Chapter M: Major infectious diseases (51)

9.89% (31 December 2008) country comparison to the world: 81 10.4% (31 December 2007)

Stock of money:

$16.71 million (31 December 2008) country comparison to the world: 120 $17.9 million (31 December 2007)

Stock of quasi money:

$45.42 million (31 December 2008) country comparison to the world: 123 $43.9 million (31 December 2007)

Stock of domestic credit:

$9.93 million (31 December 2008) country comparison to the world: 128 $5.537 million (31 December 2007)

Agriculture - products:

cabbages, carrots, cucumbers, tomatoes, onions, peppers; livestock products

Industries:

tourism, rum, textiles, electronic appliances

Industrial production growth rate:

NA%

Electricity - production:

22 million kWh (2007 est.) country comparison to the world: 205

Electricity - consumption:

20.46 million kWh (2007 est.) country comparison to the world: 205

Electricity - exports:

0 kWh (2008 est.)

Electricity - imports:

0 kWh (2008 est.)

Oil - production:

0 bbl/day (2008 est.) country comparison to the world: 167

Oil - consumption:

1,000 bbl/day (2008 est.) country comparison to the world: 196

Oil - exports:

0 bbl/day (2007 est.) country comparison to the world: 185

Oil - imports:

520.6 bbl/day (2007 est.) country comparison to the world: 198

Oil - proved reserves:

0 bbl (1 January 2009 est.) country comparison to the world: 105

Natural gas - production:

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

Natural gas - consumption:

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

Natural gas - exports:

0 cu m (2008) country comparison to the world: 155

Natural gas - imports:

0 cu m (2008 est.) country comparison to the world: 96

Natural gas - proved reserves:

0 cu m (1 January 2009 est.) country comparison to the world: 112

Exports:

$700,000 (2001) country comparison to the world: 219

Exports - commodities:

electronic components, plastic bags, apparel; hot peppers, limes, live plants; cattle

Imports:

$17 million

Imports - commodities:

machinery and transportation equipment, foodstuffs, manufactured goods, fuels, lubricants, and related materials

Debt - external:

$8.9 million (1997) country comparison to the world: 198

Exchange rates:

East Caribbean dollars (XCD) per US dollar - 2.7 (2007), 2.7 (2006), 2.7 (2005), 2.7 (2004), 2.7 (2003)

note: fixed rate since 1976

Communications ::Montserrat

Telephones - main lines in use:

2,800 (2008) country comparison to the world: 218

Telephones - mobile cellular:

3,000 (2008) country comparison to the world: 214

Telephone system:

general assessment: modern and fully digitalized

domestic: fixed-line and mobile-cellular telephone systems available

international: country code - 1-664; landing point for the East Caribbean Fiber System (ECFS) optic submarine cable with links to 13 other islands in the eastern Caribbean extending from the British Virgin Islands to Trinidad

Radio broadcast stations:

AM 1, FM 2, shortwave 0 (1998)

Television broadcast stations:

1 (1997)

Internet country code:

.ms

Internet hosts:

688 (2009) country comparison to the world: 168

Internet users:

1,200 (2008) country comparison to the world: 211

Transportation ::Montserrat

Airports:

2 (2009) country comparison to the world: 207

Airports - with paved runways:

total: 2

under 914 m: 2 (2009)

Roadways:

note: volcanic eruptions that began in 1995 destroyed most of the 227 km road system; a new road infrastructure has been built in the north end of the island (2008)

Ports and terminals:

Little Bay, Plymouth

Military ::Montserrat

Military branches:

no regular military forces; Royal Montserrat Police Force (2008)

Manpower available for military service:

males age 16-49: 2,528 (2008 est.)

Manpower fit for military service:

males age 16-49: 1,126

females age 16-49: 1,226 (2009 est.)

Manpower reaching militarily significant age annually:

male: 36

female: 33 (2009 est.)

Military - note:

defense is the responsibility of the UK

Transnational Issues ::Montserrat

Disputes - international:

none

Illicit drugs:

transshipment point for South American narcotics destined for the US and Europe

page last updated on November 4, 2009

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

@Morocco (Africa)

Introduction ::Morocco

Background:

In 788, about a century after the Arab conquest of North Africa, successive Moorish dynasties began to rule in Morocco. In the 16th century, the Sa'adi monarchy, particularly under Ahmad AL-MANSUR (1578-1603), repelled foreign invaders and inaugurated a golden age. In 1860, Spain occupied northern Morocco and ushered in a half century of trade rivalry among European powers that saw Morocco's sovereignty steadily erode; in 1912, the French imposed a protectorate over the country. A protracted independence struggle with France ended successfully in 1956. The internationalized city of Tangier and most Spanish possessions were turned over to the new country that same year. Morocco virtually annexed Western Sahara during the late 1970s, but final resolution on the status of the territory remains unresolved. Gradual political reforms in the 1990s resulted in the establishment of a bicameral legislature, which first met in 1997. The country has made improvements in human rights under King MOHAMMED VI and its press is moderately free. Despite the continuing reforms, ultimate authority remains in the hands of the monarch.

Geography ::Morocco

Location:

Northern Africa, bordering the North Atlantic Ocean and the Mediterranean Sea, between Algeria and Western Sahara

Geographic coordinates:

32 00 N, 5 00 W

Map references:

Africa

Area:

total: 446,550 sq km country comparison to the world: 57 land: 446,300 sq km

water: 250 sq km

Area - comparative:

slightly larger than California

Land boundaries:

total: 2,017.9 km

border countries: Algeria 1,559 km, Western Sahara 443 km, Spain (Ceuta) 6.3 km, Spain (Melilla) 9.6 km

Coastline:

1,835 km

Maritime claims:

territorial sea: 12 nm

contiguous zone: 24 nm

exclusive economic zone: 200 nm

continental shelf: 200 m depth or to the depth of exploitation

Climate:

Mediterranean, becoming more extreme in the interior

Terrain:

northern coast and interior are mountainous with large areas of bordering plateaus, intermontane valleys, and rich coastal plains

Elevation extremes:

lowest point: Sebkha Tah -55 m

highest point: Jebel Toubkal 4,165 m

Natural resources:

phosphates, iron ore, manganese, lead, zinc, fish, salt

Land use:

arable land: 19%

permanent crops: 2%

other: 79% (2005)

Irrigated land:

14,450 sq km (2003)

Total renewable water resources:

29 cu km (2003)

Freshwater withdrawal (domestic/industrial/agricultural):

total: 12.6 cu km/yr (10%/3%/87%)

per capita: 400 cu m/yr (2000)

Natural hazards:

northern mountains geologically unstable and subject to earthquakes; periodic droughts

Environment - current issues:

land degradation/desertification (soil erosion resulting from farming of marginal areas, overgrazing, destruction of vegetation); water supplies contaminated by raw sewage; siltation of reservoirs; oil pollution of coastal waters

Environment - international agreements:

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

signed, but not ratified: Environmental Modification

Geography - note:

strategic location along Strait of Gibraltar

People ::Morocco

Population:

34,859,364 (July 2009 est.) country comparison to the world: 35

Age structure:

0-14 years: 30% (male 5,333,396/female 5,131,886)

15-64 years: 64.7% (male 11,261,139/female 11,305,792)

65 years and over: 5.2% (male 781,089/female 1,046,062) (2009 est.)

Median age:

total: 25 years

male: 24.5 years

female: 25.6 years (2009 est.)

Population growth rate:

1.479% (2009 est.) country comparison to the world: 93

Birth rate:

20.96 births/1,000 population (2009 est.) country comparison to the world: 92

Death rate:

5.45 deaths/1,000 population (July 2009 est.) country comparison to the world: 178

Net migration rate:

-0.72 migrant(s)/1,000 population (2009 est.) country comparison to the world: 116

Urbanization:

urban population: 56% of total population (2008)

rate of urbanization: 1.8% annual rate of change (2005-10 est.)

Sex ratio:

at birth: 1.05 male(s)/female

under 15 years: 1.04 male(s)/female

15-64 years: 1 male(s)/female

65 years and over: 0.75 male(s)/female

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

Infant mortality rate:

total: 36.88 deaths/1,000 live births country comparison to the world: 69 male: 40.35 deaths/1,000 live births

female: 33.24 deaths/1,000 live births (2009 est.)

Life expectancy at birth:

total population: 71.8 years country comparison to the world: 125 male: 69.42 years

female: 74.3 years (2009 est.)

Total fertility rate:

2.51 children born/woman (2009 est.) country comparison to the world: 94

HIV/AIDS - adult prevalence rate:

0.1% (2007 est.) country comparison to the world: 132

HIV/AIDS - people living with HIV/AIDS:

21,000 (2007 est.) country comparison to the world: 77

HIV/AIDS - deaths:

fewer than 1,000 (2007 est.) country comparison to the world: 80

Nationality:

noun: Moroccan(s)

adjective: Moroccan

Ethnic groups:

Arab-Berber 99.1%, other 0.7%, Jewish 0.2%

Religions:

Muslim 98.7%, Christian 1.1%, Jewish 0.2%

Languages:

Arabic (official), Berber dialects, French often the language of business, government, and diplomacy

Literacy:

definition: age 15 and over can read and write

total population: 52.3%

male: 65.7%

female: 39.6% (2004 census)

School life expectancy (primary to tertiary education):

total: 10 years

male: 11 years

female: 9 years (2005)

Education expenditures:

NA

Government ::Morocco

Country name:

conventional long form: Kingdom of Morocco

conventional short form: Morocco

local long form: Al Mamlakah al Maghribiyah

local short form: Al Maghrib

Government type:

constitutional monarchy

Capital:

name: Rabat

geographic coordinates: 34 01 N, 6 49 W

time difference: UTC 0 (5 hours ahead of Washington, DC during Standard Time)

Administrative divisions:

15 regions; Grand Casablanca, Chaouia-Ouardigha, Doukkala-Abda, Fes-Boulemane, Gharb-Chrarda-Beni Hssen, Guelmim-Es Smara, Laayoune-Boujdour-Sakia El Hamra, Marrakech-Tensift-Al Haouz, Meknes-Tafilalet, Oriental, Rabat-Sale-Zemmour-Zaer, Souss-Massa-Draa, Tadla-Azilal, Tanger-Tetouan, Taza-Al Hoceima-Taounate

note: Morocco claims the territory of Western Sahara, the political status of which is considered undetermined by the US Government; portions of the regions Guelmim-Es Smara and Laayoune-Boujdour-Sakia El Hamra as claimed by Morocco lie within Western Sahara; Morocco also claims Oued Eddahab-Lagouira, another region which falls entirely within Western Sahara

Independence:

2 March 1956 (from France)

National holiday:

Throne Day (accession of King MOHAMMED VI to the throne), 30 July (1999)

Constitution:

10 March 1972; revised 4 September 1992, amended September 1996

note: the amendment of September 1996 was to create a bicameral legislature

Legal system:

based on Islamic law and French and Spanish civil law systems; judicial review of legislative acts in Constitutional Chamber of Supreme Court; has not accepted compulsory ICJ jurisdiction

Suffrage:

18 years of age; universal (as of January 2003)

Executive branch:

chief of state: King MOHAMMED VI (since 30 July 1999)

head of government: Prime Minister Abbas EL FASSI (since 19 September 2007)

cabinet: Council of Ministers appointed by the monarch

elections: the monarch is hereditary; prime minister appointed by the monarch following legislative elections

Legislative branch:

bicameral Parliament consists of a Chamber of Counselors (or upper house) (270 seats; members elected indirectly by local councils, professional organizations, and labor syndicates for nine-year terms; one-third of the members are elected every three years) and Chamber of Representatives (or lower house) (325 seats; 295 members elected by multi-seat constituencies and 30 from national lists of women; members elected by popular vote for five-year terms)

elections: Chamber of Counselors - last held 8 September 2006 (next to be held in 2009); Chamber of Representatives - last held 7 September 2007 (next to be held in 2012)

election results: Chamber of Counselors - percent of vote by party - NA; seats by party - PI 17, MP 14, RNI 13, USFP 11, UC 6, PND 4, PPS 4, Al Ahd 4, other 17; Chamber of Representatives - percent of vote by party - NA; seats by party - PI 52, PJD 46, MP 41, RNI 39, USFP 38, UC 27, PPS 17, FFD 9, MDS 9, Al Ahd 8, other 39

Judicial branch:

Supreme Court (judges are appointed on the recommendation of the Supreme Council of the Judiciary, presided over by the monarch)

Political parties and leaders:

Action Party or PA [Mohammed EL IDRISSI]; Al Ahd (The Covenant) Party [Najib EL OUAZZANI]; Alliance des Libert'es (Alliance of Liberty) or ADL [Ali BELHAJ]; An-Nahj Ad-Dimocrati or An-Nahj [Abdellah EL HARIF]; Authenticity and Modernity Party or PAM [Mohamed Cheikh BIADILLAH, Secretary General]; Choura et Istiqlal (Consultation and Independence) Party or PCI [Abdelwahed MAACH]; Citizens' Forces or FC [Abderrahman LAHJOUJI]; Citizenship and Development Initiative or ICD [Mohamed BENHAMOU]; Constitutional Union Party or UC [Mohammed ABIED]; Democratic and Social Movement or MDS [Mahmoud ARCHANE]; Democratic Forces Front or FFD [Touhami EL KHIARI]; Democratic Socialist Vanguard Party or PADS [Ahmed BENJELLOUN]; Democratic Society Party or PSD [Zhor CHEKKAFI]; Democratic Union or UD [Bouazza IKKEN]; Environment and Development Party or PED [Ahmed EL ALAMI]; Istiqlal (Independence) Party or PI [Abbas EL FASSI]; Justice and Development Party or PJD [Abdelilah BENKIRANE]; Labor Party or PT [Abdelkrim BENATIK]; Moroccan Liberal Party or PML [Mohamed ZIANE]; National Democratic Party or PND [Abdallah KADIRI]; National Ittihadi Congress Party or CNI [Abdelmajid BOUZOUBAA]; National Popular Movement or MNP [Mahjoubi AHERDANE]; National Rally of Independents or RNI [Mustapha EL MANSOURI]; National Union of Popular Forces or UNFP [Abdellah IBRAHIM]; Popular Movement or MP [Mohamed LAENSER]; Progress and Socialism Party or PPS [Ismail ALAOUI]; Reform and Development Party or PRD [Abderrahmane EL KOUHEN]; Renaissance and Virtue Party or PRV [Mohamed KHALIDI]; Renewal and Equity Party or PRE [Chakir ACHABAR]; Social Center Party or PSC [Lahcen MADIH]; Socialist Democratic Party or PSD [Aissa OUARDIGHI]; Socialist Union of Popular Forces or USFP [Abdelwahed RADI]; Unified Socialist Left Party or PGSU [Mohamed Ben Said AIT IDDER]

Political pressure groups and leaders:

Democratic Confederation of Labor or CDT [Noubir AMAOUI]; General Union of Moroccan Workers or UGTM [Abderrazzak AFILAL]; Moroccan Employers Association or CGEM [Hassan CHAMI]; National Labor Union of Morocco or UNMT [Abdelslam MAATI]; Union of Moroccan Workers or UMT [Mahjoub BENSEDDIK]

International organization participation:

ABEDA, AfDB, AFESD, AMF, AMU, EBRD, FAO, G-77, IAEA, IBRD, ICAO, ICC, ICCt (signatory), ICRM, IDA, IDB, IFAD, IFC, IFRCS, IHO, ILO, IMF, IMO, IMSO, Interpol, IOC, IOM, IPU, ISO, ITSO, ITU, ITUC, LAS, MIGA, MONUC, NAM, OAS (observer), OIC, OIF, OPCW, OSCE (partner), PCA, UN, UNCTAD, UNESCO, UNHCR, UNIDO, UNOCI, UNWTO, UPU, WCL, WCO, WFTU, WHO, WIPO, WMO, WTO

Diplomatic representation in the US:

chief of mission: Ambassador Aziz MEKOUAR

chancery: 1601 21st Street NW, Washington, DC 20009

telephone: [1] (202) 462-7979

FAX: [1] (202) 265-0161

consulate(s) general: New York

Diplomatic representation from the US:

chief of mission: Ambassador (vacant); Charge d'Affaires Robert P. JACKSON

embassy: 2 Avenue de Mohamed El Fassi, Rabat

mailing address: PSC 74, Box 021, APO AE 09718

telephone: [212] (37) 76 22 65

FAX: [212] (37) 76 56 61

consulate(s) general: Casablanca

Flag description:

red with a green pentacle (five-pointed, linear star) known as Sulayman's (Solomon's) seal in the center of the flag; red and green are traditional colors in Arab flags, although the use of red is more commonly associated with the Arab states of the Persian gulf; design dates to 1912

Economy ::Morocco

Economy - overview:

Moroccan economic policies brought macroeconomic stability to the country in the early 1990s but have not spurred growth sufficient to reduce unemployment - nearing 20% in urban areas - despite the Moroccan Government's ongoing efforts to diversify the economy. Morocco's GDP growth rose to 5.9% in 2008, with the economy recovering from a drought in 2007 that severely reduced agricultural output and necessitated wheat imports at rising world prices. Moroccan authorities understand that reducing poverty and providing jobs are key to domestic security and development. In 2005, Morocco launched the National Initiative for Human Development (INDH), a $2 billion social development plan to address poverty and unemployment and to improve the living conditions of the country's urban slums. Moroccan authorities are implementing reform efforts to open the economy to international investors. Despite structural adjustment programs supported by the IMF, the World Bank, and the Paris Club, the dirham is only fully convertible for current account transactions. In 2000, Morocco entered an Association Agreement with the EU and, in 2006, entered a Free Trade Agreement (FTA) with the US. Long-term challenges include improving education and job prospects for Morocco's youth, and closing the income gap between the rich and the poor, which the government hopes to achieve by increasing tourist arrivals and boosting competitiveness in textiles.

GDP (purchasing power parity):

$137.9 billion (2008 est.) country comparison to the world: 59 $129.9 billion (2007 est.)

$125.9 billion (2006 est.)

note: data are in 2008 US dollars

GDP (official exchange rate):

$88.88 billion (2008 est.)

GDP - real growth rate:

6.2% (2008 est.) country comparison to the world: 53 3.2% (2007 est.)

7.8% (2006 est.)

GDP - per capita (PPP):

$4,500 (2008 est.) country comparison to the world: 148 $4,200 (2007 est.)

$4,200 (2006 est.)

note: data are in 2008 US dollars

GDP - composition by sector:

agriculture: 15.7%

industry: 30.1%

services: 54.1% (2008 est.)

Labor force:

11.29 million (2008 est.) country comparison to the world: 44

Labor force - by occupation:

agriculture: 44.6%

industry: 19.8%

services: 35.5% (2006 est.)

Unemployment rate:

9.5% (2008 est.) country comparison to the world: 121 9.8% (2007 est.)

Population below poverty line:

15% (2007 est.)

Household income or consumption by percentage share:

lowest 10%: 2.7%

highest 10%: 33.2% (2007)

Distribution of family income - Gini index:

40 (2005 est.) country comparison to the world: 61 39.5 (1999 est.)

Investment (gross fixed):

32.1% of GDP (2008 est.) country comparison to the world: 17

Budget:

revenues: $26.16 billion

expenditures: $27.93 billion (2008 est.)

Public debt:

55.6% of GDP (2008 est.) country comparison to the world: 32 70.2% of GDP (2004 est.)

Inflation rate (consumer prices):

3.8% (2008 est.) country comparison to the world: 56 2% (2007 est.)

Central bank discount rate:

3.32% (31 December 2008) country comparison to the world: 132 3.25% (31 December 2007)

Commercial bank prime lending rate:

NA%

Stock of money:

$NA (31 December 2008)

$67.42 billion (31 December 2007)

Stock of quasi money:

$NA (31 December 2008)

$16.23 billion (31 December 2007)

Stock of domestic credit:

$NA (31 December 2008)

$71.9 billion (31 December 2007)

Market value of publicly traded shares:

$65.75 billion (31 December 2008) country comparison to the world: 52 $75.49 billion (31 December 2007)

$49.36 billion (31 December 2006)

Agriculture - products:

barley, wheat, citrus, wine, vegetables, olives; livestock

Industries:

phosphate rock mining and processing, food processing, leather goods, textiles, construction, tourism

Industrial production growth rate:

4.7% (2008 est.) country comparison to the world: 54

Electricity - production:

21.56 billion kWh (2007 est.) country comparison to the world: 70

Electricity - consumption:

20.78 billion kWh (2007 est.) country comparison to the world: 67

Electricity - exports:

0 kWh (2008 est.)

Electricity - imports:

3.455 billion kWh (2007 est.)

Oil - production:

4,310 bbl/day (2008 est.) country comparison to the world: 96

Oil - consumption:

187,000 bbl/day (2008 est.) country comparison to the world: 58

Oil - exports:

17,420 bbl/day (2007 est.) country comparison to the world: 92

Oil - imports:

195,800 bbl/day (2007 est.) country comparison to the world: 49

Oil - proved reserves:

750,000 bbl (1 January 2009 est.) country comparison to the world: 97

Natural gas - production:

60 million cu m (2008 est.) country comparison to the world: 81

Natural gas - consumption:

560 million cu m (2008 est.) country comparison to the world: 94

Natural gas - exports:

0 cu m (2008) country comparison to the world: 151

Natural gas - imports:

500 million cu m (2008 est.) country comparison to the world: 59

Natural gas - proved reserves:

1.501 billion cu m (1 January 2009 est.) country comparison to the world: 97

Current account balance:

-$5.836 billion (2008 est.) country comparison to the world: 160 -$224 million (2007 est.)

Exports:

$20.17 billion (2008 est.) country comparison to the world: 72 $15.15 billion (2007 est.)

Exports - commodities:

clothing and textiles, electric components, inorganic chemicals, transistors, crude minerals, fertilizers (including phosphates), petroleum products, citrus fruits, vegetables, fish

Exports - partners:

Spain 19.2%, France 17.6%, Brazil 7.1%, US 4.5%, Belgium 4.5%, Italy 4.3% (2008)

Imports:

$39.35 billion (2008 est.) country comparison to the world: 53 $29.32 billion (2007 est.)

Imports - commodities:

crude petroleum, textile fabric, telecommunications equipment, wheat, gas and electricity, transistors, plastics

Imports - partners:

France 16.1%, Spain 13.5%, Italy 6.5%, China 6%, Germany 5.6%, Saudi Arabia 5.4%, Moldova 5% (2008)

Reserves of foreign exchange and gold:

$22.72 billion (31 December 2008 est.) country comparison to the world: 50 $24.72 billion (31 December 2007 est.)

Debt - external:

$20.12 billion (31 December 2008 est.) country comparison to the world: 72 $19.91 billion (31 December 2007 est.)

Stock of direct foreign investment - at home:

$40.92 billion (31 December 2008 est.)

Stock of direct foreign investment - abroad:

$966 million (31 December 2008 est.) country comparison to the world: 73 $1.337 billion (31 December 2007 est.)

Exchange rates:

Moroccan dirhams (MAD) per US dollar - 7.526 (2008 est.), 8.3563 (2007), 8.7722 (2006), 8.865 (2005), 8.868 (2004)

Communications ::Morocco

Telephones - main lines in use:

2.991 million (2008) country comparison to the world: 50

Telephones - mobile cellular:

22.816 million (2008) country comparison to the world: 35

Telephone system:

general assessment: modern system with all important capabilities; however, density is low with only 9 fixed lines available for each 100 persons; mobile-cellular subscribership reached 65 per 100 persons in 2008

domestic: good system composed of open-wire lines, cables, and microwave radio relay links; Internet available but expensive; principal switching centers are Casablanca and Rabat; national network nearly 100% digital using fiber-optic links; improved rural service employs microwave radio relay

international: country code - 212; landing point for the SEA-ME-WE-3 optical telecommunications submarine cable that provides connectivity to Asia, the Middle East, and Europe; satellite earth stations - 2 Intelsat (Atlantic Ocean) and 1 Arabsat; microwave radio relay to Gibraltar, Spain, and Western Sahara; coaxial cable and microwave radio relay to Algeria; participant in Medarabtel; fiber-optic cable link from Agadir to Algeria and Tunisia (2008)

Radio broadcast stations:

AM 27, FM 25, shortwave 6 (1998)

Television broadcast stations:

35 (plus 66 repeaters) (1995)

Internet country code:

.ma

Internet hosts:

276,521 (2009) country comparison to the world: 57

Internet users:

10.3 million (2008) country comparison to the world: 31

Transportation ::Morocco

Airports:

58 (2009) country comparison to the world: 81

Airports - with paved runways:

total: 32

over 3,047 m: 11

2,438 to 3,047 m: 7

1,524 to 2,437 m: 10

914 to 1,523 m: 4 (2009)

Airports - with unpaved runways:

total: 26

2,438 to 3,047 m: 1

1,524 to 2,437 m: 7

914 to 1,523 m: 10

under 914 m: 8 (2009)

Heliports:

1 (2009)

Pipelines:

gas 830 km; oil 439 km (2008)

Railways:

total: 1,907 km country comparison to the world: 74 standard gauge: 1,907 km 1.435-m gauge (1,022 km electrified) (2008)

Roadways:

total: 57,625 km country comparison to the world: 76 paved: 35,664 km (includes 639 km of expressways)

unpaved: 21,961 km (2006)

Merchant marine:

total: 35 country comparison to the world: 81 by type: cargo 3, chemical tanker 6, container 8, passenger/cargo 13, petroleum tanker 1, roll on/roll off 4

foreign-owned: 16 (France 14, Germany 2)

registered in other countries: 4 (Gibraltar 4) (2008)

Ports and terminals:

Agadir, Casablanca, Mohammedia, Safi

Military ::Morocco

Military branches:

Royal Armed Forces (Forces Armees Royales, FAR): Royal Moroccan Army (includes Air Defense), Navy (includes Marines), Royal Moroccan Air Force (Al Quwwat al Jawyiya al Malakiya Marakishiya; Force Aerienne Royale Marocaine) (2008)

Military service age and obligation:

18 years of age for compulsory and voluntary military service; conscript service obligation - 18 months (2004)

Manpower available for military service:

males age 16-49: 9,152,580

females age 16-49: 9,080,830 (2008 est.)

Manpower fit for military service:

males age 16-49: 7,779,589

females age 16-49: 7,881,024 (2009 est.)

Manpower reaching militarily significant age annually:

male: 356,014

female: 343,520 (2009 est.)

Military expenditures:

5% of GDP (2003 est.) country comparison to the world: 19

Transnational Issues ::Morocco

Disputes - international:

claims and administers Western Sahara whose sovereignty remains unresolved - UN-administered cease-fire has remained in effect since September 1991, but attempts to hold a referendum have failed and parties thus far have rejected all brokered proposals; Morocco protests Spain's control over the coastal enclaves of Ceuta, Melilla, and Penon de Velez de la Gomera, the islands of Penon de Alhucemas and Islas Chafarinas, and surrounding waters; discussions have not progressed on a comprehensive maritime delimitation, setting limits on resource exploration and refugee interdiction, since Morocco's 2002 rejection of Spain's unilateral designation of a median line from the Canary Islands; Morocco serves as one of the primary launching areas of illegal migration into Spain from North Africa

Illicit drugs:

one of the world's largest producers of illicit hashish; shipments of hashish mostly directed to Western Europe; transit point for cocaine from South America destined for Western Europe; significant consumer of cannabis

page last updated on November 11, 2009

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

@Mozambique (Africa)

Introduction ::Mozambique

Background:

Almost five centuries as a Portuguese colony came to a close with independence in 1975. Large-scale emigration, economic dependence on South Africa, a severe drought, and a prolonged civil war hindered the country's development until the mid 1990's. The ruling Front for the Liberation of Mozambique (FRELIMO) party formally abandoned Marxism in 1989, and a new constitution the following year provided for multiparty elections and a free market economy. A UN-negotiated peace agreement between FRELIMO and rebel Mozambique National Resistance (RENAMO) forces ended the fighting in 1992. In December 2004, Mozambique underwent a delicate transition as Joaquim CHISSANO stepped down after 18 years in office. His elected successor, Armando Emilio GUEBUZA, promised to continue the sound economic policies that have encouraged foreign investment. Mozambique has seen very strong economic growth since the end of the civil war largely due to post-conflict reconstruction.

Geography ::Mozambique

Location:

Southeastern Africa, bordering the Mozambique Channel, between South Africa and Tanzania

Geographic coordinates:

18 15 S, 35 00 E

Map references:

Africa

Area:

total: 799,380 sq km country comparison to the world: 35 land: 786,380 sq km

water: 13,000 sq km

Area - comparative:

slightly less than twice the size of California

Land boundaries:

total: 4,571 km

border countries: Malawi 1,569 km, South Africa 491 km, Swaziland 105 km, Tanzania 756 km, Zambia 419 km, Zimbabwe 1,231 km

Coastline:

2,470 km

Maritime claims:

territorial sea: 12 nm

exclusive economic zone: 200 nm

Climate:

tropical to subtropical

Terrain:

mostly coastal lowlands, uplands in center, high plateaus in northwest, mountains in west

Elevation extremes:

lowest point: Indian Ocean 0 m

highest point: Monte Binga 2,436 m

Natural resources:

coal, titanium, natural gas, hydropower, tantalum, graphite

Land use:

arable land: 5.43%

permanent crops: 0.29%

other: 94.28% (2005)

Irrigated land:

1,180 sq km (2003)

Total renewable water resources:

216 cu km (1992)

Freshwater withdrawal (domestic/industrial/agricultural):

total: 0.63 cu km/yr (11%/2%/87%)

per capita: 32 cu m/yr (2000)

Natural hazards:

severe droughts; devastating cyclones and floods in central and southern provinces

Environment - current issues:

a long civil war and recurrent drought in the hinterlands have resulted in increased migration of the population to urban and coastal areas with adverse environmental consequences; desertification; pollution of surface and coastal waters; elephant poaching for ivory is a problem

Environment - international agreements:

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

signed, but not ratified: none of the selected agreements

Geography - note:

the Zambezi flows through the north-central and most fertile part of the country

People ::Mozambique

Population:

21,669,278 country comparison to the world: 52 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; the 1997 Mozambican census reported a population of 16,099,246 (July 2009 est.)

Age structure:

0-14 years: 44.3% (male 4,829,272/female 4,773,209)

15-64 years: 52.8% (male 5,605,227/female 5,842,679)

65 years and over: 2.9% (male 257,119/female 361,772) (2009 est.)

Median age:

total: 17.4 years

male: 17 years

female: 17.8 years (2009 est.)

Population growth rate:

1.791% (2009 est.) country comparison to the world: 72

Birth rate:

37.98 births/1,000 population (2009 est.) country comparison to the world: 25

Death rate:

20.07 deaths/1,000 population (July 2009 est.) country comparison to the world: 7

Net migration rate:

NA (2009 est.)

Urbanization:

urban population: 37% of total population (2008)

rate of urbanization: 4.1% annual rate of change (2005-10 est.)

Sex ratio:

at birth: 1.02 male(s)/female

under 15 years: 1.01 male(s)/female

15-64 years: 0.96 male(s)/female

65 years and over: 0.71 male(s)/female

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

Infant mortality rate:

total: 105.8 deaths/1,000 live births country comparison to the world: 7 male: 108.57 deaths/1,000 live births

female: 103 deaths/1,000 live births (2009 est.)

Life expectancy at birth:

total population: 41.18 years country comparison to the world: 220 male: 41.83 years

female: 40.53 years (2009 est.)

Total fertility rate:

5.18 children born/woman (2009 est.) country comparison to the world: 24

HIV/AIDS - adult prevalence rate:

12.5% (2007 est.) country comparison to the world: 8

HIV/AIDS - people living with HIV/AIDS:

1.5 million (2007 est.) country comparison to the world: 5

HIV/AIDS - deaths:

81,000 (2007 est.) country comparison to the world: 8

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: Mozambican(s)

adjective: Mozambican

Ethnic groups:

African 99.66% (Makhuwa, Tsonga, Lomwe, Sena, and others), Europeans 0.06%, Euro-Africans 0.2%, Indians 0.08%

Religions:

Catholic 23.8%, Muslim 17.8%, Zionist Christian 17.5%, other 17.8%, none 23.1% (1997 census)

Languages:

Emakhuwa 26.1%, Xichangana 11.3%, Portuguese 8.8% (official; spoken by 27% of population as a second language), Elomwe 7.6%, Cisena 6.8%, Echuwabo 5.8%, other Mozambican languages 32%, other foreign languages 0.3%, unspecified 1.3% (1997 census)

Literacy:

definition: age 15 and over can read and write

total population: 47.8%

male: 63.5%

female: 32.7% (2003 est.)

School life expectancy (primary to tertiary education):

total: 8 years

male: 9 years

female: 7 years (2005)

Education expenditures:

5% of GDP (2005) country comparison to the world: 75

Government ::Mozambique

Country name:

conventional long form: Republic of Mozambique

conventional short form: Mozambique

local long form: Republica de Mocambique

local short form: Mocambique

former: Portuguese East Africa

Government type:

republic

Capital:

name: Maputo

geographic coordinates: 25 57 S, 32 35 E

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

Administrative divisions:

10 provinces (provincias, singular - provincia), 1 city (cidade)*; Cabo Delgado, Gaza, Inhambane, Manica, Maputo, Cidade de Maputo*, Nampula, Niassa, Sofala, Tete, Zambezia

Independence:

25 June 1975 (from Portugal)

National holiday:

Independence Day, 25 June (1975)

Constitution:

30 November 1990

Legal system:

based on Portuguese civil law system and customary law; has not accepted compulsory ICJ jurisdiction

Suffrage:

18 years of age; universal

Executive branch:

chief of state: President Armando GUEBUZA (since 2 February 2005)

head of government: Prime Minister Luisa DIOGO (since 17 February 2004)

cabinet: Cabinet

elections: president elected by popular vote for a five-year term (eligible for a second term); election last held 28 October 2009 (next to be held in 2014); prime minister appointed by the president

election results: Armando GUEBUZA relected president; percent of vote - Armando GUEBUZA 76.3%, Afonso DHLAKAMA 14.9%, Daviz SIMANGO 8.8%

Legislative branch:

unicameral Assembly of the Republic or Assembleia da Republica (250 seats; members are directly elected by popular vote to serve five-year terms)

elections: last held 1-2 December 2004 (next to be held on 28 October 2009)

election results: percent of vote by party - FRELIMO 62%, RENAMO 29.7%, other 8.3%; seats by party - FRELIMO 160, RENAMO 90

Judicial branch:

Supreme Court (the court of final appeal; some of its professional judges are appointed by the president, and some are elected by the Assembly); other courts include an Administrative Court, Constitutional Court, customs courts, maritime courts, courts marshal, labor courts

Political parties and leaders:

Front for the Liberation of Mozambique (Frente de Liberatacao de Mocambique) or FRELIMO [Armando Emilio GUEBUZA]; Mozambique National Resistance (Resistencia Nacional Mocambicana) or RENAMO [Afonso DHLAKAMA]

Political pressure groups and leaders:

Mozambican League of Human Rights (Liga Mocambicana dos Direitos Humanos) or LDH [Alice MABOTE, president]

International organization participation:

ACP, AfDB, AU, C, CPLP, FAO, G-77, IAEA, IBRD, ICAO, ICCt (signatory), ICRM, IDA, IDB, IFAD, IFC, IFRCS, IHO, ILO, IMF, IMO, IMSO, Interpol, IOC, IOM (observer), IPU, ISO (correspondent), ITSO, ITU, ITUC, MIGA, MONUC, NAM, OIC, OIF (observer), OPCW, SADC, UN, UNCTAD, UNESCO, UNHCR, UNIDO, Union Latina, UNMIS, UNWTO, UPU, WCO, WFTU, WHO, WIPO, WMO, WTO

Diplomatic representation in the US:

chief of mission: Ambassador Armando PANGUENE

chancery: 1525 New Hampshire Avenue, Washington, DC 20036

telephone: [1] (202) 293-7146

FAX: [1] (202) 835-0245

Diplomatic representation from the US:

chief of mission: Ambassador (vacant); Charge d'Affaires Todd C. CHAPMAN

embassy: Avenida Kenneth Kuanda 193, Maputo

mailing address: P. O. Box 783, Maputo

telephone: [258] (21) 492797

FAX: [258] (21) 490114

Flag description:

three equal horizontal bands of green (top), black, and yellow with a red isosceles triangle based on the hoist side; the black band is edged in white; centered in the triangle is a yellow five-pointed star bearing a crossed rifle and hoe in black superimposed on an open white book

Economy ::Mozambique

Economy - overview:

At independence in 1975, Mozambique was one of the world's poorest countries. Socialist mismanagement and a brutal civil war from 1977-92 exacerbated the situation. In 1987, the government embarked on a series of macroeconomic reforms designed to stabilize the economy. These steps, combined with donor assistance and with political stability since the multi-party elections in 1994, have led to dramatic improvements in the country's growth rate. Inflation was reduced to single digits during the late 1990s, and although it returned to double digits in 2000-06, in 2007 inflation had slowed to 8%, while GDP growth reached 7.5%. Fiscal reforms, including the introduction of a value-added tax and reform of the customs service, have improved the government's revenue collection abilities. In spite of these gains, Mozambique remains dependent upon foreign assistance for much of its annual budget, and the majority of the population remains below the poverty line. Subsistence agriculture continues to employ the vast majority of the country's work force. A substantial trade imbalance persists although the opening of the Mozal aluminum smelter, the country's largest foreign investment project to date, has increased export earnings. At the end of 2007, and after years of negotiations, the government took over Portugal's majority share of the Cahora Bassa Hydroelectricity (HCB) company, a dam that was not transferred to Mozambique at independence because of the ensuing civil war and unpaid debts. More power is needed for additional investment projects in titanium extraction and processing and garment manufacturing that could further close the import/export gap. Mozambique's once substantial foreign debt has been reduced through forgiveness and rescheduling under the IMF's Heavily Indebted Poor Countries (HIPC) and Enhanced HIPC initiatives, and is now at a manageable level. In July 2007 the Millennium Challenge Corporation (MCC) signed a Compact with Mozambique; the Compact entered into force in September 2008 and will continue for five years. Compact projects will focus on improving sanitation, roads, agriculture, and the business regulation environment in an effort to spur economic growth in the four northern provinces of the country.

GDP (purchasing power parity):

$19.11 billion (2008 est.) country comparison to the world: 124 $17.89 billion (2007 est.)

$16.66 billion (2006 est.)

note: data are in 2008 US dollars

GDP (official exchange rate):

$9.897 billion (2008 est.)

GDP - real growth rate:

6.8% (2008 est.) country comparison to the world: 42 7.4% (2007 est.)

8.5% (2006 est.)

GDP - per capita (PPP):

$900 (2008 est.) country comparison to the world: 215 $900 (2007 est.)

$800 (2006 est.)

note: data are in 2008 US dollars

GDP - composition by sector:

agriculture: 23.5%

industry: 30.9%

services: 45.6% (2008 est.)

Labor force:

9.65 million (2008 est.) country comparison to the world: 50

Labor force - by occupation:

agriculture: 81%

industry: 6%

services: 13% (1997 est.)

Unemployment rate:

21% (1997 est.) country comparison to the world: 169

Population below poverty line:

70% (2001 est.)

Household income or consumption by percentage share:

lowest 10%: 2.1%

highest 10%: 39.2% (2003)

Distribution of family income - Gini index:

47.3 (2002) country comparison to the world: 34 39.6 (1997)

Investment (gross fixed):

24.9% of GDP (2008 est.) country comparison to the world: 52

Budget:

revenues: $2.801 billion

expenditures: $3.28 billion (2008 est.)

Public debt:

21.4% of GDP (2008 est.) country comparison to the world: 90 22.2% of GDP (2007 est.)

Inflation rate (consumer prices):

10.3% (2008 est.) country comparison to the world: 150 8.2% (2007 est.)

Central bank discount rate:

9.95% (31 December 2008) country comparison to the world: 43 9.95% (31 December 2007)

Commercial bank prime lending rate:

18.31% (31 December 2008) country comparison to the world: 17 19.52% (31 December 2007)

Stock of money:

$1.406 billion (31 December 2008) country comparison to the world: 79 $1.261 billion (31 December 2007)

Stock of quasi money:

$1.752 billion (31 December 2008) country comparison to the world: 85 $1.467 billion (31 December 2007)

Stock of domestic credit:

$1.315 billion (31 December 2008) country comparison to the world: 103 $877.2 million (31 December 2007)

Market value of publicly traded shares:

$NA

Agriculture - products:

cotton, cashew nuts, sugarcane, tea, cassava (tapioca), corn, coconuts, sisal, citrus and tropical fruits, potatoes, sunflowers; beef, poultry

Industries:

food, beverages, chemicals (fertilizer, soap, paints), aluminum, petroleum products, textiles, cement, glass, asbestos, tobacco

Industrial production growth rate:

9% (2008 est.) country comparison to the world: 17

Electricity - production:

15.91 billion kWh (2007 est.) country comparison to the world: 77

Electricity - consumption:

10.16 billion kWh (2007 est.) country comparison to the world: 83

Electricity - exports:

11.82 billion kWh (2007 est.)

Electricity - imports:

8.278 billion kWh (2007 est.)

Oil - production:

0 bbl/day (2008 est.) country comparison to the world: 159

Oil - consumption:

16,000 bbl/day (2008 est.) country comparison to the world: 133

Oil - exports:

0 bbl/day (2007 est.) country comparison to the world: 179

Oil - imports:

13,760 bbl/day (2007 est.) country comparison to the world: 132

Oil - proved reserves:

0 bbl (1 January 2009 est.) country comparison to the world: 154

Natural gas - production:

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

Natural gas - consumption:

100 million cu m (2008 est.) country comparison to the world: 101

Natural gas - exports:

3.2 billion cu m (2008) country comparison to the world: 30

Natural gas - imports:

0 cu m (2008 est.) country comparison to the world: 152

Natural gas - proved reserves:

127.4 billion cu m (1 January 2009 est.) country comparison to the world: 50

Current account balance:

-$975.3 million (2008 est.) country comparison to the world: 116 -$785.3 million (2007 est.)

Exports:

$2.653 billion (2008 est.) country comparison to the world: 125 $2.412 billion (2007 est.)

Exports - commodities:

aluminum, prawns, cashews, cotton, sugar, citrus, timber; bulk electricity

Exports - partners:

Netherlands 55.5%, South Africa 9.2%, Zimbabwe 2.1% (2008)

Imports:

$3.458 billion (2008 est.) country comparison to the world: 133 $2.811 billion (2007 est.)

Imports - commodities:

machinery and equipment, vehicles, fuel, chemicals, metal products, foodstuffs, textiles

Imports - partners:

South Africa 27.4%, Netherlands 15.7%, China 4.3% (2008)

Reserves of foreign exchange and gold:

$1.578 billion (31 December 2008 est.) country comparison to the world: 116 $1.445 billion (31 December 2007 est.)

Debt - external:

$3.826 billion (31 December 2008 est.) country comparison to the world: 112 $4.189 billion (31 December 2007 est.)

Exchange rates:

meticais (MZM) per US dollar - 24.125 (2008 est.), 26.264 (2007), 25.4 (2006), 23,061 (2005), 22,581 (2004)

note: in 2006 Mozambique revalued its currency, with 1000 old meticais equal to 1 new meticais

Communications ::Mozambique

Telephones - main lines in use:

78,300 (2008) country comparison to the world: 150

Telephones - mobile cellular:

4.405 million (2008) country comparison to the world: 92

Telephone system:

general assessment: fair system with an extremely low density of less than 1 fixed line per 100 persons

domestic: the telecommunications sector is shackled with a heavy state presence, lack of competition, and high operating costs and charges; stagnation in the fixed-line network contrasts with rapid growth in the mobile-cellular network; mobile-cellular coverage now includes all the main cities and key roads, including those from Maputo to the South African and Swaziland borders, the national highway through Gaza and Inhambane provinces, the Beira corridor, and from Nampula to Nacala

international: country code - 258; satellite earth stations - 5 Intelsat (2 Atlantic Ocean and 3 Indian Ocean)

Radio broadcast stations:

AM 13, FM 17, shortwave 11 (2001)

Television broadcast stations:

4 (2008)

Internet country code:

.mz

Internet hosts:

21,388 (2009) country comparison to the world: 103

Internet users:

350,000 (2008) country comparison to the world: 119

Transportation ::Mozambique

Airports:

105 (2009) country comparison to the world: 55

Airports - with paved runways:

total: 23

over 3,047 m: 1

2,438 to 3,047 m: 3

1,524 to 2,437 m: 10

914 to 1,523 m: 4

under 914 m: 5 (2009)

Airports - with unpaved runways:

total: 82

2,438 to 3,047 m: 1

1,524 to 2,437 m: 9

914 to 1,523 m: 33

under 914 m: 39 (2009)

Pipelines:

gas 918 km; refined products 278 km (2008)

Railways:

total: 4,787 km country comparison to the world: 37 narrow gauge: 4,787 km 1.067-m gauge (2008)

Roadways:

total: 30,400 km country comparison to the world: 96 paved: 5,685 km

unpaved: 24,715 km (2000)

Waterways:

460 km (Zambezi River navigable to Tete and along Cahora Bassa Lake) (2008) country comparison to the world: 85

Merchant marine:

total: 2 country comparison to the world: 147 by type: cargo 2

foreign-owned: 2 (Belgium 2) (2008)

Ports and terminals:

Beira, Maputo, Nacala

Military ::Mozambique

Military branches:

Mozambique Armed Defense Forces (FADM): Mozambique Army, Mozambique Navy (Marinha Mocambique, MM), Mozambique Air Force (Forca Aerea de Mocambique, FAM) (2006)

Military service age and obligation:

19-35 years of age for compulsory military service; 18 years of age for voluntary service; 2-year service obligation (2009)

Manpower available for military service:

males age 16-49: 4,545,975 (2008 est.)

Manpower fit for military service:

males age 16-49: 2,366,897

females age 16-49: 2,209,764 (2009 est.)

Manpower reaching militarily significant age annually:

male: 263,994

female: 265,058 (2009 est.)

Military expenditures:

0.8% of GDP (2006) country comparison to the world: 149

Transnational Issues ::Mozambique

Disputes - international:

none

Trafficking in persons:

current situation: Mozambique is a source and, to a much lesser extent, a destination country for men, women, and children trafficked for the purposes of forced labor and sexual exploitation; the use of forced and bonded child laborers is a common practice in Mozambique's rural areas; women and girls are trafficked from rural to urban areas of Mozambique, as well as to South Africa, for domestic servitude and commercial sexual exploitation; young men and boys are trafficked to South Africa for farm work and mining

tier rating: Tier 2 Watch List - for the second consecutive year, Mozambique is on the Tier 2 Watch List for its failure to provide evidence of increasing efforts to combat human trafficking in 2007; while the government conducted investigations into cases of human trafficking, there were no prosecutions or convictions of traffickers; government efforts to protect victims of trafficking continued to suffer from limited resources and a lack of political commitment (2008)

Illicit drugs:

southern African transit point for South Asian hashish and heroin, and South American cocaine probably destined for the European and South African markets; producer of cannabis (for local consumption) and methaqualone (for export to South Africa); corruption and poor regulatory capability makes the banking system vulnerable to money laundering, but the lack of a well-developed financial infrastructure limits the country's utility as a money-laundering center

page last updated on November 11, 2009

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

@Namibia (Africa)

Introduction ::Namibia

Background:

South Africa occupied the German colony of South-West Africa during World War I and administered it as a mandate until after World War II, when it annexed the territory. In 1966 the Marxist South-West Africa People's Organization (SWAPO) guerrilla group launched a war of independence for the area that became Namibia, but it was not until 1988 that South Africa agreed to end its administration in accordance with a UN peace plan for the entire region. Namibia has been governed by SWAPO since the country won independence in 1990. Hifikepunye POHAMBA was elected president in November 2004 in a landslide victory replacing Sam NUJOMA who led the country during its first 14 years of self rule.

Geography ::Namibia

Location:

Southern Africa, bordering the South Atlantic Ocean, between Angola and South Africa

Geographic coordinates:

22 00 S, 17 00 E

Map references:

Africa

Area:

total: 824,292 sq km country comparison to the world: 34 land: 823,290 sq km

water: 1,002 sq km

Area - comparative:

slightly more than half the size of Alaska

Land boundaries:

total: 3,936 km

border countries: Angola 1,376 km, Botswana 1,360 km, South Africa 967 km, Zambia 233 km

Coastline:

1,572 km

Maritime claims:

territorial sea: 12 nm

contiguous zone: 24 nm

exclusive economic zone: 200 nm

Climate:

desert; hot, dry; rainfall sparse and erratic

Terrain:

mostly high plateau; Namib Desert along coast; Kalahari Desert in east

Elevation extremes:

lowest point: Atlantic Ocean 0 m

highest point: Konigstein 2,606 m

Natural resources:

diamonds, copper, uranium, gold, silver, lead, tin, lithium, cadmium, tungsten, zinc, salt, hydropower, fish

note: suspected deposits of oil, coal, and iron ore

Land use:

arable land: 0.99%

permanent crops: 0.01%

other: 99% (2005)

Irrigated land:

80 sq km (2003)

Total renewable water resources:

45.5 cu km (1991)

Freshwater withdrawal (domestic/industrial/agricultural):

total: 0.3 cu km/yr (24%/5%/71%)

per capita: 148 cu m/yr (2000)

Natural hazards:

prolonged periods of drought

Environment - current issues:

limited natural fresh water resources; desertification; wildlife poaching; land degradation has led to few conservation areas

Environment - international agreements:

party to: Antarctic-Marine Living Resources, 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:

first country in the world to incorporate the protection of the environment into its constitution; some 14% of the land is protected, including virtually the entire Namib Desert coastal strip

People ::Namibia

Population:

2,108,665 country comparison to the world: 143 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: 35.9% (male 381,904/female 375,059)

15-64 years: 60.2% (male 641,995/female 627,146)

65 years and over: 3.9% (male 36,894/female 45,667) (2009 est.)

Median age:

total: 21 years

male: 20.9 years

female: 21.1 years (2009 est.)

Population growth rate:

0.95% (2009 est.) country comparison to the world: 131

Birth rate:

22.51 births/1,000 population (2009 est.) country comparison to the world: 82

Death rate:

13.3 deaths/1,000 population (July 2009 est.) country comparison to the world: 29

Net migration rate:

0.3 migrant(s)/1,000 population (2009 est.) country comparison to the world: 70

Urbanization:

urban population: 37% of total population (2008)

rate of urbanization: 2.9% annual rate of change (2005-10 est.)

Sex ratio:

at birth: 1.03 male(s)/female

under 15 years: 1.02 male(s)/female

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

65 years and over: 0.81 male(s)/female

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

Infant mortality rate:

total: 45.51 deaths/1,000 live births country comparison to the world: 55 male: 48.98 deaths/1,000 live births

female: 41.94 deaths/1,000 live births (2009 est.)

Life expectancy at birth:

total population: 51.24 years country comparison to the world: 205 male: 51.61 years

female: 50.86 years (2009 est.)

Total fertility rate:

2.69 children born/woman (2009 est.) country comparison to the world: 84

HIV/AIDS - adult prevalence rate:

15.3% (2007 est.) country comparison to the world: 5

HIV/AIDS - people living with HIV/AIDS:

200,000 (2007 est.) country comparison to the world: 31

HIV/AIDS - deaths:

5,100 (2007 est.) country comparison to the world: 44

Major infectious diseases:

degree of risk: high

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

vectorborne disease: malaria

water contact disease: schistosomiasis (2009)

Nationality:

noun: Namibian(s)

adjective: Namibian

Ethnic groups:

black 87.5%, white 6%, mixed 6.5%

note: about 50% of the population belong to the Ovambo tribe and 9% to the Kavangos tribe; other ethnic groups include Herero 7%, Damara 7%, Nama 5%, Caprivian 4%, Bushmen 3%, Baster 2%, Tswana 0.5%

Religions:

Christian 80% to 90% (Lutheran 50% at least), indigenous beliefs 10% to 20%

Languages:

English 7% (official), Afrikaans common language of most of the population and about 60% of the white population, German 32%, indigenous languages 1% (includes Oshivambo, Herero, Nama)

Literacy:

definition: age 15 and over can read and write

total population: 85%

male: 86.8%

female: 83.5% (2001 census)

School life expectancy (primary to tertiary education):

total: 11 years

male: 11 years

female: 11 years (2006)

Education expenditures:

6.9% of GDP (2003) country comparison to the world: 26

Government ::Namibia

Country name:

conventional long form: Republic of Namibia

conventional short form: Namibia

local long form: Republic of Namibia

local short form: Namibia

former: German Southwest Africa, South-West Africa

Government type:

republic

Capital:

name: Windhoek

geographic coordinates: 22 34 S, 17 05 E

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

daylight saving time: +1hr, begins first Sunday in September; ends first Sunday in April

Administrative divisions:

13 regions; Caprivi, Erongo, Hardap, Karas, Khomas, Kunene, Ohangwena, Okavango, Omaheke, Omusati, Oshana, Oshikoto, Otjozondjupa

Independence:

21 March 1990 (from South African mandate)

National holiday:

Independence Day, 21 March (1990)

Constitution:

ratified 9 February 1990, effective 12 March 1990

Legal system:

based on Roman-Dutch law and 1990 constitution; has not accepted compulsory ICJ jurisdiction

Suffrage:

18 years of age; universal

Executive branch:

chief of state: President Hifikepunye POHAMBA (since 21 March 2005)

head of government: Prime Minister Nahas ANGULA (since 21 March 2005)

cabinet: Cabinet appointed by the president from among the members of the National Assembly

elections: president elected by popular vote for a five-year term (eligible for a second term); election last held 15 November 2004 (next to be held in November 2009)

election results: Hifikepunye POHAMBA elected president; percent of vote - Hifikepunye POHAMBA 76.4%, Den ULENGA 7.3%, Katuutire KAURA 5.1%, Kuaima RIRUAKO 4.2%, Justus GAROEB 3.8%, other 3.2%

Legislative branch:

bicameral legislature consists of the National Council (26 seats; two members are chosen from each regional council to serve six-year terms) and the National Assembly (72 seats; members are elected by popular vote to serve five-year terms)

elections: National Council - elections for regional councils to determine members of the National Council held 29-30 November 2004 (next to be held in November 2010); National Assembly - last held 15-16 November 2004 (next to be held in November 2009)

election results: National Council - percent of vote by party - SWAPO 89.7%, UDF 4.7%, NUDO 2.8%, DTA 1.9%, other 0.9%; seats by party - SWAPO 24, UDF 1, DTA 1; National Assembly - percent of vote by party - SWAPO 76.1%, COD 7.3%, DTA 5.1%, NUDO 4.2%, UDF 3.6%, RP 1.9%, MAG 0.8%, other 1.0%; seats by party - SWAPO 55, COD 5, DTA 4, NUDO 3, UDF 3, RP 1, MAG 1

note: the National Council is primarily an advisory body

Judicial branch:

Supreme Court (judges appointed by the president on the recommendation of the Judicial Service Commission)

Political parties and leaders:

All People's Party or APP [Ignatius SHIXWAMENI]; Congress of Democrats or COD [Ben ULENGA]; Democratic Turnhalle Alliance of Namibia or DTA [Katuutire KAURA]; Monitor Action Group or MAG [Jurie VILJOEN]; National Democratic Movement for Change or NamDMC; National Unity Democratic Organization or NUDO [Kuaima RIRUAKO]; Rally for Democracy and Progress or RDP [Hidipo HAMUTENYA]; Republican Party or RP [Henk MUDGE]; South West Africa National Union or SWANU [Usutuaije MAAMBERUA]; South West Africa People's Organization or SWAPO [Hifikepunye POHAMBA]; United Democratic Front or UDF [Justus GAROEB]

Political pressure groups and leaders:

Earthlife Namibia [Berthchen KOHRS] (environmentalist group); National Society for Human Rights or NSHR; The World Information Services of Energy or WISE (group against nuclear power)

International organization participation:

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

Diplomatic representation in the US:

chief of mission: Ambassador Patrick NANDAGO

chancery: 1605 New Hampshire Avenue NW, Washington, DC 20009

telephone: [1] (202) 986-0540

FAX: [1] (202) 986-0443

Diplomatic representation from the US:

chief of mission: Ambassador G. Dennise MATHIEU

embassy: 14 Lossen Street, Windhoek

mailing address: Private Bag 12029 Ausspannplatz, Windhoek

telephone: [264] (61) 295-8500

FAX: [264] (61) 295-8603

Flag description:

a wide red stripe edged by narrow white stripes divides the flag diagonally from lower hoist corner to upper fly corner; the upper hoist-side triangle is blue and charged with a yellow, 12-rayed sunburst; the lower fly-side triangle is green

Economy ::Namibia

Economy - overview:

The economy is heavily dependent on the extraction and processing of minerals for export. Mining accounts for 8% of GDP, but provides more than 50% of foreign exchange earnings. Rich alluvial diamond deposits make Namibia a primary source for gem-quality diamonds. Namibia is the fourth-largest exporter of nonfuel minerals in Africa, the world's fifth-largest producer of uranium, and the producer of large quantities of lead, zinc, tin, silver, and tungsten. The mining sector employs only about 3% of the population while about half of the population depends on subsistence agriculture for its livelihood. Namibia normally imports about 50% of its cereal requirements; in drought years food shortages are a major problem in rural areas. A high per capita GDP, relative to the region, hides one of the world's most unequal income distributions. The Namibian economy is closely linked to South Africa with the Namibian dollar pegged one-to-one to the South African rand. Increased payments from the Southern African Customs Union (SACU) put Namibia's budget into surplus in 2007 for the first time since independence, but SACU payments will decline after 2008 as part of a new revenue sharing formula. Increased fish production and mining of zinc, copper, uranium, and silver spurred growth in 2003-07, but growth in recent years was undercut by poor fish catches and high costs for metal inputs.

GDP (purchasing power parity):

$13.28 billion (2008 est.) country comparison to the world: 136 $12.9 billion (2007 est.)