The 1995 CIA World FactbookPart 24 out of 45Legislative branch: bicameral Tynwald Legislative Council: consists of a 10-member body composed of the Lord Bishop of Sodor and Man, a nonvoting attorney general, and 8 others named by the House of Keys House of Keys: elections last held NA 1991 (next to be held NA 1996); results - percent of vote NA; seats - (24 total) independents 24 Judicial branch: Court of Tynwald Political parties and leaders: there is no party system and members sit as independents Member of: none Diplomatic representation in US: none (British crown dependency) US diplomatic representation: none (British crown dependency) Flag: red with the Three Legs of Man emblem (Trinacria), in the center; the three legs are joined at the thigh and bent at the knee; in order to have the toes pointing clockwise on both sides of the flag, a two-sided emblem is used @Man, Isle Of:Economy Overview: Offshore banking, manufacturing, and tourism are key sectors of the economy. The government's policy of offering incentives to high-technology companies and financial institutions to locate on the island has paid off in expanding employment opportunities in high-income industries. As a result, agriculture and fishing, once the mainstays of the economy, have declined in their shares of GDP. Banking now contributes about 45% to GDP. Trade is mostly with the UK. The Isle of Man enjoys free access to European Union markets. National product: GDP - purchasing power parity - $780 million (1994 est.) National product real growth rate: NA% National product per capita: $10,800 (1994 est.) Inflation rate (consumer prices): 7% (1992 est.) Unemployment rate: 1% (1992 est.) Budget: revenues: $130.4 million expenditures: $114.4 million, including capital expenditures of $18.1 million (1985 est.) Exports: $NA commodities: tweeds, herring, processed shellfish, beef, lamb partners: UK Imports: $NA commodities: timber, fertilizers, fish partners: UK External debt: $NA Industrial production: growth rate NA% Electricity: capacity: 61,000 kW production: 190 million kWh consumption per capita: 2,965 kWh (1992) Industries: financial services, light manufacturing, tourism Agriculture: cereals and vegetables; cattle, sheep, pigs, poultry Economic aid: $NA Currency: 1 Manx pound (#M) = 100 pence Exchange rates: Manx pounds (#M) per US$1 - 0.6350 (January 1995), 0.6529 (1994), 0.6658 (1993), 0.5664 (1992), 0.5652 (1991), 0.5603 (1990); the Manx pound is at par with the British pound Fiscal year: 1 April - 31 March @Man, Isle Of:Transportation Railroads: total: 60 km (36 km electrified) Highways: total: 640 km paved: NA unpaved: NA Ports: Castletown, Douglas, Peel, Ramsey Merchant marine: total: 68 ships (1,000 GRT or over) totaling 1,810,355 GRT/3,183,773 DWT ships by type: bulk 11, cargo 10, chemical tanker 4, container 9, liquefied gas tanker 8, oil tanker 15, roll-on/roll-off cargo 9, vehicle carrier 2 note: a flag of convenience registry; UK owns 9 ships, Switzerland 2, Denmark 1, Netherlands 1 Airports: total: 1 with paved runways 1,524 to 2,437 m: 1 @Man, Isle Of:Communications Telephone system: 24,435 telephones local: NA intercity: NA international: NA Radio: broadcast stations: AM 1, FM 4, shortwave 0 radios: NA Television: broadcast stations: 4 televisions: NA @Man, Isle Of:Defense Forces Note: defense is the responsibility of the UK ________________________________________________________________________ MARSHALL ISLANDS @Marshall Islands:Geography Location: Oceania, group of atolls and reefs in the North Pacific Ocean, about one-half of the way from Hawaii to Papua New Guinea Map references: Oceania Area: total area: 181.3 sq km land area: 181.3 sq km comparative area: slightly larger than Washington, DC note: includes the atolls of Bikini, Eniwetak, and Kwajalein Land boundaries: 0 km Coastline: 370.4 km Maritime claims: contiguous zone: 24 nm exclusive economic zone: 200 nm territorial sea: 12 nm International disputes: claims US territory of Wake Island Climate: wet season May to November; hot and humid; islands border typhoon belt Terrain: low coral limestone and sand islands Natural resources: phosphate deposits, marine products, deep seabed minerals Land use: arable land: 0% permanent crops: 60% meadows and pastures: 0% forest and woodland: 0% other: 40% Irrigated land: NA sq km Environment: current issues: inadequate supplies of potable water natural hazards: occasional typhoons international agreements: party to - Biodiversity, Climate Change, Law of the Sea, Ozone Layer Protection, Ship Pollution Note: two archipelagic island chains of 30 atolls and 1,152 islands; Bikini and Eniwetak are former US nuclear test sites; Kwajalein, the famous World War II battleground, is now used as a US missile test range @Marshall Islands:People Population: 56,157 (July 1995 est.) Age structure: 0-14 years: 51% (female 13,950; male 14,547) 15-64 years: 47% (female 12,801; male 13,470) 65 years and over: 2% (female 740; male 649) (July 1995 est.) Population growth rate: 3.86% (1995 est.) Birth rate: 46.03 births/1,000 population (1995 est.) Death rate: 7.48 deaths/1,000 population (1995 est.) Net migration rate: 0 migrant(s)/1,000 population (1995 est.) Infant mortality rate: 48 deaths/1,000 live births (1995 est.) Life expectancy at birth: total population: 63.49 years male: 61.94 years female: 65.11 years (1995 est.) Total fertility rate: 6.89 children born/woman (1995 est.) Nationality: noun: Marshallese (singular and plural) adjective: Marshallese Ethnic divisions: Micronesian Religions: Christian (mostly Protestant) Languages: English (universally spoken and is the official language), two major Marshallese dialects from the Malayo-Polynesian family, Japanese Literacy: age 15 and over can read and write (1980) total population: 93% male: 100% female: 88% Labor force: 4,800 (1986) by occupation: NA @Marshall Islands:Government Names: conventional long form: Republic of the Marshall Islands conventional short form: Marshall Islands former: Marshall Islands District (Trust Territory of the Pacific Islands) Digraph: RM Type: constitutional government in free association with the US; the Compact of Free Association entered into force 21 October 1986 Capital: Majuro Administrative divisions: none Independence: 21 October 1986 (from the US-administered UN trusteeship) National holiday: Proclamation of the Republic of the Marshall Islands, 1 May (1979) Constitution: 1 May 1979 Legal system: based on adapted Trust Territory laws, acts of the legislature, municipal, common, and customary laws Suffrage: 18 years of age; universal Executive branch: chief of state and head of government: President Amata KABUA (since 1979); election last held 6 January 1992 (next to be held NA); results - President Amata KABUA was reelected cabinet: Cabinet; president selects from the parliament Legislative branch: unicameral Parliament (Nitijela): elections last held 18 November 1991 (next to be held November 1995); results - percent of vote NA; seats - (33 total) independents 33 Judicial branch: Supreme Court Political parties and leaders: no formal parties; President KABUA is chief political (and traditional) leader Member of: AsDB, ESCAP, IAEA, IBRD, ICAO, IDA, IFC, IMF, INTELSAT (nonsignatory user), INTERPOL, SPARTECA, SPC, SPF, UN, UNCTAD, WHO Diplomatic representation in US: chief of mission: Ambassador Wilfred I. KENDALL chancery: 2433 Massachusetts Avenue NW, Washington, DC 20008 telephone: [1] (202) 234-5414 FAX: [1] (202) 232-3236 consulate(s) general: Honolulu and Los Angeles US diplomatic representation: chief of mission: Ambassador David C. FIELDS embassy: address NA, Majuro mailing address: P. O. Box 1379, Majuro, Republic of the Marshall Islands 96960-1379 telephone: [692] 247-4011 FAX: [692] 247-4012 Flag: blue with two stripes radiating from the lower hoist-side corner - orange (top) and white; there is a white star with four large rays and 20 small rays on the hoist side above the two stripes @Marshall Islands:Economy Overview: Agriculture and tourism are the mainstays of the economy. Agricultural production is concentrated on small farms, and the most important commercial crops are coconuts, tomatoes, melons, and breadfruit. A few cattle ranches supply the domestic meat market. Small-scale industry is limited to handicrafts, fish processing, and copra. The tourist industry is the primary source of foreign exchange and employs about 10% of the labor force. The islands have few natural resources, and imports far exceed exports. The US Government provides about 70% of the budget. National product: GDP - purchasing power parity - $75 million (1992 est.) National product real growth rate: 6% (1992) National product per capita: $1,500 (1992 est.) Inflation rate (consumer prices): 7% (1992 est.) Unemployment rate: 16% (1991 est.) Budget: revenues: $106 million expenditures: $128.7 million, including capital expenditures of $NA (1993) Exports: $3.9 million (f.o.b., 1992 est.) commodities: coconut oil, fish, live animals, trichus shells partners: US, Japan, Australia Imports: $62.9 million (c.i.f., 1992 est.) commodities: foodstuffs, machinery and equipment, beverages and tobacco, fuels partners: US, Japan, Australia External debt: $NA Industrial production: growth rate NA% Electricity: capacity: 42,000 kW production: 80 million kWh consumption per capita: 1,840 kWh (1990) Industries: copra, fish, tourism; craft items from shell, wood, and pearls; offshore banking (embryonic) Agriculture: coconuts, cacao, taro, breadfruit, fruits, pigs, chickens Economic aid: recipient: under the terms of the Compact of Free Association, the US is to provide approximately $40 million in aid annually Currency: 1 United States dollar (US$) = 100 cents Exchange rates: US currency is used Fiscal year: 1 October - 30 September @Marshall Islands:Transportation Railroads: 0 km Highways: total: NA note: paved roads on major islands (Majuro, Kwajalein), otherwise stone-, coral-, or laterite-surfaced roads and tracks Ports: Majuro Merchant marine: total: 37 ships (1,000 GRT or over) totaling 2,205,275 GRT/4,263,247 DWT ships by type: bulk carrier 23, cargo 1, combination ore/oil 1, oil tanker 12 Airports: total: 16 with paved runways 1,524 to 2,437 m: 3 with paved runways 914 to 1,523 m: 1 with paved runways under 914 m: 5 with unpaved runways 1,524 to 2,438 m: 1 with unpaved runways 914 to 1,523 m: 6 @Marshall Islands:Communications Telephone system: 570 telephones (Majuro) and 186 telephones (Ebeye); telex services local: NA intercity: islands interconnected by shortwave radio (used mostly for government purposes) international: 2 INTELSAT (Pacific Ocean) earth stations; US Government satellite communications system on Kwajalein Radio: broadcast stations: AM 1, FM 2, shortwave 1 radios: NA Television: broadcast stations: 1 televisions: NA @Marshall Islands:Defense Forces Branches: no regular military forces; Police Note: defense is the responsibility of the US ________________________________________________________________________ MARTINIQUE (overseas department of France) @Martinique:Geography Location: Caribbean, island in the Caribbean Sea, north of Trinidad and Tobago Map references: Central America and the Caribbean Area: total area: 1,100 sq km land area: 1,060 sq km comparative area: slightly more than six times the size of Washington, DC Land boundaries: 0 km Coastline: 290 km Maritime claims: exclusive economic zone: 200 nm territorial sea: 12 nm International disputes: none Climate: tropical; moderated by trade winds; rainy season (June to October) Terrain: mountainous with indented coastline; dormant volcano Natural resources: coastal scenery and beaches, cultivable land Land use: arable land: 10% permanent crops: 8% meadows and pastures: 30% forest and woodland: 26% other: 26% Irrigated land: 60 sq km (1989 est.) Environment: current issues: NA natural hazards: hurricanes, flooding, and volcanic activity (an average of one major natural disaster every five years) international agreements: NA @Martinique:People Population: 394,787 (July 1995 est.) Age structure: 0-14 years: 23% (female 44,960; male 46,512) 15-64 years: 67% (female 134,439; male 130,642) 65 years and over: 10% (female 22,058; male 16,176) (July 1995 est.) Population growth rate: 1.1% (1995 est.) Birth rate: 16.92 births/1,000 population (1995 est.) Death rate: 5.82 deaths/1,000 population (1995 est.) Net migration rate: -0.1 migrant(s)/1,000 population (1995 est.) Infant mortality rate: 7.3 deaths/1,000 live births (1995 est.) Life expectancy at birth: total population: 78.67 years male: 75.94 years female: 81.53 years (1995 est.) Total fertility rate: 1.81 children born/woman (1995 est.) Nationality: noun: Martiniquais (singular and plural) adjective: Martiniquais Ethnic divisions: African and African-Caucasian-Indian mixture 90%, Caucasian 5%, East Indian, Lebanese, Chinese less than 5% Religions: Roman Catholic 95%, Hindu and pagan African 5% Languages: French, Creole patois Literacy: age 15 and over can read and write (1982) total population: 93% male: 92% female: 93% Labor force: 100,000 by occupation: service industry 31.7%, construction and public works 29.4%, agriculture 13.1%, industry 7.3%, fisheries 2.2%, other 16.3% @Martinique:Government Names: conventional long form: Department of Martinique conventional short form: Martinique local long form: Departement de la Martinique local short form: Martinique Digraph: MB Type: overseas department of France Capital: Fort-de-France Administrative divisions: none (overseas department of France) Independence: none (overseas department of France) National holiday: National Day, Taking of the Bastille, 14 July (1789) Constitution: 28 September 1958 (French Constitution) Legal system: French legal system Suffrage: 18 years of age; universal Executive branch: chief of state: President Francois MITTERRAND (since 21 May 1981) head of government: Prefect Michel MORIN (since NA); President of the General Council Claude LISE (since 22 March 1992); President of the Regional Council Emile CAPGRAS (since 22 March 1992) cabinet: Council of Ministers Legislative branch: unicameral General Council and a unicameral Regional Assembly General Council: elections last held 25 September and 8 October 1988 (next to be held NA); results - percent of vote by party NA; seats - (44 total) number of seats by party NA; note - a leftist coalition obtained a one-seat margin Regional Assembly: elections last held on 22 March 1992 (next to be held by March 1998); results - percent of vote by party NA; seats - (41 total) RPR-UDF 16, MIM 9, PPM 9, PCM 5, independents 2 French Senate: elections last held 24 September 1989 (next to be held NA); results - percent of vote by party NA; seats - (2 total) UDF 1, PPM 1 French National Assembly: elections last held NA June 1993 (next to be held NA June 1998); results - percent of vote by party NA; seats - (4 total) RPR 3, FSM 1 Judicial branch: Supreme Court Political parties and leaders: Rally for the Republic (RPR), Stephen BAGOE; Union for a Martinique of Progress (UMP); Martinique Progressive Party (PPM), Aime CESAIRE; Socialist Federation of Martinique (FSM), Michel YOYO; Martinique Communist Party (PCM); Martinique Patriots (PM); Union for French Democracy (UDF), Jean MARAN; Martinique Independence Movement (MIM), Alfred MARIE-JEANNE; Republican Party (PR), Jean BAILLY Other political or pressure groups: Proletarian Action Group (GAP); Alhed Marie-Jeanne Socialist Revolution Group (GRS); Caribbean Revolutionary Alliance (ARC); Central Union for Martinique Workers (CSTM), Marc PULVAR; Frantz Fanon Circle; League of Workers and Peasants; Parti Martiniquais Socialiste (PMS); Association for the Protection of Martinique's Heritage (ecologist) Member of: FZ, WCL, WFTU Diplomatic representation in US: none (overseas department of France) US diplomatic representation: the post closed in August 1993 (overseas department of France) Flag: the flag of France is used @Martinique:Economy Overview: The economy is based on sugarcane, bananas, tourism, and light industry. Agriculture accounts for about 10% of GDP and the small industrial sector for 10%. Sugar production has declined, with most of the sugarcane now used for the production of rum. Banana exports are increasing, going mostly to France. The bulk of meat, vegetable, and grain requirements must be imported, contributing to a chronic trade deficit that requires large annual transfers of aid from France. Tourism has become more important than agricultural exports as a source of foreign exchange. The majority of the work force is employed in the service sector and in administration. Banana workers launched protests late in 1992 because of falling banana prices and fears of greater competition in the European market from other producers. National product: GDP - purchasing power parity - $3.9 billion (1993 est.) National product real growth rate: NA% National product per capita: $10,000 (1993 est.) Inflation rate (consumer prices): 3.9% (1990) Unemployment rate: 32.1% (1990) Budget: revenues: $610 million expenditures: $1.3 billion, including capital expenditures of $NA (1991) Exports: $247 million (f.o.b., 1992) commodities: refined petroleum products, bananas, rum, pineapples partners: France 57%, Guadeloupe 31%, French Guiana (1991) Imports: $1.75 billion (c.i.f., 1992) commodities: petroleum products, crude oil, foodstuffs, construction materials, vehicles, clothing and other consumer goods partners: France 62%, UK, Italy, Germany, Japan, US (1991) External debt: $NA Industrial production: growth rate NA% Electricity: capacity: 113,100 kW production: 700 million kWh consumption per capita: 1,677 kWh (1993) Industries: construction, rum, cement, oil refining, sugar, tourism Agriculture: including fishing and forestry, accounts for about 10% of GDP; principal crops - pineapples, avocados, bananas, flowers, vegetables, sugarcane for rum; dependent on imported food, particularly meat and vegetables Illicit drugs: transshipment point for cocaine and marijuana bound for the US and Europe Economic aid: recipient: Western (non-US) countries, ODA and OOF bilateral commitments (1970-89), $10.1 billion Currency: 1 French franc (F) = 100 centimes Exchange rates: French francs (F) per US$1 - 5.2943 (January 1995), 5.5520 (1994), 5.6632 (1993), 5.2938 (1992), 5.6421 (1991), 5.4453 (1990) Fiscal year: calendar year @Martinique:Transportation Railroads: 0 km Highways: total: 1,680 km paved: 1,300 km unpaved: gravel, earth 380 km Ports: Fort-de-France, La Trinite Merchant marine: none Airports: total: 2 with paved runways over 3,047 m: 1 with unpaved runways 914 to 1,523 m: 1 @Martinique:Communications Telephone system: 68,900 telephones; domestic facilities are adequate local: NA intercity: NA international: interisland microwave radio relay links to Guadeloupe, Dominica, and Saint Lucia; 2 INTELSAT (Atlantic Ocean) earth stations Radio: broadcast stations: AM 1, FM 6, shortwave 0 radios: NA Television: broadcast stations: 10 televisions: NA @Martinique:Defense Forces Branches: French forces (Army, Navy, Air Force), Gendarmerie Note: defense is the responsibility of France ________________________________________________________________________ MAURITANIA @Mauritania:Geography Location: Northern Africa, bordering the North Atlantic Ocean, between Senegal and Western Sahara Map references: Africa Area: total area: 1,030,700 sq km land area: 1,030,400 sq km comparative area: slightly larger than three times the size of New Mexico Land boundaries: total 5,074 km, Algeria 463 km, Mali 2,237 km, Senegal 813 km, Western Sahara 1,561 km Coastline: 754 km Maritime claims: contiguous zone: 24 nm continental shelf: 200 nm or to the edge of the continental margin exclusive economic zone: 200 nm territorial sea: 12 nm International disputes: boundary with Senegal in dispute Climate: desert; constantly hot, dry, dusty Terrain: mostly barren, flat plains of the Sahara; some central hills Natural resources: iron ore, gypsum, fish, copper, phosphate Land use: arable land: 1% permanent crops: 0% meadows and pastures: 38% forest and woodland: 5% other: 56% Irrigated land: 120 sq km (1989 est.) Environment: current issues: overgrazing, deforestation, and soil erosion aggravated by drought are contributing to desertification; very limited natural fresh water resources away from the Senegal which is the only perennial river natural hazards: hot, dry, dust/sand-laden sirocco wind blows primarily in March and April; periodic droughts international agreements: party to - Climate Change, Nuclear Test Ban, Ozone Layer Protection, Wetlands; signed, but not ratified - Biodiversity, Desertification, Law of the Sea Note: most of the population concentrated along the Senegal River in the southern part of the country @Mauritania:People Population: 2,263,202 (July 1995 est.) Age structure: 0-14 years: 48% (female 544,674; male 551,099) 15-64 years: 49% (female 574,282; male 542,762) 65 years and over: 3% (female 28,955; male 21,430) (July 1995 est.) Population growth rate: 3.17% (1995 est.) Birth rate: 47.32 births/1,000 population (1995 est.) Death rate: 15.66 deaths/1,000 population (1995 est.) Net migration rate: 0 migrant(s)/1,000 population (1995 est.) Infant mortality rate: 83.5 deaths/1,000 live births (1995 est.) Life expectancy at birth: total population: 48.54 years male: 45.66 years female: 51.54 years (1995 est.) Total fertility rate: 6.92 children born/woman (1995 est.) Nationality: noun: Mauritanian(s) adjective: Mauritanian Ethnic divisions: mixed Maur/black 40%, Maur 30%, black 30% Religions: Muslim 100% Languages: Hasaniya Arabic (official), Pular, Soninke, Wolof (official) Literacy: age 15 and over can read and write (1988) total population: 35% male: 46% female: 25% Labor force: 465,000 (1981 est.); 45,000 wage earners (1980) by occupation: agriculture 47%, services 29%, industry and commerce 14%, government 10% @Mauritania:Government Names: conventional long form: Islamic Republic of Mauritania conventional short form: Mauritania local long form: Al Jumhuriyah al Islamiyah al Muritaniyah local short form: Muritaniyah Digraph: MR Type: republic Capital: Nouakchott Administrative divisions: 12 regions (regions, singular - region); Adrar, Assaba, Brakna, Dakhlet Nouadhibou, Gorgol, Guidimaka, Hodh ech Chargui, Hodh el Gharbi, Inchiri, Tagant, Tiris Zemmour, Trarza note: there may be a new capital district of Nouakchott Independence: 28 November 1960 (from France) National holiday: Independence Day, 28 November (1960) Constitution: 12 July 1991 Legal system: three-tier system: Islamic (Shari'a) courts, special courts, state security courts (in the process of being eliminated) Suffrage: 18 years of age; universal Executive branch: chief of state and head of government: President Col. Maaouya Ould Sid'Ahmed TAYA (since 12 December 1984); election last held NA January 1992 (next to be held NA January 1998); results - President Col. Maaouya Ould Sid 'Ahmed TAYA elected cabinet: Council of Ministers Legislative branch: bicameral legislature Senate (Majlis al-Shuyukh): elections last held 15 April 1994 (nex to be held NA 1996); results - percent of vote by party NA; seats (56 total, with 17 up for election every two years) PRDS 16, UFD/NE 1 National Assembly (Majlis al-Watani): elections last held 6 and 13 March 1992 (next to be held NA March 1997); results - percent of vote by party NA; seats - (79 total) UFD/NE 67, PMR 1, RDU 1, independents 10 Judicial branch: Supreme Court (Cour Supreme) Political parties and leaders: legalized by constitution passed 12 July 1991, however, politics continue to be tribally based; emerging parties include Democratic and Social Republican Party (PRDS), led by President Col. Maaouya Ould Sid'Ahmed TAYA; Union of Democratic Forces-New Era (UFD/NE), headed by Ahmed Ould DADDAH; Assembly for Democracy and Unity (RDU), Ahmed Ould SIDI BABA; Popular Social and Democratic Union (UPSD), Mohamed Mahmoud Ould MAH; Mauritanian Party for Renewal (PMR), Hameida BOUCHRAYA; National Avant-Garde Party (PAN), Khattry Ould JIDDOU; Mauritanian Party of the Democratic Center (PCDM), Bamba Ould SIDI BADI Other political or pressure groups: Mauritanian Workers Union (UTM) Member of: ABEDA, ACCT (associate), ACP, AfDB, AFESD, AL, AMF, AMU, CAEU, CCC, CEAO, ECA, ECOWAS, FAO, G-77, GATT, IBRD, ICAO, ICRM, IDA, IDB, IFAD, IFC, IFRCS, ILO, IMF, IMO, INTELSAT, INTERPOL, IOC, ITU, NAM, OAU, OIC, UN, UNCTAD, UNESCO, UNIDO, UPU, WHO, WIPO, WMO, WTO Diplomatic representation in US: chief of mission: Ambassador Ismail Ould IYAHI (since 22 September 1994) chancery: 2129 Leroy Place NW, Washington, DC 20008 telephone: [1] (202) 232-5700 US diplomatic representation: chief of mission: Ambassador Dorothy Myers SAMPAS embassy: address NA, Nouakchott mailing address: B. P. 222, Nouakchott telephone: [222] (2) 526-60, 526-63 FAX: [222] (2) 515-92 Flag: green with a yellow five-pointed star above a yellow, horizontal crescent; the closed side of the crescent is down; the crescent, star, and color green are traditional symbols of Islam @Mauritania:Economy Overview: A majority of the population still depends on agriculture and livestock for a livelihood, even though most of the nomads and many subsistence farmers were forced into the cities by recurrent droughts in the 1970s and 1980s. Mauritania has extensive deposits of iron ore, which account for almost 50% of total exports. The decline in world demand for this ore, however, has led to cutbacks in production. The nation's coastal waters are among the richest fishing areas in the world, but overexploitation by foreigners threatens this key source of revenue. The country's first deepwater port opened near Nouakchott in 1986. In recent years, drought and economic mismanagement have resulted in a substantial buildup of foreign debt. The government has begun the second stage of an economic reform program in consultation with the World Bank, the IMF, and major donor countries. Short-term growth prospects are gloomy because of the heavy debt service burden, rapid population growth, and vulnerability to climatic conditions. National product: GDP - purchasing power parity - $2.4 billion (1993 est.) National product real growth rate: 5% (1993 est.) National product per capita: $1,110 (1994 est.) Inflation rate (consumer prices): 10% (1993) Unemployment rate: 20% (1991 est.) Budget: revenues: $280 million expenditures: $346 million, including capital expenditures of $61 million (1989 est.) Exports: $401 million (f.o.b., 1993 est.) commodities: iron ore, fish and fish products partners: Japan 27%, Italy, Belgium, Luxembourg Imports: $378 million (c.i.f., 1993 est.) commodities: foodstuffs, consumer goods, petroleum products, capital goods partners: Algeria 15%, China 6%, US 3%, France, Germany, Spain, Italy External debt: $1.9 billion (1992 est.) Industrial production: growth rate NA%; accounts for almost 30% of GDP Electricity: capacity: 110,000 kW production: 135 million kWh consumption per capita: 61 kWh (1993) Industries: fish processing, mining of iron ore and gypsum Agriculture: accounts for 25% of GDP (including fishing); largely subsistence farming and nomadic cattle and sheep herding except in Senegal river valley; crops - dates, millet, sorghum, root crops; fish products number-one export; large food deficit in years of drought Economic aid: recipient: US commitments, including Ex-Im (FY70-89), $168 million; Western (non-US) countries, ODA and OOF bilateral commitments (1970-89), $1.3 billion; OPEC bilateral aid (1979-89), $490 million; Communist countries (1970-89), $277 million; Arab Development Bank (1991), $20 million Currency: 1 ouguiya (UM) = 5 khoums Exchange rates: ouguiyas (UM) per US$1 - 125.910 (January 1995), 123.575 (1994), 120.806 (1993),87.027 (1992), 81.946 (1991), 80.609 (1990) Fiscal year: calendar year @Mauritania:Transportation Railroads: total: 690 km (single track); note - owned and operated by government mining company standard gauge: 690 km 1.435-m gauge Highways: total: 7,525 km paved: 1,685 km unpaved: gravel, crushed stone, otherwise improved 1,040 km; unimproved earth 4,800 km (roads, trails, tracks) Inland waterways: mostly ferry traffic on the Senegal River Ports: Bogue, Kaedi, Nouadhibou, Nouakchott, Rosso Merchant marine: none Airports: total: 28 with paved runways 2,438 to 3,047 m: 3 with paved runways 1,524 to 2,437 m: 4 with paved runways 914 to 1,523 m: 1 with paved runways under 914 m: 2 with unpaved runways 2,438 to 3,047 m: 2 with unpaved runways 1,524 to 2,438 m: 6 with unpaved runways 914 to 1,523 m: 10 @Mauritania:Communications Telephone system: NA telephones; poor system of cable and open-wire lines, minor microwave radio relay links, and radio communications stations (improvements being made) local: NA intercity: mostly cable and open wire lines international: 1 INTELSAT (Atlantic Ocean) and 2 ARABSAT earth stations, with six planned Radio: broadcast stations: AM 2, FM 0, shortwave 0 radios: NA Television: broadcast stations: 1 televisions: NA @Mauritania:Defense Forces Branches: Army, Navy, Air Force, National Gendarmerie, National Guard, National Police, Presidential Guard Manpower availability: males age 15-49 483,916; males fit for military service 236,323 Defense expenditures: exchange rate conversion - $36 million, 2.7% of GDP (1994) ________________________________________________________________________ MAURITIUS @Mauritius:Geography Location: Southern Africa, island in the Indian Ocean, east of Madagascar Map references: World Area: total area: 1,860 sq km land area: 1,850 sq km comparative area: slightly less than 10.5 times the size of Washington, DC note: includes Agalega Islands, Cargados Carajos Shoals (Saint Brandon), and Rodrigues Land boundaries: 0 km Coastline: 177 km Maritime claims: continental shelf: 200 nm or to the edge of the continental margin exclusive economic zone: 200 nm territorial sea: 12 nm International disputes: claims UK-administered Chagos Archipelago, which includes the island of Diego Garcia in UK-administered British Indian Ocean Territory; claims French-administered Tromelin Island Climate: tropical, modified by southeast trade winds; warm, dry winter (May to November); hot, wet, humid summer (November to May) Terrain: small coastal plain rising to discontinuous mountains encircling central plateau Natural resources: arable land, fish Land use: arable land: 54% permanent crops: 4% meadows and pastures: 4% forest and woodland: 31% other: 7% Irrigated land: 170 sq km (1989 est.) Environment: current issues: water pollution natural hazards: cyclones (November to April); almost completely surrounded by reefs that may pose maritime hazards international agreements: party to - Biodiversity, Climate Change, Endangered Species, Environmental Modification, Hazardous Wastes, Law of the Sea, Marine Life Conservation, Nuclear Test Ban, Ozone Layer Protection @Mauritius:People Population: 1,127,068 (July 1995 est.) Age structure: 0-14 years: 28% (female 152,892; male 158,891) 15-64 years: 66% (female 376,049; male 372,910) 65 years and over: 6% (female 39,088; male 27,238) (July 1995 est.) Population growth rate: 0.89% (1995 est.) Birth rate: 18.91 births/1,000 population (1995 est.) Death rate: 6.38 deaths/1,000 population (1995 est.) Net migration rate: -3.64 migrant(s)/1,000 population (1995 est.) Infant mortality rate: 17.8 deaths/1,000 live births (1995 est.) Life expectancy at birth: total population: 70.84 years male: 66.9 years female: 74.95 years (1995 est.) Total fertility rate: 2.2 children born/woman (1995 est.) Nationality: noun: Mauritian(s) adjective: Mauritian Ethnic divisions: Indo-Mauritian 68%, Creole 27%, Sino-Mauritian 3%, Franco-Mauritian 2% Religions: Hindu 52%, Christian 28.3% (Roman Catholic 26%, Protestant 2.3%), Muslim 16.6%, other 3.1% Languages: English (official), Creole, French, Hindi, Urdu, Hakka, Bojpoori Literacy: age 15 and over can read and write (1990) total population: 80% male: 85% female: 75% Labor force: 335,000 by occupation: government services 29%, agriculture and fishing 27%, manufacturing 22%, other 22% @Mauritius:Government Names: conventional long form: Republic of Mauritius conventional short form: Mauritius Digraph: MP Type: parliamentary democracy Capital: Port Louis Administrative divisions: 9 districts and 3 dependencies*; Agalega Islands*, Black River, Cargados Carajos*, Flacq, Grand Port, Moka, Pamplemousses, Plaines Wilhems, Port Louis, Riviere du Rempart, Rodrigues*, Savanne Independence: 12 March 1968 (from UK) National holiday: Independence Day, 12 March (1968) Constitution: 12 March 1968; amended 12 March 1992 Legal system: based on French civil law system with elements of English common law in certain areas Suffrage: 18 years of age; universal Executive branch: chief of state: President Cassam UTEEM (since 1 July 1992); Vice President Rabindranath GHURBURRON (since 1 July 1992) head of government: Prime Minister Sir Anerood JUGNAUTH (since 12 June 1982); Deputy Prime Minister Prem NABABSING (since 26 September 1990) cabinet: Council of Ministers; appointed by the president on recommendation of the prime minister Legislative branch: unicameral Legislative Assembly: elections last held on 15 September 1991 (next to be held by 15 September 1996); results - MSM/MMM 53%, MLP/PMSD 38%; seats - (66 total) MSM/MMM alliance 59 (MSM 29, MMM 26, OPR 2, MTD 2), MLP/PMSD 4 (MLP 3, PMSD 1); note - the Supreme Court denied the assignment of 3 seats to the MSM Judicial branch: Supreme Court Political parties and leaders: government coalition: Militant Socialist Movement (MSM), A. JUGNAUTH; Mauritian Militant Resurgence (RMM), Prem NABABSING (less 10 legislators under the leadership of Paul BERENGER, now voting with the opposition); Mauritian Social Democratic Party (PMSD), X. DUVAL; Organization of the People of Rodrigues (OPR), Louis Serge CLAIR; Democratic Labor Movement (MTD), Anil BAICHOO opposition: Mauritian Labor Party (MLP), Navin RAMGOOLMAN; MMM-Berenger Faction, Paul BERENGER; Socialist Workers Front, Sylvio MICHEL Other political or pressure groups: various labor unions Member of: ACCT, ACP, AfDB, C, CCC, ECA, FAO, G-77, GATT, IAEA, IBRD, ICAO, ICFTU, ICRM, IDA, IFAD, IFC, IFRCS, ILO, IMF, IMO, INMARSAT, INTELSAT, INTERPOL, IOC, ISO (correspondent), ITU, NAM, OAU, PCA, UN, UNCTAD, UNESCO, UNIDO, UPU, WCL, WFTU, WHO, WIPO, WMO, WTO Diplomatic representation in US: chief of mission: Ambassador Anund Priyay NEEWOOR chancery: Suite 441, 4301 Connecticut Avenue NW, Washington, DC 20008 telephone: [1] (202) 244-1491, 1492 FAX: [1] (202) 966-0983 US diplomatic representation: chief of mission: Ambassador Leslie M. ALEXANDER embassy: 4th Floor, Rogers House, John Kennedy Street, Port Louis mailing address: use embassy street address telephone: [230] 208-9763 through 9767 FAX: [230] 208-9534 Flag: four equal horizontal bands of red (top), blue, yellow, and green @Mauritius:Economy Overview: Since independence in 1968, Mauritius has developed from a low income, agriculturally based economy to middle income diversified economy with growing industrial and tourist sectors. For most of the period annual growth has been of the order of 5% to 6%. This remarkable achievement has been reflected in increased life expectancy, lowered infant mortality, and a much improved infrastructure. Sugarcane is grown on about 90% of the cultivated land area and accounts for 40% of export earnings. The government's development strategy centers on industrialization (with a view to modernization and to exports), agricultural diversification, and tourism. Economic performance in 1991-93 continued strong with solid real growth and low unemployment. National product: GDP - purchasing power parity - $9.3 billion (1993 est.) National product real growth rate: 4.7% (1993 est.) National product per capita: $8,600 (1994 est.) Inflation rate (consumer prices): 9.4% (1993 est.) Unemployment rate: 2.4% (1991 est.) Budget: revenues: $653 million expenditures: $567 million, including capital expenditures of $143 million (FY92/93 est.) Exports: $1.32 billion (f.o.b., 1993 est.) commodities: textiles 44%, sugar 40%, light manufactures 10% partners: EC and US have preferential treatment, EC 77%, US 15% Imports: $1.7 billion (f.o.b., 1993 est.) commodities: manufactured goods 50%, capital equipment 17%, foodstuffs 13%, petroleum products 8%, chemicals 7% partners: EC, US, South Africa, Japan External debt: $996.8 million (1993 est.) Industrial production: growth rate 5.8% (1992); accounts for 25% of GDP Electricity: capacity: 340,000 kW production: 920 million kWh consumption per capita: 777 kWh (1993) Industries: food processing (largely sugar milling), textiles, wearing apparel, chemicals, metal products, transport equipment, nonelectrical machinery, tourism Agriculture: accounts for 10% of GDP; about 90% of cultivated land in sugarcane; other products - tea, corn, potatoes, bananas, pulses, cattle, goats, fish; net food importer, especially rice and fish Illicit drugs: illicit producer of cannabis for the international drug trade; heroin consumption and transshipment are growing problems Economic aid: recipient: US commitments, including Ex-Im (FY70-89), $76 million; Western (non-US) countries (1970-89), $709 million; Communist countries (1970-89), $54 million Currency: 1 Mauritian rupee (MauR) = 100 cents Exchange rates: Mauritian rupees (MauRs) per US$1 - 17.755 (January 1995), 17.960 (1994), 17.648 (1993), 15.563 (1992), 15.652 (1991), 14.839 (1990) Fiscal year: 1 July - 30 June @Mauritius:Transportation Railroads: 0 km Highways: total: 1,800 km paved: 1,640 km unpaved: earth 160 km Ports: Port Louis Merchant marine: total: 16 ships (1,000 GRT or over) totaling 191,703 GRT/297,347 DWT ships by type: bulk 5, cargo 8, liquefied gas tanker 1, oil tanker 1, passenger-cargo 1 Airports: total: 5 with paved runways 2,438 to 3,047 m: 1 with paved runways 914 to 1,523 m: 1 with paved runways under 914 m: 2 with unpaved runways 914 to 1,523 m: 1 @Mauritius:Communications Telephone system: over 48,000 telephones; small system with good service local: NA intercity: utilizes primarily microwave radio relay international: 1 INTELSAT (Indian Ocean) earth station; new microwave link to Reunion; high-frequency radio links to several countries Radio: broadcast stations: AM 2, FM 0, shortwave 0 radios: NA Television: broadcast stations: 4 televisions: NA @Mauritius:Defense Forces Branches: National Police Force (includes the paramilitary Special Mobile Force or SMF, Special Support Units or SSU, and National Coast Guard) Manpower availability: males age 15-49 321,947; males fit for military service 163,904 (1995 est.) Defense expenditures: exchange rate conversion - $11.2 million, 0.4% of GDP (FY92/93) ________________________________________________________________________ MAYOTTE (territorial collectivity of France) @Mayotte:Geography Location: Southern Africa, island in the Mozambique Channel, about one-half of the way from northern Madagascar to northern Mozambique Map references: Africa Area: total area: 375 sq km land area: 375 sq km comparative area: slightly more than twice the size of Washington, DC Land boundaries: 0 km Coastline: 185.2 km Maritime claims: exclusive economic zone: 200 nm territorial sea: 12 nm International disputes: claimed by Comoros Climate: tropical; marine; hot, humid, rainy season during northeastern monsoon (November to May); dry season is cooler (May to November) Terrain: generally undulating with ancient volcanic peaks, deep ravines Natural resources: negligible Land use: arable land: NA% permanent crops: NA% meadows and pastures: NA% forest and woodland: NA% other: NA% Irrigated land: NA sq km Environment: current issues: NA natural hazards: cyclones during rainy season international agreements: NA Note: part of Comoro Archipelago @Mayotte:People Population: 97,088 (July 1995 est.) Age structure: 0-14 years: 49% (female 23,910; male 24,120) 15-64 years: 48% (female 22,824; male 23,935) 65 years and over: 3% (female 1,165; male 1,134) (July 1995 est.) Population growth rate: 3.8% (1995 est.) Birth rate: 48.44 births/1,000 population (1995 est.) Death rate: 10.46 deaths/1,000 population (1995 est.) Net migration rate: 0 migrant(s)/1,000 population (1995 est.) Infant mortality rate: 77.3 deaths/1,000 live births (1995 est.) Life expectancy at birth: total population: 58.27 years male: 56.04 years female: 60.57 years (1995 est.) Total fertility rate: 6.71 children born/woman (1995 est.) Nationality: noun: Mahorais (singular and plural) adjective: Mahoran Ethnic divisions: NA Religions: Muslim 99%, Christian (mostly Roman Catholic) Languages: Mahorian (a Swahili dialect), French Literacy: NA% Labor force: NA @Mayotte:Government Names: conventional long form: Territorial Collectivity of Mayotte conventional short form: Mayotte Digraph: MF Type: territorial collectivity of France Capital: Mamoutzou Administrative divisions: none (territorial collectivity of France) Independence: none (territorial collectivity of France) National holiday: National Day, Taking of the Bastille, 14 July (1789) Constitution: 28 September 1958 (French Constitution) Legal system: French law Suffrage: 18 years of age; universal Executive branch: chief of state: President Francois MITTERRAND (since 21 May 1981) head of government: Prefect Jean-Jacques DERACQ (since NA); President of the General Council Younoussa BAMANA (since NA 1976) Legislative branch: unicameral General Council (Conseil General): elections last held NA March 1994 (next to be held NA); results - percent of vote by party NA; seats - (19 total) MPM 12, RPR 4, independents 3 French Senate: elections last held on 24 September 1989 (next to be held NA September 1995); results - percent of vote by party NA; seats - (1 total) MPM 1 French National Assembly: elections last held 21 and 28 March 1993 (next to be held NA 1998); results - UDF-CDS 54.3%, RPR 44.3%; seats - (1 total) UDF-CDS 1 Judicial branch: Supreme Court (Tribunal Superieur d'Appel) Political parties and leaders: Mahoran Popular Movement (MPM), Younoussa BAMANA; Party for the Mahoran Democratic Rally (PRDM), Daroueche MAOULIDA; Mahoran Rally for the Republic (RPR), Mansour KAMARDINE; Union for French Democracy (UDF), Maoulida AHMED; Center of Social Democrats (CDS), Member of: FZ Diplomatic representation in US: none (territorial collectivity of France) US diplomatic representation: none (territorial collectivity of France) Flag: the flag of France is used @Mayotte:Economy Overview: Economic activity is based primarily on the agricultural sector, including fishing and livestock raising. Mayotte is not self-sufficient and must import a large portion of its food requirements, mainly from France. The economy and future development of the island are heavily dependent on French financial assistance. Mayotte's remote location is an obstacle to the development of tourism. National product: GDP - purchasing power parity - $54 million (1993 est.) National product real growth rate: NA% National product per capita: $600 (1993 est.) Inflation rate (consumer prices): NA% Unemployment rate: NA% Budget: revenues: $NA expenditures: $37.3 million, including capital expenditures of $NA (1985 est.) Exports: $4 million (f.o.b., 1984) commodities: ylang-ylang, vanilla partners: France 79%, Comoros 10%, Reunion 9% Imports: $21.8 million (f.o.b., 1984) commodities: building materials, transportation equipment, rice, clothing, flour partners: France 57%, Kenya 16%, South Africa 11%, Pakistan 8% External debt: $NA Industrial production: growth rate NA% Electricity: capacity: NA kW production: NA kWh consumption per capita: NA kWh Industries: newly created lobster and shrimp industry Agriculture: most important sector; provides all export earnings; crops - vanilla, ylang-ylang, coffee, copra; imports major share of food needs Economic aid: recipient: Western (non-US) countries, ODA and OOF bilateral commitments (1970-89), $402 million Currency: 1 French franc (F) = 100 centimes Exchange rates: French francs (F) per US$1 - 5.2943 (January 1995), 5.5520 (1994), 5.6632 (1993), 5.2938 (1992), 5.6421 (1991), 5.4453 (1990) Fiscal year: calendar year @Mayotte:Transportation Railroads: 0 km Highways: total: 42 km paved: bituminous 18 km unpaved: 24 km Ports: Dzaoudzi Merchant marine: none Airports: total: 1 with paved runways 914 to 1,523 m: 1 @Mayotte:Communications Telephone system: 450 telephones; small system administered by French Department of Posts and Telecommunications local: NA intercity: NA international: radio relay and high-frequency radio communications for links to Comoros and international communications Radio: broadcast stations: AM 1, FM 0, shortwave 0 radios: NA Television: broadcast stations: 0 televisions: NA @Mayotte:Defense Forces Note: defense is the responsibility of France ________________________________________________________________________ MEXICO @Mexico:Geography Location: Middle America, bordering the Caribbean Sea and the Gulf of Mexico, between Belize and the US and bordering the North Pacific Ocean, between Guatamala and the US Map references: North America Area: total area: 1,972,550 sq km land area: 1,923,040 sq km comparative area: slightly less than three times the size of Texas Land boundaries: total 4,538 km, Belize 250 km, Guatemala 962 km, US 3,326 km Coastline: 9,330 km Maritime claims: contiguous zone: 24 nm continental shelf: 200 nm or to the edge of the continental margin exclusive economic zone: 200 nm territorial sea: 12 nm International disputes: claims Clipperton Island (French possession) Climate: varies from tropical to desert Terrain: high, rugged mountains, low coastal plains, high plateaus, and desert Natural resources: petroleum, silver, copper, gold, lead, zinc, natural gas, timber Land use: arable land: 12% permanent crops: 1% meadows and pastures: 39% forest and woodland: 24% other: 24% Irrigated land: 51,500 sq km (1989 est.) Environment: current issues: natural fresh water resources scarce and polluted in north, inaccessible and poor quality in center and extreme southeast; raw sewage and industrial effluents polluting rivers in urban areas; deforestation; widespread erosion; desertification; serious air pollution in the national capital and urban centers along US-Mexico border natural hazards: tsunamis along the Pacific coast, destructive earthquakes in the center and south, and hurricanes on the Gulf and Caribbean coasts international agreements: party to - Biodiversity, Climate Change, Endangered Species, Hazardous Wastes, Law of the Sea, Marine Dumping, Marine Life Conservation, Nuclear Test Ban, Ozone Layer Protection, Ship Pollution, Wetlands, Whaling; signed, but not ratified - Desertification Note: strategic location on southern border of US @Mexico:People Population: 93,985,848 (July 1995 est.) Age structure: 0-14 years: 37% (female 17,028,091; male 17,631,110) 15-64 years: 59% (female 28,429,663; male 26,866,886) 65 years and over: 4% (female 2,184,998; male 1,845,100) (July 1995 est.) Population growth rate: 1.9% (1995 est.) Birth rate: 26.64 births/1,000 population (1995 est.) Death rate: 4.64 deaths/1,000 population (1995 est.) Net migration rate: -3.03 migrant(s)/1,000 population (1995 est.) Infant mortality rate: 26 deaths/1,000 live births (1995 est.) Life expectancy at birth: total population: 73.34 years male: 69.74 years female: 77.11 years (1995 est.) Total fertility rate: 3.09 children born/woman (1995 est.) Nationality: noun: Mexican(s) adjective: Mexican Ethnic divisions: mestizo (Indian-Spanish) 60%, Amerindian or predominantly Amerindian 30%, Caucasian or predominantly Caucasian 9%, other 1% Religions: nominally Roman Catholic 89%, Protestant 6% Languages: Spanish, various Mayan dialects Literacy: age 15 and over can read and write (1990) total population: 88% male: 90% female: 85% Labor force: 26.2 million (1990) by occupation: services 31.7%, agriculture, forestry, hunting, and fishing 28%, commerce 14.6%, manufacturing 11.1%, construction 8.4%, transportation 4.7%, mining and quarrying 1.5% @Mexico:Government Names: conventional long form: United Mexican States conventional short form: Mexico local long form: Estados Unidos Mexicanos local short form: Mexico Digraph: MX Type: federal republic operating under a centralized government Capital: Mexico Administrative divisions: 31 states (estados, singular - estado) and 1 federal district* (distrito federal); Aguascalientes, Baja California, Baja California Sur, Campeche, Chiapas, Chihuahua, Coahuila de Zaragoza, Colima, Distrito Federal*, Durango, Guanajuato, Guerrero, Hidalgo, Jalisco, Mexico, Michoacan de Ocampo, Morelos, Nayarit, Nuevo Leon, Oaxaca, Puebla, Queretaro de Arteaga, Quintana Roo, San Luis Potosi, Sinaloa, Sonora, Tabasco, Tamaulipas, Tlaxcala, Veracruz-Llave, Yucatan, Zacatecas Independence: 16 September 1810 (from Spain) National holiday: Independence Day, 16 September (1810) Constitution: 5 February 1917 Legal system: mixture of US constitutional theory and civil law system; judicial review of legislative acts; accepts compulsory ICJ jurisdiction, with reservations Suffrage: 18 years of age; universal and compulsory (but not enforced) Executive branch: chief of state and head of government: President Ernesto ZEDILLO Ponce de Leon (since 1 December 1994); election last held on 21 August 1994 (next to be held NA); results - Ernesto ZEDILLO Ponce de Leon (PRI) 50.18%, Cuauhtemoc CARDENAS Solorzano (PRD) 17.08%, Diego FERNANDEZ de Cevallos (PAN) 26.69%; other 6.049% cabinet: Cabinet; appointed by the president Legislative branch: bicameral National Congress (Congreso de la Union) Senate (Camara de Senadores): elections last held on 21 August 1994 (next to be held NA); results - percent of vote by party NA; seats in full Senate - (128 total; Senate expanded from 64 seats at the last election) PRI 93, PRD 25, PAN 10 Chamber of Deputies (Camara de Diputados): elections last held on 24 August 1994 (next to be held NA); results - percent of vote by party NA; seats - (500 total) PRI 300, PAN 119, PRD 71, PFCRN 10 Judicial branch: Supreme Court of Justice (Corte Suprema de Justicia) Political parties and leaders: (recognized parties) Institutional Revolutionary Party (PRI), Maria de los Angeles MORENO; National Action Party (PAN), Carlos CASTILLO; Popular Socialist Party (PPS), Indalecio SAYAGO Herrera; Democratic Revolutionary Party (PRD), Porfirio MUNOZ Ledo; Cardenist Front for the National Reconstruction Party (PFCRN), Rafael AGUILAR Talamantes; Authentic Party of the Mexican Revolution (PARM), Rosa Maria MARTINEZ Denagri; Democratic Forum Party (PFD), Pablo Emilio MADERO; Mexican Green Ecologist Party (PVEM), Jorge GONZALEZ Torres Other political or pressure groups: Roman Catholic Church; Confederation of Mexican Workers (CTM); Confederation of Industrial Chambers (CONCAMIN); Confederation of National Chambers of Commerce (CONCANACO); National Peasant Confederation (CNC); Revolutionary Workers Party (PRT); Revolutionary Confederation of Workers and Peasants (CROC); Regional Confederation of Mexican Workers (CROM); Confederation of Employers of the Mexican Republic (COPARMEX); National Chamber of Transformation Industries (CANACINTRA); Coordinator for Foreign Trade Business Organizations (COECE); Federation of Unions Providing Goods and Services (FESEBES) Member of: AG (observer), APEC, BCIE, CARICOM (observer), CCC, CDB, CG, EBRD, ECLAC, FAO, G- 6, G-11, G-15, G-19, G-24, GATT, IADB, IAEA, IBRD, ICAO, ICC, ICFTU, ICRM, IDA, IFAD, IFC, IFRCS, ILO, IMF, IMO, INMARSAT, INTELSAT, INTERPOL, IOC, IOM (observer), ISO, ITU, LAES, LAIA, NAM (observer), OAS, OECD, ONUSAL, OPANAL, PCA, RG, UN, UNCTAD, UNESCO, UNIDO, UNITAR, UNU, UPU, WCL, WFTU, WHO, WIPO, WMO, WTO Diplomatic representation in US: chief of mission: Ambassador Jesus SILVA HERZOG Flores chancery: 1911 Pennsylvania Avenue NW, Washington, DC 20006 telephone: [1] (202) 728-1600 consulate(s) general: Atlanta, Chicago, Dallas, Denver, El Paso, Houston, Los Angeles, Miami, New Orleans, New York, San Antonio, San Diego, San Francisco, San Juan (Puerto Rico) consulate(s): Albuquerque, Austin, Boston, Brownsville (Texas), Calexico (California), Corpus Christi, Del Rio (Texas), Detroit, Eagle Pass (Texas), Fresno (California), Loredo, McAllen (Texas), Midland (Texas), Nogales (Arizona), Oxnard (California), Philadelphia, Phoenix, Sacramento, St. Louis, Salt Lake City, San Bernardino, San Jose, Santa Ana, Seattle US diplomatic representation: chief of mission: Ambassador James R. JONES embassy: Paseo de la Reforma 305, Colonia Cuauhtemoc, 06500 Mexico, Distrito Federal mailing address: P. O. Box 3087, Laredo, TX 78044-3087 telephone: [52] (5) 211-0042 FAX: [52] (5) 511-9980, 208-3373 consulate(s) general: Ciudad Juarez, Guadalajara, Monterrey, Tijuana consulate(s): Hermosillo, Matamoros, Merida, Nuevo Laredo Flag: three equal vertical bands of green (hoist side), white, and red; the coat of arms (an eagle perched on a cactus with a snake in its beak) is centered in the white band @Mexico:Economy Overview: Mexico, under the guidance of new President Ernesto ZEDILLO, entered 1995 in the midst of a severe financial crisis. Mexico's membership in the North American Free Trade Agreement (NAFTA) with the United States and Canada, its solid record of economic reforms, and its strong growth in the second and third quarters of 1994 - at an annual rate of 3.8% and 4.5% respectively - seemed to augur bright prospects for 1995. However, an overvalued exchange rate and widening current account deficits created an imbalance that ultimately proved unsustainable. To finance the trade gap, Mexico City had become increasingly reliant on volatile portfolio investment. A series of political shocks in 1994 - an uprising in the southern state of Chiapas, the assassination of a presidential candidate, several high profile kidnappings, the killing of a second high-level political figure, and renewed threats from the Chiapas rebels - combined with rising international interest rates and concerns of a devaluation to undermine investor confidence and prompt massive outflows of capital. The dwindling of foreign exchange reserves, which the central bank had been using to defend the currency, forced the new administration to change the exchange rate policy and allow the currency to float freely in the last days of 1994. The adjustment roiled Mexican financial markets, leading to a 30% to 40% weakening of the peso relative to the dollar. ZEDILLO announced an emergency economic program that included federal budget cuts and plans for more privatizations, but it failed to restore investor confidence quickly. While the devaluation is likely to help Mexican exporters, whose products are now cheaper, it also raises the specter of an inflationary spiral if domestic producers increase their prices and workers demand wage hikes. Although strong economic fundamentals bode well for Mexico's longer-term outlook, prospects for solid growth and low inflation have deteriorated considerably, at least through 1995. National product: GDP - purchasing power parity - $728.7 billion (1994 est.) National product real growth rate: 3.5% (1994 est.) National product per capita: $7,900 (1994 est.) Inflation rate (consumer prices): 7.1% (1994 est.) Unemployment rate: 9.8% (1994 est.) Budget: revenues: $96.99 billion (1994 est.) expenditures: $96.51 billion (1994 est.), including capital expenditures of $NA (1994 est.) Exports: $60.8 billion (f.o.b., 1994 est.), includes in-bond industries commodities: crude oil, oil products, coffee, silver, engines, motor vehicles, cotton, consumer electronics partners: US 82%, Japan 1.4%, EC 5% (1993 est.) Imports: $79.4 billion (f.o.b., 1994 est.), includes in-bond industries commodities: metal-working machines, steel mill products, agricultural machinery, electrical equipment, car parts for assembly, repair parts for motor vehicles, aircraft, and aircraft parts partners: US 74%, Japan 4.7%, EC 11% (1993 est.) External debt: $128 billion (1994 est.) Industrial production: growth rate 4.5% (1994 est.) Electricity: capacity: 28,780,000 kW production: 122 billion kWh consumption per capita: 1,239 kWh (1993) Industries: food and beverages, tobacco, chemicals, iron and steel, petroleum, mining, textiles, clothing, motor vehicles, consumer durables, tourism Agriculture: accounts for 7% of GDP; large number of small farms at subsistence level; major food crops - corn, wheat, rice, beans; cash crops - cotton, coffee, fruit, tomatoes Illicit drugs: illicit cultivation of opium poppy and cannabis continues in spite of government eradication program; major supplier of heroin and marijuana to the US market; continues as the primary transshipment country for US-bound cocaine and marijuana from South America; increasingly involved in the production and distribution of methamphetamine Economic aid: recipient: US commitments, including Ex-Im (FY70-89), $3.1 billion; Western (non-US) countries, ODA and OOF bilateral commitments (1970-89), $7.7 billion; Communist countries (1970-89), $110 million Currency: 1 New Mexican peso (Mex$) = 100 centavos Exchange rates: market rate of Mexican pesos (Mex$) per US$1 - 6.736 (average in March 1995), 5.5133 (January 1995), 3.3751 (1994), 3.1156 (1993), 3,094.9 (1992), 3,018.4 (1991), 2,812.6 (1990) note: the new peso replaced the old peso on 1 January 1993; 1 new peso = 1,000 old pesos Fiscal year: calendar year @Mexico:Transportation Railroads: total: 24,500 km standard gauge: 24,410 km 1.435-m gauge narrow gauge: 93 km 0.914-m gauge Highways: total: 242,300 km paved: 84,800 km (including 3,166 km of expressways) unpaved: gravel and earth 157,500 km Inland waterways: 2,900 km navigable rivers and coastal canals Pipelines: crude oil 28,200 km; petroleum products 10,150 km; natural gas 13,254 km; petrochemical 1,400 km Ports: Acapulco, Altamira, Coatzacoalcos, Ensenada, Guaymas, La Paz, Lazaro Cardenas, Manzanillo, Mazatlan, Progreso, Salina Cruz, Tampico, Topolobampo, Tuxpan, Veracruz Merchant marine: total: 59 ships (1,000 GRT or over) totaling 949,271 GRT/1,340,595 DWT ships by type: bulk 1, cargo 2, chemical tanker 4, container 7, liquefied gas tanker 7, oil tanker 30, refrigerated cargo 2, roll-on/roll-off cargo 2, short-sea passenger 4 Airports: total: 2,055 with paved runways over 3,047 m: 9 with paved runways 2,438 to 3,047 m: 25 with paved runways 1,524 to 2,437 m: 82 with paved runways 914 to 1,523 m: 75 with paved runways under 914 m: 1,262 with unpaved runways over 3,047 m: 1 with unpaved runways 2,438 to 3,047 m: 2 with unpaved runways 1,524 to 2,438 m: 60 with unpaved runways 914 to 1,523 m: 539 @Mexico:Communications Telephone system: 6,410,000 telephones; highly developed system with extensive microwave radio relay links; privatized in December 1990 local: adequate phone service for business and government, but, at a density of less than 7 telephones/100 persons, the population is poorly served intercity: includes 120 domestic satellite terminals and an extensive network of microwave radio relay links international: 5 INTELSAT (4 Atlantic Ocean and 1 Pacific Ocean) earth stations; connected into Central America Microwave System; launched Solidarity I satellite in November 1993 Radio: broadcast stations: AM 679, FM 0, shortwave 22 radios: NA Television: broadcast stations: 238 televisions: NA @Mexico:Defense Forces Branches: National Defense (includes Army and Air Force), Navy (includes Marines) Manpower availability: males age 15-49 23,354,445; males fit for military service 17,029,788; males reach military age (18) annually 1,054,513 (1995 est.) Defense expenditures: $NA, NA% of GDP ________________________________________________________________________ MICRONESIA, FEDERATED STATES OF @Micronesia, Federated States Of:Geography Location: Oceania, island group in the North Pacific Ocean, about three-quarters of the way from Hawaii to Indonesia Map references: Oceania Area: total area: 702 sq km land area: 702 sq km comparative area: slightly less than four times the size of Washington, DC note: includes Pohnpei (Ponape), Truk (Chuuk), Yap, and Kosrae Land boundaries: 0 km Coastline: 6,112 km Maritime claims:
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