign exchange and gold:

$2.109 billion (31 December 2008 est.) country comparison to the world: 108 $2.265 billion (31 December 2007 est.)

Debt - external:

$4.667 billion (31 December 2008 est.) country comparison to the world: 107 $3.967 billion (31 December 2007 est.)

Stock of direct foreign investment - at home:

$2.405 billion (2007 est.) country comparison to the world: 93

Stock of direct foreign investment - abroad:

$NA

Exchange rates:

Macedonian denars (MKD) per US dollar - 41.414 (2008 est.), 44.732 (2007), 48.978 (2006), 48.92 (2005), 49.41 (2004)

Communications ::Macedonia

Telephones - main lines in use:

457,100 (2008) country comparison to the world: 101

Telephones - mobile cellular:

2.502 million (2008) country comparison to the world: 116

Telephone system:

general assessment: competition from the mobile-cellular segment of the telecommunications market has led to a drop in fixed-line telephone subscriptions

domestic: combined fixed line and mobile telephone subscribership approaching 150 per 100 persons

international: country code - 389 (2008)

Radio broadcast stations:

AM 29, FM 32, shortwave 0 (2008)

Television broadcast stations:

52 (2007)

Internet country code:

.mk

Internet hosts:

57,763 (2009) country comparison to the world: 81

Internet users:

847,900 (2008) country comparison to the world: 97

Transportation ::Macedonia

Airports:

14 (2009) country comparison to the world: 150

Airports - with paved runways:

total: 10

2,438 to 3,047 m: 2

under 914 m: 8 (2009)

Airports - with unpaved runways:

total: 4

914 to 1,523 m: 1

under 914 m: 3 (2009)

Pipelines:

gas 268 km; oil 120 km (2008)

Railways:

total: 699 km country comparison to the world: 105 standard gauge: 699 km 1.435-m gauge (223 km electrified) (2008)

Roadways:

total: 13,182 km (includes 208 km of expressways) (2002) country comparison to the world: 128

Military ::Macedonia

Military branches:

Army of the Republic of Macedonia (ARM): Joint Operational Command, with subordinate Air Wing (Makedonsko Voeno Vozduhoplovstvo, MVV), Special Operations Regiment (2009)

Military service age and obligation:

18 years of age for voluntary military service; no conscription (2007)

Manpower available for military service:

males age 16-49: 532,856

females age 16-49: 513,684 (2008 est.)

Manpower fit for military service:

males age 16-49: 444,247

females age 16-49: 427,556 (2009 est.)

Manpower reaching militarily significant age annually:

male: 14,596

female: 13,881 (2009 est.)

Military expenditures:

6% of GDP (2005 est.) country comparison to the world: 10

Transnational Issues ::Macedonia

Disputes - international:

Kosovo and Macedonia completed demarcation of their boundary in September 2008; Greece continues to reject the use of the name Macedonia or Republic of Macedonia

Refugees and internally displaced persons:

IDPs: fewer than 1,000 (ethnic conflict in 2001) (2007)

Illicit drugs:

major transshipment point for Southwest Asian heroin and hashish; minor transit point for South American cocaine destined for Europe; although not a financial center and most criminal activity is thought to be domestic, money laundering is a problem due to a mostly cash-based economy and weak enforcement

page last updated on November 11, 2009

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

@Madagascar (Africa)

Introduction ::Madagascar

Background:

Formerly an independent kingdom, Madagascar became a French colony in 1896 but regained independence in 1960. During 1992-93, free presidential and National Assembly elections were held ending 17 years of single-party rule. In 1997, in the second presidential race, Didier RATSIRAKA, the leader during the 1970s and 1980s, was returned to the presidency. The 2001 presidential election was contested between the followers of Didier RATSIRAKA and Marc RAVALOMANANA, nearly causing secession of half of the country. In April 2002, the High Constitutional Court announced RAVALOMANANA the winner. RAVALOMANANA achieved a second term following a landslide victory in the generally free and fair presidential elections of 2006. In early 2009, protests due to increasing restrictions on opposition press and activities resulted in RAVALOMANANA stepping down and the presidency was conferred to the mayor of Antananarivo, Andry RAJOELINA. Following negotiations in July and August of 2009, a power-sharing agreement with a 15-month transitional period was established. Elections are expected in the fall of 2010.

Geography ::Madagascar

Location:

Southern Africa, island in the Indian Ocean, east of Mozambique

Geographic coordinates:

20 00 S, 47 00 E

Map references:

Africa

Area:

total: 587,041 sq km country comparison to the world: 46 land: 581,540 sq km

water: 5,501 sq km

Area - comparative:

slightly less than twice the size of Arizona

Land boundaries:

0 km

Coastline:

4,828 km

Maritime claims:

territorial sea: 12 nm

contiguous zone: 24 nm

exclusive economic zone: 200 nm

continental shelf: 200 nm or 100 nm from the 2,500-m isobath

Climate:

tropical along coast, temperate inland, arid in south

Terrain:

narrow coastal plain, high plateau and mountains in center

Elevation extremes:

lowest point: Indian Ocean 0 m

highest point: Maromokotro 2,876 m

Natural resources:

graphite, chromite, coal, bauxite, salt, quartz, tar sands, semiprecious stones, mica, fish, hydropower

Land use:

arable land: 5.03%

permanent crops: 1.02%

other: 93.95% (2005)

Irrigated land:

10,860 sq km (2003)

Total renewable water resources:

337 cu km (1984)

Freshwater withdrawal (domestic/industrial/agricultural):

total: 14.96 cu km/yr (3%/2%/96%)

per capita: 804 cu m/yr (2000)

Natural hazards:

periodic cyclones; drought; and locust infestation

Environment - current issues:

soil erosion results from deforestation and overgrazing; desertification; surface water contaminated with raw sewage and other organic wastes; several endangered species of flora and fauna unique to the island

Environment - international agreements:

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

signed, but not ratified: none of the selected agreements

Geography - note:

world's fourth-largest island; strategic location along Mozambique Channel

People ::Madagascar

Population:

20,653,556 (July 2009 est.) country comparison to the world: 55

Age structure:

0-14 years: 43.5% (male 4,523,033/female 4,460,473)

15-64 years: 53.5% (male 5,483,684/female 5,557,098)

65 years and over: 3% (male 280,677/female 348,591) (2009 est.)

Median age:

total: 18 years

male: 17.8 years

female: 18.2 years (2009 est.)

Population growth rate:

3% (2009 est.) country comparison to the world: 13

Birth rate:

38.14 births/1,000 population (2009 est.) country comparison to the world: 23

Death rate:

8.14 deaths/1,000 population (July 2009 est.) country comparison to the world: 107

Net migration rate:

NA (2009 est.)

Urbanization:

urban population: 29% of total population (2008)

rate of urbanization: 3.8% annual rate of change (2005-10 est.)

Sex ratio:

at birth: 1.03 male(s)/female

under 15 years: 1.01 male(s)/female

15-64 years: 0.99 male(s)/female

65 years and over: 0.8 male(s)/female

total population: 0.99 male(s)/female (2009 est.)

Infant mortality rate:

total: 54.2 deaths/1,000 live births country comparison to the world: 47 male: 59.12 deaths/1,000 live births

female: 49.13 deaths/1,000 live births (2009 est.)

Life expectancy at birth:

total population: 62.89 years country comparison to the world: 176 male: 60.93 years

female: 64.91 years (2009 est.)

Total fertility rate:

5.14 children born/woman (2009 est.) country comparison to the world: 26

HIV/AIDS - adult prevalence rate:

0.1% (2007 est.) country comparison to the world: 116

HIV/AIDS - people living with HIV/AIDS:

14,000 (2007 est.) country comparison to the world: 88

HIV/AIDS - deaths:

fewer than 1,000 (2007 est.) country comparison to the world: 75

Major infectious diseases:

degree of risk: very high

food or waterborne diseases: bacterial and protozoal diarrhea, hepatitis A, and typhoid fever

vectorborne diseases: chikungunya, malaria, and plague

water contact disease: schistosomiasis (2009)

Nationality:

noun: Malagasy (singular and plural)

adjective: Malagasy

Ethnic groups:

Malayo-Indonesian (Merina and related Betsileo), Cotiers (mixed African, Malayo-Indonesian, and Arab ancestry - Betsimisaraka, Tsimihety, Antaisaka, Sakalava), French, Indian, Creole, Comoran

Religions:

indigenous beliefs 52%, Christian 41%, Muslim 7%

Languages:

English (official), French (official), Malagasy (official)

Literacy:

definition: age 15 and over can read and write

total population: 68.9%

male: 75.5%

female: 62.5% (2003 est.)

School life expectancy (primary to tertiary education):

total: 9 years

male: 10 years

female: 9 years (2006)

Education expenditures:

3.1% of GDP (2006) country comparison to the world: 144

Government ::Madagascar

Country name:

conventional long form: Republic of Madagascar

conventional short form: Madagascar

local long form: Republique de Madagascar/Repoblikan'i Madagasikara

local short form: Madagascar/Madagasikara

former: Malagasy Republic

Government type:

republic

Capital:

name: Antananarivo

geographic coordinates: 18 55 S, 47 31 E

time difference: UTC+3 (8 hours ahead of Washington, DC during Standard Time)

Administrative divisions:

6 provinces (faritany); Antananarivo, Antsiranana, Fianarantsoa, Mahajanga, Toamasina, Toliara

Independence:

26 June 1960 (from France)

National holiday:

Independence Day, 26 June (1960)

Constitution:

passed by referendum 19 August 1992

Legal system:

based on French civil law system and traditional Malagasy law; accepts compulsory ICJ jurisdiction with reservations

Suffrage:

18 years of age; universal

Executive branch:

chief of state: President Andry RAJOELINA (since 18 March 2009)

head of government: Prime Minister Monja Roindefo ZAFITSIMIVALO (since 18 March 2009)

cabinet: Council of Ministers appointed by the prime minister

elections: president elected by popular vote for a five-year term (eligible for a second term); election last held 3 December 2006 (next to be held in October 2011); prime minister appointed by the president

election results: percent of vote - Marc RAVALOMANANA 54.8%, Jean LAHINIRIKO 11.7%, Roland RATSIRAKA 10.1%, Herizo RAZAFIMAHALEO 9.1%, Norbert RATSIRAHONANA 4.2%, Ny Hasina ANDRIAMANJATO 4.2%, Elia RAVELOMANANTSOA 2.6%, Pety RAKOTONIAINA 1.7%, other 1.6%; note - RAVALOMANANA stepped down on 17 March 2009

note:: on 17 March 2009, democratically elected President Marc RAVALOMANANA stepped down handing the government over to the military, which in turn conferred the presidency on opposition leader and Antananarivo mayor Andry RAJOELINA, who will head the High Transition Authority; a power-sharing agreement reached in August 2009 established a 15-month transition period, concluding in general elections

Legislative branch:

bicameral legislature consists of a Senate or Senat (100 seats; two-thirds of the seats filled by regional assemblies; the remaining one-third of seats appointed by the president; to serve four-year terms) and a National Assembly or Assemblee Nationale (127 seats - reduced from 160 seats by an April 2007 national referendum; members are elected by popular vote to serve four-year terms)

elections: National Assembly - last held 23 September 2007 (next to be held in late 2010); note - a power-sharing agreement in the summer of 2009 established a 15-month transition, concluding in general elections

election results: National Assembly - percent of vote by party - NA; seats by party - TIM 106, LEADER/Fanilo 1, independents 20

Judicial branch:

Supreme Court or Cour Supreme; High Constitutional Court or Haute Cour Constitutionnelle

Political parties and leaders:

Association for the Rebirth of Madagascar or AREMA [Pierrot RAJAONARIVELO]; Democratic Party for Union in Madagascar or PSDUM [Jean LAHINIRIKO]; Economic Liberalism and Democratic Action for National Recovery or LEADER/Fanilo [Herizo RAZAFIMAHALEO]; Fihaonana Party or FP [Guy-Willy RAZANAMASY]; I Love Madagascar or TIM [Marc RAVALOMANANA]; Renewal of the Social Democratic Party or RPSD [Evariste MARSON]

Political pressure groups and leaders:

Committee for the Defense of Truth and Justice or KMMR; Committee for National Reconciliation or CRN [Albert Zafy]; National Council of Christian Churches or FFKM

International organization participation:

ACP, AfDB, AU, COMESA, FAO, G-77, IAEA, IBRD, ICAO, ICC, ICCt, ICRM, IDA, IFAD, IFC, IFRCS, ILO, IMF, IMO, InOC, Interpol, IOC, IOM, IPU, ISO (correspondent), ITSO, ITU, ITUC, MIGA, NAM, OIF, OPCW, SADC, UN, UNCTAD, UNESCO, UNHCR, UNIDO, UNWTO, UPU, WCL, WCO, WFTU, WHO, WIPO, WMO, WTO

Diplomatic representation in the US:

chief of mission: Ambassador Jocelyn Bertin RADIFERA

chancery: 2374 Massachusetts Avenue NW, Washington, DC 20008

telephone: [1] (202) 265-5525 through 5526

FAX: [1] (202) 265-3034

consulate(s) general: Los Angeles, New York

Diplomatic representation from the US:

chief of mission: Ambassador R. Niels MARQUARDT

embassy: 14-16 Rue Rainitovo, Antsahavola, Antananarivo 101

mailing address: B. P. 620, Antsahavola, Antananarivo

telephone: [261] (20) 22-212-57, 22-212-73, 22-209-56

FAX: [261] (20) 22-345-39

Flag description:

two equal horizontal bands of red (top) and green with a vertical white band of the same width on hoist side

Economy ::Madagascar

Economy - overview:

Having discarded past socialist economic policies, Madagascar has since the mid 1990s followed a World Bank- and IMF-led policy of privatization and liberalization. This strategy placed the country on a slow and steady growth path from an extremely low level. Agriculture, including fishing and forestry, is a mainstay of the economy, accounting for more than one-fourth of GDP and employing 80% of the population. Exports of apparel have boomed in recent years primarily due to duty-free access to the US. Deforestation and erosion, aggravated by the use of firewood as the primary source of fuel, are serious concerns. President RAVALOMANANA has worked aggressively to revive the economy following the 2002 political crisis, which triggered a 12% drop in GDP that year. Poverty reduction and combating corruption will be the centerpieces of economic policy for the next few years.

GDP (purchasing power parity):

$20.18 billion (2008 est.) country comparison to the world: 122 $18.86 billion (2007 est.)

$17.76 billion (2006 est.)

note: data are in 2008 US dollars

GDP (official exchange rate):

$9.463 billion (2008 est.)

GDP - real growth rate:

7% (2008 est.) country comparison to the world: 38 6.2% (2007 est.)

5% (2006 est.)

GDP - per capita (PPP):

$1,000 (2008 est.) country comparison to the world: 212 $1,000 (2007 est.)

$900 (2006 est.)

note: data are in 2008 US dollars

GDP - composition by sector:

agriculture: 26.2%

industry: 15.2%

services: 58.5% (2008 est.)

Labor force:

9.504 million (2007) country comparison to the world: 51

Population below poverty line:

50% (2004 est.)

Household income or consumption by percentage share:

lowest 10%: 2.6%

highest 10%: 41.5% (2005)

Distribution of family income - Gini index:

47.5 (2001) country comparison to the world: 33 38.1 (1999)

Investment (gross fixed):

26.6% of GDP (2008 est.) country comparison to the world: 40

Budget:

revenues: $1.612 billion

expenditures: $2.05 billion (2008 est.)

Inflation rate (consumer prices):

9.2% (2008 est.) country comparison to the world: 140 10.3% (2007 est.)

Commercial bank prime lending rate:

45% (31 December 2008) country comparison to the world: 3 45% (31 December 2007)

Stock of money:

$1.217 billion (31 December 2008) country comparison to the world: 84 $1.161 billion (31 December 2007)

Stock of quasi money:

$667.2 million (31 December 2008) country comparison to the world: 104 $577.4 million (31 December 2007)

Stock of domestic credit:

$820.3 million (31 December 2008) country comparison to the world: 111 $767.5 million (31 December 2007)

Market value of publicly traded shares:

$NA

Agriculture - products:

coffee, vanilla, sugarcane, cloves, cocoa, rice, cassava (tapioca), beans, bananas, peanuts; livestock products

Industries:

meat processing, seafood, soap, breweries, tanneries, sugar, textiles, glassware, cement, automobile assembly plant, paper, petroleum, tourism

Industrial production growth rate:

3% (2008 est.) country comparison to the world: 83

Electricity - production:

1.045 billion kWh (2007 est.) country comparison to the world: 145

Electricity - consumption:

971.4 million kWh (2007 est.) country comparison to the world: 146

Electricity - exports:

0 kWh (2008 est.)

Electricity - imports:

0 kWh (2008 est.)

Oil - production:

84.57 bbl/day (2008 est.) country comparison to the world: 111

Oil - consumption:

20,000 bbl/day (2008 est.) country comparison to the world: 124

Oil - exports:

364.9 bbl/day (2007 est.) country comparison to the world: 125

Oil - imports:

16,940 bbl/day (2007 est.) country comparison to the world: 119

Oil - proved reserves:

0 bbl (1 January 2009 est.) country comparison to the world: 109

Natural gas - production:

0 cu m (2008 est.) country comparison to the world: 163

Natural gas - consumption:

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

Natural gas - exports:

0 cu m (2008) country comparison to the world: 159

Natural gas - imports:

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

Natural gas - proved reserves:

0 cu m (1 January 2006 est.) country comparison to the world: 115

Current account balance:

-$1.03 billion (2008 est.) country comparison to the world: 121 -$807 million (2007 est.)

Exports:

$1.254 billion (2008 est.) country comparison to the world: 146 $1.095 billion (2007 est.)

Exports - commodities:

coffee, vanilla, shellfish, sugar, cotton cloth, chromite, petroleum products

Exports - partners:

France 38.9%, US 20.3%, Germany 5% (2008)

Imports:

$2.419 billion (2008 est.) country comparison to the world: 144 $1.944 billion (2007 est.)

Imports - commodities:

capital goods, petroleum, consumer goods, food

Imports - partners:

China 20.1%, Bahrain 8.7%, France 6.3%, South Africa 5.7%, US 4.9%, India 4.4% (2008)

Reserves of foreign exchange and gold:

$982.3 million (31 December 2008 est.) country comparison to the world: 129 $846.7 million (31 December 2007 est.)

Debt - external:

$2.023 billion (31 December 2008 est.) country comparison to the world: 135 $4.6 billion (2002)

Stock of direct foreign investment - at home:

$NA

Stock of direct foreign investment - abroad:

$NA

Exchange rates:

Malagasy ariary (MGA) per US dollar - 1,654.78 (2008 est.), 1,880 (2007), 2,161.4 (2006), 2,003 (2005), 1,868.9 (2004)

Communications ::Madagascar

Telephones - main lines in use:

164,900 (2008) country comparison to the world: 130

Telephones - mobile cellular:

4.835 million (2008) country comparison to the world: 88

Telephone system:

general assessment: system is above average for the region; Antananarivo's main telephone exchange modernized in the late 1990s, but the rest of the analogue-based telephone system is poorly developed; have added new fixed lines since 2005

domestic: combined fixed-line and mobile telephone density about 25 per 100 persons

international: country code - 261; submarine cable to Bahrain; satellite earth stations - 2 (1 Intelsat - Indian Ocean, 1 Intersputnik - Atlantic Ocean region) (2008)

Radio broadcast stations:

AM 2, FM 9, shortwave 6 (2001)

Television broadcast stations:

1 (plus 36 repeaters) (2001)

Internet country code:

.mg

Internet hosts:

27,807 (2009) country comparison to the world: 93

Internet users:

316,100 (2008) country comparison to the world: 124

Transportation ::Madagascar

Airports:

89 (2009) country comparison to the world: 66

Airports - with paved runways:

total: 27

over 3,047 m: 1

2,438 to 3,047 m: 2

1,524 to 2,437 m: 6

914 to 1,523 m: 17

under 914 m: 1 (2009)

Airports - with unpaved runways:

total: 62

1,524 to 2,437 m: 2

914 to 1,523 m: 39

under 914 m: 21 (2009)

Railways:

total: 854 km country comparison to the world: 98 narrow gauge: 854 km 1.000-m gauge (2008)

Roadways:

total: 65,663 km country comparison to the world: 69 paved: 7,617 km

unpaved: 58,046 km (2003)

Waterways:

600 km country comparison to the world: 80 note: 432 km navigable (2008)

Merchant marine:

total: 8 country comparison to the world: 120 by type: cargo 4, passenger/cargo 2, petroleum tanker 2 (2008)

Ports and terminals:

Antsiranana, Mahajanga, Toamasina, Toliara

Military ::Madagascar

Military branches:

People's Armed Forces: Intervention Force, Development Force, and Aeronaval Force (navy and air); National Gendarmerie

Military service age and obligation:

18-25 years of age for male-only compulsory military service; 18-month conscript service obligation (either military or equivalent civil service); 20-30 years of age for National Gendarmerie recruits (35 years of age for those with military experience) (2008)

Manpower available for military service:

males age 16-49: 4,443,341

females age 16-49: 4,441,124 (2008 est.)

Manpower fit for military service:

males age 16-49: 3,150,043

females age 16-49: 3,404,988 (2009 est.)

Manpower reaching militarily significant age annually:

male: 236,500

female: 235,994 (2009 est.)

Military expenditures:

1% of GDP (2006) country comparison to the world: 136

Transnational Issues ::Madagascar

Disputes - international:

claims Bassas da India, Europa Island, Glorioso Islands, and Juan de Nova Island (all administered by France)

Illicit drugs:

illicit producer of cannabis (cultivated and wild varieties) used mostly for domestic consumption; transshipment point for heroin

page last updated on November 11, 2009

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

@Malawi (Africa)

Introduction ::Malawi

Background:

Established in 1891, the British protectorate of Nyasaland became the independent nation of Malawi in 1964. After three decades of one-party rule under President Hastings Kamuzu BANDA the country held multiparty elections in 1994, under a provisional constitution that came into full effect the following year. Current President Bingu wa MUTHARIKA, elected in May 2004 after a failed attempt by the previous president to amend the constitution to permit another term, struggled to assert his authority against his predecessor and subsequently started his own party, the Democratic Progressive Party (DPP) in 2005. As president, MUTHARIKA has overseen substantial economic improvement but because of political deadlock in the legislature, his minority party has been unable to pass significant legislation, and anti-corruption measures have stalled. Population growth, increasing pressure on agricultural lands, corruption, and the spread of HIV/AIDS pose major problems for Malawi.

Geography ::Malawi

Location:

Southern Africa, east of Zambia

Geographic coordinates:

13 30 S, 34 00 E

Map references:

Africa

Area:

total: 118,484 sq km country comparison to the world: 99 land: 94,080 sq km

water: 24,404 sq km

Area - comparative:

slightly smaller than Pennsylvania

Land boundaries:

total: 2,881 km

border countries: Mozambique 1,569 km, Tanzania 475 km, Zambia 837 km

Coastline:

0 km (landlocked)

Maritime claims:

none (landlocked)

Climate:

sub-tropical; rainy season (November to May); dry season (May to November)

Terrain:

narrow elongated plateau with rolling plains, rounded hills, some mountains

Elevation extremes:

lowest point: junction of the Shire River and international boundary with Mozambique 37 m

highest point: Sapitwa (Mount Mlanje) 3,002 m

Natural resources:

limestone, arable land, hydropower, unexploited deposits of uranium, coal, and bauxite

Land use:

arable land: 20.68%

permanent crops: 1.18%

other: 78.14% (2005)

Irrigated land:

560 sq km (2003)

Total renewable water resources:

17.3 cu km (2001)

Freshwater withdrawal (domestic/industrial/agricultural):

total: 1.01 cu km/yr (15%/5%/80%)

per capita: 78 cu m/yr (2000)

Natural hazards:

NA

Environment - current issues:

deforestation; land degradation; water pollution from agricultural runoff, sewage, industrial wastes; siltation of spawning grounds endangers fish populations

Environment - international agreements:

party to: Biodiversity, Climate Change, Climate Change-Kyoto Protocol, Desertification, Endangered Species, Environmental Modification, Hazardous Wastes, Marine Life Conservation, Ozone Layer Protection, Ship Pollution, Wetlands

signed, but not ratified: Law of the Sea

Geography - note:

landlocked; Lake Nyasa, some 580 km long, is the country's most prominent physical feature

People ::Malawi

Population:

14,268,711 country comparison to the world: 66 note: estimates for this country explicitly take into account the effects of excess mortality due to AIDS; this can result in lower life expectancy, higher infant mortality, higher death rates, lower population growth rates, and changes in the distribution of population by age and sex than would otherwise be expected (July 2009 est.)

Age structure:

0-14 years: 45.8% (male 3,272,790/female 3,258,893)

15-64 years: 51.5% (male 3,696,857/female 3,656,918)

65 years and over: 2.7% (male 162,863/female 220,390) (2009 est.)

Median age:

total: 16.8 years

male: 16.8 years

female: 16.9 years (2009 est.)

Population growth rate:

2.388% (2009 est.) country comparison to the world: 36

Birth rate:

41.48 births/1,000 population (2009 est.) country comparison to the world: 13

Death rate:

17.6 deaths/1,000 population (July 2009 est.) country comparison to the world: 11

Net migration rate:

NA (2009 est.)

Urbanization:

urban population: 19% of total population (2008)

rate of urbanization: 5.2% annual rate of change (2005-10 est.)

Sex ratio:

at birth: 1.02 male(s)/female

under 15 years: 1 male(s)/female

15-64 years: 1.01 male(s)/female

65 years and over: 0.74 male(s)/female

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

Infant mortality rate:

total: 89.05 deaths/1,000 live births country comparison to the world: 14 male: 93.15 deaths/1,000 live births

female: 84.88 deaths/1,000 live births (2009 est.)

Life expectancy at birth:

total population: 43.82 years country comparison to the world: 216 male: 44.07 years

female: 43.57 years (2009 est.)

Total fertility rate:

5.59 children born/woman (2009 est.) country comparison to the world: 16

HIV/AIDS - adult prevalence rate:

11.9% (2007 est.) country comparison to the world: 9

HIV/AIDS - people living with HIV/AIDS:

930,000 (2007 est.) country comparison to the world: 15

HIV/AIDS - deaths:

68,000 (2007 est.) country comparison to the world: 10

Major infectious diseases:

degree of risk: very high

food or waterborne diseases: bacterial and protozoal diarrhea, hepatitis A, and typhoid fever

vectorborne diseases: malaria and plague

water contact disease: schistosomiasis

animal contact disease: rabies (2009)

Nationality:

noun: Malawian(s)

adjective: Malawian

Ethnic groups:

Chewa, Nyanja, Tumbuka, Yao, Lomwe, Sena, Tonga, Ngoni, Ngonde, Asian, European

Religions:

Christian 79.9%, Muslim 12.8%, other 3%, none 4.3% (1998 census)

Languages:

Chichewa 57.2% (official), Chinyanja 12.8%, Chiyao 10.1%, Chitumbuka 9.5%, Chisena 2.7%, Chilomwe 2.4%, Chitonga 1.7%, other 3.6% (1998 census)

Literacy:

definition: age 15 and over can read and write

total population: 62.7%

male: 76.1%

female: 49.8% (2003 est.)

School life expectancy (primary to tertiary education):

total: 9 years

male: 10 years

female: 9 years (2004)

Education expenditures:

5.8% of GDP (2003) country comparison to the world: 44

Government ::Malawi

Country name:

conventional long form: Republic of Malawi

conventional short form: Malawi

local long form: Dziko la Malawi

local short form: Malawi

former: British Central African Protectorate, Nyasaland Protectorate, Nyasaland

Government type:

multiparty democracy

Capital:

name: Lilongwe

geographic coordinates: 13 59 S, 33 47 E

time difference: UTC+2 (7 hours ahead of Washington, DC during Standard Time)

Administrative divisions:

28 districts; Balaka, Blantyre, Chikwawa, Chiradzulu, Chitipa, Dedza, Dowa, Karonga, Kasungu, Likoma, Lilongwe, Machinga (Kasupe), Mangochi, Mchinji, Mulanje, Mwanza, Mzimba, Neno, Ntcheu, Nkhata Bay, Nkhotakota, Nsanje, Ntchisi, Phalombe, Rumphi, Salima, Thyolo, Zomba

Independence:

6 July 1964 (from the UK)

National holiday:

Independence Day (Republic Day), 6 July (1964)

Constitution:

18 May 1994

Legal system:

based on English common law and customary law; judicial review of legislative acts in the Supreme Court of Appeal; accepts compulsory ICJ jurisdiction with reservations

Suffrage:

18 years of age; universal

Executive branch:

chief of state: President Bingu wa MUTHARIKA (since 24 May 2004); note - the president is both the chief of state and head of government

head of government: President Bingu wa MUTHARIKA (since 24 May 2004)

cabinet: 46-member Cabinet named by the president

elections: president elected by popular vote for a five-year term (eligible for a second term); election last held 19 May 2009 (next to be held in May 2014)

election results: Bingu wa MUTHARIKA elected president; percent of vote - Bingu wa MUTHARIKA 66%, John TEMBO 30.7%, other 3.3%

Legislative branch:

unicameral National Assembly (193 seats; members elected by popular vote to serve five-year terms)

elections: last held 19 May 2009 (next to be held in May 2014)

election results: percent of vote by party - NA; seats by party - DPP 114, MCP 26, UDF 17, independents 32, other 4

Judicial branch:

Supreme Court of Appeal; High Court (chief justice appointed by the president, puisne judges appointed on the advice of the Judicial Service Commission); magistrate's courts

Political parties and leaders:

Alliance for Democracy or AFORD [Dindi NYASULU]; Congress of Democrats or CODE [Ralph KASAMBARA]; Democratic Progressive Party or DPP [Bingu wa MUTHARIKA]; Malawi Congress Party or MCP [John TEMBO]; Malawi Democratic Party or MDP [Kampelo KALUA]; Malawi Forum for Unity and Development or MAFUNDE [George MNESA]; Maravi People's Party [Uladi MUSSA]; National Unity Party or NUP [Harry CHIUME]; New Rainbow Coalition Party [Beatrice MWALE]; New Republican Party [Gwanda CHAKUWAMBA]; People's Progressive Movement or PPM [Aleke BANDA]; People's Transformation Movement or PETRA [Kamuzu CHIBAMBO]; Republican Party or RP [Stanley MASAULI]; United Democratic Front or UDF [Bakili MULUZI]; United Democratic Party [Kenedy KALAMBO]

Political pressure groups and leaders:

Agri-Ecology Media (agriculture and environmental group); Council for NGOs in Malawi or CONGOMA (human rights, democracy, and development); Human Rights Consultative Committee or HRCC (human rights); Malawi Law Society (human rights and law reform); Malawi Movement for the Restoration of Democracy or MMRD (acts to restore and maintain democracy); Public Affairs Committee or PAC (promotes democracy, development, peace and unity)

International organization participation:

ACP, AfDB, AU, C, COMESA, FAO, G-77, IAEA, IBRD, ICAO, ICCt, ICRM, IDA, IFAD, IFC, IFRCS, ILO, IMF, IMO, Interpol, IOC, ISO (correspondent), ITSO, ITU, ITUC, MIGA, MONUC, NAM, OPCW, SADC, UN, UNAMID, UNCTAD, UNESCO, UNIDO, UNMIL, UNMIS, UNWTO, UPU, WCL, WCO, WFTU, WHO, WIPO, WMO, WTO

Diplomatic representation in the US:

chief of mission: Ambassador Hawa NDILOWE

chancery: 1029 Vermont Avenue, Suite 1000, Washington, DC 20005

telephone: [1] (202) 721-0270

FAX: [1] (202) 721-0288

Diplomatic representation from the US:

chief of mission: Ambassador Peter W. BODDE

embassy: 16 Jomo Kenyatta Road, Lilongwe 3

mailing address: P. O. Box 30016, Lilongwe 3, Malawi

telephone: [265] (1) 773 166

FAX: [265] (1) 770 471

Flag description:

three equal horizontal bands of black (top), red, and green with a radiant, rising, red sun centered in the black band

Government - note:

no party has a majority in the fractured legislature

Economy ::Malawi

Economy - overview:

Landlocked Malawi ranks among the world's most densely populated and least developed countries. The economy is predominately agricultural with about 85% of the population living in rural areas. Agriculture accounts for more than one-third of GDP and 90% of export revenues. The performance of the tobacco sector is key to short-term growth as tobacco accounts for more than half of exports. The economy depends on substantial inflows of economic assistance from the IMF, the World Bank, and individual donor nations. In December 2007, the US granted Malawi eligibility status to receive financial support within the Millennium Challenge Corporation (MCC) initiative. Malawi will now begin a consultative process to develop a five-year program before funding can begin. In 2006, Malawi was approved for relief under the Heavily Indebted Poor Countries (HIPC) program. The government faces many challenges including developing a market economy, improving educational facilities, facing up to environmental problems, dealing with the rapidly growing problem of HIV/AIDS, and satisfying foreign donors that fiscal discipline is being tightened. In 2005, President MUTHARIKA championed an anticorruption campaign. Since 2005 President MUTHARIKA'S government has exhibited improved financial discipline under the guidance of Finance Minister Goodall GONDWE and signed a three year Poverty Reduction and Growth Facility worth $56 million with the IMF. Improved relations with the IMF lead other international donors to resume aid as well.

GDP (purchasing power parity):

$11.95 billion (2008 est.) country comparison to the world: 143 $10.9 billion (2007 est.)

$10.1 billion (2006 est.)

note: data are in 2008 US dollars

GDP (official exchange rate):

$4.268 billion (2008 est.)

GDP - real growth rate:

9.7% (2008 est.) country comparison to the world: 14 7.9% (2007 est.)

8.2% (2006 est.)

GDP - per capita (PPP):

$800 (2008 est.) country comparison to the world: 220 $800 (2007 est.)

$700 (2006 est.)

note: data are in 2008 US dollars

GDP - composition by sector:

agriculture: 39.2%

industry: 16.8%

services: 44% (2008 est.)

Labor force:

5.747 million (2007 est.) country comparison to the world: 67

Labor force - by occupation:

agriculture: 90%

industry and services: 10% (2003 est.)

Unemployment rate:

NA%

Population below poverty line:

53% (2004)

Household income or consumption by percentage share:

lowest 10%: 3%

highest 10%: 31.9% (2004)

Distribution of family income - Gini index:

39 (2004) country comparison to the world: 67

Investment (gross fixed):

8.4% of GDP (2008 est.) country comparison to the world: 149

Budget:

revenues: $1.254 billion

expenditures: $1.351 billion (2008 est.)

Public debt:

49.1% of GDP (2008 est.) country comparison to the world: 38 228.3% of GDP (2004 est.)

Inflation rate (consumer prices):

8.7% (2008 est.) country comparison to the world: 135 7.9% (2007 est.)

Central bank discount rate:

15% (31 December 2008) country comparison to the world: 15 15% (31 December 2007)

Commercial bank prime lending rate:

25.28% (31 December 2008) country comparison to the world: 9 27.72% (31 December 2007)

Stock of money:

$NA (31 December 2008)

$361.5 million (31 December 2007)

Stock of quasi money:

$NA (31 December 2008)

$250.4 million (31 December 2007)

Stock of domestic credit:

$NA (31 December 2008)

$406.2 million (31 December 2007)

Market value of publicly traded shares:

$NA (31 December 2008)

$NA (31 December 2007)

$587.2 million (31 December 2006)

Agriculture - products:

tobacco, sugarcane, cotton, tea, corn, potatoes, cassava (tapioca), sorghum, pulses, groundnuts, Macadamia nuts; cattle, goats

Industries:

tobacco, tea, sugar, sawmill products, cement, consumer goods

Industrial production growth rate:

4% (2008 est.) country comparison to the world: 66

Electricity - production:

1.69 billion kWh (2007 est.) country comparison to the world: 138

Electricity - consumption:

1.572 billion kWh (2007 est.) country comparison to the world: 138

Electricity - exports:

0 kWh (2008 est.)

Electricity - imports:

0 kWh (2008 est.)

Oil - production:

0 bbl/day (2008 est.) country comparison to the world: 166

Oil - consumption:

8,000 bbl/day (2008 est.) country comparison to the world: 155

Oil - exports:

0 bbl/day (2007 est.) country comparison to the world: 184

Oil - imports:

6,960 bbl/day (2007 est.) country comparison to the world: 147

Oil - proved reserves:

0 bbl (1 January 2009 est.) country comparison to the world: 104

Natural gas - production:

0 cu m (2008 est.) country comparison to the world: 159

Natural gas - consumption:

0 cu m (2008 est.) country comparison to the world: 159

Natural gas - exports:

0 cu m (2008) country comparison to the world: 154

Natural gas - imports:

0 cu m (2008 est.) country comparison to the world: 95

Natural gas - proved reserves:

0 cu m (1 January 2009 est.) country comparison to the world: 111

Current account balance:

-$241 million (2008 est.) country comparison to the world: 93 -$75 million (2007 est.)

Exports:

$830 million (2008 est.) country comparison to the world: 154 $721 million (2007 est.)

Exports - commodities:

tobacco 53%, tea, sugar, cotton, coffee, peanuts, wood products, apparel

Exports - partners:

South Africa 14.2%, Egypt 9.8%, Zimbabwe 8.6%, US 7.4%, Netherlands 7%, Russia 5.7%, Germany 5.7% (2008)

Imports:

$1.587 billion (2008 est.) country comparison to the world: 157 $1.323 billion (2007 est.)

Imports - commodities:

food, petroleum products, semimanufactures, consumer goods, transportation equipment

Imports - partners:

South Africa 41.5%, China 7.3%, India 6.1%, Tanzania 5.4%, US 4.1% (2008)

Reserves of foreign exchange and gold:

$185 million (31 December 2008 est.) country comparison to the world: 145 $217.2 million (31 December 2007 est.)

Debt - external:

$1.005 billion (31 December 2008 est.) country comparison to the world: 153 $894 million (31 December 2007 est.)

Stock of direct foreign investment - at home:

$11.23 billion (31 December 2008 est.) country comparison to the world: 79

Stock of direct foreign investment - abroad:

$NA

Exchange rates:

Malawian kwachas (MWK) per US dollar - 142.41 (2008 est.), 141.12 (2007), 135.96 (2006), 108.894 (2005), 108.898 (2004)

Communications ::Malawi

Telephones - main lines in use:

236,000 (2008) country comparison to the world: 122

Telephones - mobile cellular:

1.781 million (2008) country comparison to the world: 127

Telephone system:

general assessment: rudimentary

domestic: fixed-line subscribership about 2 per 100 persons; privatization of Malawi Telecommunications (MTL), a necessary step in bringing improvement to telecommunications services, completed in 2006; mobile-cellular services are expanding but cellular network coverage is limited and is based around the main urban areas; mobile cellular subscribership approaching 15 per 100 persons

international: country code - 265; satellite earth stations - 2 Intelsat (1 Indian Ocean, 1 Atlantic Ocean) (2008)

Radio broadcast stations:

AM 9, FM 5 (plus 15 repeater stations), shortwave 2 (plus one shortwave station on standby) (2001)

Television broadcast stations:

1 (2001)

Internet country code:

.mw

Internet hosts:

741 (2009) country comparison to the world: 165

Internet users:

316,100 (2008) country comparison to the world: 125

Transportation ::Malawi

Airports:

32 (2009) country comparison to the world: 113

Airports - with paved runways:

total: 6

over 3,047 m: 1

1,524 to 2,437 m: 1

914 to 1,523 m: 4 (2009)

Airports - with unpaved runways:

total: 26

1,524 to 2,437 m: 1

914 to 1,523 m: 15

under 914 m: 10 (2009)

Railways:

total: 797 km country comparison to the world: 102 narrow gauge: 797 km 1.067-m gauge (2008)

Roadways:

total: 15,451 km country comparison to the world: 122 paved: 6,956 km

unpaved: 8,495 km (2003)

Waterways:

700 km (on Lake Nyasa (Lake Malawi) and Shire River) (2008) country comparison to the world: 76

Ports and terminals:

Chipoka, Monkey Bay, Nkhata Bay, Nkhotakota, Chilumba

Military ::Malawi

Military branches:

Malawi Armed Forces: Army (includes Air Wing and Naval Detachment) (2009)

Military service age and obligation:

18 years of age for voluntary military service; standard obligation is 2 years of active duty and 5 years of reserve service (2007)

Manpower available for military service:

males age 16-49: 3,050,444 (2008 est.)

Manpower fit for military service:

males age 16-49: 1,732,621

females age 16-49: 1,562,107 (2009 est.)

Manpower reaching militarily significant age annually:

male: 174,044

female: 173,828 (2009 est.)

Military expenditures:

1.3% of GDP (2006) country comparison to the world: 123

Transnational Issues ::Malawi

Disputes - international:

disputes with Tanzania over the boundary in Lake Nyasa (Lake Malawi) and the meandering Songwe River remain dormant

page last updated on November 11, 2009

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

@Malaysia (East & Southeast Asia)

Introduction ::Malaysia

Background:

During the late 18th and 19th centuries, Great Britain established colonies and protectorates in the area of current Malaysia; these were occupied by Japan from 1942 to 1945. In 1948, the British-ruled territories on the Malay Peninsula formed the Federation of Malaya, which became independent in 1957. Malaysia was formed in 1963 when the former British colonies of Singapore and the East Malaysian states of Sabah and Sarawak on the northern coast of Borneo joined the Federation. The first several years of the country's history were marred by a Communist insurgency, Indonesian confrontation with Malaysia, Philippine claims to Sabah, and Singapore's secession from the Federation in 1965. During the 22-year term of Prime Minister MAHATHIR bin Mohamad (1981-2003), Malaysia was successful in diversifying its economy from dependence on exports of raw materials to expansion in manufacturing, services, and tourism.

Geography ::Malaysia

Location:

Southeastern Asia, peninsula bordering Thailand and northern one-third of the island of Borneo, bordering Indonesia, Brunei, and the South China Sea, south of Vietnam

Geographic coordinates:

2 30 N, 112 30 E

Map references:

Southeast Asia

Area:

total: 329,847 sq km country comparison to the world: 66 land: 328,657 sq km

water: 1,190 sq km

Area - comparative:

slightly larger than New Mexico

Land boundaries:

total: 2,669 km

border countries: Brunei 381 km, Indonesia 1,782 km, Thailand 506 km

Coastline:

4,675 km (Peninsular Malaysia 2,068 km, East Malaysia 2,607 km)

Maritime claims:

territorial sea: 12 nm

exclusive economic zone: 200 nm

continental shelf: 200 m depth or to the depth of exploitation; specified boundary in the South China Sea

Climate:

tropical; annual southwest (April to October) and northeast (October to February) monsoons

Terrain:

coastal plains rising to hills and mountains

Elevation extremes:

lowest point: Indian Ocean 0 m

highest point: Gunung Kinabalu 4,100 m

Natural resources:

tin, petroleum, timber, copper, iron ore, natural gas, bauxite

Land use:

arable land: 5.46%

permanent crops: 17.54%

other: 77% (2005)

Irrigated land:

3,650 sq km (2003)

Total renewable water resources:

580 cu km (1999)

Freshwater withdrawal (domestic/industrial/agricultural):

total: 9.02 cu km/yr (17%/21%/62%)

per capita: 356 cu m/yr (2000)

Natural hazards:

flooding; landslides; forest fires

Environment - current issues:

air pollution from industrial and vehicular emissions; water pollution from raw sewage; deforestation; smoke/haze from Indonesian forest fires

Environment - international agreements:

party to: Biodiversity, Climate Change, Climate Change-Kyoto Protocol, Desertification, Endangered Species, Hazardous Wastes, Law of the Sea, Marine Life Conservation, Ozone Layer Protection, Ship Pollution, Tropical Timber 83, Tropical Timber 94, Wetlands

signed, but not ratified: none of the selected agreements

Geography - note:

strategic location along Strait of Malacca and southern South China Sea

People ::Malaysia

Population:

25,715,819 (July 2009 est.) country comparison to the world: 46

Age structure:

0-14 years: 31.4% (male 4,153,621/female 3,914,962)

15-64 years: 63.6% (male 8,210,373/female 8,143,043)

65 years and over: 5% (male 569,245/female 724,575) (2009 est.)

Median age:

total: 24.9 years

male: 24.3 years

female: 25.6 years (2009 est.)

Population growth rate:

1.723% (2009 est.) country comparison to the world: 78

Birth rate:

22.24 births/1,000 population (2009 est.) country comparison to the world: 84

Death rate:

5.02 deaths/1,000 population (July 2009 est.) country comparison to the world: 189

Net migration rate:

NA

note: does not reflect net flow of an unknown number of illegal immigrants from other countries in the region (2009 est.)

Urbanization:

urban population: 70% of total population (2008)

rate of urbanization: 3% 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: 1.01 male(s)/female

65 years and over: 0.79 male(s)/female

total population: 1.01 male(s)/female (2009 est.)

Infant mortality rate:

total: 15.87 deaths/1,000 live births country comparison to the world: 124 male: 18.32 deaths/1,000 live births

female: 13.24 deaths/1,000 live births (2009 est.)

Life expectancy at birth:

total population: 73.29 years country comparison to the world: 108 male: 70.56 years

female: 76.21 years (2009 est.)

Total fertility rate:

2.95 children born/woman (2009 est.) country comparison to the world: 74

HIV/AIDS - adult prevalence rate:

0.5% (2007 est.) country comparison to the world: 78

HIV/AIDS - people living with HIV/AIDS:

80,000 (2007 est.) country comparison to the world: 50

HIV/AIDS - deaths:

3,900 (2007 est.) country comparison to the world: 52

Major infectious diseases:

degree of risk: high

food or waterborne diseases: bacterial diarrhea

vectorborne diseases: dengue fever and malaria

note: highly pathogenic H5N1 avian influenza has been identified in this country; it poses a negligible risk with extremely rare cases possible among US citizens who have close contact with birds (2009)

Nationality:

noun: Malaysian(s)

adjective: Malaysian

Ethnic groups:

Malay 50.4%, Chinese 23.7%, indigenous 11%, Indian 7.1%, others 7.8% (2004 est.)

Religions:

Muslim 60.4%, Buddhist 19.2%, Christian 9.1%, Hindu 6.3%, Confucianism, Taoism, other traditional Chinese religions 2.6%, other or unknown 1.5%, none 0.8% (2000 census)

Languages:

Bahasa Malaysia (official), English, Chinese (Cantonese, Mandarin, Hokkien, Hakka, Hainan, Foochow), Tamil, Telugu, Malayalam, Panjabi, Thai

note: in East Malaysia there are several indigenous languages; most widely spoken are Iban and Kadazan

Literacy:

definition: age 15 and over can read and write

total population: 88.7%

male: 92%

female: 85.4% (2000 census)

School life expectancy (primary to tertiary education):

total: 13 years

male: 12 years

female: 13 years (2005)

Education expenditures:

6.2% of GDP (2004) country comparison to the world: 37

Government ::Malaysia

Country name:

conventional long form: none

conventional short form: Malaysia

local long form: none

local short form: Malaysia

former: Federation of Malaya

Government type:

constitutional monarchy

note: nominally headed by paramount ruler (commonly referred to as the King) and a bicameral Parliament consisting of a nonelected upper house and an elected lower house; all Peninsular Malaysian states have hereditary rulers (commonly referred to as sultans) except Melaka and Pulau Pinang (Penang); those two states along with Sabah and Sarawak in East Malaysia have governors appointed by government; powers of state governments are limited by federal constitution; under terms of federation, Sabah and Sarawak retain certain constitutional prerogatives (e.g., right to maintain their own immigration controls)

Capital:

name: Kuala Lumpur

geographic coordinates: 3 10 N, 101 42 E

time difference: UTC+8 (13 hours ahead of Washington, DC during Standard Time)

note: Putrajaya is referred to as administrative center not capital; Parliament meets in Kuala Lumpur

Administrative divisions:

13 states (negeri-negeri, singular - negeri) Johor, Kedah, Kelantan, Melaka, Negeri Sembilan, Pahang, Perak, Perlis, Pulau Pinang, Sabah, Sarawak, Selangor, and Terengganu; and 1 federal territory (wilayah persekutuan) with three components, city of Kuala Lumpur, Labuan, and Putrajaya

Independence:

31 August 1957 (from the UK)

National holiday:

Independence Day/Malaysia Day, 31 August (1957)

Constitution:

31 August 1957; amended many times, the latest in 2007

Legal system:

based on English common law; judicial review of legislative acts in the Supreme Court at request of supreme head of the federation; Islamic law is applied to Muslims in matters of family law and religion; has not accepted compulsory ICJ jurisdiction

Suffrage:

21 years of age; universal

Executive branch:

chief of state: King - Sultan MIZAN Zainal Abidin (since 13 December 2006); (the position of the king is primarily ceremonial)

head of government: Prime Minister Mohamed NAJIB bin Abdul Razak (since 3 April 2009); Deputy Prime Minister MUHYIDDIN bin Mohamed Yassin (since 9 April 2009)

cabinet: Cabinet appointed by the prime minister from among the members of Parliament with consent of the king

elections: kings are elected by and from the hereditary rulers of nine of the states for five-year terms; election last held on 3 November 2006 (next to be held in 2011); prime minister designated from among the members of the House of Representatives; following legislative elections, the leader who commands the support of the majority of members in the House becomes prime minister (since independence this has been the leader of the UMNO party)

election results: Sultan MIZAN Zainal Abidin elected king; in practice, selection is based on principle of rotation among rulers of states

Legislative branch:

bicameral Parliament or Parlimen consists of Senate or Dewan Negara (70 seats; 44 appointed by the king, 26 elected by 13 state legislatures; serve three-year terms with limit of two terms) and House of Representatives or Dewan Rakyat (222 seats; members elected by popular vote; serve up to five-year terms)

elections: House of Representatives - last held on 8 March 2008 (next to be held by June 2013)

election results: House of Representatives - percent of vote - BN coalition 50.3%, opposition parties 46.8%, others 2.9%; seats - BN coalition 140, opposition parties 82

Judicial branch:

Civil Courts include Federal Court, Court of Appeal, High Court of Malaya on peninsula Malaysia, and High Court of Sabah and Sarawak in states of Borneo (judges are appointed by the king on the advice of the prime minister); Sharia Courts include Sharia Appeal Court, Sharia High Court, and Sharia Subordinate Courts at state-level and deal with religious and family matters such as custody, divorce, and inheritance only for Muslims; decisions of Sharia courts cannot be appealed to civil courts

Political parties and leaders:

National Front (Barisan Nasional) or BN (ruling coalition) consists of the following parties: Gerakan Rakyat Malaysia Party or PGRM [KOH Tsu Koon]; Liberal Democratic Party (Parti Liberal Demokratik - Sabah) or LDP [LIEW Vui Keong]; Malaysian Chinese Association (Persatuan China Malaysia) or MCA [ONG Tee Keat]; Malaysian Indian Congress (Kongres India Malaysia) or MIC [S. Samy VELLU]; Parti Bersatu Rakyat Sabah or PBRS [Joseph KURUP]; Parti Bersatu Sabah or PBS [Joseph PAIRIN Kitingan]; Parti Pesaka Bumiputera Bersatu or PBB [Abdul TAIB Mahmud]; Parti Rakyat Sarawak or PRS [James MASING]; Sarawak United People's Party (Parti Bersatu Rakyat Sarawak) or SUPP [George CHAN Hong Nam]; United Malays National Organization or UMNO [NAJIB bin Abdul Razak]; United Pasokmomogun Kadazandusun Murut Organization (Pertubuhan Pasko Momogun Kadazan Dusun Bersatu) or UPKO [Bernard DOMPOK]; People's Progressive Party (Parti Progresif Penduduk Malaysia) or PPP [M.Kayveas]; Sarawak Progressive Democratic Party or SPDP [William MAWAN])

People's Alliance (Pakatan Rakyat) or PR (opposition coalition) consists of the following parties: Democratic Action Party (Parti Tindakan Demokratik) or DAP [KARPAL Singh]; Islamic Party of Malaysia (Parti Islam se Malaysia) or PAS [Abdul HADI Awang]; People's Justice Party (Parti Keadilan Rakyat) or PKR [WAN AZIZAH Wan Ismail]; Sarawak National Party or SNAP [Edwin DUNDANG]

independent party: Sabah Progressive Party (Parti Progresif Saban) or SAPP [YONG Teck Lee]

Political pressure groups and leaders:

Bar Council BERSIH (electoral reform coalition); PEMBELA (Muslim NGO coalition)

other: religious groups; women's groups; youth groups

International organization participation:

ADB, APEC, APT, ARF, ASEAN, BIS, C, CP, EAS, FAO, G-15, G-77, IAEA, IBRD, ICAO, ICC, ICRM, IDA, IDB, IFAD, IFC, IFRCS, IHO, ILO, IMF, IMO, IMSO, Interpol, IOC, IPU, ISO, ITSO, ITU, ITUC, MIGA, MINURSO, MONUC, NAM, OIC, OPCW, PCA, PIF (partner), UN, UNCTAD, UNESCO, UNIDO, UNIFIL, UNMIL, UNMIS, UNMIT, UNWTO, UPU, WCL, WCO, WFTU, WHO, WIPO, WMO, WTO

Diplomatic representation in the US:

chief of mission: Ambassador JAMALUDDIN Jarjis

chancery: 3516 International Court NW, Washington, DC 20008

telephone: [1] (202) 572-9700

FAX: [1] (202) 572-9882

consulate(s) general: Los Angeles, New York

Diplomatic representation from the US:

chief of mission: Ambassador James R. KEITH

embassy: 376 Jalan Tun Razak, 50400 Kuala Lumpur

mailing address: US Embassy Kuala Lumpur, APO AP 96535-8152

telephone: [60] (3) 2168-5000

FAX: [60] (3) 2142-2207

Flag description:

14 equal horizontal stripes of red (top) alternating with white (bottom); there is a blue rectangle in the upper hoist-side corner bearing a yellow crescent and a yellow 14-pointed star; the crescent and the star are traditional symbols of Islam; the design was based on the flag of the US

Economy ::Malaysia

Economy - overview:

Malaysia, a middle-income country, has transformed itself since the 1970s from a producer of raw materials into an emerging multi-sector economy. After coming to office in 2003, former Prime Minister ABDULLAH tried to move the economy farther up the value-added production chain by attracting investments in high technology industries, medical technology, and pharmaceuticals. The Government of Malaysia is continuing efforts to boost domestic demand to wean the economy off of its dependence on exports. Nevertheless, exports - particularly of electronics - remain a significant driver of the economy. As an oil and gas exporter, Malaysia has profited from higher world energy prices, although the rising cost of domestic gasoline and diesel fuel forced Kuala Lumpur to reduce government subsidies. Malaysia "unpegged" the ringgit from the US dollar in 2005 and the currency appreciated 6% per year against the dollar in 2006-08. Although this has helped to hold down the price of imports, inflationary pressures began to build in 2007 - in 2008 inflation stood at nearly 6%, year-over-year. The government presented its five-year national development agenda in April 2006 through the Ninth Malaysia Plan, a comprehensive blueprint for the allocation of the national budget from 2006-10. ABDULLAH unveiled a series of ambitious development schemes for several regions that have had trouble attracting business investment. Real GDP growth averaged about 6% per year under ABDULLAH, but regions outside of Kuala Lumpur and the manufacturing hub Penang did not fare as well. The central bank maintains healthy foreign exchange reserves and the regulatory regime has limited Malaysia's exposure to riskier financial instruments and the global financial crisis. Decreasing worldwide demand for consumer goods is expected to hurt economic growth in 2009 and beyond, however.

GDP (purchasing power parity):

$385.2 billion (2008 est.) country comparison to the world: 31 $368.3 billion (2007 est.)

$346.8 billion (2006 est.)

note: data are in 2008 US dollars

GDP (official exchange rate):

$221.6 billion (2008 est.)

GDP - real growth rate:

4.6% (2008 est.) country comparison to the world: 95 6.2% (2007 est.)

5.8% (2006 est.)

GDP - per capita (PPP):

$15,200 (2008 est.) country comparison to the world: 75 $14,800 (2007 est.)

$14,200 (2006 est.)

note: data are in 2008 US dollars

GDP - composition by sector:

agriculture: 10.1%

industry: 43.7%

services: 46.3% (2008 est.)

Labor force:

11.09 million (2008 est.) country comparison to the world: 46

Labor force - by occupation:

agriculture: 13%

industry: 36%

services: 51% (2005 est.)

Unemployment rate:

3.3% (2008 est.) country comparison to the world: 38 3.2% (2007 est.)

Population below poverty line:

5.1% (2002 est.)

Household income or consumption by percentage share:

lowest 10%: 2.6%

highest 10%: 28.5% (2004 est.)

Distribution of family income - Gini index:

46.1 (2002) country comparison to the world: 38 49.2 (1997)

Investment (gross fixed):

19.7% of GDP (2008 est.) country comparison to the world: 112

Budget:

revenues: $48.49 billion

expenditures: $58.85 billion (2008 est.)

Public debt:

40% of GDP (2008 est.) country comparison to the world: 56 45.4% of GDP (2004 est.)

Inflation rate (consumer prices):

5.4% (2008 est.) country comparison to the world: 92 2% (2007 est.)

note: approximately 30% of goods are price-controlled

Commercial bank prime lending rate:

6.08% (31 December 2008) country comparison to the world: 127 6.41% (31 December 2007)

Stock of money:

$51.51 billion (31 December 2008) country comparison to the world: 22 $49.41 billion (31 December 2007)

Stock of quasi money:

$200.9 billion (31 December 2008) country comparison to the world: 14 $187.6 billion (31 December 2007)

Stock of domestic credit:

$246.7 billion (31 December 2008) country comparison to the world: 28 $220 billion (31 December 2007)

Market value of publicly traded shares:

$187.1 billion (31 December 2008) country comparison to the world: 29 $325.7 billion (31 December 2007)

$235.4 billion (31 December 2006)

Agriculture - products:

Peninsular Malaysia - rubber, palm oil, cocoa, rice; Sabah - subsistence crops, rubber, timber, coconuts, rice; Sarawak - rubber, pepper, timber

Industries:

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

Industrial production growth rate:

1% (2008 est.) country comparison to the world: 125

Electricity - production:

103.2 billion kWh (2007 est.) country comparison to the world: 31

Electricity - consumption:

99.25 billion kWh (2007 est.) country comparison to the world: 30

Electricity - exports:

2.268 billion kWh (2007 est.)

Electricity - imports:

0 kWh (2008 est.)

Oil - production:

727,200 bbl/day (2008 est.) country comparison to the world: 27

Oil - consumption:

547,000 bbl/day (2008 est.) country comparison to the world: 31

Oil - exports:

511,900 bbl/day (2007 est.) country comparison to the world: 30

Oil - imports:

314,600 bbl/day (2007 est.) country comparison to the world: 36

Oil - proved reserves:

4 billion bbl (1 January 2009 est.) country comparison to the world: 26

Natural gas - production:

57.3 billion cu m (2008 est.) country comparison to the world: 16

Natural gas - consumption: