$NA (continued 4)
Reading edition
International organization participation:
CE, CEI, EAPC, EBRD, FAO, IAEA, IBRD, ICAO, ICCt, ICRM, IDA, IFC, IFRCS, ILO, IMF, IMO, IMSO, Interpol, IOC, IOM, IPU, ISO (correspondent), ITU, ITUC, MIGA, OPCW, OSCE, PCA, PFP, SECI, UN, UNESCO, UNHCR, UNIDO, UNMIL, UNWTO, UPU, WCO, WFTU, WHO, WIPO, WMO, WTO (observer)
Diplomatic representation in the US:
chief of mission: Ambassador Miodrag VLAHOVIC
chancery: 1610 New Hampshire Avenue NW, Washington, DC, 20009
telephone: [1] (202) 234-6108
FAX: [1] (202) 234-6109
consulate(s) general: New York
Diplomatic representation from the US:
chief of mission: Ambassador Roderick W. MOORE
embassy: Ljubljanska bb, 81000 Podgorica, Montenegro
mailing address: use embassy street address
telephone: [382] 81 225 417
FAX: [382] 81 241 358
Flag description:
a red field bordered by a narrow golden-yellow stripe with the Montenegrin coat of arms centered
Economy ::Montenegro
Economy - overview:
Montenegro severed its economy from federal control and from Serbia during the MILOSEVIC era and maintained its own central bank, adopted the Deutchmark, then the euro - rather than the Yugoslav dinar - as official currency, collected customs tariffs, and managed its own budget. The dissolution of the loose political union between Serbia and Montenegro in 2006 led to separate membership in several international financial institutions, such as the European Bank for Reconstruction and Development. On 18 January 2007, Montenegro joined the World Bank and IMF. Montenegro is pursuing its own membership in the World Trade Organization and signed a Stabilization and Association agreement with the European Union in October 2007. On December 15, 2008, Montenegro submitted an EU membership application. Unemployment and regional disparities in development are key political and economic problems. Montenegro has privatized its large aluminum complex - the dominant industry - as well as most of its financial sector, and has begun to attract foreign direct investment in the tourism sector. The global financial crisis is likely to have a significant negative impact on the economy.
GDP (purchasing power parity):
$6.832 billion (2008 est.) country comparison to the world: 153 $6.355 billion (2007 est.)
$5.804 billion (2006 est.)
note: data are in 2008 US dollars
GDP (official exchange rate):
$4.848 billion (2008 est.)
GDP - real growth rate:
7.5% (2008 est.) country comparison to the world: 27 9.5% (2007 est.)
8.6% (2006 est.)
GDP - per capita (PPP):
$10,100 (2008 est.) country comparison to the world: 104 $9,300 (2007 est.)
$8,400 (2006 est.)
note: data are in 2008 US dollars
GDP - composition by sector:
agriculture: NA%
industry: NA%
services: NA%
Labor force:
259,100 (2004) country comparison to the world: 162
Labor force - by occupation:
agriculture: 2%
industry: 30%
services: 68% (2004 est.)
Unemployment rate:
14.7% (2007 est.) country comparison to the world: 152
Population below poverty line:
7% (2007 est.)
Distribution of family income - Gini index:
30 (2003) country comparison to the world: 115
Investment (gross fixed):
30.5% of GDP (2006 est.) country comparison to the world: 22
Budget:
revenues: NA
expenditures: NA
Public debt:
38% of GDP (2006) country comparison to the world: 59
Inflation rate (consumer prices):
3.4% (2007) country comparison to the world: 43
Commercial bank prime lending rate:
9.24% (31 December 2008) country comparison to the world: 92 9.09% (31 December 2007)
Stock of money:
$NA (31 December 2008)
$1.172 billion (31 December 2007)
Stock of quasi money:
$NA (31 December 2008)
$1.446 billion (31 December 2007)
Stock of domestic credit:
$NA (31 December 2008)
$3.083 billion (31 December 2007)
Market value of publicly traded shares:
$NA (31 December 2008) country comparison to the world: 90 $3.699 billion (31 December 2007)
$1.754 billion (31 December 2006)
Agriculture - products:
grains, tobacco, potatoes, citrus fruits, olives, grapes; sheepherding; commercial fishing negligible
Industries:
steelmaking, aluminum, agricultural processing, consumer goods, tourism
Electricity - production:
2.864 billion kWh (2005 est.) country comparison to the world: 128
Electricity - consumption:
18.6 million kWh (2005) country comparison to the world: 206
Electricity - exports:
0 kWh (2005)
Electricity - imports:
0 kWh (2005)
Oil - production:
0 bbl/day (2008 est.) country comparison to the world: 165
Oil - consumption:
bbl/day NA
Oil - exports:
313.6 bbl/day (2005) country comparison to the world: 127
Oil - imports:
6,093 bbl/day (2005) country comparison to the world: 152
Oil - proved reserves:
0 bbl (1 January 2009 est.) country comparison to the world: 103
Natural gas - consumption:
NA cu m
Current account balance:
-$1.102 billion (2007 est.) country comparison to the world: 124
Exports:
$171.3 million (2003) country comparison to the world: 183
Imports:
$601.7 million (2003) country comparison to the world: 182
Reserves of foreign exchange and gold:
$NA
Debt - external:
$650 million (2006) country comparison to the world: 160
Exchange rates:
euros (EUR) per US dollar - 0.6827 (2008 est.), 0.7345 (2007), 0.7964 (2006), 0.8041 (2005), 0.8054 (2004)
Communications ::Montenegro
Telephones - main lines in use:
362,000 (2008) country comparison to the world: 105
Telephones - mobile cellular:
735,000 (2008) country comparison to the world: 147
Telephone system:
general assessment: modern telecommunications system with access to European satellites
domestic: GSM wireless service, available through 3 providers with national coverage, is growing
international: country code - 382; 2 international switches connect the national system
Radio broadcast stations:
31 (station frequency types NA) (2004)
Television broadcast stations:
13 (2004)
Internet country code:
.me
Internet hosts:
3,245 (2009) country comparison to the world: 141
Internet users:
294,000 (2008) country comparison to the world: 128
Transportation ::Montenegro
Airports:
5 (2009) country comparison to the world: 182
Airports - with paved runways:
total: 3
2,438 to 3,047 m: 2
1,524 to 2,437 m: 1 (2009)
Airports - with unpaved runways:
total: 2
914 to 1,523 m: 1
under 914 m: 1 (2009)
Heliports:
1 (2007)
Railways:
total: 250 km country comparison to the world: 126 standard gauge: 250 km 1.435-m gauge (electrified 169 km) (2007)
Roadways:
total: 7,368 km country comparison to the world: 146 paved: 4,742 km
unpaved: 2,626 km (2006)
Merchant marine:
total: 6 country comparison to the world: 129 by type: cargo 5, passenger/cargo 1
registered in other countries: 3 (Bahamas 2, Saint Vincent and the Grenadines 1) (2008)
Ports and terminals:
Bar
Military ::Montenegro
Military branches:
Armed Forces of the Republic of Montenegro: Army, Navy, Air Force (2009)
Military service age and obligation:
compulsory national military service abolished August 2006
Manpower fit for military service:
males age 16-49: 154,029
females age 16-49: 136,847 (2009 est.)
Manpower reaching militarily significant age annually:
male: 3,945
female: 3,907 (2009 est.)
Military - note:
Montenegrin plans call for the establishment of a fully professional armed forces
Transnational Issues ::Montenegro
Disputes - international:
none
Refugees and internally displaced persons:
refugees (country of origin): 7,000 (Kosovo); note - mostly ethnic Serbs and Roma who fled Kosovo in 1999
IDPs: 16,192 (ethnic conflict in 1999 and riots in 2004) (2007)
Trafficking in persons:
current situation: Montenegro is primarily a transit country for the trafficking of women and girls to Western Europe for the purpose of commercial sexual exploitation; women and girls from the Balkans and Eastern Europe are trafficked across Montenegro to Western European countries
tier rating: Tier 2 Watch List - Montenegro is on the Tier 2 Watch List for its failure to provide evidence of increasing efforts to combat trafficking in persons in 2007; public attention to the issue of trafficking has diminished considerably in Montenegro in recent years (2008)
page last updated on November 11, 2009
======================================================================
@Montserrat (Central America and Caribbean)
Introduction ::Montserrat
Background:
English and Irish colonists from St. Kitts first settled on Montserrat in 1632; the first African slaves arrived three decades later. The British and French fought for possession of the island for most of the 18th century, but it finally was confirmed as a British possession in 1783. The island's sugar plantation economy was converted to small farm landholdings in the mid 19th century. Much of this island was devastated and two-thirds of the population fled abroad because of the eruption of the Soufriere Hills Volcano that began on 18 July 1995. Montserrat has endured volcanic activity since, with the last eruption occurring in July 2003.
Geography ::Montserrat
Location:
Caribbean, island in the Caribbean Sea, southeast of Puerto Rico
Geographic coordinates:
16 45 N, 62 12 W
Map references:
Central America and the Caribbean
Area:
total: 102 sq km country comparison to the world: 225 land: 102 sq km
water: 0 sq km
Area - comparative:
about 0.6 times the size of Washington, DC
Land boundaries:
0 km
Coastline:
40 km
Maritime claims:
territorial sea: 3 nm
exclusive fishing zone: 200 nm
Climate:
tropical; little daily or seasonal temperature variation
Terrain:
volcanic island, mostly mountainous, with small coastal lowland
Elevation extremes:
lowest point: Caribbean Sea 0 m
highest point: lava dome in English's Crater (in the Soufriere Hills volcanic complex) estimated at over 930 m (2006)
Natural resources:
NEGL
Land use:
arable land: 20%
permanent crops: 0%
other: 80% (2005)
Irrigated land:
NA
Natural hazards:
severe hurricanes (June to November); volcanic eruptions (Soufriere Hills volcano has erupted continuously since 1995)
Environment - current issues:
land erosion occurs on slopes that have been cleared for cultivation
Geography - note:
the island is entirely volcanic in origin and comprised of three major volcanic centers of differing ages
People ::Montserrat
Population:
5,097 country comparison to the world: 228 note: an estimated 8,000 refugees left the island following the resumption of volcanic activity in July 1995; some have returned (July 2009 est.)
Age structure:
0-14 years: 27.6% (male 731/female 678)
15-64 years: 65.5% (male 1,599/female 1,738)
65 years and over: 6.9% (male 232/female 119) (2009 est.)
Median age:
total: 28.5 years
male: 28.2 years
female: 28.7 years (2009 est.)
Population growth rate:
0.392% (2009 est.) country comparison to the world: 167
Birth rate:
12.36 births/1,000 population (2009 est.) country comparison to the world: 166
Death rate:
8.44 deaths/1,000 population (July 2009 est.) country comparison to the world: 96
Net migration rate:
NA
Urbanization:
urban population: 14% of total population (2008)
rate of urbanization: 2.2% annual rate of change (2005-10 est.)
Sex ratio:
at birth: 1.03 male(s)/female
under 15 years: 1.08 male(s)/female
15-64 years: 0.92 male(s)/female
65 years and over: 1.95 male(s)/female
total population: 1.01 male(s)/female (2009 est.)
Infant mortality rate:
total: 16.08 deaths/1,000 live births country comparison to the world: 122 male: 12.01 deaths/1,000 live births
female: 20.36 deaths/1,000 live births (2009 est.)
Life expectancy at birth:
total population: 72.76 years country comparison to the world: 115 male: 74.74 years
female: 70.68 years (2009 est.)
Total fertility rate:
1.23 children born/woman (2009 est.) country comparison to the world: 216
HIV/AIDS - adult prevalence rate:
NA
HIV/AIDS - people living with HIV/AIDS:
NA
HIV/AIDS - deaths:
NA
Nationality:
noun: Montserratian(s)
adjective: Montserratian
Ethnic groups:
black, white
Religions:
Anglican, Methodist, Roman Catholic, Pentecostal, Seventh-Day Adventist, other Christian denominations
Languages:
English
Literacy:
definition: age 15 and over has ever attended school
total population: 97%
male: 97%
female: 97% (1970 est.)
School life expectancy (primary to tertiary education):
total: 16 years
male: 15 years
female: 16 years (2006)
Education expenditures:
3.3% of GDP (2004) country comparison to the world: 137
Government ::Montserrat
Country name:
conventional long form: none
conventional short form: Montserrat
Dependency status:
overseas territory of the UK
Government type:
NA
Capital:
name: Plymouth
geographic coordinates: 16 42 N, 62 13 W
time difference: UTC-4 (1 hour ahead of Washington, DC during Standard Time)
note: Plymouth was abandoned in 1997 because of volcanic activity; interim government buildings have been built at Brades Estate in the Carr's Bay/Little Bay vicinity at the northwest end of Montserrat
Administrative divisions:
3 parishes; Saint Anthony, Saint Georges, Saint Peter
Independence:
none (overseas territory of the UK)
National holiday:
Birthday of Queen ELIZABETH II, second Saturday in June (1926)
Constitution:
effective 19 December 1989
Legal system:
English common law and statutory law
Suffrage:
18 years of age; universal
Executive branch:
chief of state: Queen ELIZABETH II (since 6 February 1952); represented by Governor Peter A. WATERWORTH (since 27 July 2007)
head of government: Chief Minister Rueben MEADE (since 10 September 2009)
cabinet: Executive Council consists of the governor, the chief minister, 3 other ministers, the attorney general, and the finance secretary
elections: the monarch is hereditary; governor appointed by the monarch; following legislative elections, the leader of the majority party usually becomes chief minister
Legislative branch:
unicameral Legislative Council (11 seats, 9 popularly elected; members serve five-year terms)
note: expanded in 2001 from 7 to 9 elected members with attorney general and financial secretary sitting as ex-officio members
elections: last held 8 September 2009 (next to be held by 2014)
election results: percent of vote by party - NA; seats by party - MCAP 6, independents 3
note: in 2001, the Elections Commission instituted a single constituency/voter-at-large system whereby all eligible voters cast ballots for all nine seats of the Legislative Council
Judicial branch:
Eastern Caribbean Supreme Court (based in Saint Lucia, one judge of the Supreme Court is a resident of the islands and presides over the High Court)
Political parties and leaders:
Montserrat Democratic Party or MDP [Lowell LEWIS]; Movement for Change and Prosperity or MCAP [Roselyn CASSELL-SEALY]; New People's Liberation Movement or NPLM [John A. OSBORNE]
Political pressure groups and leaders:
NA
International organization participation:
Caricom, CDB, Interpol (subbureau), OECS, UPU, WFTU
Diplomatic representation in the US:
none (overseas territory of the UK)
Diplomatic representation from the US:
none (overseas territory of the UK)
Flag description:
blue, with the flag of the UK in the upper hoist-side quadrant and the Montserratian coat of arms centered in the outer half of the flag; the coat of arms features a woman standing beside a yellow harp with her arm around a black cross
Economy ::Montserrat
Economy - overview:
Severe volcanic activity, which began in July 1995, has put a damper on this small, open economy. A catastrophic eruption in June 1997 closed the airports and seaports, causing further economic and social dislocation. Two-thirds of the 12,000 inhabitants fled the island. Some began to return in 1998 but lack of housing limited the number. The agriculture sector continued to be affected by the lack of suitable land for farming and the destruction of crops. Prospects for the economy depend largely on developments in relation to the volcanic activity and on public sector construction activity. The UK has launched a three-year $122.8 million aid program to help reconstruct the economy. Half of the island is expected to remain uninhabitable for another decade.
GDP (purchasing power parity):
$29 million (2002 est.) country comparison to the world: 224
GDP (official exchange rate):
$NA
GDP - real growth rate:
-1% (2002 est.) country comparison to the world: 208
GDP - per capita (PPP):
$3,400 (2002 est.) country comparison to the world: 160
GDP - composition by sector:
agriculture: 1.2%
industry: 23.1%
services: 75.7% (1999 est.)
Labor force:
NA
Unemployment rate:
6% (1998 est.) country comparison to the world: 73
Population below poverty line:
NA%
Household income or consumption by percentage share:
lowest 10%: NA%
highest 10%: NA%
Budget:
revenues: $31.4 million
expenditures: $31.6 million (1997 est.)
Inflation rate (consumer prices):
2.6% (2002 est.) country comparison to the world: 27
Central bank discount rate:
6.5% (31 December 2008) country comparison to the world: 65 6.5% (31 December 2007)
Commercial bank prime lending rate:
9.89% (31 December 2008) country comparison to the world: 81 10.4% (31 December 2007)
Stock of money:
$16.71 million (31 December 2008) country comparison to the world: 120 $17.9 million (31 December 2007)
Stock of quasi money:
$45.42 million (31 December 2008) country comparison to the world: 123 $43.9 million (31 December 2007)
Stock of domestic credit:
$9.93 million (31 December 2008) country comparison to the world: 128 $5.537 million (31 December 2007)
Agriculture - products:
cabbages, carrots, cucumbers, tomatoes, onions, peppers; livestock products
Industries:
tourism, rum, textiles, electronic appliances
Industrial production growth rate:
NA%
Electricity - production:
22 million kWh (2007 est.) country comparison to the world: 205
Electricity - consumption:
20.46 million kWh (2007 est.) country comparison to the world: 205
Electricity - exports:
0 kWh (2008 est.)
Electricity - imports:
0 kWh (2008 est.)
Oil - production:
0 bbl/day (2008 est.) country comparison to the world: 167
Oil - consumption:
1,000 bbl/day (2008 est.) country comparison to the world: 196
Oil - exports:
0 bbl/day (2007 est.) country comparison to the world: 185
Oil - imports:
520.6 bbl/day (2007 est.) country comparison to the world: 198
Oil - proved reserves:
0 bbl (1 January 2009 est.) country comparison to the world: 105
Natural gas - production:
0 cu m (2008 est.) country comparison to the world: 160
Natural gas - consumption:
0 cu m (2008 est.) country comparison to the world: 160
Natural gas - exports:
0 cu m (2008) country comparison to the world: 155
Natural gas - imports:
0 cu m (2008 est.) country comparison to the world: 96
Natural gas - proved reserves:
0 cu m (1 January 2009 est.) country comparison to the world: 112
Exports:
$700,000 (2001) country comparison to the world: 219
Exports - commodities:
electronic components, plastic bags, apparel; hot peppers, limes, live plants; cattle
Imports:
$17 million
Imports - commodities:
machinery and transportation equipment, foodstuffs, manufactured goods, fuels, lubricants, and related materials
Debt - external:
$8.9 million (1997) country comparison to the world: 198
Exchange rates:
East Caribbean dollars (XCD) per US dollar - 2.7 (2007), 2.7 (2006), 2.7 (2005), 2.7 (2004), 2.7 (2003)
note: fixed rate since 1976
Communications ::Montserrat
Telephones - main lines in use:
2,800 (2008) country comparison to the world: 218
Telephones - mobile cellular:
3,000 (2008) country comparison to the world: 214
Telephone system:
general assessment: modern and fully digitalized
domestic: fixed-line and mobile-cellular telephone systems available
international: country code - 1-664; landing point for the East Caribbean Fiber System (ECFS) optic submarine cable with links to 13 other islands in the eastern Caribbean extending from the British Virgin Islands to Trinidad
Radio broadcast stations:
AM 1, FM 2, shortwave 0 (1998)
Television broadcast stations:
1 (1997)
Internet country code:
.ms
Internet hosts:
688 (2009) country comparison to the world: 168
Internet users:
1,200 (2008) country comparison to the world: 211
Transportation ::Montserrat
Airports:
2 (2009) country comparison to the world: 207
Airports - with paved runways:
total: 2
under 914 m: 2 (2009)
Roadways:
note: volcanic eruptions that began in 1995 destroyed most of the 227 km road system; a new road infrastructure has been built in the north end of the island (2008)
Ports and terminals:
Little Bay, Plymouth
Military ::Montserrat
Military branches:
no regular military forces; Royal Montserrat Police Force (2008)
Manpower available for military service:
males age 16-49: 2,528 (2008 est.)
Manpower fit for military service:
males age 16-49: 1,126
females age 16-49: 1,226 (2009 est.)
Manpower reaching militarily significant age annually:
male: 36
female: 33 (2009 est.)
Military - note:
defense is the responsibility of the UK
Transnational Issues ::Montserrat
Disputes - international:
none
Illicit drugs:
transshipment point for South American narcotics destined for the US and Europe
page last updated on November 4, 2009
======================================================================
@Morocco (Africa)
Introduction ::Morocco
Background:
In 788, about a century after the Arab conquest of North Africa, successive Moorish dynasties began to rule in Morocco. In the 16th century, the Sa'adi monarchy, particularly under Ahmad AL-MANSUR (1578-1603), repelled foreign invaders and inaugurated a golden age. In 1860, Spain occupied northern Morocco and ushered in a half century of trade rivalry among European powers that saw Morocco's sovereignty steadily erode; in 1912, the French imposed a protectorate over the country. A protracted independence struggle with France ended successfully in 1956. The internationalized city of Tangier and most Spanish possessions were turned over to the new country that same year. Morocco virtually annexed Western Sahara during the late 1970s, but final resolution on the status of the territory remains unresolved. Gradual political reforms in the 1990s resulted in the establishment of a bicameral legislature, which first met in 1997. The country has made improvements in human rights under King MOHAMMED VI and its press is moderately free. Despite the continuing reforms, ultimate authority remains in the hands of the monarch.
Geography ::Morocco
Location:
Northern Africa, bordering the North Atlantic Ocean and the Mediterranean Sea, between Algeria and Western Sahara
Geographic coordinates:
32 00 N, 5 00 W
Map references:
Africa
Area:
total: 446,550 sq km country comparison to the world: 57 land: 446,300 sq km
water: 250 sq km
Area - comparative:
slightly larger than California
Land boundaries:
total: 2,017.9 km
border countries: Algeria 1,559 km, Western Sahara 443 km, Spain (Ceuta) 6.3 km, Spain (Melilla) 9.6 km
Coastline:
1,835 km
Maritime claims:
territorial sea: 12 nm
contiguous zone: 24 nm
exclusive economic zone: 200 nm
continental shelf: 200 m depth or to the depth of exploitation
Climate:
Mediterranean, becoming more extreme in the interior
Terrain:
northern coast and interior are mountainous with large areas of bordering plateaus, intermontane valleys, and rich coastal plains
Elevation extremes:
lowest point: Sebkha Tah -55 m
highest point: Jebel Toubkal 4,165 m
Natural resources:
phosphates, iron ore, manganese, lead, zinc, fish, salt
Land use:
arable land: 19%
permanent crops: 2%
other: 79% (2005)
Irrigated land:
14,450 sq km (2003)
Total renewable water resources:
29 cu km (2003)
Freshwater withdrawal (domestic/industrial/agricultural):
total: 12.6 cu km/yr (10%/3%/87%)
per capita: 400 cu m/yr (2000)
Natural hazards:
northern mountains geologically unstable and subject to earthquakes; periodic droughts
Environment - current issues:
land degradation/desertification (soil erosion resulting from farming of marginal areas, overgrazing, destruction of vegetation); water supplies contaminated by raw sewage; siltation of reservoirs; oil pollution of coastal waters
Environment - international agreements:
party to: Biodiversity, Climate Change, Climate Change-Kyoto Protocol, Desertification, Endangered Species, Hazardous Wastes, Law of the Sea, Marine Dumping, Ozone Layer Protection, Ship Pollution, Wetlands, Whaling
signed, but not ratified: Environmental Modification
Geography - note:
strategic location along Strait of Gibraltar
People ::Morocco
Population:
34,859,364 (July 2009 est.) country comparison to the world: 35
Age structure:
0-14 years: 30% (male 5,333,396/female 5,131,886)
15-64 years: 64.7% (male 11,261,139/female 11,305,792)
65 years and over: 5.2% (male 781,089/female 1,046,062) (2009 est.)
Median age:
total: 25 years
male: 24.5 years
female: 25.6 years (2009 est.)
Population growth rate:
1.479% (2009 est.) country comparison to the world: 93
Birth rate:
20.96 births/1,000 population (2009 est.) country comparison to the world: 92
Death rate:
5.45 deaths/1,000 population (July 2009 est.) country comparison to the world: 178
Net migration rate:
-0.72 migrant(s)/1,000 population (2009 est.) country comparison to the world: 116
Urbanization:
urban population: 56% of total population (2008)
rate of urbanization: 1.8% annual rate of change (2005-10 est.)
Sex ratio:
at birth: 1.05 male(s)/female
under 15 years: 1.04 male(s)/female
15-64 years: 1 male(s)/female
65 years and over: 0.75 male(s)/female
total population: 0.99 male(s)/female (2009 est.)
Infant mortality rate:
total: 36.88 deaths/1,000 live births country comparison to the world: 69 male: 40.35 deaths/1,000 live births
female: 33.24 deaths/1,000 live births (2009 est.)
Life expectancy at birth:
total population: 71.8 years country comparison to the world: 125 male: 69.42 years
female: 74.3 years (2009 est.)
Total fertility rate:
2.51 children born/woman (2009 est.) country comparison to the world: 94
HIV/AIDS - adult prevalence rate:
0.1% (2007 est.) country comparison to the world: 132
HIV/AIDS - people living with HIV/AIDS:
21,000 (2007 est.) country comparison to the world: 77
HIV/AIDS - deaths:
fewer than 1,000 (2007 est.) country comparison to the world: 80
Nationality:
noun: Moroccan(s)
adjective: Moroccan
Ethnic groups:
Arab-Berber 99.1%, other 0.7%, Jewish 0.2%
Religions:
Muslim 98.7%, Christian 1.1%, Jewish 0.2%
Languages:
Arabic (official), Berber dialects, French often the language of business, government, and diplomacy
Literacy:
definition: age 15 and over can read and write
total population: 52.3%
male: 65.7%
female: 39.6% (2004 census)
School life expectancy (primary to tertiary education):
total: 10 years
male: 11 years
female: 9 years (2005)
Education expenditures:
NA
Government ::Morocco
Country name:
conventional long form: Kingdom of Morocco
conventional short form: Morocco
local long form: Al Mamlakah al Maghribiyah
local short form: Al Maghrib
Government type:
constitutional monarchy
Capital:
name: Rabat
geographic coordinates: 34 01 N, 6 49 W
time difference: UTC 0 (5 hours ahead of Washington, DC during Standard Time)
Administrative divisions:
15 regions; Grand Casablanca, Chaouia-Ouardigha, Doukkala-Abda, Fes-Boulemane, Gharb-Chrarda-Beni Hssen, Guelmim-Es Smara, Laayoune-Boujdour-Sakia El Hamra, Marrakech-Tensift-Al Haouz, Meknes-Tafilalet, Oriental, Rabat-Sale-Zemmour-Zaer, Souss-Massa-Draa, Tadla-Azilal, Tanger-Tetouan, Taza-Al Hoceima-Taounate
note: Morocco claims the territory of Western Sahara, the political status of which is considered undetermined by the US Government; portions of the regions Guelmim-Es Smara and Laayoune-Boujdour-Sakia El Hamra as claimed by Morocco lie within Western Sahara; Morocco also claims Oued Eddahab-Lagouira, another region which falls entirely within Western Sahara
Independence:
2 March 1956 (from France)
National holiday:
Throne Day (accession of King MOHAMMED VI to the throne), 30 July (1999)
Constitution:
10 March 1972; revised 4 September 1992, amended September 1996
note: the amendment of September 1996 was to create a bicameral legislature
Legal system:
based on Islamic law and French and Spanish civil law systems; judicial review of legislative acts in Constitutional Chamber of Supreme Court; has not accepted compulsory ICJ jurisdiction
Suffrage:
18 years of age; universal (as of January 2003)
Executive branch:
chief of state: King MOHAMMED VI (since 30 July 1999)
head of government: Prime Minister Abbas EL FASSI (since 19 September 2007)
cabinet: Council of Ministers appointed by the monarch
elections: the monarch is hereditary; prime minister appointed by the monarch following legislative elections
Legislative branch:
bicameral Parliament consists of a Chamber of Counselors (or upper house) (270 seats; members elected indirectly by local councils, professional organizations, and labor syndicates for nine-year terms; one-third of the members are elected every three years) and Chamber of Representatives (or lower house) (325 seats; 295 members elected by multi-seat constituencies and 30 from national lists of women; members elected by popular vote for five-year terms)
elections: Chamber of Counselors - last held 8 September 2006 (next to be held in 2009); Chamber of Representatives - last held 7 September 2007 (next to be held in 2012)
election results: Chamber of Counselors - percent of vote by party - NA; seats by party - PI 17, MP 14, RNI 13, USFP 11, UC 6, PND 4, PPS 4, Al Ahd 4, other 17; Chamber of Representatives - percent of vote by party - NA; seats by party - PI 52, PJD 46, MP 41, RNI 39, USFP 38, UC 27, PPS 17, FFD 9, MDS 9, Al Ahd 8, other 39
Judicial branch:
Supreme Court (judges are appointed on the recommendation of the Supreme Council of the Judiciary, presided over by the monarch)
Political parties and leaders:
Action Party or PA [Mohammed EL IDRISSI]; Al Ahd (The Covenant) Party [Najib EL OUAZZANI]; Alliance des Libert'es (Alliance of Liberty) or ADL [Ali BELHAJ]; An-Nahj Ad-Dimocrati or An-Nahj [Abdellah EL HARIF]; Authenticity and Modernity Party or PAM [Mohamed Cheikh BIADILLAH, Secretary General]; Choura et Istiqlal (Consultation and Independence) Party or PCI [Abdelwahed MAACH]; Citizens' Forces or FC [Abderrahman LAHJOUJI]; Citizenship and Development Initiative or ICD [Mohamed BENHAMOU]; Constitutional Union Party or UC [Mohammed ABIED]; Democratic and Social Movement or MDS [Mahmoud ARCHANE]; Democratic Forces Front or FFD [Touhami EL KHIARI]; Democratic Socialist Vanguard Party or PADS [Ahmed BENJELLOUN]; Democratic Society Party or PSD [Zhor CHEKKAFI]; Democratic Union or UD [Bouazza IKKEN]; Environment and Development Party or PED [Ahmed EL ALAMI]; Istiqlal (Independence) Party or PI [Abbas EL FASSI]; Justice and Development Party or PJD [Abdelilah BENKIRANE]; Labor Party or PT [Abdelkrim BENATIK]; Moroccan Liberal Party or PML [Mohamed ZIANE]; National Democratic Party or PND [Abdallah KADIRI]; National Ittihadi Congress Party or CNI [Abdelmajid BOUZOUBAA]; National Popular Movement or MNP [Mahjoubi AHERDANE]; National Rally of Independents or RNI [Mustapha EL MANSOURI]; National Union of Popular Forces or UNFP [Abdellah IBRAHIM]; Popular Movement or MP [Mohamed LAENSER]; Progress and Socialism Party or PPS [Ismail ALAOUI]; Reform and Development Party or PRD [Abderrahmane EL KOUHEN]; Renaissance and Virtue Party or PRV [Mohamed KHALIDI]; Renewal and Equity Party or PRE [Chakir ACHABAR]; Social Center Party or PSC [Lahcen MADIH]; Socialist Democratic Party or PSD [Aissa OUARDIGHI]; Socialist Union of Popular Forces or USFP [Abdelwahed RADI]; Unified Socialist Left Party or PGSU [Mohamed Ben Said AIT IDDER]
Political pressure groups and leaders:
Democratic Confederation of Labor or CDT [Noubir AMAOUI]; General Union of Moroccan Workers or UGTM [Abderrazzak AFILAL]; Moroccan Employers Association or CGEM [Hassan CHAMI]; National Labor Union of Morocco or UNMT [Abdelslam MAATI]; Union of Moroccan Workers or UMT [Mahjoub BENSEDDIK]
International organization participation:
ABEDA, AfDB, AFESD, AMF, AMU, EBRD, FAO, G-77, IAEA, IBRD, ICAO, ICC, ICCt (signatory), ICRM, IDA, IDB, IFAD, IFC, IFRCS, IHO, ILO, IMF, IMO, IMSO, Interpol, IOC, IOM, IPU, ISO, ITSO, ITU, ITUC, LAS, MIGA, MONUC, NAM, OAS (observer), OIC, OIF, OPCW, OSCE (partner), PCA, UN, UNCTAD, UNESCO, UNHCR, UNIDO, UNOCI, UNWTO, UPU, WCL, WCO, WFTU, WHO, WIPO, WMO, WTO
Diplomatic representation in the US:
chief of mission: Ambassador Aziz MEKOUAR
chancery: 1601 21st Street NW, Washington, DC 20009
telephone: [1] (202) 462-7979
FAX: [1] (202) 265-0161
consulate(s) general: New York
Diplomatic representation from the US:
chief of mission: Ambassador (vacant); Charge d'Affaires Robert P. JACKSON
embassy: 2 Avenue de Mohamed El Fassi, Rabat
mailing address: PSC 74, Box 021, APO AE 09718
telephone: [212] (37) 76 22 65
FAX: [212] (37) 76 56 61
consulate(s) general: Casablanca
Flag description:
red with a green pentacle (five-pointed, linear star) known as Sulayman's (Solomon's) seal in the center of the flag; red and green are traditional colors in Arab flags, although the use of red is more commonly associated with the Arab states of the Persian gulf; design dates to 1912
Economy ::Morocco
Economy - overview:
Moroccan economic policies brought macroeconomic stability to the country in the early 1990s but have not spurred growth sufficient to reduce unemployment - nearing 20% in urban areas - despite the Moroccan Government's ongoing efforts to diversify the economy. Morocco's GDP growth rose to 5.9% in 2008, with the economy recovering from a drought in 2007 that severely reduced agricultural output and necessitated wheat imports at rising world prices. Moroccan authorities understand that reducing poverty and providing jobs are key to domestic security and development. In 2005, Morocco launched the National Initiative for Human Development (INDH), a $2 billion social development plan to address poverty and unemployment and to improve the living conditions of the country's urban slums. Moroccan authorities are implementing reform efforts to open the economy to international investors. Despite structural adjustment programs supported by the IMF, the World Bank, and the Paris Club, the dirham is only fully convertible for current account transactions. In 2000, Morocco entered an Association Agreement with the EU and, in 2006, entered a Free Trade Agreement (FTA) with the US. Long-term challenges include improving education and job prospects for Morocco's youth, and closing the income gap between the rich and the poor, which the government hopes to achieve by increasing tourist arrivals and boosting competitiveness in textiles.
GDP (purchasing power parity):
$137.9 billion (2008 est.) country comparison to the world: 59 $129.9 billion (2007 est.)
$125.9 billion (2006 est.)
note: data are in 2008 US dollars
GDP (official exchange rate):
$88.88 billion (2008 est.)
GDP - real growth rate:
6.2% (2008 est.) country comparison to the world: 53 3.2% (2007 est.)
7.8% (2006 est.)
GDP - per capita (PPP):
$4,500 (2008 est.) country comparison to the world: 148 $4,200 (2007 est.)
$4,200 (2006 est.)
note: data are in 2008 US dollars
GDP - composition by sector:
agriculture: 15.7%
industry: 30.1%
services: 54.1% (2008 est.)
Labor force:
11.29 million (2008 est.) country comparison to the world: 44
Labor force - by occupation:
agriculture: 44.6%
industry: 19.8%
services: 35.5% (2006 est.)
Unemployment rate:
9.5% (2008 est.) country comparison to the world: 121 9.8% (2007 est.)
Population below poverty line:
15% (2007 est.)
Household income or consumption by percentage share:
lowest 10%: 2.7%
highest 10%: 33.2% (2007)
Distribution of family income - Gini index:
40 (2005 est.) country comparison to the world: 61 39.5 (1999 est.)
Investment (gross fixed):
32.1% of GDP (2008 est.) country comparison to the world: 17
Budget:
revenues: $26.16 billion
expenditures: $27.93 billion (2008 est.)
Public debt:
55.6% of GDP (2008 est.) country comparison to the world: 32 70.2% of GDP (2004 est.)
Inflation rate (consumer prices):
3.8% (2008 est.) country comparison to the world: 56 2% (2007 est.)
Central bank discount rate:
3.32% (31 December 2008) country comparison to the world: 132 3.25% (31 December 2007)
Commercial bank prime lending rate:
NA%
Stock of money:
$NA (31 December 2008)
$67.42 billion (31 December 2007)
Stock of quasi money:
$NA (31 December 2008)
$16.23 billion (31 December 2007)
Stock of domestic credit:
$NA (31 December 2008)
$71.9 billion (31 December 2007)
Market value of publicly traded shares:
$65.75 billion (31 December 2008) country comparison to the world: 52 $75.49 billion (31 December 2007)
$49.36 billion (31 December 2006)
Agriculture - products:
barley, wheat, citrus, wine, vegetables, olives; livestock
Industries:
phosphate rock mining and processing, food processing, leather goods, textiles, construction, tourism
Industrial production growth rate:
4.7% (2008 est.) country comparison to the world: 54
Electricity - production:
21.56 billion kWh (2007 est.) country comparison to the world: 70
Electricity - consumption:
20.78 billion kWh (2007 est.) country comparison to the world: 67
Electricity - exports:
0 kWh (2008 est.)
Electricity - imports:
3.455 billion kWh (2007 est.)
Oil - production:
4,310 bbl/day (2008 est.) country comparison to the world: 96
Oil - consumption:
187,000 bbl/day (2008 est.) country comparison to the world: 58
Oil - exports:
17,420 bbl/day (2007 est.) country comparison to the world: 92
Oil - imports:
195,800 bbl/day (2007 est.) country comparison to the world: 49
Oil - proved reserves:
750,000 bbl (1 January 2009 est.) country comparison to the world: 97
Natural gas - production:
60 million cu m (2008 est.) country comparison to the world: 81
Natural gas - consumption:
560 million cu m (2008 est.) country comparison to the world: 94
Natural gas - exports:
0 cu m (2008) country comparison to the world: 151
Natural gas - imports:
500 million cu m (2008 est.) country comparison to the world: 59
Natural gas - proved reserves:
1.501 billion cu m (1 January 2009 est.) country comparison to the world: 97
Current account balance:
-$5.836 billion (2008 est.) country comparison to the world: 160 -$224 million (2007 est.)
Exports:
$20.17 billion (2008 est.) country comparison to the world: 72 $15.15 billion (2007 est.)
Exports - commodities:
clothing and textiles, electric components, inorganic chemicals, transistors, crude minerals, fertilizers (including phosphates), petroleum products, citrus fruits, vegetables, fish
Exports - partners:
Spain 19.2%, France 17.6%, Brazil 7.1%, US 4.5%, Belgium 4.5%, Italy 4.3% (2008)
Imports:
$39.35 billion (2008 est.) country comparison to the world: 53 $29.32 billion (2007 est.)
Imports - commodities:
crude petroleum, textile fabric, telecommunications equipment, wheat, gas and electricity, transistors, plastics
Imports - partners:
France 16.1%, Spain 13.5%, Italy 6.5%, China 6%, Germany 5.6%, Saudi Arabia 5.4%, Moldova 5% (2008)
Reserves of foreign exchange and gold:
$22.72 billion (31 December 2008 est.) country comparison to the world: 50 $24.72 billion (31 December 2007 est.)
Debt - external:
$20.12 billion (31 December 2008 est.) country comparison to the world: 72 $19.91 billion (31 December 2007 est.)
Stock of direct foreign investment - at home:
$40.92 billion (31 December 2008 est.)
Stock of direct foreign investment - abroad:
$966 million (31 December 2008 est.) country comparison to the world: 73 $1.337 billion (31 December 2007 est.)
Exchange rates:
Moroccan dirhams (MAD) per US dollar - 7.526 (2008 est.), 8.3563 (2007), 8.7722 (2006), 8.865 (2005), 8.868 (2004)
Communications ::Morocco
Telephones - main lines in use:
2.991 million (2008) country comparison to the world: 50
Telephones - mobile cellular:
22.816 million (2008) country comparison to the world: 35
Telephone system:
general assessment: modern system with all important capabilities; however, density is low with only 9 fixed lines available for each 100 persons; mobile-cellular subscribership reached 65 per 100 persons in 2008
domestic: good system composed of open-wire lines, cables, and microwave radio relay links; Internet available but expensive; principal switching centers are Casablanca and Rabat; national network nearly 100% digital using fiber-optic links; improved rural service employs microwave radio relay
international: country code - 212; landing point for the SEA-ME-WE-3 optical telecommunications submarine cable that provides connectivity to Asia, the Middle East, and Europe; satellite earth stations - 2 Intelsat (Atlantic Ocean) and 1 Arabsat; microwave radio relay to Gibraltar, Spain, and Western Sahara; coaxial cable and microwave radio relay to Algeria; participant in Medarabtel; fiber-optic cable link from Agadir to Algeria and Tunisia (2008)
Radio broadcast stations:
AM 27, FM 25, shortwave 6 (1998)
Television broadcast stations:
35 (plus 66 repeaters) (1995)
Internet country code:
.ma
Internet hosts:
276,521 (2009) country comparison to the world: 57
Internet users:
10.3 million (2008) country comparison to the world: 31
Transportation ::Morocco
Airports:
58 (2009) country comparison to the world: 81
Airports - with paved runways:
total: 32
over 3,047 m: 11
2,438 to 3,047 m: 7
1,524 to 2,437 m: 10
914 to 1,523 m: 4 (2009)
Airports - with unpaved runways:
total: 26
2,438 to 3,047 m: 1
1,524 to 2,437 m: 7
914 to 1,523 m: 10
under 914 m: 8 (2009)
Heliports:
1 (2009)
Pipelines:
gas 830 km; oil 439 km (2008)
Railways:
total: 1,907 km country comparison to the world: 74 standard gauge: 1,907 km 1.435-m gauge (1,022 km electrified) (2008)
Roadways:
total: 57,625 km country comparison to the world: 76 paved: 35,664 km (includes 639 km of expressways)
unpaved: 21,961 km (2006)
Merchant marine:
total: 35 country comparison to the world: 81 by type: cargo 3, chemical tanker 6, container 8, passenger/cargo 13, petroleum tanker 1, roll on/roll off 4
foreign-owned: 16 (France 14, Germany 2)
registered in other countries: 4 (Gibraltar 4) (2008)
Ports and terminals:
Agadir, Casablanca, Mohammedia, Safi
Military ::Morocco
Military branches:
Royal Armed Forces (Forces Armees Royales, FAR): Royal Moroccan Army (includes Air Defense), Navy (includes Marines), Royal Moroccan Air Force (Al Quwwat al Jawyiya al Malakiya Marakishiya; Force Aerienne Royale Marocaine) (2008)
Military service age and obligation:
18 years of age for compulsory and voluntary military service; conscript service obligation - 18 months (2004)
Manpower available for military service:
males age 16-49: 9,152,580
females age 16-49: 9,080,830 (2008 est.)
Manpower fit for military service:
males age 16-49: 7,779,589
females age 16-49: 7,881,024 (2009 est.)
Manpower reaching militarily significant age annually:
male: 356,014
female: 343,520 (2009 est.)
Military expenditures:
5% of GDP (2003 est.) country comparison to the world: 19
Transnational Issues ::Morocco
Disputes - international:
claims and administers Western Sahara whose sovereignty remains unresolved - UN-administered cease-fire has remained in effect since September 1991, but attempts to hold a referendum have failed and parties thus far have rejected all brokered proposals; Morocco protests Spain's control over the coastal enclaves of Ceuta, Melilla, and Penon de Velez de la Gomera, the islands of Penon de Alhucemas and Islas Chafarinas, and surrounding waters; discussions have not progressed on a comprehensive maritime delimitation, setting limits on resource exploration and refugee interdiction, since Morocco's 2002 rejection of Spain's unilateral designation of a median line from the Canary Islands; Morocco serves as one of the primary launching areas of illegal migration into Spain from North Africa
Illicit drugs:
one of the world's largest producers of illicit hashish; shipments of hashish mostly directed to Western Europe; transit point for cocaine from South America destined for Western Europe; significant consumer of cannabis
page last updated on November 11, 2009
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@Mozambique (Africa)
Introduction ::Mozambique
Background:
Almost five centuries as a Portuguese colony came to a close with independence in 1975. Large-scale emigration, economic dependence on South Africa, a severe drought, and a prolonged civil war hindered the country's development until the mid 1990's. The ruling Front for the Liberation of Mozambique (FRELIMO) party formally abandoned Marxism in 1989, and a new constitution the following year provided for multiparty elections and a free market economy. A UN-negotiated peace agreement between FRELIMO and rebel Mozambique National Resistance (RENAMO) forces ended the fighting in 1992. In December 2004, Mozambique underwent a delicate transition as Joaquim CHISSANO stepped down after 18 years in office. His elected successor, Armando Emilio GUEBUZA, promised to continue the sound economic policies that have encouraged foreign investment. Mozambique has seen very strong economic growth since the end of the civil war largely due to post-conflict reconstruction.
Geography ::Mozambique
Location:
Southeastern Africa, bordering the Mozambique Channel, between South Africa and Tanzania
Geographic coordinates:
18 15 S, 35 00 E
Map references:
Africa
Area:
total: 799,380 sq km country comparison to the world: 35 land: 786,380 sq km
water: 13,000 sq km
Area - comparative:
slightly less than twice the size of California
Land boundaries:
total: 4,571 km
border countries: Malawi 1,569 km, South Africa 491 km, Swaziland 105 km, Tanzania 756 km, Zambia 419 km, Zimbabwe 1,231 km
Coastline:
2,470 km
Maritime claims:
territorial sea: 12 nm
exclusive economic zone: 200 nm
Climate:
tropical to subtropical
Terrain:
mostly coastal lowlands, uplands in center, high plateaus in northwest, mountains in west
Elevation extremes:
lowest point: Indian Ocean 0 m
highest point: Monte Binga 2,436 m
Natural resources:
coal, titanium, natural gas, hydropower, tantalum, graphite
Land use:
arable land: 5.43%
permanent crops: 0.29%
other: 94.28% (2005)
Irrigated land:
1,180 sq km (2003)
Total renewable water resources:
216 cu km (1992)
Freshwater withdrawal (domestic/industrial/agricultural):
total: 0.63 cu km/yr (11%/2%/87%)
per capita: 32 cu m/yr (2000)
Natural hazards:
severe droughts; devastating cyclones and floods in central and southern provinces
Environment - current issues:
a long civil war and recurrent drought in the hinterlands have resulted in increased migration of the population to urban and coastal areas with adverse environmental consequences; desertification; pollution of surface and coastal waters; elephant poaching for ivory is a problem
Environment - international agreements:
party to: Biodiversity, Climate Change, Climate Change-Kyoto Protocol, Desertification, Endangered Species, Hazardous Wastes, Law of the Sea, Ozone Layer Protection, Ship Pollution, Wetlands
signed, but not ratified: none of the selected agreements
Geography - note:
the Zambezi flows through the north-central and most fertile part of the country
People ::Mozambique
Population:
21,669,278 country comparison to the world: 52 note: estimates for this country explicitly take into account the effects of excess mortality due to AIDS; this can result in lower life expectancy, higher infant mortality, higher death rates, lower population growth rates, and changes in the distribution of population by age and sex than would otherwise be expected; the 1997 Mozambican census reported a population of 16,099,246 (July 2009 est.)
Age structure:
0-14 years: 44.3% (male 4,829,272/female 4,773,209)
15-64 years: 52.8% (male 5,605,227/female 5,842,679)
65 years and over: 2.9% (male 257,119/female 361,772) (2009 est.)
Median age:
total: 17.4 years
male: 17 years
female: 17.8 years (2009 est.)
Population growth rate:
1.791% (2009 est.) country comparison to the world: 72
Birth rate:
37.98 births/1,000 population (2009 est.) country comparison to the world: 25
Death rate:
20.07 deaths/1,000 population (July 2009 est.) country comparison to the world: 7
Net migration rate:
NA (2009 est.)
Urbanization:
urban population: 37% of total population (2008)
rate of urbanization: 4.1% annual rate of change (2005-10 est.)
Sex ratio:
at birth: 1.02 male(s)/female
under 15 years: 1.01 male(s)/female
15-64 years: 0.96 male(s)/female
65 years and over: 0.71 male(s)/female
total population: 0.97 male(s)/female (2009 est.)
Infant mortality rate:
total: 105.8 deaths/1,000 live births country comparison to the world: 7 male: 108.57 deaths/1,000 live births
female: 103 deaths/1,000 live births (2009 est.)
Life expectancy at birth:
total population: 41.18 years country comparison to the world: 220 male: 41.83 years
female: 40.53 years (2009 est.)
Total fertility rate:
5.18 children born/woman (2009 est.) country comparison to the world: 24
HIV/AIDS - adult prevalence rate:
12.5% (2007 est.) country comparison to the world: 8
HIV/AIDS - people living with HIV/AIDS:
1.5 million (2007 est.) country comparison to the world: 5
HIV/AIDS - deaths:
81,000 (2007 est.) country comparison to the world: 8
Major infectious diseases:
degree of risk: very high
food or waterborne diseases: bacterial and protozoal diarrhea, hepatitis A, and typhoid fever
vectorborne diseases: malaria and plague
water contact disease: schistosomiasis
animal contact disease: rabies (2009)
Nationality:
noun: Mozambican(s)
adjective: Mozambican
Ethnic groups:
African 99.66% (Makhuwa, Tsonga, Lomwe, Sena, and others), Europeans 0.06%, Euro-Africans 0.2%, Indians 0.08%
Religions:
Catholic 23.8%, Muslim 17.8%, Zionist Christian 17.5%, other 17.8%, none 23.1% (1997 census)
Languages:
Emakhuwa 26.1%, Xichangana 11.3%, Portuguese 8.8% (official; spoken by 27% of population as a second language), Elomwe 7.6%, Cisena 6.8%, Echuwabo 5.8%, other Mozambican languages 32%, other foreign languages 0.3%, unspecified 1.3% (1997 census)
Literacy:
definition: age 15 and over can read and write
total population: 47.8%
male: 63.5%
female: 32.7% (2003 est.)
School life expectancy (primary to tertiary education):
total: 8 years
male: 9 years
female: 7 years (2005)
Education expenditures:
5% of GDP (2005) country comparison to the world: 75
Government ::Mozambique
Country name:
conventional long form: Republic of Mozambique
conventional short form: Mozambique
local long form: Republica de Mocambique
local short form: Mocambique
former: Portuguese East Africa
Government type:
republic
Capital:
name: Maputo
geographic coordinates: 25 57 S, 32 35 E
time difference: UTC+2 (7 hours ahead of Washington, DC during Standard Time)
Administrative divisions:
10 provinces (provincias, singular - provincia), 1 city (cidade)*; Cabo Delgado, Gaza, Inhambane, Manica, Maputo, Cidade de Maputo*, Nampula, Niassa, Sofala, Tete, Zambezia
Independence:
25 June 1975 (from Portugal)
National holiday:
Independence Day, 25 June (1975)
Constitution:
30 November 1990
Legal system:
based on Portuguese civil law system and customary law; has not accepted compulsory ICJ jurisdiction
Suffrage:
18 years of age; universal
Executive branch:
chief of state: President Armando GUEBUZA (since 2 February 2005)
head of government: Prime Minister Luisa DIOGO (since 17 February 2004)
cabinet: Cabinet
elections: president elected by popular vote for a five-year term (eligible for a second term); election last held 28 October 2009 (next to be held in 2014); prime minister appointed by the president
election results: Armando GUEBUZA relected president; percent of vote - Armando GUEBUZA 76.3%, Afonso DHLAKAMA 14.9%, Daviz SIMANGO 8.8%
Legislative branch:
unicameral Assembly of the Republic or Assembleia da Republica (250 seats; members are directly elected by popular vote to serve five-year terms)
elections: last held 1-2 December 2004 (next to be held on 28 October 2009)
election results: percent of vote by party - FRELIMO 62%, RENAMO 29.7%, other 8.3%; seats by party - FRELIMO 160, RENAMO 90
Judicial branch:
Supreme Court (the court of final appeal; some of its professional judges are appointed by the president, and some are elected by the Assembly); other courts include an Administrative Court, Constitutional Court, customs courts, maritime courts, courts marshal, labor courts
Political parties and leaders:
Front for the Liberation of Mozambique (Frente de Liberatacao de Mocambique) or FRELIMO [Armando Emilio GUEBUZA]; Mozambique National Resistance (Resistencia Nacional Mocambicana) or RENAMO [Afonso DHLAKAMA]
Political pressure groups and leaders:
Mozambican League of Human Rights (Liga Mocambicana dos Direitos Humanos) or LDH [Alice MABOTE, president]
International organization participation:
ACP, AfDB, AU, C, CPLP, FAO, G-77, IAEA, IBRD, ICAO, ICCt (signatory), ICRM, IDA, IDB, IFAD, IFC, IFRCS, IHO, ILO, IMF, IMO, IMSO, Interpol, IOC, IOM (observer), IPU, ISO (correspondent), ITSO, ITU, ITUC, MIGA, MONUC, NAM, OIC, OIF (observer), OPCW, SADC, UN, UNCTAD, UNESCO, UNHCR, UNIDO, Union Latina, UNMIS, UNWTO, UPU, WCO, WFTU, WHO, WIPO, WMO, WTO
Diplomatic representation in the US:
chief of mission: Ambassador Armando PANGUENE
chancery: 1525 New Hampshire Avenue, Washington, DC 20036
telephone: [1] (202) 293-7146
FAX: [1] (202) 835-0245
Diplomatic representation from the US:
chief of mission: Ambassador (vacant); Charge d'Affaires Todd C. CHAPMAN
embassy: Avenida Kenneth Kuanda 193, Maputo
mailing address: P. O. Box 783, Maputo
telephone: [258] (21) 492797
FAX: [258] (21) 490114
Flag description:
three equal horizontal bands of green (top), black, and yellow with a red isosceles triangle based on the hoist side; the black band is edged in white; centered in the triangle is a yellow five-pointed star bearing a crossed rifle and hoe in black superimposed on an open white book
Economy ::Mozambique
Economy - overview:
At independence in 1975, Mozambique was one of the world's poorest countries. Socialist mismanagement and a brutal civil war from 1977-92 exacerbated the situation. In 1987, the government embarked on a series of macroeconomic reforms designed to stabilize the economy. These steps, combined with donor assistance and with political stability since the multi-party elections in 1994, have led to dramatic improvements in the country's growth rate. Inflation was reduced to single digits during the late 1990s, and although it returned to double digits in 2000-06, in 2007 inflation had slowed to 8%, while GDP growth reached 7.5%. Fiscal reforms, including the introduction of a value-added tax and reform of the customs service, have improved the government's revenue collection abilities. In spite of these gains, Mozambique remains dependent upon foreign assistance for much of its annual budget, and the majority of the population remains below the poverty line. Subsistence agriculture continues to employ the vast majority of the country's work force. A substantial trade imbalance persists although the opening of the Mozal aluminum smelter, the country's largest foreign investment project to date, has increased export earnings. At the end of 2007, and after years of negotiations, the government took over Portugal's majority share of the Cahora Bassa Hydroelectricity (HCB) company, a dam that was not transferred to Mozambique at independence because of the ensuing civil war and unpaid debts. More power is needed for additional investment projects in titanium extraction and processing and garment manufacturing that could further close the import/export gap. Mozambique's once substantial foreign debt has been reduced through forgiveness and rescheduling under the IMF's Heavily Indebted Poor Countries (HIPC) and Enhanced HIPC initiatives, and is now at a manageable level. In July 2007 the Millennium Challenge Corporation (MCC) signed a Compact with Mozambique; the Compact entered into force in September 2008 and will continue for five years. Compact projects will focus on improving sanitation, roads, agriculture, and the business regulation environment in an effort to spur economic growth in the four northern provinces of the country.
GDP (purchasing power parity):
$19.11 billion (2008 est.) country comparison to the world: 124 $17.89 billion (2007 est.)
$16.66 billion (2006 est.)
note: data are in 2008 US dollars
GDP (official exchange rate):
$9.897 billion (2008 est.)
GDP - real growth rate:
6.8% (2008 est.) country comparison to the world: 42 7.4% (2007 est.)
8.5% (2006 est.)
GDP - per capita (PPP):
$900 (2008 est.) country comparison to the world: 215 $900 (2007 est.)
$800 (2006 est.)
note: data are in 2008 US dollars
GDP - composition by sector:
agriculture: 23.5%
industry: 30.9%
services: 45.6% (2008 est.)
Labor force:
9.65 million (2008 est.) country comparison to the world: 50
Labor force - by occupation:
agriculture: 81%
industry: 6%
services: 13% (1997 est.)
Unemployment rate:
21% (1997 est.) country comparison to the world: 169
Population below poverty line:
70% (2001 est.)
Household income or consumption by percentage share:
lowest 10%: 2.1%
highest 10%: 39.2% (2003)
Distribution of family income - Gini index:
47.3 (2002) country comparison to the world: 34 39.6 (1997)
Investment (gross fixed):
24.9% of GDP (2008 est.) country comparison to the world: 52
Budget:
revenues: $2.801 billion
expenditures: $3.28 billion (2008 est.)
Public debt:
21.4% of GDP (2008 est.) country comparison to the world: 90 22.2% of GDP (2007 est.)
Inflation rate (consumer prices):
10.3% (2008 est.) country comparison to the world: 150 8.2% (2007 est.)
Central bank discount rate:
9.95% (31 December 2008) country comparison to the world: 43 9.95% (31 December 2007)
Commercial bank prime lending rate:
18.31% (31 December 2008) country comparison to the world: 17 19.52% (31 December 2007)
Stock of money:
$1.406 billion (31 December 2008) country comparison to the world: 79 $1.261 billion (31 December 2007)
Stock of quasi money:
$1.752 billion (31 December 2008) country comparison to the world: 85 $1.467 billion (31 December 2007)
Stock of domestic credit:
$1.315 billion (31 December 2008) country comparison to the world: 103 $877.2 million (31 December 2007)
Market value of publicly traded shares:
$NA
Agriculture - products:
cotton, cashew nuts, sugarcane, tea, cassava (tapioca), corn, coconuts, sisal, citrus and tropical fruits, potatoes, sunflowers; beef, poultry
Industries:
food, beverages, chemicals (fertilizer, soap, paints), aluminum, petroleum products, textiles, cement, glass, asbestos, tobacco
Industrial production growth rate:
9% (2008 est.) country comparison to the world: 17
Electricity - production:
15.91 billion kWh (2007 est.) country comparison to the world: 77
Electricity - consumption:
10.16 billion kWh (2007 est.) country comparison to the world: 83
Electricity - exports:
11.82 billion kWh (2007 est.)
Electricity - imports:
8.278 billion kWh (2007 est.)
Oil - production:
0 bbl/day (2008 est.) country comparison to the world: 159
Oil - consumption:
16,000 bbl/day (2008 est.) country comparison to the world: 133
Oil - exports:
0 bbl/day (2007 est.) country comparison to the world: 179
Oil - imports:
13,760 bbl/day (2007 est.) country comparison to the world: 132
Oil - proved reserves:
0 bbl (1 January 2009 est.) country comparison to the world: 154
Natural gas - production:
3.3 billion cu m (2008 est.) country comparison to the world: 52
Natural gas - consumption:
100 million cu m (2008 est.) country comparison to the world: 101
Natural gas - exports:
3.2 billion cu m (2008) country comparison to the world: 30
Natural gas - imports:
0 cu m (2008 est.) country comparison to the world: 152
Natural gas - proved reserves:
127.4 billion cu m (1 January 2009 est.) country comparison to the world: 50
Current account balance:
-$975.3 million (2008 est.) country comparison to the world: 116 -$785.3 million (2007 est.)
Exports:
$2.653 billion (2008 est.) country comparison to the world: 125 $2.412 billion (2007 est.)
Exports - commodities:
aluminum, prawns, cashews, cotton, sugar, citrus, timber; bulk electricity
Exports - partners:
Netherlands 55.5%, South Africa 9.2%, Zimbabwe 2.1% (2008)
Imports:
$3.458 billion (2008 est.) country comparison to the world: 133 $2.811 billion (2007 est.)
Imports - commodities:
machinery and equipment, vehicles, fuel, chemicals, metal products, foodstuffs, textiles
Imports - partners:
South Africa 27.4%, Netherlands 15.7%, China 4.3% (2008)
Reserves of foreign exchange and gold:
$1.578 billion (31 December 2008 est.) country comparison to the world: 116 $1.445 billion (31 December 2007 est.)
Debt - external:
$3.826 billion (31 December 2008 est.) country comparison to the world: 112 $4.189 billion (31 December 2007 est.)
Exchange rates:
meticais (MZM) per US dollar - 24.125 (2008 est.), 26.264 (2007), 25.4 (2006), 23,061 (2005), 22,581 (2004)
note: in 2006 Mozambique revalued its currency, with 1000 old meticais equal to 1 new meticais
Communications ::Mozambique
Telephones - main lines in use:
78,300 (2008) country comparison to the world: 150
Telephones - mobile cellular:
4.405 million (2008) country comparison to the world: 92
Telephone system:
general assessment: fair system with an extremely low density of less than 1 fixed line per 100 persons
domestic: the telecommunications sector is shackled with a heavy state presence, lack of competition, and high operating costs and charges; stagnation in the fixed-line network contrasts with rapid growth in the mobile-cellular network; mobile-cellular coverage now includes all the main cities and key roads, including those from Maputo to the South African and Swaziland borders, the national highway through Gaza and Inhambane provinces, the Beira corridor, and from Nampula to Nacala
international: country code - 258; satellite earth stations - 5 Intelsat (2 Atlantic Ocean and 3 Indian Ocean)
Radio broadcast stations:
AM 13, FM 17, shortwave 11 (2001)
Television broadcast stations:
4 (2008)
Internet country code:
.mz
Internet hosts:
21,388 (2009) country comparison to the world: 103
Internet users:
350,000 (2008) country comparison to the world: 119
Transportation ::Mozambique
Airports:
105 (2009) country comparison to the world: 55
Airports - with paved runways:
total: 23
over 3,047 m: 1
2,438 to 3,047 m: 3
1,524 to 2,437 m: 10
914 to 1,523 m: 4
under 914 m: 5 (2009)
Airports - with unpaved runways:
total: 82
2,438 to 3,047 m: 1
1,524 to 2,437 m: 9
914 to 1,523 m: 33
under 914 m: 39 (2009)
Pipelines:
gas 918 km; refined products 278 km (2008)
Railways:
total: 4,787 km country comparison to the world: 37 narrow gauge: 4,787 km 1.067-m gauge (2008)
Roadways:
total: 30,400 km country comparison to the world: 96 paved: 5,685 km
unpaved: 24,715 km (2000)
Waterways:
460 km (Zambezi River navigable to Tete and along Cahora Bassa Lake) (2008) country comparison to the world: 85
Merchant marine:
total: 2 country comparison to the world: 147 by type: cargo 2
foreign-owned: 2 (Belgium 2) (2008)
Ports and terminals:
Beira, Maputo, Nacala
Military ::Mozambique
Military branches:
Mozambique Armed Defense Forces (FADM): Mozambique Army, Mozambique Navy (Marinha Mocambique, MM), Mozambique Air Force (Forca Aerea de Mocambique, FAM) (2006)
Military service age and obligation:
19-35 years of age for compulsory military service; 18 years of age for voluntary service; 2-year service obligation (2009)
Manpower available for military service:
males age 16-49: 4,545,975 (2008 est.)
Manpower fit for military service:
males age 16-49: 2,366,897
females age 16-49: 2,209,764 (2009 est.)
Manpower reaching militarily significant age annually:
male: 263,994
female: 265,058 (2009 est.)
Military expenditures:
0.8% of GDP (2006) country comparison to the world: 149
Transnational Issues ::Mozambique
Disputes - international:
none
Trafficking in persons:
current situation: Mozambique is a source and, to a much lesser extent, a destination country for men, women, and children trafficked for the purposes of forced labor and sexual exploitation; the use of forced and bonded child laborers is a common practice in Mozambique's rural areas; women and girls are trafficked from rural to urban areas of Mozambique, as well as to South Africa, for domestic servitude and commercial sexual exploitation; young men and boys are trafficked to South Africa for farm work and mining
tier rating: Tier 2 Watch List - for the second consecutive year, Mozambique is on the Tier 2 Watch List for its failure to provide evidence of increasing efforts to combat human trafficking in 2007; while the government conducted investigations into cases of human trafficking, there were no prosecutions or convictions of traffickers; government efforts to protect victims of trafficking continued to suffer from limited resources and a lack of political commitment (2008)
Illicit drugs:
southern African transit point for South Asian hashish and heroin, and South American cocaine probably destined for the European and South African markets; producer of cannabis (for local consumption) and methaqualone (for export to South Africa); corruption and poor regulatory capability makes the banking system vulnerable to money laundering, but the lack of a well-developed financial infrastructure limits the country's utility as a money-laundering center
page last updated on November 11, 2009
======================================================================
@Namibia (Africa)
Introduction ::Namibia
Background:
South Africa occupied the German colony of South-West Africa during World War I and administered it as a mandate until after World War II, when it annexed the territory. In 1966 the Marxist South-West Africa People's Organization (SWAPO) guerrilla group launched a war of independence for the area that became Namibia, but it was not until 1988 that South Africa agreed to end its administration in accordance with a UN peace plan for the entire region. Namibia has been governed by SWAPO since the country won independence in 1990. Hifikepunye POHAMBA was elected president in November 2004 in a landslide victory replacing Sam NUJOMA who led the country during its first 14 years of self rule.
Geography ::Namibia
Location:
Southern Africa, bordering the South Atlantic Ocean, between Angola and South Africa
Geographic coordinates:
22 00 S, 17 00 E
Map references:
Africa
Area:
total: 824,292 sq km country comparison to the world: 34 land: 823,290 sq km
water: 1,002 sq km
Area - comparative:
slightly more than half the size of Alaska
Land boundaries:
total: 3,936 km
border countries: Angola 1,376 km, Botswana 1,360 km, South Africa 967 km, Zambia 233 km
Coastline:
1,572 km
Maritime claims:
territorial sea: 12 nm
contiguous zone: 24 nm
exclusive economic zone: 200 nm
Climate:
desert; hot, dry; rainfall sparse and erratic
Terrain:
mostly high plateau; Namib Desert along coast; Kalahari Desert in east
Elevation extremes:
lowest point: Atlantic Ocean 0 m
highest point: Konigstein 2,606 m
Natural resources:
diamonds, copper, uranium, gold, silver, lead, tin, lithium, cadmium, tungsten, zinc, salt, hydropower, fish
note: suspected deposits of oil, coal, and iron ore
Land use:
arable land: 0.99%
permanent crops: 0.01%
other: 99% (2005)
Irrigated land:
80 sq km (2003)
Total renewable water resources:
45.5 cu km (1991)
Freshwater withdrawal (domestic/industrial/agricultural):
total: 0.3 cu km/yr (24%/5%/71%)
per capita: 148 cu m/yr (2000)
Natural hazards:
prolonged periods of drought
Environment - current issues:
limited natural fresh water resources; desertification; wildlife poaching; land degradation has led to few conservation areas
Environment - international agreements:
party to: Antarctic-Marine Living Resources, Biodiversity, Climate Change, Climate Change-Kyoto Protocol, Desertification, Endangered Species, Hazardous Wastes, Law of the Sea, Ozone Layer Protection, Wetlands
signed, but not ratified: none of the selected agreements
Geography - note:
first country in the world to incorporate the protection of the environment into its constitution; some 14% of the land is protected, including virtually the entire Namib Desert coastal strip
People ::Namibia
Population:
2,108,665 country comparison to the world: 143 note: estimates for this country explicitly take into account the effects of excess mortality due to AIDS; this can result in lower life expectancy, higher infant mortality, higher death rates, lower population growth rates, and changes in the distribution of population by age and sex than would otherwise be expected (July 2009 est.)
Age structure:
0-14 years: 35.9% (male 381,904/female 375,059)
15-64 years: 60.2% (male 641,995/female 627,146)
65 years and over: 3.9% (male 36,894/female 45,667) (2009 est.)
Median age:
total: 21 years
male: 20.9 years
female: 21.1 years (2009 est.)
Population growth rate:
0.95% (2009 est.) country comparison to the world: 131
Birth rate:
22.51 births/1,000 population (2009 est.) country comparison to the world: 82
Death rate:
13.3 deaths/1,000 population (July 2009 est.) country comparison to the world: 29
Net migration rate:
0.3 migrant(s)/1,000 population (2009 est.) country comparison to the world: 70
Urbanization:
urban population: 37% of total population (2008)
rate of urbanization: 2.9% annual rate of change (2005-10 est.)
Sex ratio:
at birth: 1.03 male(s)/female
under 15 years: 1.02 male(s)/female
15-64 years: 1.02 male(s)/female
65 years and over: 0.81 male(s)/female
total population: 1.01 male(s)/female (2009 est.)
Infant mortality rate:
total: 45.51 deaths/1,000 live births country comparison to the world: 55 male: 48.98 deaths/1,000 live births
female: 41.94 deaths/1,000 live births (2009 est.)
Life expectancy at birth:
total population: 51.24 years country comparison to the world: 205 male: 51.61 years
female: 50.86 years (2009 est.)
Total fertility rate:
2.69 children born/woman (2009 est.) country comparison to the world: 84
HIV/AIDS - adult prevalence rate:
15.3% (2007 est.) country comparison to the world: 5
HIV/AIDS - people living with HIV/AIDS:
200,000 (2007 est.) country comparison to the world: 31
HIV/AIDS - deaths:
5,100 (2007 est.) country comparison to the world: 44
Major infectious diseases:
degree of risk: high
food or waterborne diseases: bacterial diarrhea, hepatitis A, and typhoid fever
vectorborne disease: malaria
water contact disease: schistosomiasis (2009)
Nationality:
noun: Namibian(s)
adjective: Namibian
Ethnic groups:
black 87.5%, white 6%, mixed 6.5%
note: about 50% of the population belong to the Ovambo tribe and 9% to the Kavangos tribe; other ethnic groups include Herero 7%, Damara 7%, Nama 5%, Caprivian 4%, Bushmen 3%, Baster 2%, Tswana 0.5%
Religions:
Christian 80% to 90% (Lutheran 50% at least), indigenous beliefs 10% to 20%
Languages:
English 7% (official), Afrikaans common language of most of the population and about 60% of the white population, German 32%, indigenous languages 1% (includes Oshivambo, Herero, Nama)
Literacy:
definition: age 15 and over can read and write
total population: 85%
male: 86.8%
female: 83.5% (2001 census)
School life expectancy (primary to tertiary education):
total: 11 years
male: 11 years
female: 11 years (2006)
Education expenditures:
6.9% of GDP (2003) country comparison to the world: 26
Government ::Namibia
Country name:
conventional long form: Republic of Namibia
conventional short form: Namibia
local long form: Republic of Namibia
local short form: Namibia
former: German Southwest Africa, South-West Africa
Government type:
republic
Capital:
name: Windhoek
geographic coordinates: 22 34 S, 17 05 E
time difference: UTC+1 (6 hours ahead of Washington, DC during Standard Time)
daylight saving time: +1hr, begins first Sunday in September; ends first Sunday in April
Administrative divisions:
13 regions; Caprivi, Erongo, Hardap, Karas, Khomas, Kunene, Ohangwena, Okavango, Omaheke, Omusati, Oshana, Oshikoto, Otjozondjupa
Independence:
21 March 1990 (from South African mandate)
National holiday:
Independence Day, 21 March (1990)
Constitution:
ratified 9 February 1990, effective 12 March 1990
Legal system:
based on Roman-Dutch law and 1990 constitution; has not accepted compulsory ICJ jurisdiction
Suffrage:
18 years of age; universal
Executive branch:
chief of state: President Hifikepunye POHAMBA (since 21 March 2005)
head of government: Prime Minister Nahas ANGULA (since 21 March 2005)
cabinet: Cabinet appointed by the president from among the members of the National Assembly
elections: president elected by popular vote for a five-year term (eligible for a second term); election last held 15 November 2004 (next to be held in November 2009)
election results: Hifikepunye POHAMBA elected president; percent of vote - Hifikepunye POHAMBA 76.4%, Den ULENGA 7.3%, Katuutire KAURA 5.1%, Kuaima RIRUAKO 4.2%, Justus GAROEB 3.8%, other 3.2%
Legislative branch:
bicameral legislature consists of the National Council (26 seats; two members are chosen from each regional council to serve six-year terms) and the National Assembly (72 seats; members are elected by popular vote to serve five-year terms)
elections: National Council - elections for regional councils to determine members of the National Council held 29-30 November 2004 (next to be held in November 2010); National Assembly - last held 15-16 November 2004 (next to be held in November 2009)
election results: National Council - percent of vote by party - SWAPO 89.7%, UDF 4.7%, NUDO 2.8%, DTA 1.9%, other 0.9%; seats by party - SWAPO 24, UDF 1, DTA 1; National Assembly - percent of vote by party - SWAPO 76.1%, COD 7.3%, DTA 5.1%, NUDO 4.2%, UDF 3.6%, RP 1.9%, MAG 0.8%, other 1.0%; seats by party - SWAPO 55, COD 5, DTA 4, NUDO 3, UDF 3, RP 1, MAG 1
note: the National Council is primarily an advisory body
Judicial branch:
Supreme Court (judges appointed by the president on the recommendation of the Judicial Service Commission)
Political parties and leaders:
All People's Party or APP [Ignatius SHIXWAMENI]; Congress of Democrats or COD [Ben ULENGA]; Democratic Turnhalle Alliance of Namibia or DTA [Katuutire KAURA]; Monitor Action Group or MAG [Jurie VILJOEN]; National Democratic Movement for Change or NamDMC; National Unity Democratic Organization or NUDO [Kuaima RIRUAKO]; Rally for Democracy and Progress or RDP [Hidipo HAMUTENYA]; Republican Party or RP [Henk MUDGE]; South West Africa National Union or SWANU [Usutuaije MAAMBERUA]; South West Africa People's Organization or SWAPO [Hifikepunye POHAMBA]; United Democratic Front or UDF [Justus GAROEB]
Political pressure groups and leaders:
Earthlife Namibia [Berthchen KOHRS] (environmentalist group); National Society for Human Rights or NSHR; The World Information Services of Energy or WISE (group against nuclear power)
International organization participation:
ACP, AfDB, AU, C, FAO, G-77, IAEA, IBRD, ICAO, ICCt, ICRM, IDA, IFAD, IFC, IFRCS, ILO, IMF, IMO, Interpol, IOC, IOM (observer), IPU, ISO (correspondent), ITSO, ITU, MIGA, NAM, OPCW, SACU, SADC, UN, UNAMID, UNCTAD, UNESCO, UNHCR, UNIDO, UNMIL, UNMIS, UNOCI, UNWTO, UPU, WCL, WCO, WFTU, WHO, WIPO, WMO, WTO
Diplomatic representation in the US:
chief of mission: Ambassador Patrick NANDAGO
chancery: 1605 New Hampshire Avenue NW, Washington, DC 20009
telephone: [1] (202) 986-0540
FAX: [1] (202) 986-0443
Diplomatic representation from the US:
chief of mission: Ambassador G. Dennise MATHIEU
embassy: 14 Lossen Street, Windhoek
mailing address: Private Bag 12029 Ausspannplatz, Windhoek
telephone: [264] (61) 295-8500
FAX: [264] (61) 295-8603
Flag description:
a wide red stripe edged by narrow white stripes divides the flag diagonally from lower hoist corner to upper fly corner; the upper hoist-side triangle is blue and charged with a yellow, 12-rayed sunburst; the lower fly-side triangle is green
Economy ::Namibia
Economy - overview:
The economy is heavily dependent on the extraction and processing of minerals for export. Mining accounts for 8% of GDP, but provides more than 50% of foreign exchange earnings. Rich alluvial diamond deposits make Namibia a primary source for gem-quality diamonds. Namibia is the fourth-largest exporter of nonfuel minerals in Africa, the world's fifth-largest producer of uranium, and the producer of large quantities of lead, zinc, tin, silver, and tungsten. The mining sector employs only about 3% of the population while about half of the population depends on subsistence agriculture for its livelihood. Namibia normally imports about 50% of its cereal requirements; in drought years food shortages are a major problem in rural areas. A high per capita GDP, relative to the region, hides one of the world's most unequal income distributions. The Namibian economy is closely linked to South Africa with the Namibian dollar pegged one-to-one to the South African rand. Increased payments from the Southern African Customs Union (SACU) put Namibia's budget into surplus in 2007 for the first time since independence, but SACU payments will decline after 2008 as part of a new revenue sharing formula. Increased fish production and mining of zinc, copper, uranium, and silver spurred growth in 2003-07, but growth in recent years was undercut by poor fish catches and high costs for metal inputs.
GDP (purchasing power parity):
$13.28 billion (2008 est.) country comparison to the world: 136 $12.9 billion (2007 est.)
$12.23 billion (2006 est.)
note: data are in 2008 US dollars
GDP (official exchange rate):
$8.835 billion (2008 est.)
GDP - real growth rate:
2.9% (2008 est.) country comparison to the world: 130 5.5% (2007 est.)
7.1% (2006 est.)
GDP - per capita (PPP):
$6,400 (2008 est.) country comparison to the world: 129 $6,200 (2007 est.)
$6,000 (2006 est.)
note: data are in 2008 US dollars
GDP - composition by sector:
agriculture: 9%
industry: 37%
services: 54% (2008 est.)
Labor force:
686,000 (2008 est.) country comparison to the world: 145
Labor force - by occupation:
agriculture: 47%
industry: 20%
services: 33% (1999 est.)
Unemployment rate:
5% (2008 est.) country comparison to the world: 63
Population below poverty line:
the UNDP's 2005 Human Development Report indicated that 34.9% of the population live on $1 per day and 55.8% live on $2 per day
Household income or consumption by percentage share:
lowest 10%: 0.5%
highest 10%: 64.5% (2003)
Distribution of family income - Gini index:
70.7 (2003) country comparison to the world: 1
Investment (gross fixed):
23.4% of GDP (2008 est.) country comparison to the world: 63
Budget:
revenues: $2.661 billion
expenditures: $2.745 billion (2008 est.)
Public debt:
20% of GDP (2008 est.) country comparison to the world: 94 38.5% of GDP (2004 est.)
Inflation rate (consumer prices):
10.3% (2008 est.) country comparison to the world: 151 6.7% (2007 est.)
Central bank discount rate:
10% (31 December 2008) country comparison to the world: 35 10.5% (31 December 2007)
Commercial bank prime lending rate:
13.74% (31 December 2008) country comparison to the world: 61 12.88% (31 December 2007)
Stock of money:
$1.983 billion (31 December 2008) country comparison to the world: 72 $2.149 billion (31 December 2007)
Stock of quasi money:
$1.158 billion (31 December 2008) country comparison to the world: 93 $1.493 billion (31 December 2007)
Stock of domestic credit:
$3.43 billion (31 December 2008) country comparison to the world: 86 $4.446 billion (31 December 2007)
Market value of publicly traded shares:
$618.7 million (31 December 2008) country comparison to the world: 100 $702 million (31 December 2007)
$541.8 million (31 December 2006)
Agriculture - products:
millet, sorghum, peanuts, grapes; livestock; fish
Industries:
meatpacking, fish processing, dairy products; mining (diamonds, lead, zinc, tin, silver, tungsten, uranium, copper)
Industrial production growth rate:
0.8% (2008 est.) country comparison to the world: 127
Electricity - production:
1.65 billion kWh (2007 est.) country comparison to the world: 139
Electricity - consumption:
3.175 billion kWh (2007 est.) country comparison to the world: 124
Electricity - exports:
40 million kWh (2007 est.)
Electricity - imports:
2.045 billion kWh; note - electricity supplied by South Africa (2007 est.)
Oil - production:
0 bbl/day (2008 est.) country comparison to the world: 123
Oil - consumption:
21,000 bbl/day (2008 est.) country comparison to the world: 122
Oil - exports:
0 bbl/day (2007 est.) country comparison to the world: 156
Oil - imports:
19,120 bbl/day (2007 est.) country comparison to the world: 113
Oil - proved reserves:
0 bbl (1 January 2009 est.) country comparison to the world: 116
Natural gas - production:
0 cu m (2008 est.) country comparison to the world: 114
Natural gas - consumption:
0 cu m (2008 est.) country comparison to the world: 122
Natural gas - exports:
0 cu m (2008) country comparison to the world: 89
Natural gas - imports:
0 cu m (2008 est.) country comparison to the world: 114
Natural gas - proved reserves:
62.29 billion cu m (1 January 2009 est.) country comparison to the world: 61
Current account balance:
$239.8 million (2008 est.) country comparison to the world: 54 $693.2 million (2007 est.)
Exports:
$3.167 billion (2008 est.) country comparison to the world: 121 $2.922 billion (2007 est.)
Exports - commodities:
diamonds, copper, gold, zinc, lead, uranium; cattle, processed fish, karakul skins
Imports:
$3.849 billion (2008 est.) country comparison to the world: 127 $3.102 billion (2007 est.)
Imports - commodities:
foodstuffs; petroleum products and fuel, machinery and equipment, chemicals
Reserves of foreign exchange and gold:
$1.293 billion (31 December 2008 est.) country comparison to the world: 121 $896 million (31 December 2007 est.)
Debt - external:
$807.3 million (31 December 2008 est.) country comparison to the world: 156 $1.003 billion (31 December 2007 est.)
Stock of direct foreign investment - at home:
$NA
Stock of direct foreign investment - abroad:
$NA
Exchange rates:
Namibian dollars (NAD) per US dollar - 7.75 (2008 est.), 7.18 (2007), 6.7649 (2006), 6.3593 (2005), 6.4597 (2004)
Communications ::Namibia
Telephones - main lines in use:
140,000 (2008) country comparison to the world: 137
Telephones - mobile cellular:
1.052 million (2008) country comparison to the world: 141
Telephone system:
general assessment: good system with a combined fixed-line and mobile-cellular teledensity of about 55 per 100 persons
domestic: core fiber-optic network links most centers and connections are now digital; Namibia's first mobile-cellular network, launched in 1994, provides coverage to 86 percent of Namibia by area
international: country code - 264; fiber-optic cable to South Africa, microwave radio relay link to Botswana, direct links to other neighboring countries; connected to the South African Far East (SAFE) submarine cable through South Africa; satellite earth stations - 4 Intelsat (2008)
Radio broadcast stations:
AM 2, FM 39, shortwave 4 (2001)
Television broadcast stations:
2 (2007)
Internet country code:
.na
Internet hosts:
17,840 (2009) country comparison to the world: 105
Internet users:
113,500 (2008) country comparison to the world: 149
Transportation ::Namibia
Airports:
129 (2009) country comparison to the world: 44
Airports - with paved runways:
total: 21
over 3,047 m: 3
2,438 to 3,047 m: 2
1,524 to 2,437 m: 13
914 to 1,523 m: 3 (2009)
Airports - with unpaved runways:
total: 108
2,438 to 3,047 m: 2
1,524 to 2,437 m: 22
914 to 1,523 m: 73
under 914 m: 11 (2009)
Railways:
total: 2,629 km country comparison to the world: 64 narrow gauge: 2,629 km 1.067-m gauge (2008)
Roadways:
total: 42,237 km country comparison to the world: 86 paved: 5,406 km
unpaved: 36,831 km (2002)
Merchant marine:
total: 1 country comparison to the world: 155 by type: cargo 1
registered in other countries: 1 (Saint Vincent and the Grenadines 1) (2008)
Ports and terminals:
Luderitz, Walvis Bay
Military ::Namibia
Military branches:
Namibian Defense Force: Army, Navy, Air Wing (2008)
Military service age and obligation:
18-25 years of age for voluntary military service; no conscription (2008)
Manpower available for military service:
males age 16-49: 527,948 (2008 est.)
Manpower fit for military service:
males age 16-49: 329,614
females age 16-49: 294,490 (2009 est.)
Manpower reaching militarily significant age annually:
male: 25,857
female: 25,505 (2009 est.)
Military expenditures:
3.7% of GDP (2006) country comparison to the world: 36
Transnational Issues ::Namibia
Disputes - international:
concerns from international experts and local populations over the Okavango Delta ecology in Botswana and human displacement scuttled Namibian plans to construct a hydroelectric dam on Popa Falls along the Angola-Namibia border; managed dispute with South Africa over the location of the boundary in the Orange River; Namibia has supported, and in 2004 Zimbabwe dropped objections to, plans between Botswana and Zambia to build a bridge over the Zambezi River, thereby de facto recognizing a short, but not clearly delimited, Botswana-Zambia boundary in the river
Refugees and internally displaced persons:
refugees (country of origin): 4,700 (Angola) (2007)
page last updated on November 11, 2009
======================================================================
@Nauru (Australia-Oceania)
Introduction ::Nauru
Background:
The exact origins of the Nauruans are unclear since their language does not resemble any other in the Pacific. The island was annexed by Germany in 1888. Its phosphate deposits began to be mined early in the 20th century by a German-British consortium. Nauru was occupied by Australian forces in World War I and subsequently became a League of Nations mandate. After the Second World War - and a brutal occupation by Japan - Nauru became a UN trust territory. It achieved independence in 1968 and joined the UN in 1999 as the world's smallest independent republic.
Geography ::Nauru
Location:
Oceania, island in the South Pacific Ocean, south of the Marshall Islands
Geographic coordinates:
0 32 S, 166 55 E
Map references:
Oceania
Area:
total: 21 sq km country comparison to the world: 238 land: 21 sq km
water: 0 sq km
Area - comparative:
about 0.1 times the size of Washington, DC
Land boundaries:
0 km
Coastline:
30 km
Maritime claims:
territorial sea: 12 nm
contiguous zone: 24 nm
exclusive economic zone: 200 nm
Climate:
tropical with a monsoonal pattern; rainy season (November to February)
Terrain:
sandy beach rises to fertile ring around raised coral reefs with phosphate plateau in center
Elevation extremes:
lowest point: Pacific Ocean 0 m
highest point: unnamed location along plateau rim 61 m
Natural resources:
phosphates, fish
Land use:
arable land: 0%
permanent crops: 0%
other: 100% (2005)
Irrigated land:
NA
Natural hazards:
periodic droughts
Environment - current issues:
limited natural fresh water resources, roof storage tanks collect rainwater but mostly dependent on a single, aging desalination plant; intensive phosphate mining during the past 90 years - mainly by a UK, Australia, and NZ consortium - has left the central 90% of Nauru a wasteland and threatens limited remaining land resources
Environment - international agreements:
party to: Biodiversity, Climate Change, Climate Change-Kyoto Protocol, Desertification, Hazardous Wastes, Law of the Sea, Marine Dumping, Ozone Layer Protection, Whaling
signed, but not ratified: none of the selected agreements
Geography - note:
Nauru is one of the three great phosphate rock islands in the Pacific Ocean - the others are Banaba (Ocean Island) in Kiribati and Makatea in French Polynesia; only 53 km south of Equator
People ::Nauru
Population:
14,019 (July 2009 est.) country comparison to the world: 222
Age structure:
0-14 years: 34.7% (male 2,482/female 2,384)
15-64 years: 63.2% (male 4,362/female 4,495)
65 years and over: 2.1% (male 151/female 145) (2009 est.)
Median age:
total: 21.6 years
male: 21 years
female: 22.2 years (2009 est.)
Population growth rate:
1.748% (2009 est.) country comparison to the world: 77
Birth rate:
23.9 births/1,000 population (2009 est.) country comparison to the world: 73
Death rate:
6.42 deaths/1,000 population (July 2009 est.) country comparison to the world: 150
Net migration rate:
NA (2009 est.)
Urbanization:
urban population: 100% of total population (2008)
rate of urbanization: 0.3% annual rate of change (2005-10 est.)
Sex ratio:
at birth: 1.05 male(s)/female
under 15 years: 1.04 male(s)/female
15-64 years: 0.97 male(s)/female
65 years and over: 1.04 male(s)/female
total population: 1 male(s)/female (2009 est.)
Infant mortality rate:
total: 9.25 deaths/1,000 live births country comparison to the world: 154 male: 11.58 deaths/1,000 live births
female: 6.8 deaths/1,000 live births (2009 est.)
Life expectancy at birth:
total population: 64.2 years country comparison to the world: 168 male: 60.58 years
female: 68.01 years (2009 est.)
Total fertility rate:
2.85 children born/woman (2009 est.) country comparison to the world: 78
HIV/AIDS - adult prevalence rate:
NA
HIV/AIDS - people living with HIV/AIDS:
NA
HIV/AIDS - deaths:
NA
Nationality:
noun: Nauruan(s)
adjective: Nauruan
Ethnic groups:
Nauruan 58%, other Pacific Islander 26%, Chinese 8%, European 8%
Religions:
Nauru Congregational 35.4%, Roman Catholic 33.2%, Nauru Independent Church 10.4%, other 14.1%, none 4.5%, unspecified 2.4% (2002 census)
Languages:
Nauruan (official; a distinct Pacific Island language), English widely understood, spoken, and used for most government and commercial purposes
Literacy:
NA
School life expectancy (primary to tertiary education):
total: 8 years
male: 8 years
female: 9 years (2006)
Education expenditures:
NA
Government ::Nauru
Country name:
conventional long form: Republic of Nauru
conventional short form: Nauru
local long form: Republic of Nauru
local short form: Nauru
former: Pleasant Island
Government type:
republic
Capital:
no official capital; government offices in Yaren District
time difference: UTC+12 (17 hours ahead of Washington, DC during Standard Time)
Administrative divisions:
14 districts; Aiwo, Anabar, Anetan, Anibare, Baiti, Boe, Buada, Denigomodu, Ewa, Ijuw, Meneng, Nibok, Uaboe, Yaren
Independence:
31 January 1968 (from the Australia-, NZ-, and UK-administered UN trusteeship)
National holiday:
Independence Day, 31 January (1968)
Constitution:
29 January 1968; amended 17 May 1968
Legal system:
acts of the Nauru Parliament and British common law; accepts compulsory ICJ jurisdiction with reservations
Suffrage:
20 years of age; universal and compulsory
Executive branch:
chief of state: President Marcus STEPHEN (since 19 December 2007); note - the president is both the chief of state and head of government
head of government: President Marcus STEPHEN (since 19 December 2007); note - President Ludwig SCOTTY defeated in a no confidence vote in parliament on 19 December 2007
cabinet: Cabinet appointed by the president from among the members of parliament
elections: president elected by parliament for a three-year term; election last held 19 December 2007 (next to be held in 2010)
election results: NA
Legislative branch:
unicameral parliament (18 seats; members elected by popular vote to serve three-year terms)
elections: last held 26 April 2008 (next to be held in 2011)
election results: percent of vote - NA; seats - independents 18; note - President Marcus STEPHEN called a snap election to break a parliamentary stalemate blocking legislative action
Judicial branch:
Supreme Court
Political parties and leaders:
Democratic Party [Kennan ADEANG]; Nauru Party (informal); Nauru First (Naoero Amo) Party; note - loose multiparty system
Political pressure groups and leaders:
Woman Information and News Agency (women's issues)
International organization participation:
ACP, ADB, C, FAO, ICAO, ICCt, Interpol, IOC, ITU, OPCW, PIF, Sparteca, SPC, UN, UNCTAD, UNESCO, UPU, WHO
Diplomatic representation in the US:
chief of mission: Ambassador Marlene I. MOSES
chancery: 800 2nd Avenue, Suite 400 D, New York, NY 10017
telephone: [1] (212) 937-0074
FAX: [1] (212) 937-0079
consulate(s): Agana (Guam)
Diplomatic representation from the US:
the US does not have an embassy in Nauru; the US Ambassador to Fiji is accredited to Nauru
Flag description:
blue with a narrow, horizontal, yellow stripe across the center and a large white 12-pointed star below the stripe on the hoist side; the star indicates the country's location in relation to the Equator (the yellow stripe) and the 12 points symbolize the 12 original tribes of Nauru
Economy ::Nauru
Economy - overview:
Revenues of this tiny island have traditionally come from exports of phosphates now significantly depleted. An Australian company in 2005 entered into an agreement intended to exploit remaining supplies. Few other resources exist with most necessities being imported, mainly from Australia its former occupier and later major source of support. The rehabilitation of mined land and the replacement of income from phosphates are serious long-term problems. Reserves of phosphates may only last until 2010 at current mining rates. In anticipation of the exhaustion of Nauru's phosphate deposits, substantial amounts of phosphate income were invested in trust funds to help cushion the transition and provide for Nauru's economic future. As a result of heavy spending from the trust funds, the government faces virtual bankruptcy. To cut costs the government has frozen wages and reduced overstaffed public service departments. Nauru lost further revenue in 2008 with the closure of Australia's refugee processing center, making it almost totally dependent on food imports and foreign aid. Housing, hospitals, and other capital plant is deteriorating. The cost to Australia of keeping the government and economy afloat continues to climb. Few comprehensive statistics on the Nauru economy exist with estimates of Nauru's GDP varying widely.
GDP (purchasing power parity):
$60 million (2005 est.) country comparison to the world: 221
GDP (official exchange rate):
$NA
GDP - real growth rate:
NA%
GDP - per capita (PPP):
$5,000 (2005 est.) country comparison to the world: 140
GDP - composition by sector:
agriculture: NA%
industry: NA%
services: NA%
Labor force - by occupation:
note: employed in mining phosphates, public administration, education, and transportation (1992)
Unemployment rate:
90% (2004 est.) country comparison to the world: 200
Population below poverty line:
NA%
Household income or consumption by percentage share:
lowest 10%: NA%
highest 10%: NA%
Budget:
revenues: $13.5 million
expenditures: $13.5 million (2005)
Inflation rate (consumer prices):
NA%
Agriculture - products:
coconuts
Industries:
phosphate mining, offshore banking, coconut products
Industrial production growth rate:
NA%
Electricity - production:
31 million kWh (2007 est.) country comparison to the world: 202
Electricity - consumption:
28.83 million kWh (2007 est.) country comparison to the world: 202
Electricity - exports:
0 kWh (2008 est.)
Electricity - imports:
0 kWh (2008 est.)
Oil - production:
0 bbl/day (2008 est.) country comparison to the world: 153
Oil - consumption:
1,000 bbl/day (2008 est.) country comparison to the world: 194
Oil - exports:
0 bbl/day (2007 est.) country comparison to the world: 147
Oil - imports:
1,026 bbl/day (2007 est.) country comparison to the world: 190
Oil - proved reserves:
0 bbl (1 January 2009 est.) country comparison to the world: 148
Natural gas - production:
0 cu m (2008 est.) country comparison to the world: 144
Natural gas - consumption:
0 cu m (2008 est.) country comparison to the world: 144
Natural gas - exports:
0 cu m (2008) country comparison to the world: 141
Natural gas - imports:
0 cu m (2008 est.) country comparison to the world: 106
Natural gas - proved reserves:
0 cu m (1 January 2009 est.) country comparison to the world: 151
Exports:
$64,000 (2005 est.) country comparison to the world: 221
Exports - commodities:
phosphates
Imports:
$20 million (2004 est.) country comparison to the world: 215
Imports - commodities:
food, fuel, manufactures, building materials, machinery
Debt - external:
$33.3 million country comparison to the world: 195
Exchange rates:
Australian dollars (AUD) per US dollar - 1.2059 (2008 est.), 1.2137 (2007), 1.3285 (2006), 1.3095 (2005), 1.3598 (2004)
Communications ::Nauru
Telephones - main lines in use:
1,800 (2008) country comparison to the world: 225
Telephones - mobile cellular:
1,500 (2002) country comparison to the world: 217
Telephone system:
general assessment: adequate local and international radiotelephone communication provided via Australian facilities
domestic: NA
international: country code - 674; satellite earth station - 1 Intelsat (Pacific Ocean)
Radio broadcast stations:
AM 1, FM 0, shortwave 0 (1998)
Television broadcast stations:
1 (1997)
Internet country code:
.nr
Internet hosts:
47 (2009) country comparison to the world: 209
Transportation ::Nauru
Airports:
1 (2009) country comparison to the world: 228
Airports - with paved runways:
total: 1
1,524 to 2,437 m: 1 (2009)
Roadways:
total: 24 km country comparison to the world: 217 paved: 24 km (2002)
Ports and terminals:
Nauru
Military ::Nauru
Military branches:
no regular military forces; Nauru Police Force (2009)
Manpower available for military service:
males age 16-49: 3,470 (2008 est.)
Manpower fit for military service:
males age 16-49: 2,592
females age 16-49: 2,966 (2009 est.)
Manpower reaching militarily significant age annually:
male: 179
female: 174 (2009 est.)
Military expenditures:
NA
Military - note:
Nauru maintains no defense forces; under an informal agreement, defense is the responsibility of Australia
Transnational Issues ::Nauru
Disputes - international:
none
page last updated on October 28, 2009
======================================================================
@Navassa Island (Central America and Caribbean)
Introduction ::Navassa Island
Background:
This uninhabited island was claimed by the US in 1857 for its guano. Mining took place between 1865 and 1898. The lighthouse, built in 1917, was shut down in 1996 and administration of Navassa Island transferred from the Coast Guard to the Department of the Interior. A 1998 scientific expedition to the island described it as a unique preserve of Caribbean biodiversity; the following year it became a National Wildlife Refuge and annual scientific expeditions have continued.
Geography ::Navassa Island
Location:
Caribbean, island in the Caribbean Sea, 35 miles west of Tiburon Peninsula of Haiti
Geographic coordinates:
18 25 N, 75 02 W
Map references:
Central America and the Caribbean
Area:
total: 5.4 sq km country comparison to the world: 244 land: 5.4 sq km
water: 0 sq km
Area - comparative:
about nine times the size of The Mall in Washington, DC
Land boundaries:
0 km
Coastline:
8 km
Maritime claims:
territorial sea: 12 nm
exclusive economic zone: 200 nm
Climate:
marine, tropical
Terrain:
raised coral and limestone plateau, flat to undulating; ringed by vertical white cliffs (9 to 15 m high)
Elevation extremes:
lowest point: Caribbean Sea 0 m
highest point: unnamed location on southwest side 77 m
Natural resources:
guano
Land use:
arable land: 0%
permanent crops: 0%
other: 100% (2005)
Natural hazards:
hurricanes
Environment - current issues:
NA
Geography - note:
strategic location 160 km south of the US Naval Base at Guantanamo Bay, Cuba; mostly exposed rock with numerous solution holes but with enough grassland to support goat herds; dense stands of fig trees, scattered cactus
People ::Navassa Island
Population:
uninhabited
note: transient Haitian fishermen and others camp on the island
Government ::Navassa Island
Country name:
conventional long form: none
conventional short form: Navassa Island
Dependency status:
unorganized, unincorporated territory of the US; administered by the Fish and Wildlife Service, US Department of the Interior from the Caribbean Islands National Wildlife Refuge in Boqueron, Puerto Rico; in September 1996 the Coast Guard ceased operations and maintenance of Navassa Island Light a 46-meter-tall lighthouse on the southern side of the island; there has also been a private claim advanced against the island
Legal system:
the laws of the US, where applicable, apply
Diplomatic representation from the US:
none (territory of the US)
Flag description:
the flag of the US is used
Economy ::Navassa Island
Economy - overview:
Subsistence fishing and commercial trawling occur within refuge waters.
Transportation ::Navassa Island
Ports and terminals:
none; offshore anchorage only
Military ::Navassa Island
Military - note:
defense is the responsibility of the US
Transnational Issues ::Navassa Island
Disputes - international:
claimed by Haiti, source of subsistence fishing
page last updated on July 2, 2009
======================================================================
@Nepal (South Asia)
Introduction ::Nepal
Background:
In 1951, the Nepalese monarch ended the century-old system of rule by hereditary premiers and instituted a cabinet system of government. Reforms in 1990 established a multiparty democracy within the framework of a constitutional monarchy. An insurgency led by Maoist extremists broke out in 1996. The ensuing ten-year civil war between insurgents and government forces witnessed the dissolution of the cabinet and parliament and assumption of absolute power by the king. Several weeks of mass protests in April 2006 were followed by several months of peace negotiations between the Maoists and government officials, and culminated in a November 2006 peace accord and the promulgation of an interim constitution. Following a nation-wide election in April 2008, the newly formed Constituent Assembly declared Nepal a federal democratic republic and abolished the monarchy at its first meeting the following month. The Constituent Assembly elected the country's first president in July. The Maoists, who received a plurality of votes in the Constituent Assembly election, formed a coalition government in August 2008.
Geography ::Nepal
Location:
Southern Asia, between China and India
Geographic coordinates:
28 00 N, 84 00 E
Map references:
Asia
Area:
total: 147,181 sq km country comparison to the world: 93 land: 143,351 sq km
water: 3,830 sq km
Area - comparative:
slightly larger than Arkansas
Land boundaries:
total: 2,926 km
border countries: China 1,236 km, India 1,690 km
Coastline:
0 km (landlocked)
Maritime claims:
none (landlocked)
Climate:
varies from cool summers and severe winters in north to subtropical summers and mild winters in south
Terrain:
Tarai or flat river plain of the Ganges in south, central hill region, rugged Himalayas in north
Elevation extremes:
lowest point: Kanchan Kalan 70 m
highest point: Mount Everest 8,850 m
Natural resources:
quartz, water, timber, hydropower, scenic beauty, small deposits of lignite, copper, cobalt, iron ore
Land use:
arable land: 16.07%
permanent crops: 0.85%
other: 83.08% (2005)
Irrigated land:
11,700 sq km (2003)
Total renewable water resources:
210.2 cu km (1999)
Freshwater withdrawal (domestic/industrial/agricultural):
total: 10.18 cu km/yr (3%/1%/96%)
per capita: 375 cu m/yr (2000)
Natural hazards:
severe thunderstorms; flooding; landslides; drought and famine depending on the timing, intensity, and duration of the summer monsoons
Environment - current issues:
deforestation (overuse of wood for fuel and lack of alternatives); contaminated water (with human and animal wastes, agricultural runoff, and industrial effluents); wildlife conservation; vehicular emissions
Environment - international agreements:
party to: Biodiversity, Climate Change, Climate Change-Kyoto Protocol, Desertification, Endangered Species, Hazardous Wastes, Law of the Sea, Ozone Layer Protection, Tropical Timber 83, Tropical Timber 94, Wetlands
signed, but not ratified: Marine Life Conservation
Geography - note:
landlocked; strategic location between China and India; contains eight of world's 10 highest peaks, including Mount Everest and Kanchenjunga - the world's tallest and third tallest - on the borders with China and India respectively
People ::Nepal
Population:
28,563,377 (July 2009 est.) country comparison to the world: 42
Age structure:
0-14 years: 36.6% (male 5,327,484/female 5,127,178)
15-64 years: 59.2% (male 8,094,494/female 8,812,675)
65 years and over: 4.2% (male 566,666/female 634,880) (2009 est.)
Median age:
total: 20.8 years
male: 19.8 years
female: 21.7 years (2009 est.)
Population growth rate:
1.281% (2009 est.) country comparison to the world: 106
Birth rate:
23.18 births/1,000 population (2009 est.) country comparison to the world: 78
Death rate:
6.97 deaths/1,000 population (July 2009 est.) country comparison to the world: 132
Net migration rate:
-3.39 migrant(s)/1,000 population (2009 est.) country comparison to the world: 153
Urbanization:
urban population: 17% of total population (2008)
rate of urbanization: 4.9% annual rate of change (2005-10 est.)
Sex ratio:
at birth: 1.04 male(s)/female
under 15 years: 1.04 male(s)/female
15-64 years: 0.92 male(s)/female
65 years and over: 0.89 male(s)/female
total population: 0.96 male(s)/female (2009 est.)
Infant mortality rate:
total: 47.46 deaths/1,000 live births country comparison to the world: 54 male: 47.4 deaths/1,000 live births
female: 47.52 deaths/1,000 live births (2009 est.)
Life expectancy at birth:
total population: 65.46 years country comparison to the world: 165 male: 64.3 years
female: 66.67 years (2009 est.)
Total fertility rate:
2.64 children born/woman (2009 est.) country comparison to the world: 88
HIV/AIDS - adult prevalence rate:
0.5% (2007 est.) country comparison to the world: 79
HIV/AIDS - people living with HIV/AIDS:
70,000 (2007 est.) country comparison to the world: 56
HIV/AIDS - deaths:
5,000 (2007 est.) country comparison to the world: 45
Major infectious diseases:
degree of risk: high
food or waterborne diseases: bacterial diarrhea, hepatitis A, and typhoid fever
vectorborne disease: Japanese encephalitis, malaria, and dengue fever (2009)
Nationality:
noun: Nepalese (singular and plural)
adjective: Nepalese
Ethnic groups:
Chhettri 15.5%, Brahman-Hill 12.5%, Magar 7%, Tharu 6.6%, Tamang 5.5%, Newar 5.4%, Muslim 4.2%, Kami 3.9%, Yadav 3.9%, other 32.7%, unspecified 2.8% (2001 census)
Religions:
Hindu 80.6%, Buddhist 10.7%, Muslim 4.2%, Kirant 3.6%, other 0.9% (2001 census)
note: only official Hindu state in the world
Languages:
Nepali 47.8%, Maithali 12.1%, Bhojpuri 7.4%, Tharu (Dagaura/Rana) 5.8%, Tamang 5.1%, Newar 3.6%, Magar 3.3%, Awadhi 2.4%, other 10%, unspecified 2.5% (2001 census)
note: many in government and business also speak English (2001 est.)
Literacy:
definition: age 15 and over can read and write
total population: 48.6%
male: 62.7%
female: 34.9% (2001 census)
School life expectancy (primary to tertiary education):
total: 9 years
male: 10 years
female: 8 years (2003)
Education expenditures:
3.4% of GDP (2003) country comparison to the world: 133
Government ::Nepal
Country name:
conventional long form: Federal Democratic Republic of Nepal
conventional short form: Nepal
local long form: Sanghiya Loktantrik Ganatantra Nepal