The 1995 CIA World FactbookPart 23 out of 4565 years and over: 3% (female 225,205; male 214,495) (July 1995 est.) Population growth rate: 3.18% (1995 est.) Birth rate: 44.82 births/1,000 population (1995 est.) Death rate: 12.99 deaths/1,000 population (1995 est.) Net migration rate: 0 migrant(s)/1,000 population (1995 est.) Infant mortality rate: 86.9 deaths/1,000 live births (1995 est.) Life expectancy at birth: total population: 54.45 years male: 52.47 years female: 56.48 years (1995 est.) Total fertility rate: 6.62 children born/woman (1995 est.) Nationality: noun: Malagasy (singular and plural) adjective: Malagasy Ethnic divisions: 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: French (official), Malagasy (official) Literacy: age 15 and over can read and write (1990 est.) total population: 80% male: 88% female: 73% Labor force: total workers: 4.9 million workers not receiving money wages: 4.7 million (96% of total labor force); note - 4.3 million workers are in subsistence agriculture wage earners: 175,000 (3.6% of total work force) wage earners by occupation: agriculture 45,500, domestic service 29,750, industry 26,250, commerce 24,500, construction 19,250, service 15,750, transportation 10,500, other 3,500 (1985 est.) @Madagascar:Government Names: conventional long form: Republic of Madagascar conventional short form: Madagascar local long form: Republique de Madagascar local short form: Madagascar former: Malagasy Republic Digraph: MA Type: republic Capital: Antananarivo Administrative divisions: 6 provinces; Antananarivo, Antsiranana, Fianarantsoa, Mahajanga, Toamasina, Toliary Independence: 26 June 1960 (from France) National holiday: Independence Day, 26 June (1960) Constitution: 19 August 1992 by national referendum Legal system: based on French civil law system and traditional Malagasy law; has not accepted compulsory ICJ jurisdiction Suffrage: 18 years of age; universal Executive branch: chief of state: President Albert ZAFY (since 9 March 1993); election last held on 10 February 1993 (next to be held 1998); results - Albert ZAFY (UNDD), 67%; Didier RATSIRAKA (AREMA), 33% head of government: Prime Minister Francisque RAVONY (since 9 August 1993) cabinet: Council of Ministers; appointed by the prime minister Legislative branch: bicameral Parliament Senate (Senat): two-thirds of upper house seats are to be filled from popularly elected regional assemblies; the remaining third is to be filled by presidential appointment; decentralization and formation of regional assemblies is not expected before 1997 National Assembly (Assemblee Nationale): elections last held on 16 June 1993 (next to be held June 1997); results - percent of vote by party NA; seats - (138 total) CFV coalition 76, PMDM/MFM 16, CSCD 11, Famima 10, RPSD 7, various pro-Ratsiraka groups 10, others 8 Judicial branch: Supreme Court (Cour Supreme), High Constitutional Court (Haute Cour Constitutionnelle) Political parties and leaders: Committee of Living Forces (CFV), an alliance of National Union for Development and Democracy (UNDD), Support Group for Democracy and Development in Madagascar (CSDDM), Action and Reflection Group for the Development of Madagascar (GRAD), Congress Party for Madagascar Independence - Renewal (AKFM-Fanavaozana), and some 12 other parties, trade unions, and religious groups; Militant Party for the Development of Madagascar (PMDM/MFM), formerly the Movement for Proletarian Power, Manandafy RAKOTONIRINA; Confederation of Civil Societies for Development (CSCD), Guy Willy RAZANAMASY; Association of United Malagasys (Famima); Rally for Social Democracy (RPSD), Pierre TSIRANANA Other political or pressure groups: National Council of Christian Churches (FFKM); Federalist Movement Member of: ACCT, ACP, AfDB, CCC, ECA, FAO, G-77, GATT, IAEA, IBRD, ICAO, ICC, ICFTU, ICRM, IDA, IFAD, IFC, IFRCS, ILO, IMF, IMO, INTELSAT, INTERPOL, IOC, ITU, NAM, OAU, UN, UNCTAD, UNESCO, UNHCR, UNIDO, UNMIH, UPU, WCL, WFTU, WHO, WIPO, WMO, WTO Diplomatic representation in US: chief of mission: Ambassador Pierrot Jocelyn RAJAONARIVELO chancery: 2374 Massachusetts Avenue NW, Washington, DC 20008 telephone: [1] (202) 265-5525, 5526 consulate(s) general: New York US diplomatic representation: chief of mission: Ambassador Dennis P. BARRETT embassy: 14-16 Rue Rainitovo, Antsahavola, Antananarivo mailing address: B. P. 620, Antananarivo telephone: [261] (2) 212-57, 200-89, 207-18 FAX: [261] (2) 345-39 Flag: two equal horizontal bands of red (top) and green with a vertical white band of the same width on hoist side @Madagascar:Economy Overview: Madagascar is one of the poorest countries in the world, suffering from chronic malnutrition, underfunded health and education facilities, a 3% annual population growth rate, and severe loss of forest cover, accompanied by erosion. Agriculture, including fishing and forestry, is the mainstay of the economy, accounting for over 30% of GDP and contributing more than 70% of total export earnings. Industry is largely confined to the processing of agricultural products and textile manufacturing; in 1991 it accounted for only 13% of GDP. In 1986 the government introduced a five-year development plan that stressed self-sufficiency in food (mainly rice) by 1990, increased production for exports, and reduced energy imports. Subsequently, growth in output has been held back because of protracted antigovernment strikes and demonstrations for political reform. Since 1993, corruption and political instability have caused the economy and infrastructure to decay further. Since April 1994, the government commitment to economic reforms has been erratic. Enormous obstacles stand in the way of Madagascar's realizing its considerable growth potential. National product: GDP - purchasing power parity - $10.6 billion (1994 est.) National product real growth rate: 2.8% (1994 est.) National product per capita: $790 (1994 est.) Inflation rate (consumer prices): 35% (1994 est.) Unemployment rate: NA% Budget: revenues: $250 million expenditures: $265 million, including capital expenditures of $180 million (1991 est.) Exports: $240 million (f.o.b., 1993 est.) commodities: coffee 45%, vanilla 20%, cloves 11%, shellfish, sugar, petroleum products partners: France, US, Germany, Japan, Russia Imports: $510 million (f.o.b., 1993 est.) commodities: intermediate manufactures 30%, capital goods 28%, petroleum 15%, consumer goods 14%, food 13% partners: France, Germany, Japan, UK, Italy, Netherlands External debt: $4.3 billion (1993 est.) Industrial production: growth rate 3.8% (1993 est.); accounts for 13% of GDP Electricity: capacity: 220,000 kW production: 560 million kWh consumption per capita: 40 kWh (1993) Industries: agricultural processing (meat canneries, soap factories, breweries, tanneries, sugar refining plants), light consumer goods industries (textiles, glassware), cement, automobile assembly plant, paper, petroleum Agriculture: accounts for 31% of GDP; cash crops - coffee, vanilla, sugarcane, cloves, cocoa; food crops - rice, cassava, beans, bananas, peanuts; cattle raising widespread; almost self-sufficient in rice Illicit drugs: illicit producer of cannabis (cultivated and wild varieties) used mostly for domestic consumption Economic aid: recipient: US commitments, including Ex-Im (FY70-89), $136 million; Western (non-US) countries, ODA and OOF bilateral commitments (1970-89), $3.125 billion; Communist countries (1970-89), $491 million Currency: 1 Malagasy franc (FMG) = 100 centimes Exchange rates: Malagasy francs (FMG) per US$1 - 3,718.0 (November 1994), 1,913.8 (1993), 1,864.0 (1992), 1,835.4 (1991), 1,454.6 (December 1990) Fiscal year: calendar year @Madagascar:Transportation Railroads: total: 1,020 km narrow gauge: 1,020 km 1.000-m gauge Highways: total: 40,000 km paved: 4,694 km unpaved: gravel, crushed stone, stabilized earth 811 km; other earth 34,495 km (est.) Inland waterways: of local importance only; isolated streams and small portions of Canal des Pangalanes Ports: Antsiranana, Mahajanga, Port Saint-Louis, Toamasina, Toliaria Merchant marine: total: 10 ships (1,000 GRT or over) totaling 20,261 GRT/28,193 DWT ships by type: cargo 5, chemical tanker 1, liquefied gas tanker 1, oil tanker 1, roll-on/roll-off cargo 2 Airports: total: 138 with paved runways over 3,047 m: 1 with paved runways 2,438 to 3,047 m: 2 with paved runways 1,524 to 2,437 m: 3 with paved runways 914 to 1,523 m: 21 with paved runways under 914 m: 42 with unpaved runways 1,524 to 2,438 m: 5 with unpaved runways 914 to 1,523 m: 64 @Madagascar:Communications Telephone system: NA telephones; above average system local: NA intercity: open-wire lines, coaxial cables, microwave radio relay, and tropospheric scatter links international: submarine cable to Bahrain; 1 earth station for Indian Ocean INTELSAT Radio: broadcast stations: AM 17, FM 3, shortwave 0 radios: NA Television: broadcast stations: 1 (repeaters 36) televisions: NA @Madagascar:Defense Forces Branches: Popular Armed Forces (includes Intervention Forces, Development Forces, Aeronaval Forces - includes Navy and Air Force), Gendarmerie, Presidential Security Regiment Manpower availability: males age 15-49 3,027,156; males fit for military service 1,800,127; males reach military age (20) annually 130,071 (1995 est.) Defense expenditures: exchange rate conversion - $35 million, 1.3% of GDP (1991) ________________________________________________________________________ MALAWI @Malawi:Geography Location: Southern Africa, east of Zambia Map references: Africa Area: total area: 118,480 sq km land area: 94,080 sq km comparative area: slightly larger than Pennsylvania Land boundaries: total 2,881 km, Mozambique 1,569 km, Tanzania 475 km, Zambia 837 km Coastline: 0 km (landlocked) Maritime claims: none; landlocked International disputes: dispute with Tanzania over the boundary in Lake Nyasa (Lake Malawi) Climate: tropical; rainy season (November to May); dry season (May to November) Terrain: narrow elongated plateau with rolling plains, rounded hills, some mountains Natural resources: limestone, unexploited deposits of uranium, coal, and bauxite Land use: arable land: 25% permanent crops: 0% meadows and pastures: 20% forest and woodland: 50% other: 5% Irrigated land: 200 sq km (1989 est.) Environment: current issues: deforestation; land degradation; water pollution from agricultural runoff, sewage, industrial wastes; siltation of spawning grounds endangers fish population natural hazards: NA international agreements: party to - Biodiversity, Climate Change, Endangered Species, Environmental Modification, Hazardous Wastes, Marine Life Conservation, Nuclear Test Ban, Ozone Layer Protection; signed, but not ratified - Law of the Sea Note: landlocked @Malawi:People Population: 9,808,384 (July 1995 est.) Age structure: 0-14 years: 48% (female 2,361,309; male 2,384,679) 15-64 years: 49% (female 2,479,108; male 2,335,729) 65 years and over: 3% (female 139,632; male 107,927) (July 1995 est.) Population growth rate: 2.63% (1995 est.) Birth rate: 49.81 births/1,000 population (1995 est.) Death rate: 23.53 deaths/1,000 population (1995 est.) Net migration rate: NA migrant(s)/1,000 population (1995 est.) note: the return of refugees to Mozambique is much reduced compared with 1994 Infant mortality rate: 140.2 deaths/1,000 live births (1995 est.) Life expectancy at birth: total population: 39.01 years male: 38.28 years female: 39.76 years (1995 est.) Total fertility rate: 7.36 children born/woman (1995 est.) Nationality: noun: Malawian(s) adjective: Malawian Ethnic divisions: Chewa, Nyanja, Tumbuko, Yao, Lomwe, Sena, Tonga, Ngoni, Ngonde, Asian, European Religions: Protestant 55%, Roman Catholic 20%, Muslim 20%, traditional indigenous beliefs Languages: English (official), Chichewa (official), other languages important regionally Literacy: age 15 and over can read and write (1987) total population: 48% male: 65% female: 34% Labor force: 428,000 wage earners by occupation: agriculture 43%, manufacturing 16%, personal services 15%, commerce 9%, construction 7%, miscellaneous services 4%, other permanently employed 6% (1986) @Malawi:Government Names: conventional long form: Republic of Malawi conventional short form: Malawi former: Nyasaland Digraph: MI Type: multiparty democracy following a referendum on 14 June 1993; formerly a one-party republic Capital: Lilongwe Administrative divisions: 24 districts; Blantyre, Chikwawa, Chiradzulu, Chitipa, Dedza, Dowa, Karonga, Kasungu, Lilongwe, Machinga (Kasupe), Mangochi, Mchinji, Mulanje, Mwanza, Mzimba, Ntcheu, Nkhata Bay, Nkhotakota, Nsanje, Ntchisi, Rumphi, Salima, Thyolo, Zomba Independence: 6 July 1964 (from UK) National holiday: Independence Day, 6 July (1964) Constitution: 6 July 1966; republished as amended January 1974 Legal system: based on English common law and customary law; judicial review of legislative acts in the Supreme Court of Appeal; has not accepted compulsory ICJ jurisdiction Suffrage: 21 years of age; universal Executive branch: chief of state and head of government: President Bakili MULUZI (since 21 May 1994), leader of the United Democratic Front cabinet: Cabinet; named by the president Legislative branch: unicameral National Assembly: elections last held 17 May 1994 (next to be held 1999); results - percent of vote by party NA; seats - (177 total) UDF 84, AFORD 33, MCP 55, others 5 Judicial branch: High Court, Supreme Court of Appeal Political parties and leaders: ruling party: United Democratic Front (UDF), Bakili MULUZI opposition groups: Malawi Congress Party (MCP), Gwanda CHAKUAMBA Phiri, secretary general (top party position); Alliance for Democracy (AFORD), Chakufwa CHIHANA; Socialist League of Malawi (Lesoma), Kapote MWAKUSULA, secretary general; Malawi Democratic Union (MDU), Harry BWANAUSI; Congress for the Second Republic (CSR), Kanyama CHIUME; Malawi Socialist Labor Party (MSLP), Stanford SAMBANEMANJA Member of: ACP, AfDB, C, CCC, ECA, FAO, G-77, GATT, IBRD, ICAO, ICFTU, ICRM, IDA, IFAD, IFC, IFRCS, ILO, IMF, IMO, INTELSAT, INTERPOL, IOC, ISO (correspondent), ITU, NAM, OAU, SADC, UN, UNAMIR, UNCTAD, UNESCO, UNIDO, UPU, WFTU, WHO, WIPO, WMO, WTO Diplomatic representation in US: chief of mission: (vacant); Charge d'Affaires ad interim Patrick NYASULU (since 14 October 1994) chancery: 2408 Massachusetts Avenue NW, Washington, DC 20008 telephone: [1] (202) 797-1007 US diplomatic representation: chief of mission: Ambassador Peter R. CHAVEAS embassy: address NA, in new capital city development area in Lilongwe mailing address: P. O. Box 30016, Lilongwe 3, Malawi telephone: [265] 783 166 FAX: [265] 780 471 Flag: three equal horizontal bands of black (top), red, and green with a radiant, rising, red sun centered in the black band; similar to the flag of Afghanistan, which is longer and has the national coat of arms superimposed on the hoist side of the black and red bands @Malawi:Economy Overview: Landlocked Malawi ranks among the world's least developed countries. The economy is predominately agricultural, with about 90% of the population living in rural areas. Agriculture accounts for 40% of GDP and 90% of export revenues. After two years of weak performance, economic growth improved significantly in 1988-91 as a result of good weather and a broadly based economic adjustment effort by the government. Drought cut overall output sharply in 1992, but the lost ground was recovered in 1993. The economy depends on substantial inflows of economic assistance from the IMF, the World Bank, and individual donor nations. The new government faces strong challenges, e.g., to spur exports, to improve educational and health facilities, and to deal with environmental problems of deforestation and erosion. National product: GDP - purchasing power parity - $7.3 billion (1994 est.) National product real growth rate: 9.3% (1994 est.) National product per capita: $750 (1994 est.) Inflation rate (consumer prices): 30% (1994 est.) Unemployment rate: NA% Budget: revenues: $416 million expenditures: $498 million, including capital expenditures of $NA (1992 est.) Exports: $311 million (f.o.b., 1993 est.) commodities: tobacco, tea, sugar, coffee, peanuts, wood products partners: US, UK, Zambia, South Africa, Germany Imports: $308 million (c.i.f., 1993 est.) commodities: food, petroleum products, semimanufactures, consumer goods, transportation equipment partners: South Africa, Japan, US, UK, Zimbabwe External debt: $1.8 billion (December 1993 est.) Industrial production: growth rate 3.5% accounts for about 15% of GDP (1992 est.) Electricity: capacity: 190,000 kW production: 820 million kWh consumption per capita: 77 kWh (1993) Industries: agricultural processing (tea, tobacco, sugar), sawmilling, cement, consumer goods Agriculture: accounts for 40% of GDP; cash crops - tobacco, sugarcane, cotton, tea, and corn; subsistence crops - potatoes, cassava, sorghum, pulses; livestock - cattle, goats Economic aid: recipient: US commitments, including Ex-Im (FY70-89), $215 million; Western (non-US) countries, ODA and OOF bilateral commitments (1970-89), $2.15 billion Currency: 1 Malawian kwacha (MK) = 100 tambala Exchange rates: Malawian kwacha (MK) per US$1 - 7.8358 (August 1994), 4.4028 (1993), 3.6033 (1992), 2.8033 (1991), 2.7289 (1990), 2.7595 (1989) Fiscal year: 1 April - 31 March @Malawi:Transportation Railroads: total: 789 km narrow gauge: 789 km 1.067-m gauge Highways: total: 13,135 km paved: 2,364 km unpaved: gravel, crushed stone, stabilized earth 251 km; earth, improved earth 10,520 km Inland waterways: Lake Nyasa (Lake Malawi); Shire River, 144 km Ports: Chipoka, Monkey Bay, Nkhata Bay, Nkotakota Airports: total: 47 with paved runways over 3,047 m: 1 with paved runways 1,524 to 2,437 m: 1 with paved runways 914 to 1,523 m: 4 with paved runways under 914 m: 25 with unpaved runways 1,524 to 2,438 m: 1 with unpaved runways 914 to 1,523 m: 15 @Malawi:Communications Telephone system: 42,250 telephones local: NA intercity: fair system of open-wire lines, radio relay links, and radio communications stations international: 2 INTELSAT (1 Indian Ocean and 1 Atlantic Ocean ) earth stations Radio: broadcast stations: AM 10, FM 17, shortwave 0 radios: NA Television: broadcast stations: 0 televisions: NA @Malawi:Defense Forces Branches: Army (includes Air Wing and Naval Detachment), Police (includes paramilitary Mobile Force Unit), paramilitary Malawi Young Pioneers Manpower availability: males age 15-49 2,069,302; males fit for military service 1,056,372 (1995 est.) Defense expenditures: exchange rate conversion - $13 million, 0.7% of GDP (FY93/94) ________________________________________________________________________ MALAYSIA @Malaysia:Geography Location: Southeastern Asia, peninsula and northern one-third of the island of Borneo bordering the Java Sea and the South China Sea, south of Vietnam Map references: Southeast Asia Area: total area: 329,750 sq km land area: 328,550 sq km comparative area: slightly larger than New Mexico Land boundaries: total 2,669 km, 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: continental shelf: 200-m depth or to depth of exploitation; specified boundary in the South China Sea exclusive fishing zone: 200 nm exclusive economic zone: 200 nm territorial sea: 12 nm International disputes: involved in a complex dispute over the Spratly Islands with China, Philippines, Taiwan, Vietnam, and possibly Brunei; State of Sabah claimed by the Philippines; Brunei may wish to purchase the Malaysian salient that divides Brunei into two parts; two islands in dispute with Singapore; two islands in dispute with Indonesia Climate: tropical; annual southwest (April to October) and northeast (October to February) monsoons Terrain: coastal plains rising to hills and mountains Natural resources: tin, petroleum, timber, copper, iron ore, natural gas, bauxite Land use: arable land: 3% permanent crops: 10% meadows and pastures: 0% forest and woodland: 63% other: 24% Irrigated land: 3,420 sq km (1989 est.) Environment: current issues: air pollution from industrial and vehicular emissions; water pollution from raw sewage; deforestation natural hazards: flooding international agreements: party to - Biodiversity, Climate Change, Endangered Species, Hazardous Wastes, Marine Life Conservation, Nuclear Test Ban, Ozone Layer Protection, Tropical Timber 83; signed, but not ratified - Law of the Sea Note: strategic location along Strait of Malacca and southern South China Sea @Malaysia:People Population: 19,723,587 (July 1995 est.) Age structure: 0-14 years: 37% (female 3,559,434; male 3,690,310) 15-64 years: 59% (female 5,871,131; male 5,844,568) 65 years and over: 4% (female 423,539; male 334,605) (July 1995 est.) Population growth rate: 2.24% (1995 est.) Birth rate: 27.95 births/1,000 population (1995 est.) Death rate: 5.56 deaths/1,000 population (1995 est.) Net migration rate: 0 migrant(s)/1,000 population (1995 est.) Infant mortality rate: 24.7 deaths/1,000 live births (1995 est.) Life expectancy at birth: total population: 69.48 years male: 66.55 years female: 72.56 years (1995 est.) Total fertility rate: 3.47 children born/woman (1995 est.) Nationality: noun: Malaysian(s) adjective: Malaysian Ethnic divisions: Malay and other indigenous 59%, Chinese 32%, Indian 9% Religions: Peninsular Malaysia: Muslim (Malays), Buddhist (Chinese), Hindu (Indians) Sabah: Muslim 38%, Christian 17%, other 45% Sarawak: tribal religion 35%, Buddhist and Confucianist 24%, Muslim 20%, Christian 16%, other 5% Languages: Peninsular Malaysia: Malay (official), English, Chinese dialects, Tamil Sabah: English, Malay, numerous tribal dialects, Chinese (Mandarin and Hakka dialects predominate) Sarawak: English, Malay, Mandarin, numerous tribal languages *** No data for this item *** Literacy: age 15 and over can read and write (1990 est.) total population: 78% male: 86% female: 70% Labor force: 7.627 million (1993) @Malaysia:Government Names: conventional long form: none conventional short form: Malaysia former: Malayan Union Digraph: MY Type: constitutional monarchy note: Federation of Malaysia formed 9 July 1963; nominally headed by the paramount ruler (king) and a bicameral Parliament; Peninsular Malaysian states - hereditary rulers in all but Melaka, where governors are appointed by Malaysian Pulau Pinang Government; powers of state governments are limited by federal Constitution; Sabah - self-governing state, holds 20 seats in House of Representatives, with foreign affairs, defense, internal security, and other powers delegated to federal government; Sarawak - self-governing state, holds 27 seats in House of Representatives, with foreign affairs, defense, internal security, and other powers delegated to federal government Capital: Kuala Lumpur Administrative divisions: 13 states (negeri-negeri, singular - negeri) and 2 federal territories* (wilayah-wilayah persekutuan, singular - wilayah persekutuan); Johor, Kedah, Kelantan, Labuan*, Melaka, Negeri Sembilan, Pahang, Perak, Perlis, Pulau Pinang, Sabah, Sarawak, Selangor, Terengganu, Wilayah Persekutuan* Independence: 31 August 1957 (from UK) National holiday: National Day, 31 August (1957) Constitution: 31 August 1957, amended 16 September 1963 Legal system: based on English common law; judicial review of legislative acts in the Supreme Court at request of supreme head of the federation; has not accepted compulsory ICJ jurisdiction Suffrage: 21 years of age; universal Executive branch: chief of state: Paramount Ruler JA'AFAR ibni Abdul Rahman (since 26 April 1994); Deputy Paramount Ruler SALAHUDDIN ibni Hisammuddin Alam Shah (since 26 April 1994) head of government: Prime Minister Dr. MAHATHIR bin Mohamad (since 16 July 1981); Deputy Prime Minister ANWAR bin Ibrahim (since 1 December 1993) cabinet: Cabinet; appointed by the Paramount Ruler from members of parliament Legislative branch: bicameral Parliament (Parlimen) Senate (Dewan Negara): consists of 58 members, 32 appointed by the paramount ruler and 26 elected by the state legislatures (2 from each state) for six-year terms; elections last held NA (next to be held NA); results - NA House of Representatives (Dewan Rakyat): consists of 180 members, elected for five-year terms; elections last held 21 October 1990 (next to be held by December 1995); results - National Front 52%, other 48%; seats - (180 total) National Front 127, DAP 20, PAS 7, independents 4, other 22; note - within the National Front, UMNO won 71 seats and MCA won 18 seats Judicial branch: Supreme Court Political parties and leaders: Peninsular Malaysia: National Front, a confederation of 13 political parties dominated by United Malays National Organization Baru (UMNO Baru), MAHATHIR bin Mohamad; Malaysian Chinese Association (MCA), LING Liong Sik; Gerakan Rakyat Malaysia, LIM Keng Yaik; Malaysian Indian Congress (MIC), S. Samy VELLU Sabah: National Front, SALLEH Said Keruak, Sabah Chief Minister, Sakaran DANDAI, head of Sabah State; United Sabah National Organizaton (USNO), leader NA Sarawak: coalition Sarawak National Front composed of the Party Pesaka Bumiputra Bersatu (PBB), Datuk Patinggi Amar Haji Abdul TAIB Mahmud; Sarawak United People's Party (SUPP), Datuk Amar James WONG Soon Kai; Sarawak National Party (SNAP), Datuk Amar James WONG; Parti Bansa Dayak Sarawak (PBDS), Datuk Leo MOGGIE; major opposition parties are Democratic Action Party (DAP), LIM Kit Siang and Pan-Malaysian Islamic Party (PAS), Fadzil NOOR Member of: APEC, AsDB, ASEAN, C, CCC, CP, ESCAP, FAO, G-15, G-77, GATT, IAEA, IBRD, ICAO, ICFTU, ICRM, IDA, IDB, IFAD, IFC, IFRCS, ILO, IMF, IMO, INMARSAT, INTELSAT, INTERPOL, IOC, ISO, ITU, MINURSO, NAM, OIC, UN, UNAVEM II, UNCTAD, UNESCO, UNIDO, UNIKOM, UNOMIL, UNOMOZ, UNOSOM, UNPROFOR, UPU, WCL, WFTU, WHO, WIPO, WMO, WTO Diplomatic representation in US: chief of mission: Ambassador Abdul MAJID bin Mohamed chancery: 2401 Massachusetts Avenue NW, Washington, DC 20008 telephone: [1] (202) 328-2700 FAX: [1] (202) 483-7661 consulate(s) general: Los Angeles and New York US diplomatic representation: chief of mission: Ambassador John S. WOLF embassy: 376 Jalan Tun Razak, 50400 Kuala Lumpur mailing address: P. O. Box No. 10035, 50700 Kuala Lumpur; APO AP 96535-8152 telephone: [60] (3) 2489011 FAX: [60] (3) 2422207 Flag: fourteen 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 fourteen-pointed star; the crescent and the star are traditional symbols of Islam; the design was based on the flag of the US @Malaysia:Economy Overview: The Malaysian economy, a mixture of private enterprise and a soundly managed public sector, has posted a remarkable record of 9% average annual growth in 1988-94. The official growth target for 1995 is 8.5%. This growth has resulted in a substantial reduction in poverty and a marked rise in real wages. Manufactured goods exports expanded rapidly, and foreign investors continued to commit large sums in the economy. The government is aware of the inflationary potential of this rapid development and is closely monitoring fiscal and monetary policies. National product: GDP - purchasing power parity - $166.8 billion (1994 est.) National product real growth rate: 8.7% (1994) National product per capita: $8,650 (1994 est.) Inflation rate (consumer prices): 3.7% (1994) Unemployment rate: 2.9% (1994) Budget: revenues: $18.7 billion expenditures: $19.1 billion, including capital expenditures of $4.8 billion (1994) Exports: $56.6 billion (f.o.b., 1994) commodities: electronic equipment, petroleum and petroleum products, palm oil, wood and wood products, rubber, textiles partners: Singapore 22%, US 20%, Japan 13%, UK 4%, Germany 4%, Thailand 4% (1993) Imports: $55.2 billion (c.i.f., 1994) commodities: machinery and equipment, chemicals, food, petroleum products partners: Japan 27%, US 17%, Singapore 15%, Taiwan 5%, Germany 4%, UK 3%, South Korea 3% (1993) External debt: $35.5 billion (1994 est.) Industrial production: growth rate 12% (1994); accounts for 38% of GDP (1993 est.) Electricity: capacity: 6,700,000 kW production: 31 billion kWh consumption per capita: 1,528 kWh (1993) Industries: Peninsular Malaysia: rubber and oil palm processing and manufacturing, light manufacturing industry, electronics, tin mining and smelting, logging and processing timber Sabah: logging, petroleum production Sarawak: agriculture processing, petroleum production and refining, logging Agriculture: accounts for 16% of GDP (1993 est.) Peninsular Malaysia: natural rubber, palm oil, rice Sabah: mainly subsistence, but also rubber, timber, coconut, rice Sarawak: rubber, timber, pepper; deficit of rice in all areas Illicit drugs: transit point for Golden Triangle heroin going to the US, Western Europe, and the Third World despite severe penalties for drug trafficking; increasing indigenous abuse of methamphetamine Economic aid: recipient: US commitments, including Ex-Im (FY70-84), $170 million; Western (non-US) countries, ODA and OOF bilateral commitments (1970-89), $4.7 million; OPEC bilateral aid (1979-89), $42 million Currency: 1 ringgit (M$) = 100 sen Exchange rates: ringgits (M$) per US$1 - 2.5542 (January 1995), 2.6242 (1994), 2.5741 (1993), 2.5474 (1992), 2.7501 (1991), 1.7048 (1990) Fiscal year: calendar year @Malaysia:Transportation Railroads: total: 1,801 km (Peninsular Malaysia 1,665 km; Sabah 136 km; Sarawak 0 km) narrow gauge: 1,801 km 1.000-m gauge (Peninsular Malaysia 1,665 km; Sabah 136 km) Highways: total: 29,028 km (Peninsular Malaysia 23,602 km, Sabah 3,782 km, Sarawak 1,644 km) paved: NA (Peninsular Malaysia 19,354 km mostly bituminous treated) unpaved: NA (Peninsular Malaysia 4,248 km) Inland waterways: Peninsular Malaysia: 3,209 km Sabah: 1,569 km Sarawak: 2,518 km Pipelines: crude oil 1,307 km; natural gas 379 km Ports: Kota Kinabalu, Kuantan, Kuching, Kudat, Lahad Datu, Labuan, Lumut, Miri, Pasir Gudang, Penang, Port Dickson, Port Kelang, Sandakan, Sibu, Tanjong Berhala, Tanjong Kidurong, Tawau Merchant marine: total: 213 ships (1,000 GRT or over) totaling 2,410,823 GRT/3,635,966 DWT ships by type: bulk 34, cargo 73, chemical tanker 11, container 27, liquefied gas tanker 9, livestock carrier 1, oil tanker 50, roll-on/roll-off cargo 4, short-sea passenger 1, vehicle carrier 3 Airports: total: 115 with paved runways over 3,047 m: 3 with paved runways 2,438 to 3,047 m: 5 with paved runways 1,524 to 2,437 m: 11 with paved runways 914 to 1,523 m: 6 with paved runways under 914 m: 82 with unpaved runways 1,524 to 2,438 m: 1 with unpaved runways 914 to 1,523 m: 7 @Malaysia:Communications Telephone system: 994,860 telephones (1984); international service good local: NA intercity: good intercity service provided on Peninsular Malaysia mainly by microwave radio relay; adequate intercity microwave radio relay network between Sabah and Sarawak via Brunei; 2 domestic satellite links international: submarine cables extend to India and Sarawak; SEACOM submarine cable links to Hong Kong and Singapore; satellite earth stations - 2 INTELSAT (1 Indian Ocean and 1 Pacific Ocean) Radio: broadcast stations: AM 28, FM 3, shortwave 0 radios: NA Television: broadcast stations: 33 televisions: NA @Malaysia:Defense Forces Branches: Malaysian Army, Royal Malaysian Navy, Royal Malaysian Air Force, Royal Malaysian Police Force, Marine Police, Sarawak Border Scouts Manpower availability: males age 15-49 5,041,003; males fit for military service 3,058,445; males reach military age (21) annually 183,760 (1995 est.) Defense expenditures: exchange rate conversion - $2.1 billion, 2.9% of GDP (1994) ________________________________________________________________________ MALDIVES @Maldives:Geography Location: Southern Asia, group of atolls in the Indian Ocean, south-southwest of India Map references: Asia Area: total area: 300 sq km land area: 300 sq km comparative area: slightly more than 1.5 times the size of Washington, DC Land boundaries: 0 km Coastline: 644 km Maritime claims: exclusive economic zone: 35-310 nm as defined by geographic coordinates; segment of zone coincides with maritime boundary with India territorial sea: 12 nm International disputes: none Climate: tropical; hot, humid; dry, northeast monsoon (November to March); rainy, southwest monsoon (June to August) Terrain: flat with elevations only as high as 2.5 meters Natural resources: fish Land use: arable land: 10% permanent crops: 0% meadows and pastures: 3% forest and woodland: 3% other: 84% Irrigated land: NA sq km Environment: current issues: depletion of freshwater aquifers threatens water supplies natural hazards: low level of islands makes them very sensitive to sea level rise international agreements: party to - Biodiversity, Climate Change, Hazardous Wastes, Ozone Layer Protection; signed, but not ratified - Law of the Sea Note: 1,190 coral islands grouped into 26 atolls; archipelago of strategic location astride and along major sea lanes in Indian Ocean @Maldives:People Population: 261,310 (July 1995 est.) Age structure: 0-14 years: 47% (female 60,038; male 63,042) 15-64 years: 50% (female 63,526; male 67,020) 65 years and over: 3% (female 3,537; male 4,147) (July 1995 est.) Population growth rate: 3.58% (1995 est.) Birth rate: 42.8 births/1,000 population (1995 est.) Death rate: 7 deaths/1,000 population (1995 est.) Net migration rate: 0 migrant(s)/1,000 population (1995 est.) Infant mortality rate: 50 deaths/1,000 live births (1995 est.) Life expectancy at birth: total population: 65.49 years male: 63.99 years female: 67.07 years (1995 est.) Total fertility rate: 6.17 children born/woman (1995 est.) Nationality: noun: Maldivian(s) adjective: Maldivian Ethnic divisions: Sinhalese, Dravidian, Arab, African Religions: Sunni Muslim Languages: Divehi (dialect of Sinhala; script derived from Arabic), English spoken by most government officials Literacy: age 15 and over can read and write (1985) total population: 91% male: 91% female: 92% Labor force: 66,000 (est.) by occupation: fishing industry 25% @Maldives:Government Names: conventional long form: Republic of Maldives conventional short form: Maldives Digraph: MV Type: republic Capital: Male Administrative divisions: 19 districts (atolls); Aliff, Baa, Daalu, Faafu, Gaafu Aliff, Gaafu Daalu, Haa Aliff, Haa Daalu, Kaafu, Laamu, Laviyani, Meemu, Naviyani, Noonu, Raa, Seenu, Shaviyani, Thaa, Waavu Independence: 26 July 1965 (from UK) National holiday: Independence Day, 26 July (1965) Constitution: 4 June 1968 Legal system: based on Islamic law with admixtures of English common law primarily in commercial matters; has not accepted compulsory ICJ jurisdiction Suffrage: 21 years of age; universal Executive branch: chief of state and head of government: President Maumoon Abdul GAYOOM (since 11 November 1978); election last held 1 October 1993 (next to be held 1998); results - President Maumoon Abdul GAYOOM was reelected with 92.76% of the vote cabinet: Ministry of Atolls; appointed by the president Legislative branch: unicameral Citizens' Council (Majlis): elections last held 2 December 1994 (next to be held NA December 1999); results - percent of vote NA; seats - (48 total, 40 elected, 8 appointed by the president) independents 40 Judicial branch: High Court Political parties and leaders: although political parties are not banned, none exist; country governed by the Didi clan for the past eight centuries Member of: AsDB, C, CP, ESCAP, FAO, G-77, GATT, IBRD, ICAO, IDA, IDB, IFAD, IFC, IMF, IMO, INTELSAT (nonsignatory user), INTERPOL, IOC, ITU, NAM, OIC, SAARC, UN, UNCTAD, UNESCO, UNIDO, UPU, WHO, WMO, WTO Diplomatic representation in US: Maldives has no embassy in the US, but does have a UN mission in New York; Permanent Representative to the UN Ahmed ZAKI US diplomatic representation: chief of mission: the US Ambassador to Sri Lanka is accredited to Maldives and makes periodic visits there consular agency: Midhath Hilmy, Male telephone: 322581 Flag: red with a large green rectangle in the center bearing a vertical white crescent; the closed side of the crescent is on the hoist side of the flag @Maldives:Economy Overview: Fishing is the largest industry, employing 25% of the work force and accounting for over 60% of exports. Over 90% of government tax revenue comes from import duties and tourism-related taxes. During the 1980s tourism became one of the most important and highest growth sectors of the economy. In 1993, tourism accounted for 17% of GDP and more than 60% of the Maldives' foreign exchange receipts. The Maldivian government initiated an economic reform program in 1989 initially by lifting import quotas and opening some exports to the private sector. Subsequently, it has liberalized regulations to allow more foreign investment. Agriculture and manufacturing continue to play a minor role in the economy, constrained by the limited availability of cultivatable land and the shortage of domestic labor. Most staple foods must be imported. In 1993, industry which consisted mainly of garment production, boat building, and handicrafts accounted for about 6% of GDP. National product: GDP - purchasing power parity - $360 million (1993 est.) National product real growth rate: 5.4% (1993 est.) National product per capita: $1,500 (1993 est.) Inflation rate (consumer prices): 20% (1993) Unemployment rate: NEGL% Budget: revenues: $95 million (excluding foreign transfers) expenditures: $143 million, including capital expenditures of $71 million (1993 est.) Exports: $38.5 million (f.o.b., 1993 est.) commodities: fish, clothing partners: US, UK, Sri Lanka, Singapore, Germany Imports: $177.8 million (c.i.f., 1993) commodities: consumer goods, intermediate and capital goods, petroleum products partners: Singapore, Germany, Sri Lanka, India, Japan External debt: $130 million (1993 est.) Industrial production: growth rate 24% (1990); accounts for 6% of GDP Electricity: capacity: 5,000 kW production: 30 million kWh consumption per capita: 123 kWh (1993) Industries: fishing and fish processing, tourism, shipping, boat building, some coconut processing, garments, woven mats, coir (rope), handicrafts Agriculture: fishing, coconuts, corn, sweet potatoes Economic aid: recipient: US commitments, including Ex-Im (FY70-88), $28 million; Western (non-US) countries, ODA and OOF bilateral commitments (1970-89), $125 million; OPEC bilateral aid (1979-89), $14 million Currency: 1 rufiyaa (Rf) = 100 laari Exchange rates: rufiyaa (Rf) per US$1 - 11.770 (January 1995), 11.586 (1994), 10.957 (1993), 10.569 (1992), 10.253 (1991), 9.509 (1990) Fiscal year: calendar year @Maldives:Transportation Railroads: 0 km Highways: total: NA paved: NA unpaved: NA (Male has 9.6 km of coral highways within the city) Ports: Gan, Male Merchant marine: total: 16 ships (1,000 GRT or over) totaling 50,384 GRT/77,771 DWT ships by type: cargo 14, container 1, oil tanker 1 Airports: total: 2 with paved runways over 3,047 m: 1 with paved runways 2,438 to 3,047 m: 1 @Maldives:Communications Telephone system: 2,804 telephones; minimal domestic and international facilities local: NA intercity: NA international: 1 INTELSAT (Indian Ocean) earth station Radio: broadcast stations: AM 2, FM 1, shortwave 0 radios: NA Television: broadcast stations: 1 televisions: NA @Maldives:Defense Forces Branches: National Security Service (paramilitary police force) Manpower availability: males age 15-49 57,172; males fit for military service 31,911 (1995 est.) Defense expenditures: $NA, NA% of GDP ________________________________________________________________________ MALI @Mali:Geography Location: Western Africa, southwest of Algeria Map references: Africa Area: total area: 1.24 million sq km land area: 1.22 million sq km comparative area: slightly less than twice the size of Texas Land boundaries: total 7,243 km, Algeria 1,376 km, Burkina 1,000 km, Guinea 858 km, Cote d'Ivoire 532 km, Mauritania 2,237 km, Niger 821 km, Senegal 419 km Coastline: 0 km (landlocked) Maritime claims: none; landlocked International disputes: the disputed international boundary between Burkina and Mali was submitted to the International Court of Justice (ICJ) in October 1983 and the ICJ issued its final ruling in December 1986, which both sides agreed to accept; Burkina and Mali are proceeding with boundary demarcation, including the tripoint with Niger Climate: subtropical to arid; hot and dry February to June; rainy, humid, and mild June to November; cool and dry November to February Terrain: mostly flat to rolling northern plains covered by sand; savanna in south, rugged hills in northeast Natural resources: gold, phosphates, kaolin, salt, limestone, uranium, bauxite, iron ore, manganese, tin, and copper deposits are known but not exploited Land use: arable land: 2% permanent crops: 0% meadows and pastures: 25% forest and woodland: 7% other: 66% Irrigated land: 50 sq km (1989 est.) Environment: current issues: deforestation; soil erosion; desertification; inadequate supplies of potable water; poaching natural hazards: hot, dust-laden harmattan haze common during dry seasons; recurring droughts international agreements: party to - Climate Change, Desertification, Endangered Species, Law of the Sea, Ozone Layer Protection, Wetlands; signed, but not ratified - Biodiversity, Nuclear Test Ban Note: landlocked @Mali:People Population: 9,375,132 (July 1995 est.) Age structure: 0-14 years: 48% (female 2,240,565; male 2,242,373) 15-64 years: 49% (female 2,416,952; male 2,165,043) 65 years and over: 3% (female 162,234; male 147,965) (July 1995 est.) Population growth rate: 2.89% (1995 est.) Birth rate: 51.88 births/1,000 population (1995 est.) Death rate: 19.93 deaths/1,000 population (1995 est.) Net migration rate: -3 migrant(s)/1,000 population (1995 est.) Infant mortality rate: 104.5 deaths/1,000 live births (1995 est.) Life expectancy at birth: total population: 46.37 years male: 44.7 years female: 48.09 years (1995 est.) Total fertility rate: 7.33 children born/woman (1995 est.) Nationality: noun: Malian(s) adjective: Malian Ethnic divisions: Mande 50% (Bambara, Malinke, Sarakole), Peul 17%, Voltaic 12%, Songhai 6%, Tuareg and Moor 10%, other 5% Religions: Muslim 90%, indigenous beliefs 9%, Christian 1% Languages: French (official), Bambara 80%, numerous African languages Literacy: age 6 and over can read and write (1988) total population: 19% male: 27% female: 12% Labor force: 2.666 million (1986 est.) by occupation: agriculture 80%, services 19%, industry and commerce 1% (1981) @Mali:Government Names: conventional long form: Republic of Mali conventional short form: Mali local long form: Republique de Mali local short form: Mali former: French Sudan Digraph: ML Type: republic Capital: Bamako Administrative divisions: 8 regions (regions, singular - region); Gao, Kayes, Kidal, Koulikoro, Mopti, Segou, Sikasso, Tombouctou Independence: 22 September 1960 (from France) National holiday: Anniversary of the Proclamation of the Republic, 22 September (1960) Constitution: adopted 12 January 1992 Legal system: based on French civil law system and customary law; judicial review of legislative acts in Constitutional Court (which was formally established on 9 March 1994); has not accepted compulsory ICJ jurisdiction Suffrage: 21 years of age; universal Executive branch: chief of state: President Alpha Oumar KONARE (since 8 June 1992); election last held in April 1992 (next to be held April 1997); Alpha KONARE was elected in runoff race against Montaga TALL head of government: Prime Minister Ibrahima Boubacar KEITA (since March 1994) cabinet: Council of Ministers; appointed by the prime minister Legislative branch: unicameral National Assembly: elections last held on 8 March 1992 (next to be held February 1997); results - percent of vote by party NA; seats - (116 total) Adema 76, CNID 9, US/RAD 8, Popular Movement for the Development of the Republic of West Africa 6, RDP 4, UDD 4, RDT 3, UFDP 3, PDP 2, UMDD 1 Judicial branch: Supreme Court (Cour Supreme) Political parties and leaders: Association for Democracy (Adema), Ibrahim Baubacar KEITA; National Congress for Democratic Initiative (CNID), Mountaga TALL; Sudanese Union/African Democratic Rally (US/RDA), Mamadou Madeira KEITA; Popular Movement for the Development of the Republic of West Africa; Rally for Democracy and Progress (RDP), Almamy SYLLA; Union for Democracy and Development (UDD), Moussa Balla COULIBALY; Rally for Democracy and Labor (RDT); Union of Democratic Forces for Progress (UFDP), Dembo DIALLO; Party for Democracy and Progress (PDP), Idrissa TRAORE; Malian Union for Democracy and Development (UMDD) Member of: ACCT, ACP, AfDB, CCC, CEAO, ECA, ECOWAS, FAO, FZ, G-77, GATT, IAEA, IBRD, ICAO, ICFTU, ICRM, IDA, IDB, IFAD, IFC, IFRCS, ILO, IMF, INTELSAT, INTERPOL, IOC, ITU, NAM, OAU, OIC, UN, UNAMIR, UNCTAD, UNESCO, UNIDO, UPU, WADB, WCL, WFTU, WHO, WIPO, WMO, WTO Diplomatic representation in US: chief of mission: Ambassador Ibrahim Siragatou CISSE chancery: 2130 R Street NW, Washington, DC 20008 telephone: [1] (202) 332-2249, 939-8950 US diplomatic representation: chief of mission: (vacant) (Ambassador William H. DAMERON III retired March 1995) embassy: Rue Rochester NY and Rue Mohamed V, Bamako mailing address: B. P. 34, Bamako telephone: [223] 22 54 70 FAX: [223] 22 37 12 Flag: three equal vertical bands of green (hoist side), yellow, and red; uses the popular pan-African colors of Ethiopia @Mali:Economy Overview: Mali is among the poorest countries in the world, with 65% of its land area desert or semidesert. Economic activity is largely confined to the riverine area irrigated by the Niger. About 10% of the population is nomadic and some 80% of the labor force is engaged in agriculture and fishing. Industrial activity is concentrated on processing farm commodities. The economy is beginning to turn around after contracting through 1992-93, largely because of enhanced exports and import substitute production in the wake of the 50% devaluation of January 1994. Post-devaluation inflation appears to have peaked at 35% in 1994 and the government appears to be keeping on track with its IMF structural adjustment program. National product: GDP - purchasing power parity - $5.4 billion (1994 est.) National product real growth rate: 2.4% (1994 est.) National product per capita: $600 (1994 est.) Inflation rate (consumer prices): 35% (1994 est.) Unemployment rate: NA% Budget: revenues: $376 million expenditures: $697 million, including capital expenditures of $NA (1992 est.) Exports: $415 million (f.o.b., 1993) commodities: cotton, livestock, gold partners: mostly franc zone and Western Europe Imports: $842 million (f.o.b., 1993) commodities: machinery and equipment, foodstuffs, construction materials, petroleum, textiles partners: mostly franc zone and Western Europe External debt: $2.6 billion (1991 est.) Industrial production: growth rate -1.4% (1992 est.); accounts for 13.0% of GDP Electricity: capacity: 90,000 kW production: 310 million kWh consumption per capita: 33 kWh (1993) Industries: minor local consumer goods production and food processing, construction, phosphate and gold mining Agriculture: accounts for 50% of GDP; mostly subsistence farming; cotton and livestock products account for over 70% of exports; other crops - millet, rice, corn, vegetables, peanuts; livestock - cattle, sheep, goats Economic aid: recipient: US commitments, including Ex-Im (FY70-89), $349 million; Western (non-US) countries, ODA and OOF bilateral commitments (1970-89), $3.02 billion; OPEC bilateral aid (1979-89), $92 million; Communist countries (1970-89), $190 million Currency: 1 CFA franc (CFAF) = 100 centimes Exchange rates: Communaute Financiere Africaine francs (CFAF) per US$1 - 529.43 (January 1995), 555.20 (1994), 283.16 (1993), 264.69 (1992), 282.11 (1991), 272.26 (1990) note: beginning 12 January 1994, the CFA franc was devalued to CFAF 100 per French franc from CFAF 50 at which it had been fixed since 1948 Fiscal year: calendar year @Mali:Transportation Railroads: total: 642 km; note - linked to Senegal's rail system through Kayes narrow gauge: 642 km 1.000-m gauge Highways: total: 15,700 km paved: 1,670 km unpaved: gravel, improved earth 3,670 km; unimproved earth 10,360 km Inland waterways: 1,815 km navigable Ports: Koulikoro Airports: total: 33 with paved runways 2,438 to 3,047 m: 4 with paved runways 1,524 to 2,437 m: 1 with paved runways 914 to 1,523 m: 2 with paved runways under 914 m: 10 with unpaved runways 2,438 to 3,047 m: 1 with unpaved runways 1,524 to 2,438 m: 3 with unpaved runways 914 to 1,523 m: 12 @Mali:Communications Telephone system: 11,000 telephones; domestic system poor but improving; provides only minimal service local: NA intercity: microwave radio relay, wire, and radio communications stations; expansion of microwave radio relay in progress international: 2 INTELSAT (1 Atlantic Ocean and 1 Indian Ocean) earth stations Radio: broadcast stations: AM 2, FM 2, shortwave 0 radios: NA Television: broadcast stations: 2 televisions: NA @Mali:Defense Forces Branches: Army, Air Force, Gendarmerie, Republican Guard, National Guard, National Police (Surete Nationale) Manpower availability: males age 15-49 1,861,977; males fit for military service 1,062,916 (1995 est.) Defense expenditures: exchange rate conversion - $66 million, 2.2% of GDP (1994) ________________________________________________________________________ MALTA @Malta:Geography Location: Southern Europe, islands in the Mediterranean Sea, south of Sicily (Italy) Map references: Europe Area: total area: 320 sq km land area: 320 sq km comparative area: slightly less than twice the size of Washington, DC Land boundaries: 0 km Coastline: 140 km Maritime claims: contiguous zone: 24 nm continental shelf: 200-m depth or to the depth of exploitation exclusive fishing zone: 25 nm territorial sea: 12 nm International disputes: Malta and Tunisia are discussing the commercial exploitation of the continental shelf between their countries, particularly for oil exploration Climate: Mediterranean with mild, rainy winters and hot, dry summers Terrain: mostly low, rocky, flat to dissected plains; many coastal cliffs Natural resources: limestone, salt Land use: arable land: 38% permanent crops: 3% meadows and pastures: 0% forest and woodland: 0% other: 59% Irrigated land: 10 sq km (1989) Environment: current issues: very limited natural fresh water resources; increasing reliance on desalination natural hazards: NA international agreements: party to - Climate Change, Endangered Species, Law of the Sea, Marine Dumping, Nuclear Test Ban, Ozone Layer Protection, Ship Pollution, Wetlands; signed, but not ratified - Biodiversity, Desertification Note: the country comprises an archipelago, with only the 3 largest islands (Malta, Gozo, and Comino) being inhabited; numerous bays provide good harbors @Malta:People Population: 369,609 (July 1995 est.) Age structure: 0-14 years: 22% (female 39,199; male 41,581) 15-64 years: 67% (female 123,665; male 124,167) 65 years and over: 11% (female 23,597; male 17,400) (July 1995 est.) Population growth rate: 0.75% (1995 est.) Birth rate: 13.22 births/1,000 population (1995 est.) Death rate: 7.43 deaths/1,000 population (1995 est.) Net migration rate: 1.7 migrant(s)/1,000 population (1995 est.) Infant mortality rate: 7.7 deaths/1,000 live births (1995 est.) Life expectancy at birth: total population: 77.02 years male: 74.75 years female: 79.48 years (1995 est.) Total fertility rate: 1.92 children born/woman (1995 est.) Nationality: noun: Maltese (singular and plural) adjective: Maltese Ethnic divisions: Arab, Sicilian, Norman, Spanish, Italian, English Religions: Roman Catholic 98% Languages: Maltese (official), English (official) Literacy: age 15 and over can read and write (1985) total population: 84% male: 86% female: 82% Labor force: 127,200 by occupation: government (excluding job corps) 37%, services 26%, manufacturing 22%, training programs 9%, construction 4%, agriculture 2% (1990) @Malta:Government Names: conventional long form: Republic of Malta conventional short form: Malta Digraph: MT Type: parliamentary democracy Capital: Valletta Administrative divisions: none (administration directly from Valletta) Independence: 21 September 1964 (from UK) National holiday: Independence Day, 21 September (1964) Constitution: 1964 constitution substantially amended on 13 December 1974 Legal system: based on English common law and Roman civil law; has accepted compulsory ICJ jurisdiction, with reservations Suffrage: 18 years of age; universal Executive branch: chief of state: President Ugo MIFSUD BONNICI (since 4 April 1994) head of government: Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Dr. Edward (Eddie) FENECH ADAMI (since 12 May 1987); Deputy Prime Minister Dr. Guido DE MARCO (since 14 May 1987) cabinet: Cabinet; appointed by the president on advice of the prime minister Legislative branch: unicameral House of Representatives: elections last held 22 February 1992 (next to be held by February 1997); results - NP 51.8%, MLP 46.5%; seats - (usually 65 total) MLP 36, NP 29; note - additional seats are given to the party with the largest popular vote to ensure a legislative majority; current total: 69 (MLP 33, NP 36 after adjustment) Judicial branch: Constitutional Court, Court of Appeal Political parties and leaders: Nationalist Party (NP), Edward FENECH ADAMI; Malta Labor Party (MLP), Alfred SANT Member of: C, CCC, CE, EBRD, ECE, FAO, G-77, GATT, IBRD, ICAO, ICFTU, ICRM, IFAD, ILO, IMF, IMO, INMARSAT, INTELSAT (nonsignatory user), INTERPOL, IOC, ISO (correspondent), ITU, NAM, OSCE, PCA, UN, UNCTAD, UNESCO, UNIDO, UPU, WCL, WHO, WIPO, WMO, WTO Diplomatic representation in US: chief of mission: Ambassador Albert Borg Olivier DE PUGET chancery: 2017 Connecticut Avenue NW, Washington, DC 20008 telephone: [1] (202) 462-3611, 3612 FAX: [1] (202) 387-5470 consulate(s): New York US diplomatic representation: chief of mission: Ambassador Joseph R. PAOLINO, Jr. embassy: 2nd Floor, Development House, Saint Anne Street, Floriana, Malta mailing address: P. O. Box 535, Valletta telephone: [356] 235960 FAX: [356] 243229 Flag: two equal vertical bands of white (hoist side) and red; in the upper hoist-side corner is a representation of the George Cross, edged in red @Malta:Economy Overview: Significant resources are limestone, a favorable geographic location, and a productive labor force. Malta produces only about 20% of its food needs, has limited freshwater supplies, and has no domestic energy sources. Consequently, the economy is highly dependent on foreign trade and services. Manufacturing and tourism are the largest contributors to the economy. Manufacturing accounts for about 24% of GDP, with the electronics and textile industries major contributors and with the state-owned Malta drydocks employing about 4,300 people. In 1994, over 1,000,000 tourists visited the island. Per capita GDP of $10,760 places Malta in the range of the less affluent EU countries. National product: GDP - purchasing power parity - $3.9 billion (1994 est.) National product real growth rate: 4.4% (1994 est.) National product per capita: $10,760 (1994 est.) Inflation rate (consumer prices): 5% (1994 est.) Unemployment rate: 4.5% (March 1994) Budget: revenues: $1.4 billion expenditures: $1.4 billion, including capital expenditures of $215 million (FY94/95 est.) Exports: $1.3 billion (f.o.b., 1993) commodities: machinery and transport equipment, clothing and footware, printed matter partners: Italy 32%, Germany 16%, UK 8% Imports: $2.1 billion (c.i.f., 1993) commodities: food, petroleum, machinery and semimanufactured goods partners: Italy 27%, Germany 14%, UK 13%, US 9% External debt: $603 million (1992) Industrial production: growth rate 5.4% (1992); accounts for 27% of GDP Electricity: capacity: 250,000 kW production: 1.1 billion kWh consumption per capita: 2,749 kWh (1993) Industries: tourism, electronics, ship repairyard, construction, food manufacturing, textiles, footwear, clothing, beverages, tobacco Agriculture: accounts for 3% of GDP and 2% of the work force (1992); overall, 20% self-sufficient; main products - potatoes, cauliflower, grapes, wheat, barley, tomatoes, citrus, cut flowers, green peppers, hogs, poultry, eggs; generally adequate supplies of vegetables, poultry, milk, pork products; seasonal or periodic shortages in grain, animal fodder, fruits, other basic foodstuffs Illicit drugs: transshipment point for hashish from North Africa to Western Europe Economic aid: recipient: US commitments, including Ex-Im (FY70-81), $172 million; Western (non-US) countries, ODA and OOF bilateral commitments (1970-89), $336 million; OPEC bilateral aid (1979-89), $76 million; Communist countries (1970-88), $48 million Currency: 1 Maltese lira (LM) = 100 cents Exchange rates: Maltese liri (LM) per US$1 - 0.3656 (January 1995), 0.3776 (1994), 0.3821 (1993), 0.3178 (1992), 0.3226 (1991), 0.3172 (1990) Fiscal year: 1 April - 31 March @Malta:Transportation Railroads: 0 km Highways: total: 1,291 km paved: asphalt 1,179 km unpaved: gravel, crushed stone 77 km; earth 35 km Ports: Marsaxlokk, Valletta Merchant marine: total: 964 ships (1,000 GRT or over) totaling 15,518,359 GRT/26,604,739 DWT ships by type: barge carrier 3, bulk 272, cargo 300, chemical tanker 30, combination bulk 26, combination ore/oil 16, container 33, liquefied gas tanker 3, multifunction large-load carrier 3, oil tanker 191, passenger 7, passenger-cargo 3, railcar carrier 1, refrigerated cargo 14, roll-on/roll-off cargo 26, short-sea passenger 20, specialized tanker 5, vehicle carrier 11 note: a flag of convenience registry; includes 49 countries; the 10 major fleet flags are: Greece 351 ships, Russia 66, Croatia 63, Switzerland 31, Montenegro 29, Italy 27, Germany 23, Monaco 20, UK 20, and Georgia 10 Airports: total: 1 with paved runways over 3,047 m: 1 @Malta:Communications Telephone system: 153,000 telephones; automatic system satisfies normal requirements local: NA intercity: submarine cable and microwave radio relay between islands international: 1 submarine cable and 1 INTELSAT (Atlantic Ocean) earth station Radio: broadcast stations: AM 8, FM 4, shortwave 0 radios: NA Television: broadcast stations: 2 televisions: NA @Malta:Defense Forces Branches: Armed Forces, Maltese Police Force Manpower availability: males age 15-49 98,525; males fit for military service 78,305 (1995 est.) Defense expenditures: exchange rate conversion - $21.4 million, about 0.9% of GDP (FY92/93) ________________________________________________________________________ MAN, ISLE OF (British crown dependency) @Man, Isle Of:Geography Location: Western Europe, island in the Irish Sea, between Great Britain and Ireland Map references: Europe Area: total area: 588 sq km land area: 588 sq km comparative area: nearly 3.5 times the size of Washington, DC Land boundaries: 0 km Coastline: 113 km Maritime claims: exclusive fishing zone: 200 nm territorial sea: 3 nm International disputes: none Climate: cool summers and mild winters; humid; overcast about half the time Terrain: hills in north and south bisected by central valley Natural resources: lead, iron ore Land use: arable land: NA% permanent crops: NA% meadows and pastures: NA% forest and woodland: NA% other: NA% (extensive arable land and forests) Irrigated land: NA sq km Environment: current issues: NA natural hazards: NA international agreements: NA Note: one small islet, the Calf of Man, lies to the southwest, and is a bird sanctuary @Man, Isle Of:People Population: 72,751 (July 1995 est.) Age structure: 0-14 years: 18% (female 6,462; male 6,833) 15-64 years: 64% (female 23,219; male 23,348) 65 years and over: 18% (female 7,759; male 5,130) (July 1995 est.) Population growth rate: 0.99% (1995 est.) Birth rate: 13.73 births/1,000 population (1995 est.) Death rate: 12.36 deaths/1,000 population (1995 est.) Net migration rate: 8.55 migrant(s)/1,000 population (1995 est.) Infant mortality rate: 8 deaths/1,000 live births (1995 est.) Life expectancy at birth: total population: 76.53 years male: 73.78 years female: 79.48 years (1995 est.) Total fertility rate: 1.8 children born/woman (1995 est.) Nationality: noun: Manxman, Manxwoman adjective: Manx Ethnic divisions: Manx (Norse-Celtic descent), Briton Religions: Anglican, Roman Catholic, Methodist, Baptist, Presbyterian, Society of Friends Languages: English, Manx Gaelic Literacy: NA% Labor force: 25,864 (1981) by occupation: NA @Man, Isle Of:Government Names: conventional long form: none conventional short form: Isle of Man Digraph: IM Type: British crown dependency Capital: Douglas Administrative divisions: none (British crown dependency) Independence: none (British crown dependency) National holiday: Tynwald Day, 5 July Constitution: 1961, Isle of Man Constitution Act Legal system: English law and local statute Suffrage: 21 years of age; universal Executive branch: chief of state: Lord of Mann Queen ELIZABETH II (since 6 February 1952), represented by Lieutenant Governor Air Marshal Sir Laurence JONES (since NA 1990) head of government: President of the Legislative Council Sir Charles KERRUISH (since NA 1990) cabinet: Council of Ministers
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