Y (continued 26)
Reading edition
total population: 1.05 male(s)/female (2010 est.)
Infant mortality rate:
total: 20.87 deaths/1,000 live births country comparison to the world: 99 male: 22.87 deaths/1,000 live births
female: 18.78 deaths/1,000 live births (2010 est.)
Life expectancy at birth:
total population: 77.47 years country comparison to the world: 57 male: 75.18 years
female: 79.88 years (2010 est.)
Total fertility rate:
3.01 children born/woman (2010 est.) country comparison to the world: 67
HIV/AIDS - adult prevalence rate:
0.3% (2001 est.) country comparison to the world: 91
HIV/AIDS - people living with HIV/AIDS:
10,000 (2001 est.) country comparison to the world: 101
HIV/AIDS - deaths:
NA
Nationality:
noun: Libyan(s)
adjective: Libyan
Ethnic groups:
Berber and Arab 97%, other 3% (includes Greeks, Maltese, Italians, Egyptians, Pakistanis, Turks, Indians, and Tunisians)
Religions:
Sunni Muslim 97%, other 3%
Languages:
Arabic, Italian, English, all are widely understood in the major cities
Literacy:
definition: age 15 and over can read and write
total population: 82.6%
male: 92.4%
female: 72% (2003 est.)
School life expectancy (primary to tertiary education):
total: 17 years
male: 16 years
female: 17 years (2003)
Education expenditures:
2.7% of GDP (1999) country comparison to the world: 159
Government ::Libya
Country name:
conventional long form: Great Socialist People's Libyan Arab Jamahiriya
conventional short form: Libya
local long form: Al Jamahiriyah al Arabiyah al Libiyah ash Shabiyah al Ishtirakiyah al Uthma
local short form: none
Government type:
Jamahiriya (a state of the masses) in theory, governed by the populace through local councils; in practice, an authoritarian state
Capital:
name: Tripoli (Tarabulus)
geographic coordinates: 32 53 N, 13 10 E
time difference: UTC+2 (7 hours ahead of Washington, DC during Standard Time)
Administrative divisions:
22 states (shabiyat, singular - shabiyat); Al Butnan, Al Jabal al Akhdar, Al Jabal Al Gharbi, Al Jafarah, Al Jafrah, Al Kafrah, Al Maraj, Al Marqab, Al Murzuq, Al Wahat, An Nuqat al Khams, Az Zawiyah, Banghazi, Darnah, Ghat, Misratah, Nalut, Sibha, Surt, Tarabulus, Wadi al Hayat, Wadi ash Shati
Independence:
24 December 1951 (from UN trusteeship)
National holiday:
Revolution Day, 1 September (1969)
Constitution:
none; note - following the September 1969 military overthrow of the Libyan government, the Revolutionary Command Council replaced the existing constitution with the Constitutional Proclamation in December 1969; in March 1977, Libya adopted the Declaration of the Establishment of the People's Authority
Legal system:
based on Italian and French civil law systems and Islamic law; separate religious courts; no constitutional provision for judicial review of legislative acts; has not accepted compulsory ICJ jurisdiction
Suffrage:
18 years of age; universal and technically compulsory
Executive branch:
chief of state: Revolutionary Leader Col. Muammar Abu Minyar al-QADHAFI (since 1 September 1969); note - holds no official title, but is de facto chief of state
head of government: Secretary of the General People's Committee (Prime Minister) al-Baghdadi Ali al-MAHMUDI (since 5 March 2006)
cabinet: General People's Committee established by the General People's Congress (For more information visit the World Leaders website ) elections: national elections are indirect through a hierarchy of people's committees; head of government elected by the General People's Congress; election last held in March 2010 (next elections expected in early 2011)
election results: NA
Legislative branch:
unicameral General People's Congress (760 seats; members elected indirectly through a hierarchy of people's committees)
Judicial branch:
Supreme Court
Political parties and leaders:
none
Political pressure groups and leaders:
other: anti-QADHAFI Libyan exile movement; Islamic elements
International organization participation:
ABEDA, AfDB, AFESD, AMF, AMU, AU, CAEU, COMESA, FAO, G-77, IAEA, IBRD, ICAO, ICRM, IDA, IDB, IFAD, IFC, IFRCS, ILO, IMF, IMO, IMSO, Interpol, IOC, IOM, IPU, ISO, ITSO, ITU, LAS, MIGA, NAM, OAPEC, OIC, OPCW, OPEC, PCA, UN, UNCTAD, UNESCO, UNIDO, UNWTO, UPU, WCO, WFTU, WHO, WIPO, WMO, WTO (observer)
Diplomatic representation in the US:
chief of mission: Ambassador Ali Suleiman AUJALI
chancery: 2600 Virginia Avenue NW, Suite 705, Washington, DC 20037
telephone: [1] (202) 944-9601
FAX: [1] (202) 944-9060
Diplomatic representation from the US:
chief of mission: Ambassador Gene A. CRETZ
embassy: off Jaraba Street, behind the Libyan-Swiss clinic, Ben Ashour
mailing address: US Embassy, 8850 Tripoli Place, Washington, DC 20521-8850
telephone: [218] 91-220-3239
Flag description:
plain green; green is the traditional color of Islam (the state religion)
National anthem:
name: "Allahu Akbar" (God Is Greatest)
lyrics/music: Mahmoud el-SHERIF/Abdalla Shams el-DIN
note: adopted 1969; the anthem was originally a battle song for the Egyptian Army in the 1956 Suez War
Economy ::Libya
Economy - overview:
The Libyan economy depends primarily upon revenues from the oil sector, which contribute about 95% of export earnings, 25% of GDP, and 80% of government revenue. The weakness in world hydrocarbon prices in 2009 reduced Libyan government tax income and constrained economic growth. Substantial revenues from the energy sector coupled with a small population give Libya one of the highest per capita GDPs in Africa, but little of this income flows down to the lower orders of society. Libyan officials in the past five years have made progress on economic reforms as part of a broader campaign to reintegrate the country into the international fold. This effort picked up steam after UN sanctions were lifted in September 2003 and as Libya announced in December 2003 that it would abandon programs to build weapons of mass destruction. The process of lifting US unilateral sanctions began in the spring of 2004; all sanctions were removed by June 2006, helping Libya attract greater foreign direct investment, especially in the energy sector. Libyan oil and gas licensing rounds continue to draw high international interest; the National Oil Corporation (NOC) set a goal of nearly doubling oil production to 3 million bbl/day by 2012. In November 2009, the NOC announced that that target may slip to as late as 2017. Libya faces a long road ahead in liberalizing the socialist-oriented economy, but initial steps - including applying for WTO membership, reducing some subsidies, and announcing plans for privatization - are laying the groundwork for a transition to a more market-based economy. The non-oil manufacturing and construction sectors, which account for more than 20% of GDP, have expanded from processing mostly agricultural products to include the production of petrochemicals, iron, steel, and aluminum. Climatic conditions and poor soils severely limit agricultural output, and Libya imports about 75% of its food. Libya's primary agricultural water source remains the Great Manmade River Project, but significant resources are being invested in desalinization research to meet growing water demands.
GDP (purchasing power parity):
$89.03 billion (2010 est.) country comparison to the world: 74 $86.19 billion (2009 est.)
$86.77 billion (2008 est.)
note: data are in 2010 US dollars
GDP (official exchange rate):
$77.91 billion (2010 est.)
GDP - real growth rate:
3.3% (2010 est.) country comparison to the world: 110 -0.7% (2009 est.)
2.7% (2008 est.)
GDP - per capita (PPP):
$13,800 (2010 est.) country comparison to the world: 83 $13,600 (2009 est.)
$14,000 (2008 est.)
note: data are in 2010 US dollars
GDP - composition by sector:
agriculture: 2.6%
industry: 63.8%
services: 33.6% (2010 est.)
Labor force:
1.729 million (2010 est.) country comparison to the world: 125
Labor force - by occupation:
agriculture: 17%
industry: 23%
services: 59% (2004 est.)
Unemployment rate:
30% (2004 est.) country comparison to the world: 180
Population below poverty line:
NA
note: About one-third of Libyans live at or below the national poverty line
Household income or consumption by percentage share:
lowest 10%: NA%
highest 10%: NA%
Investment (gross fixed):
13.2% of GDP (2010 est.) country comparison to the world: 141
Public debt:
3.3% of GDP (2010 est.) country comparison to the world: 131 3.9% of GDP (2009 est.)
Inflation rate (consumer prices):
3% (2010 est.) country comparison to the world: 92 2.4% (2009 est.)
Central bank discount rate:
4% (31 December 2009) country comparison to the world: 87 5% (31 December 2008)
Commercial bank prime lending rate:
8.41% (31 December 2008) country comparison to the world: 137 6% (31 December 2007)
Stock of narrow money:
$29.85 billion (31 December 2010 est) country comparison to the world: 56 $29.82 billion (31 December 2009 est)
Stock of broad money:
$35.98 billion (31 December 2010 est.) country comparison to the world: 70 $36.2 billion (31 December 2009 est.)
Stock of domestic credit:
$55.03 billion (31 December 2010 est.) country comparison to the world: 61 $41.13 billion (31 December 2009 est.)
Market value of publicly traded shares:
$NA
Agriculture - products:
wheat, barley, olives, dates, citrus, vegetables, peanuts, soybeans; cattle
Industries:
petroleum, petrochemicals, aluminum, iron and steel, food processing, textiles, handicrafts, cement
Industrial production growth rate:
2.7% (2010 est.) country comparison to the world: 118
Electricity - production:
23.98 billion kWh (2007 est.) country comparison to the world: 67
Electricity - consumption:
22.17 billion kWh (2007 est.) country comparison to the world: 66
Electricity - exports:
104 million kWh (2007 est.)
Electricity - imports:
77 million kWh (2007 est.)
Oil - production:
1.79 million bbl/day (2009 est.) country comparison to the world: 18
Oil - consumption:
280,000 bbl/day (2009 est.) country comparison to the world: 44
Oil - exports:
1.542 million bbl/day (2007 est.) country comparison to the world: 15
Oil - imports:
575 bbl/day (2007 est.) country comparison to the world: 194
Oil - proved reserves:
47 billion bbl (1 January 2010 est.) country comparison to the world: 9
Natural gas - production:
15.9 billion cu m (2008 est.) country comparison to the world: 33
Natural gas - consumption:
5.5 billion cu m (2008 est.) country comparison to the world: 57
Natural gas - exports:
10.4 billion cu m (2008 est.) country comparison to the world: 20
Natural gas - imports:
0 cu m (2008 est.) country comparison to the world: 162
Natural gas - proved reserves:
1.539 trillion cu m (1 January 2010 est.) country comparison to the world: 23
Current account balance:
$15.53 billion (2010 est.) country comparison to the world: 20 $10.06 billion (2009 est.)
Exports:
$44.89 billion (2010 est.) country comparison to the world: 58 $37.16 billion (2009 est.)
Exports - commodities:
crude oil, refined petroleum products, natural gas, chemicals
Exports - partners:
Italy 37.65%, Germany 10.11%, France 8.44%, Spain 7.94%, Switzerland 5.93%, US 5.27% (2009)
Imports:
$24.47 billion (2010 est.) country comparison to the world: 64 $22.01 billion (2009 est.)
Imports - commodities:
machinery, semi-finished goods, food, transport equipment, consumer products
Imports - partners:
Italy 18.9%, China 10.54%, Turkey 9.92%, Germany 9.78%, France 5.63%, Tunisia 5.25%, South Korea 4.02% (2009)
Reserves of foreign exchange and gold:
$107.3 billion (31 December 2010 est.) country comparison to the world: 13 $104.2 billion (31 December 2009 est.)
Debt - external:
$6.378 billion (31 December 2010 est.) country comparison to the world: 98 $5.891 billion (31 December 2009 est.)
Stock of direct foreign investment - at home:
$18.64 billion (31 December 2010 est.) country comparison to the world: 70 $15.56 billion (31 December 2009 est.)
Stock of direct foreign investment - abroad:
$15.32 billion (31 December 2010 est.) country comparison to the world: 49 $13.92 billion (31 December 2009 est.)
Exchange rates:
Libyan dinars (LYD) per US dollar - 1.2648 (2010), 1.2535 (2009), 1.2112 (2008), 1.2604 (2007), 1.3108 (2006)
Communications ::Libya
Telephones - main lines in use:
1.101 million (2009) country comparison to the world: 74
Telephones - mobile cellular:
5.004 million (2009) country comparison to the world: 95
Telephone system:
general assessment: telecommunications system is state-owned and service is poor, but investment is being made to upgrade; state retains monopoly in fixed-line services; mobile-cellular telephone system became operational in 1996
domestic: multiple providers for a mobile telephone system that is growing rapidly; combined fixed-line and mobile-cellular teledensity is approaching 100 telephones per 100 persons
international: country code - 218; satellite earth stations - 4 Intelsat, NA Arabsat, and NA Intersputnik; submarine cable to France and Italy; microwave radio relay to Tunisia and Egypt; tropospheric scatter to Greece; participant in Medarabtel (2009)
Broadcast media:
state controls broadcast media; state-owned terrestrial TV station and about a half-dozen state-owned satellite stations broadcast; some provinces operate local TV stations; a single, non-state-owned TV station launched in 2007; pan-Arab satellite TV stations are available; state-owned radio broadcasts on a number of frequencies, some of which carry regional programming; Voice of Africa, Libya's external radio service, can also be heard; a single, non-state-owned radio station broadcasting (2007)
Internet country code:
.ly
Internet hosts:
12,432 (2010) country comparison to the world: 120
Internet users:
353,900 (2009) country comparison to the world: 124
Transportation ::Libya
Airports:
137 (2010) country comparison to the world: 42
Airports - with paved runways:
total: 59
over 3,047 m: 24
2,438 to 3,047 m: 5
1,524 to 2,437 m: 23
914 to 1,523 m: 6
under 914 m: 1 (2010)
Airports - with unpaved runways:
total: 78
over 3,047 m: 3
2,438 to 3,047 m: 2
1,524 to 2,437 m: 14
914 to 1,523 m: 42
under 914 m: 17 (2010)
Heliports:
2 (2010)
Pipelines:
condensate 776 km; gas 2,860 km; oil 6,987 km (2009)
Roadways:
total: 100,024 km country comparison to the world: 43 paved: 57,214 km
unpaved: 42,810 km (2003)
Merchant marine:
total: 27 country comparison to the world: 89 by type: cargo 5, chemical tanker 4, liquefied gas 3, petroleum tanker 13, roll on/roll off 2
foreign-owned: 5 (Kuwait 1, Norway 1, Syria 2, UK 1)
registered in other countries: 5 (Hong Kong 1, Malta 4) (2010)
Ports and terminals:
Marsa al Burayqah, Ra's Lanuf, Tripoli
Military ::Libya
Military branches:
Armed Peoples on Duty (APOD, Army), Libyan Arab Navy, Libyan Arab Air Force (Al-Quwwat al-Jawwiya al-Jamahiriya al-Arabia al-Libyya, LAAF), Libyan Coast Guard (2008)
Military service age and obligation:
17 years of age (2004)
Manpower available for military service:
males age 16-49: 1,746,512
females age 16-49: 1,683,390 (2010 est.)
Manpower fit for military service:
males age 16-49: 1,490,011
females age 16-49: 1,436,613 (2010 est.)
Manpower reaching militarily significant age annually:
male: 59,842
female: 57,357 (2010 est.)
Military expenditures:
3.9% of GDP (2005 est.) country comparison to the world: 25
Transnational Issues ::Libya
Disputes - international:
Libya has claimed more than 32,000 sq km in southeastern Algeria and about 25,000 sq km in the Tommo region of Niger in a currently dormant dispute; various Chadian rebels from the Aozou region reside in southern Libya
Refugees and internally displaced persons:
refugees (country of origin): 8,000 (Palestinian Territories) (2007)
Trafficking in persons:
current situation: Libya is a transit and destination country for men and women from sub-Saharan Africa and Asia trafficked for the purposes of forced labor and commercial sexual exploitation
tier rating: Tier 2 Watch List - Libya is on the Tier 2 Watch List for its failure to provide evidence of increasing efforts to address trafficking in persons in 2007 when compared to 2006, particularly in the area of investigating and prosecuting trafficking offenses; Libya did not publicly release any data on investigations or punishment of any trafficking offenses (2008)
page last updated on January 25, 2011
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@Liechtenstein (Europe)
Introduction ::Liechtenstein
Background:
The Principality of Liechtenstein was established within the Holy Roman Empire in 1719. Occupied by both French and Russian troops during the Napoleonic wars, it became a sovereign state in 1806 and joined the Germanic Confederation in 1815. Liechtenstein became fully independent in 1866 when the Confederation dissolved. Until the end of World War I, it was closely tied to Austria, but the economic devastation caused by that conflict forced Liechtenstein to enter into a customs and monetary union with Switzerland. Since World War II (in which Liechtenstein remained neutral), the country's low taxes have spurred outstanding economic growth. In 2000, shortcomings in banking regulatory oversight resulted in concerns about the use of financial institutions for money laundering. However, Liechtenstein implemented anti-money-laundering legislation and a Mutual Legal Assistance Treaty with the US that went into effect in 2003.
Geography ::Liechtenstein
Location:
Central Europe, between Austria and Switzerland
Geographic coordinates:
47 16 N, 9 32 E
Map references:
Europe
Area:
total: 160 sq km country comparison to the world: 218 land: 160 sq km
water: 0 sq km
Area - comparative:
about 0.9 times the size of Washington, DC
Land boundaries:
total: 76 km
border countries: Austria 34.9 km, Switzerland 41.1 km
Coastline:
0 km (doubly landlocked)
Maritime claims:
none (landlocked)
Climate:
continental; cold, cloudy winters with frequent snow or rain; cool to moderately warm, cloudy, humid summers
Terrain:
mostly mountainous (Alps) with Rhine Valley in western third
Elevation extremes:
lowest point: Ruggeller Riet 430 m
highest point: Vorder-Grauspitz 2,599 m
Natural resources:
hydroelectric potential, arable land
Land use:
arable land: 25%
permanent crops: 0%
other: 75% (2005)
Irrigated land:
NA
Natural hazards:
NA
Environment - current issues:
NA
Environment - international agreements:
party to: Air Pollution, Air Pollution-Nitrogen Oxides, Air Pollution-Persistent Organic Pollutants, Air Pollution-Sulfur 85, Air Pollution-Sulfur 94, Air Pollution-Volatile Organic Compounds, Biodiversity, Climate Change, Climate Change-Kyoto Protocol, Desertification, Endangered Species, Hazardous Wastes, Ozone Layer Protection, Wetlands
signed, but not ratified: Law of the Sea
Geography - note:
along with Uzbekistan, one of only two doubly landlocked countries in the world; variety of microclimatic variations based on elevation
People ::Liechtenstein
Population:
35,002 (July 2010 est.) country comparison to the world: 211
Age structure:
0-14 years: 16.6% (male 2,877/female 2,901)
15-64 years: 69.4% (male 11,917/female 12,220)
65 years and over: 13.9% (male 2,085/female 2,761) (2010 est.)
Median age:
total: 41.4 years
male: 40.8 years
female: 41.9 years (2010 est.)
Population growth rate:
0.683% (2010 est.) country comparison to the world: 143
Birth rate:
9.69 births/1,000 population (2010 est.) country comparison to the world: 200
Death rate:
7.49 deaths/1,000 population (July 2010 est.) country comparison to the world: 117
Net migration rate:
4.63 migrant(s)/1,000 population (2010 est.) country comparison to the world: 19
Urbanization:
urban population: 14% of total population (2008)
rate of urbanization: 0.5% annual rate of change (2005-10 est.)
Sex ratio:
at birth: 1.006 male(s)/female
under 15 years: 0.98 male(s)/female
15-64 years: 0.97 male(s)/female
65 years and over: 0.77 male(s)/female
total population: 0.94 male(s)/female (2010 est.)
Infant mortality rate:
total: 4.2 deaths/1,000 live births country comparison to the world: 201 male: 5.45 deaths/1,000 live births
female: 2.94 deaths/1,000 live births (2010 est.)
Life expectancy at birth:
total population: 80.19 years country comparison to the world: 24 male: 76.73 years
female: 83.66 years (2010 est.)
Total fertility rate:
1.53 children born/woman (2010 est.) country comparison to the world: 185
HIV/AIDS - adult prevalence rate:
NA
HIV/AIDS - people living with HIV/AIDS:
NA
HIV/AIDS - deaths:
NA
Nationality:
noun: Liechtensteiner(s)
adjective: Liechtenstein
Ethnic groups:
Liechtensteiner 65.6%, other 34.4% (2000 census)
Religions:
Roman Catholic 76.2%, Protestant 7%, unknown 10.6%, other 6.2% (June 2002)
Languages:
German (official), Alemannic dialect
Literacy:
definition: age 10 and over can read and write
total population: 100%
male: 100%
female: 100%
School life expectancy (primary to tertiary education):
total: 15 years
male: 16 years
female: 14 years (2008)
Education expenditures:
NA
Government ::Liechtenstein
Country name:
conventional long form: Principality of Liechtenstein
conventional short form: Liechtenstein
local long form: Fuerstentum Liechtenstein
local short form: Liechtenstein
Government type:
constitutional monarchy
Capital:
name: Vaduz
geographic coordinates: 47 08 N, 9 31 E
time difference: UTC+1 (6 hours ahead of Washington, DC during Standard Time)
daylight saving time: +1hr, begins last Sunday in March; ends last Sunday in October
Administrative divisions:
11 communes (Gemeinden, singular - Gemeinde); Balzers, Eschen, Gamprin, Mauren, Planken, Ruggell, Schaan, Schellenberg, Triesen, Triesenberg, Vaduz
Independence:
23 January 1719 (Principality of Liechtenstein established); 12 July 1806 (independence from the Holy Roman Empire)
National holiday:
Assumption Day, 15 August
Constitution:
5 October 1921; amended 15 September 2003
Legal system:
local civil and penal codes based on civil law system; accepts compulsory ICJ jurisdiction with reservations
Suffrage:
18 years of age; universal
Executive branch:
chief of state: Prince HANS ADAM II (since 13 November 1989, assumed executive powers on 26 August 1984); Heir Apparent Prince ALOIS, son of the monarch (born 11 June 1968); note - on 15 August 2004, HANS ADAM transferred the official duties of the ruling prince to ALOIS, but HANS ADAM retains status of chief of state
head of government: Head of Government Klaus TSCHUETSCHER (since 25 March 2009)
cabinet: Cabinet elected by the Parliament, confirmed by the monarch (For more information visit the World Leaders website ) elections: the monarchy is hereditary; following legislative elections, the leader of the majority party in the Landtag usually appointed the head of government by the monarch and the leader of the largest minority party in the Landtag usually appointed the deputy head of government by the monarch if there is a coalition government
Legislative branch:
unicameral Parliament or Landtag (25 seats; members elected by popular vote under proportional representation to serve four-year terms)
elections: last held on 8 February 2009 (next to be held in February 2013)
election results: percent of vote by party - VU 47.6%, FBP 43.5%, FL 8.9%; seats by party - VU 13, FBP 11, FL 1
Judicial branch:
Supreme Court or Oberster Gerichtshof; Court of Appeal or Obergericht
Political parties and leaders:
Die Freie Liste (The Free List) or FL [Wolfgang MARXER]; Fortschrittliche Buergerpartei (Progressive Citizens' Party) or FBP [Alexander BATLINER]; Vaterlaendische Union (Fatherland Union) or VU [Adolf HEEB]
Political pressure groups and leaders:
NA
International organization participation:
CE, EBRD, EFTA, IAEA, ICCt, ICRM, IFRCS, Interpol, IOC, IPU, ITSO, ITU, ITUC, OPCW, OSCE, PCA, Schengen Convention (de facto member), UN, UNCTAD, UPU, WIPO, WTO
Diplomatic representation in the US:
chief of mission: Ambassador Claudia FRITSCHE
chancery: 2900 K Street, NW, Suite 602B, Washington, DC 20007
telephone: [1] (202) 331-0590
FAX: [1] (202) 331-3221
Diplomatic representation from the US:
the US does not have an embassy in Liechtenstein; the US Ambassador to Switzerland is accredited to Liechtenstein
Flag description:
two equal horizontal bands of blue (top) and red with a gold crown on the hoist side of the blue band; the colors may derive from the blue and red livery design used in the principality's household in the 18th century; the prince's crown was introduced in 1937 to distinguish the flag from that of Haiti
National anthem:
name: "Oben am jungen Rhein" (High Above the Young Rhine)
lyrics/music: Jakob Joseph JAUCH/unknown
note: adopted 1850, revised 1963; the anthem uses the tune of "God Save the Queen"
Economy ::Liechtenstein
Economy - overview:
Despite its small size and limited natural resources, Liechtenstein has developed into a prosperous, highly industrialized, free-enterprise economy with a vital financial service sector and the highest per capita income in the world. The Liechtenstein economy is widely diversified with a large number of small businesses. Low business taxes - the maximum tax rate is 20% - and easy incorporation rules have induced many holding companies to establish nominal offices in Liechtenstein providing 30% of state revenues. The country participates in a customs union with Switzerland and uses the Swiss franc as its national currency. It imports more than 90% of its energy requirements. Liechtenstein has been a member of the European Economic Area (an organization serving as a bridge between the European Free Trade Association (EFTA) and the EU) since May 1995. The government is working to harmonize its economic policies with those of an integrated Europe. In 2008, Liechtenstein came under renewed international pressure - particularly from Germany - to improve transparency in its banking and tax systems. In December 2008, Liechtenstein signed a Tax Information Exchange Agreement with the US. Upon Liechtenstein's conclusion of 12 bilateral information-sharing agreements, the OECD in October 2009 removed the principality from its "grey list" of countries that had yet to implement the organization's Model Tax Convention.
GDP (purchasing power parity):
$4.16 billion (2007) country comparison to the world: 168 $4.035 billion (2006 est.)
GDP (official exchange rate):
$4.603 billion (2007)
GDP - real growth rate:
3.1% (2007 est.) country comparison to the world: 116
GDP - per capita (PPP):
$122,100 (2007 est.) country comparison to the world: 2
GDP - composition by sector:
agriculture: 8%
industry: 39%
services: 54% (2007)
Labor force:
32,440 of whom 16,200 commute from Austria, Switzerland, and Germany to work each day (2008) country comparison to the world: 202
Labor force - by occupation:
agriculture: 1.7%
industry: 43.5%
services: 55.4% (December 2006)
Unemployment rate:
1.5% (31 December 2007) country comparison to the world: 8 1.3% (September 2002)
Population below poverty line:
NA%
Household income or consumption by percentage share:
lowest 10%: NA%
highest 10%: NA%
Inflation rate (consumer prices):
0.5% (2009) country comparison to the world: 12
Market value of publicly traded shares:
$NA
Agriculture - products:
wheat, barley, corn, potatoes; livestock, dairy products
Industries:
electronics, metal manufacturing, dental products, ceramics, pharmaceuticals, food products, precision instruments, tourism, optical instruments
Industrial production growth rate:
NA%
Exports:
$3.92 billion (2008) country comparison to the world: 117
Exports - commodities:
small specialty machinery, connectors for audio and video, parts for motor vehicles, dental products, hardware, prepared foodstuffs, electronic equipment, optical products
Imports:
$2.59 billion (2008) country comparison to the world: 145
Imports - commodities:
agricultural products, raw materials, energy products, machinery, metal goods, textiles, foodstuffs, motor vehicles
Debt - external:
$0 (2001) country comparison to the world: 196
Exchange rates:
Swiss francs (CHF) per US dollar - 1.0723 (2010), 1.0881 (2009), 1.0774 (2008), 1.1973 (2007), 1.2539 (2006)
Communications ::Liechtenstein
Telephones - main lines in use:
19,600 (2009) country comparison to the world: 195
Telephones - mobile cellular:
35,000 (2009) country comparison to the world: 200
Telephone system:
general assessment: automatic telephone system
domestic: fixed-line and mobile-cellular services widely available; combined telephone service subscribership exceeds 150 per 100 persons
international: country code - 423; linked to Swiss networks by cable and microwave radio relay (2008)
Broadcast media:
relies on foreign terrestrial and satellite broadcasters for most broadcast media services; first Liechtenstein-based television station established August 2008; Radio Liechtenstein operates multiple radio stations; a Swiss-based broadcaster operates several radio stations in Liechtenstein (2008)
Internet country code:
.li
Internet hosts:
9,418 (2010) country comparison to the world: 124
Internet users:
23,000 (2009) country comparison to the world: 190
Transportation ::Liechtenstein
Pipelines:
gas 20 km (2009)
Railways:
9 km 1.435-m gauge (electrified)
note: belongs to the Austrian Railway System connecting Austria and Switzerland (2008)
Roadways:
total: 380 km country comparison to the world: 200 paved: 380 km (2010)
Waterways:
28 km (2008) country comparison to the world: 107
Military ::Liechtenstein
Military branches:
no regular military forces (constitutionally prohibited); Principality of Liechtenstein National Police (Landespolizei, LP) (2010)
Manpower available for military service:
males age 16-49: 8,041 (2010 est.)
Manpower fit for military service:
males age 16-49: 6,559
females age 16-49: 6,782 (2010 est.)
Manpower reaching militarily significant age annually:
male: 209
female: 208 (2010 est.)
Military - note:
Liechtenstein has no military forces but is interested in European security policy and is an active member of the Organization for Security and Cooperation in Europe (OSCE)
Transnational Issues ::Liechtenstein
Disputes - international:
none
Illicit drugs:
has strengthened money laundering controls, but money laundering remains a concern due to Liechtenstein's sophisticated offshore financial services sector
page last updated on January 3, 2011
======================================================================
@Lithuania (Europe)
Introduction ::Lithuania
Background:
Lithuanian lands were united under MINDAUGAS in 1236; over the next century, through alliances and conquest, Lithuania extended its territory to include most of present-day Belarus and Ukraine. By the end of the 14th century Lithuania was the largest state in Europe. An alliance with Poland in 1386 led the two countries into a union through the person of a common ruler. In 1569, Lithuania and Poland formally united into a single dual state, the Polish-Lithuanian Commonwealth. This entity survived until 1795 when its remnants were partitioned by surrounding countries. Lithuania regained its independence following World War I but was annexed by the USSR in 1940 - an action never recognized by the US and many other countries. On 11 March 1990, Lithuania became the first of the Soviet republics to declare its independence, but Moscow did not recognize this proclamation until September of 1991 (following the abortive coup in Moscow). The last Russian troops withdrew in 1993. Lithuania subsequently restructured its economy for integration into Western European institutions; it joined both NATO and the EU in the spring of 2004.
Geography ::Lithuania
Location:
Eastern Europe, bordering the Baltic Sea, between Latvia and Russia
Geographic coordinates:
56 00 N, 24 00 E
Map references:
Europe
Area:
total: 65,300 sq km country comparison to the world: 122 land: 62,680 sq km
water: 2,620 sq km
Area - comparative:
slightly larger than West Virginia
Land boundaries:
total: 1,574 km
border countries: Belarus 680 km, Latvia 576 km, Poland 91 km, Russia (Kaliningrad) 227 km
Coastline:
90 km
Maritime claims:
territorial sea: 12 nm
Climate:
transitional, between maritime and continental; wet, moderate winters and summers
Terrain:
lowland, many scattered small lakes, fertile soil
Elevation extremes:
lowest point: Baltic Sea 0 m
highest point: Aukstojas 294 m
Natural resources:
peat, arable land, amber
Land use:
arable land: 44.81%
permanent crops: 0.9%
other: 54.29% (2005)
Irrigated land:
70 sq km (2003)
Total renewable water resources:
24.5 cu km (2005)
Freshwater withdrawal (domestic/industrial/agricultural):
total: 3.33 cu km/yr (78%/15%/7%)
per capita: 971 cu m/yr (2003)
Natural hazards:
NA
Environment - current issues:
contamination of soil and groundwater with petroleum products and chemicals at military bases
Environment - international agreements:
party to: Air Pollution, Air Pollution-Nitrogen Oxides, Air Pollution-Persistent Organic Pollutants, Air Pollution-Sulphur 85, Air Pollution-Sulphur 94, Air Pollution-Volatile Organic Compounds, Biodiversity, Climate Change, Climate Change-Kyoto Protocol, Desertification, Endangered Species, Environmental Modification, Hazardous Wastes, Law of the Sea, Ozone Layer Protection, Ship Pollution, Wetlands
signed, but not ratified: none of the selected agreements
Geography - note:
fertile central plains are separated by hilly uplands that are ancient glacial deposits
People ::Lithuania
Population:
3,545,319 (July 2010 est.) country comparison to the world: 130
Age structure:
0-14 years: 14.2% (male 258,423/female 245,115)
15-64 years: 69.6% (male 1,214,743/female 1,261,413)
65 years and over: 16.2% (male 198,714/female 376,771) (2010 est.)
Median age:
total: 39.7 years
male: 37.1 years
female: 42.3 years (2010 est.)
Population growth rate:
-0.276% (2010 est.) country comparison to the world: 217
Birth rate:
9.21 births/1,000 population (2010 est.) country comparison to the world: 207
Death rate:
11.25 deaths/1,000 population (July 2010 est.) country comparison to the world: 39
Net migration rate:
-0.72 migrant(s)/1,000 population (2010 est.) country comparison to the world: 150
Urbanization:
urban population: 67% of total population (2008)
rate of urbanization: -0.4% annual rate of change (2005-10 est.)
Sex ratio:
at birth: 1.057 male(s)/female
under 15 years: 1.06 male(s)/female
15-64 years: 0.96 male(s)/female
65 years and over: 0.53 male(s)/female
total population: 0.89 male(s)/female (2010 est.)
Infant mortality rate:
total: 6.37 deaths/1,000 live births country comparison to the world: 173 male: 7.61 deaths/1,000 live births
female: 5.06 deaths/1,000 live births (2010 est.)
Life expectancy at birth:
total population: 75.12 years country comparison to the world: 87 male: 70.23 years
female: 80.29 years (2010 est.)
Total fertility rate:
1.24 children born/woman (2010 est.) country comparison to the world: 218
HIV/AIDS - adult prevalence rate:
0.1% (2007 est.) country comparison to the world: 118
HIV/AIDS - people living with HIV/AIDS:
2,200 (2007 est.) country comparison to the world: 138
HIV/AIDS - deaths:
fewer than 200 (2007 est.) country comparison to the world: 108
Major infectious diseases:
degree of risk: intermediate
food or waterborne diseases: bacterial diarrhea
vectorborne diseases: tickborne encephalitis (2009)
Nationality:
noun: Lithuanian(s)
adjective: Lithuanian
Ethnic groups:
Lithuanian 84%, Polish 6.1%, Russian 4.9%, Belarusian 1.1%, other or unspecified 3.9% (2009)
Religions:
Roman Catholic 79%, Russian Orthodox 4.1%, Protestant (including Lutheran and Evangelical Christian Baptist) 1.9%, other or unspecified 5.5%, none 9.5% (2001 census)
Languages:
Lithuanian (official) 82%, Russian 8%, Polish 5.6%, other and unspecified 4.4% (2001 census)
Literacy:
definition: age 15 and over can read and write
total population: 99.6%
male: 99.6%
female: 99.6% (2001 census)
School life expectancy (primary to tertiary education):
total: 16 years
male: 15 years
female: 17 years (2008)
Education expenditures:
4.7% of GDP (2007) country comparison to the world: 85
Government ::Lithuania
Country name:
conventional long form: Republic of Lithuania
conventional short form: Lithuania
local long form: Lietuvos Respublika
local short form: Lietuva
former: Lithuanian Soviet Socialist Republic
Government type:
parliamentary democracy
Capital:
name: Vilnius
geographic coordinates: 54 41 N, 25 19 E
time difference: UTC+2 (7 hours ahead of Washington, DC during Standard Time)
daylight saving time: +1hr, begins last Sunday in March; ends last Sunday in October
Administrative divisions:
10 counties (apskritys, singular - apskritis); Alytaus, Kauno, Klaipedos, Marijampoles, Panevezio, Siauliu, Taurages, Telsiu, Utenos, Vilniaus
Independence:
11 March 1990 (declared); 6 September 1991 (recognized by the Soviet Union)
National holiday:
Independence Day, 16 February (1918); note - 16 February 1918 was the date Lithuania declared its independence from Soviet Russia and established its statehood; 11 March 1990 was the date it declared its independence from the Soviet Union
Constitution:
adopted 25 October 1992; last amended 13 July 2004
Legal system:
based on civil law system; legislative acts can be appealed to the constitutional court; has not accepted compulsory ICJ jurisdiction
Suffrage:
18 years of age; universal
Executive branch:
chief of state: President Dalia GRYBAUSKAITE (since 12 July 2009)
head of government: Prime Minister Andrius KUBILIUS (since 27 November 2008)
cabinet: Council of Ministers appointed by the president on the nomination of the prime minister (For more information visit the World Leaders website ) elections: president elected by popular vote for a five-year term (eligible for a second term); election last held on 17 May 2009 (next to be held in May 2014); prime minister appointed by the president on the approval of the Parliament
election results: Dalia GRYBAUSKAITE elected president; percent of vote - Dalia GRYBAUSKAITE 69.1%, Algirdas BUTKEVICIUS 11.8%, Valentinas MAZURONIS 6.2%, others 12.9%; Andrius KUBILIUS' government approved by Parliament 83-40 with 5 abstentions
Legislative branch:
unicameral Parliament or Seimas (141 seats; 71 members elected by popular vote, 70 elected by proportional representation; members to serve four-year terms)
elections: last held on 12 and 26 October 2008 (next to be held in October 2012)
election results: percent of vote by party - TS-LKD 19.7%, TPP 15.1%, TT 12.7%, LSDP 11.7%, KDP+J 9%, LRLS 5.7%, LCS 5.3%, LLRA 4.8%, LVLS 3.7%, NS 3.6%, other 8.7%; seats by faction - TS-LKD 44, LSDP 26, TPP 16, TT 15, LRLS 11, KDP+J 10, LCS 8, LLRA 3, LVLS 3, NS 1, independent 4; note - seats by faction as of 15 March 2010 - TS-LKD 46, LSDP 25, TT 18, Christian Party 12, LS 11, DP 10, LCS 7, TPP 7, unaffiliated 5; note - TS-LKD, LS, LCS, and TPP form the ruling coalition
Judicial branch:
Constitutional Court; Supreme Court; Court of Appeal; judges for all courts appointed by the president
Political parties and leaders:
Christian party [Gediminas VAGNORIUS]; Civil Democracy Party or PDP [Algimantas MATULEVICIUS]; Electoral Action of Lithuanian Poles or LLRA [Valdemar TOMASZEVSKI]; Homeland Union - Lithuanian Christian Democrats or TS-LKD [Andrius KUBILIUS]; Labor Party or DP [Viktor USPASKICH]; Liberal and Center Union or LCS [Gintautas BABRAVICIUS]; Liberal Movement or LS or LRLS [Eligijus MASIULIS]; Lithuanian Farmers' Union or LVLS or VLS [ Ramunas KARBAUSKIS]; Lithuanian People's Party (not yet officially established) [Kazimiera PRUNSKIENE]; National Revival or TPP [Arunas VALINSKAS]; New Union (Social Liberal) or NS [Arturas PAULAUSKAS]; Order and Justice Party or TT [Rolandas PAKSAS]; Social Democratic Party or LSDP [Algirdas BUTKEVICIUS]
International organization participation:
Australia Group, BA, BIS, CBSS, CD, CE, EAPC, EBRD, EIB, EU, FAO, IAEA, IBRD, ICAO, ICC, ICCt, ICRM, IFC, IFRCS, ILO, IMF, IMO, Interpol, IOC, IOM, IPU, ISO, ITU, ITUC, MIGA, NATO, NIB, NSG, OAS (observer), OIF (observer), OPCW, OSCE, PCA, Schengen Convention, UN, UNCTAD, UNESCO, UNIDO, UNWTO, UPU, WCO, WHO, WIPO, WMO, WTO
Diplomatic representation in the US:
chief of mission: Ambassador Zygimantas PAVILIONIS
chancery: 2622 16th Street NW, Washington, DC 20009
telephone: [1] (202) 234-5860
FAX: [1] (202) 328-0466
consulate(s) general: Chicago, New York
Diplomatic representation from the US:
chief of mission: Ambassador Anne E. DERSE
embassy: Akmenu gatve 6, Vilnius, LT-03106
mailing address: American Embassy, Akmenu Gatve 6, Vilnius LT-03106
telephone: [370] (5) 266 5500
FAX: [370] (5) 266 5510
Flag description:
three equal horizontal bands of yellow (top), green, and red; yellow symbolizes golden fields, as well as the sun, light, and goodness; green represents the forests of the countryside, in addition to nature, freedom, and hope; red stands for courage and the blood spilled in defense of the homeland
National anthem:
name: "Tautiska giesme" (The National Song)
lyrics/music: Vincas KUDIRKA
note: adopted 1918, restored 1990; the anthem was written in 1898 while Lithuania was a part of Russia; it was banned during the Soviet occupation from 1940 to 1990
Economy ::Lithuania
Economy - overview:
Lithuania gained membership in the World Trade Organization and joined the EU in May 2004. Despite Lithuania's EU accession, Lithuania's trade with its Central and Eastern European neighbors, and Russia in particular, accounts for a growing percentage of total trade. Privatization of the large, state-owned utilities is nearly complete. Foreign government and business support have helped in the transition from the old command economy to a market economy. Lithuania's economy grew on average 8% per year for the four years prior to 2008 driven by exports and domestic demand. However, GDP plunged nearly 15% in 2009 - during the 2008-09 crisis the three former Soviet Baltic republics had the world's worst economic declines. In 2009, the government launched a high-profile campaign, led by Prime Minister KUBILIUS, to attract foreign investment and to develop export markets. The current account deficit, which had risen to roughly 15% of GDP in 2007-08, recovered to a surplus of 4% 2009 and 3.5% in 2010 in the wake of a cutback in imports to almost half the 2008 level. Nevertheless, economic growth was flat and unemployment continued upward to 16% in 2010.
GDP (purchasing power parity):
$56.22 billion (2010 est.) country comparison to the world: 89 $55.99 billion (2009 est.)
$65.72 billion (2008 est.)
note: data are in 2010 US dollars
GDP (official exchange rate):
$35.73 billion (2010 est.)
GDP - real growth rate:
0.4% (2010 est.) country comparison to the world: 188 -14.8% (2009 est.)
2.8% (2008 est.)
GDP - per capita (PPP):
$15,900 (2010 est.) country comparison to the world: 70 $15,700 (2009 est.)
$18,400 (2008 est.)
note: data are in 2010 US dollars
GDP - composition by sector:
agriculture: 4.3%
industry: 27.6%
services: 68.2% (2010 est.)
Labor force:
1.633 million (2010 est.) country comparison to the world: 128
Labor force - by occupation:
agriculture: 14%
industry: 29.1%
services: 56.9% (2005)
Unemployment rate:
16% (2010 est.) country comparison to the world: 154 13.7% (2009 est.)
Population below poverty line:
4% (2003)
Household income or consumption by percentage share:
lowest 10%: 2.7%
highest 10%: 27.4% (2004)
Distribution of family income - Gini index:
36 (2005) country comparison to the world: 85 34 (1999)
Investment (gross fixed):
15.2% of GDP (2010 est.) country comparison to the world: 128
Public debt:
36.7% of GDP (2010 est.) country comparison to the world: 81 29.5% of GDP (2009 est.)
Inflation rate (consumer prices):
0.9% (2010 est.) country comparison to the world: 19 4.5% (2009 est.)
Central bank discount rate:
1.75% (February 2010) country comparison to the world: 105 4.73% (31 December 2008)
Commercial bank prime lending rate:
8.39% (31 December 2009 est.) country comparison to the world: 113 8.41% (31 December 2008 est.)
Stock of narrow money:
$8.917 billion (31 December 2010 est) country comparison to the world: 73 $8.896 billion (31 December 2009 est)
Stock of broad money:
$17.26 billion (31 December 2010 est.) country comparison to the world: 86 $17.6 billion (31 December 2009 est.)
Stock of domestic credit:
$25.35 billion (31 December 2010 est.) country comparison to the world: 73 $25.85 billion (31 December 2009 est.)
Market value of publicly traded shares:
$4.477 billion (31 December 2009) country comparison to the world: 84 $3.625 billion (31 December 2008)
$10.13 billion (31 December 2007)
Agriculture - products:
grain, potatoes, sugar beets, flax, vegetables; beef, milk, eggs; fish
Industries:
metal-cutting machine tools, electric motors, television sets, refrigerators and freezers, petroleum refining, shipbuilding (small ships), furniture making, textiles, food processing, fertilizers, agricultural machinery, optical equipment, electronic components, computers, amber jewelry
Industrial production growth rate:
2.5% (2010 est.) country comparison to the world: 121
Electricity - production:
12.09 billion kWh (2007 est.) country comparison to the world: 86
Electricity - consumption:
9.612 billion kWh (2007 est.) country comparison to the world: 89
Electricity - exports:
6.606 billion kWh (2008 est.)
Electricity - imports:
5.649 billion kWh (2008 est.)
Oil - production:
6,333 bbl/day (2009 est.) country comparison to the world: 90
Oil - consumption:
74,000 bbl/day (2009 est.) country comparison to the world: 89
Oil - exports:
137,200 bbl/day (2007 est.) country comparison to the world: 59
Oil - imports:
204,000 bbl/day (2007 est.) country comparison to the world: 44
Oil - proved reserves:
12 million bbl (1 January 2010 est.) country comparison to the world: 88
Natural gas - production:
0 cu m (2008 est.) country comparison to the world: 163
Natural gas - consumption:
3.53 billion cu m (2008 est.) country comparison to the world: 67
Natural gas - exports:
0 cu m (2008 est.) country comparison to the world: 160
Natural gas - imports:
3.53 billion cu m (2008 est.) country comparison to the world: 37
Natural gas - proved reserves:
0 cu m (1 January 2010 est.) country comparison to the world: 166
Current account balance:
$1.231 billion (2010 est.) country comparison to the world: 43 $1.492 billion (2009 est.)
Exports:
$19.29 billion (2010 est.) country comparison to the world: 70 $16.48 billion (2009 est.)
Exports - commodities:
mineral products 22%, machinery and equipment 10%, chemicals 9%, textiles 7%, foodstuffs 7%, plastics 7%
Exports - partners:
Russia 13.2%, Latvia 10%, Germany 9.6%, Poland 7.1%, Estonia 7.1%, Belarus 4.7%, UK 4.3% (2009)
Imports:
$20.34 billion (2010 est.) country comparison to the world: 71 $17.56 billion (2009 est.)
Imports - commodities:
mineral products, machinery and equipment, transport equipment, chemicals, textiles and clothing, metals
Imports - partners:
Russia 30.1%, Germany 11.1%, Poland 9.9%, Latvia 6.3% (2009)
Reserves of foreign exchange and gold:
$6.418 billion (31 December 2010 est.) country comparison to the world: 61 $6.66 billion (31 December 2009 est.)
Debt - external:
$27.6 billion (31 December 2010 est.) country comparison to the world: 66 $28.69 billion (31 December 2009 est.)
Stock of direct foreign investment - at home:
$14.11 billion (31 December 2010 est.) country comparison to the world: 75 $13.81 billion (31 December 2009 est.)
Stock of direct foreign investment - abroad:
$2.507 billion (31 December 2010 est.) country comparison to the world: 64 $2.307 billion (31 December 2009 est.)
Exchange rates:
litai (LTL) per US dollar - 2.6637 (2010), 2.4787 (2009), 2.3251 (2008), 2.5362 (2007), 2.7498 (2006)
Communications ::Lithuania
Telephones - main lines in use:
747,400 (2009) country comparison to the world: 89
Telephones - mobile cellular:
4.962 million (2009) country comparison to the world: 96
Telephone system:
general assessment: adequate; being modernized to provide improved international capability and better residential access
domestic: rapid expansion of mobile-cellular services has resulted in a steady decline in the number of fixed-line connections; mobile-cellular teledensity stands at about 140 per 100 persons
international: country code - 370; major international connections to Denmark, Sweden, and Norway by submarine cable for further transmission by satellite; landline connections to Latvia and Poland (2008)
Broadcast media:
public broadcaster operates 3 channels with the third channel - a satellite channel - introduced in 2007; various privately-owned commercial TV broadcasters operate national and multiple regional channels; large number of privately-owned local TV stations; multi-channel cable and satellite TV services are available; publicly-owned broadcaster operates 3 radio networks; large number of privately-owned commercial broadcasters, many with repeater stations in various regions throughout the country (2007)
Internet country code:
.lt
Internet hosts:
1.17 million (2010) country comparison to the world: 40
Internet users:
1.964 million (2009) country comparison to the world: 75
Transportation ::Lithuania
Airports:
81 (2010) country comparison to the world: 69
Airports - with paved runways:
total: 26
over 3,047 m: 3
2,438 to 3,047 m: 1
1,524 to 2,437 m: 7
914 to 1,523 m: 2
under 914 m: 13 (2010)
Airports - with unpaved runways:
total: 55
over 3,047 m: 1
914 to 1,523 m: 3
under 914 m: 51 (2010)
Pipelines:
gas 1,695 km; refined products 114 km (2009)
Railways:
total: 1,768 km country comparison to the world: 78 broad gauge: 1,746 km 1.524-m gauge (122 km electrified)
standard gauge: 22 km 1.435-m gauge (2009)
Roadways:
total: 81,030 km country comparison to the world: 58 paved: 71,563 km (includes 309 km of expressways)
unpaved: 9,467 km (2008)
Waterways:
441 km (navigable year round) (2007) country comparison to the world: 88
Merchant marine:
total: 42 country comparison to the world: 75 by type: cargo 22, container 1, passenger/cargo 6, refrigerated cargo 11, roll on/roll off 2
foreign-owned: 8 (Denmark 8)
registered in other countries: 29 (Antigua and Barbuda 4, Belize 2, Comoros 3, Cook Islands 2, Norway 1, Panama 4, Saint Vincent and the Grenadines 10, unknown 3) (2010)
Ports and terminals:
Butinge, Klaipeda
Military ::Lithuania
Military branches:
Ground Forces, Naval Forces, Air Forces (Karines Oro Pajegos, KOP), National Defense Volunteer Forces (2010)
Military service age and obligation:
19-26 years of age for compulsory military service; 18 years of age for volunteers; 12-month conscript service obligation; male registration required at age 16 (2009)
Manpower available for military service:
males age 16-49: 900,746
females age 16-49: 887,843 (2010 est.)
Manpower fit for military service:
males age 16-49: 674,265
females age 16-49: 734,806 (2010 est.)
Manpower reaching militarily significant age annually:
male: 21,606
female: 20,536 (2010 est.)
Military expenditures:
1.2% of GDP (2007 est.) country comparison to the world: 125
Transnational Issues ::Lithuania
Disputes - international:
Lithuania and Russia committed to demarcating their boundary in 2006 in accordance with the land and maritime treaty ratified by Russia in May 2003 and by Lithuania in 1999; Lithuania operates a simplified transit regime for Russian nationals traveling from the Kaliningrad coastal exclave into Russia, while still conforming, as a EU member state having an external border with a non-EU member, to strict Schengen border rules; the Latvian parliament has not ratified its 1998 maritime boundary treaty with Lithuania, primarily due to concerns over potential hydrocarbons; as of January 2007, ground demarcation of the boundary with Belarus was complete and mapped with final ratification documents in preparation
Illicit drugs:
transshipment and destination point for cannabis, cocaine, ecstasy, and opiates from Southwest Asia, Latin America, Western Europe, and neighboring Baltic countries; growing production of high-quality amphetamines, but limited production of cannabis, methamphetamines; susceptible to money laundering despite changes to banking legislation
page last updated on January 19, 2011
======================================================================
@Luxembourg (Europe)
Introduction ::Luxembourg
Background:
Founded in 963, Luxembourg became a grand duchy in 1815 and an independent state under the Netherlands. It lost more than half of its territory to Belgium in 1839 but gained a larger measure of autonomy. Full independence was attained in 1867. Overrun by Germany in both world wars, it ended its neutrality in 1948 when it entered into the Benelux Customs Union and when it joined NATO the following year. In 1957, Luxembourg became one of the six founding countries of the European Economic Community (later the European Union), and in 1999 it joined the euro currency area.
Geography ::Luxembourg
Location:
Western Europe, between France and Germany
Geographic coordinates:
49 45 N, 6 10 E
Map references:
Europe
Area:
total: 2,586 sq km country comparison to the world: 178 land: 2,586 sq km
water: 0 sq km
Area - comparative:
slightly smaller than Rhode Island
Land boundaries:
total: 359 km
border countries: Belgium 148 km, France 73 km, Germany 138 km
Coastline:
0 km (landlocked)
Maritime claims:
none (landlocked)
Climate:
modified continental with mild winters, cool summers
Terrain:
mostly gently rolling uplands with broad, shallow valleys; uplands to slightly mountainous in the north; steep slope down to Moselle flood plain in the southeast
Elevation extremes:
lowest point: Moselle River 133 m
highest point: Buurgplaatz 559 m
Natural resources:
iron ore (no longer exploited), arable land
Land use:
arable land: 27.42%
permanent crops: 0.69%
other: 71.89% (includes Belgium) (2005)
Irrigated land:
NA
Total renewable water resources:
1.6 cu km (2005)
Freshwater withdrawal (domestic/industrial/agricultural):
total: 0.06 cu km/yr (42%/45%/13%)
per capita: 121 cu m/yr (1999)
Natural hazards:
NA
Environment - current issues:
air and water pollution in urban areas, soil pollution of farmland
Environment - international agreements:
party to: Air Pollution, Air Pollution-Nitrogen Oxides, Air Pollution-Persistent Organic Pollutants, Air Pollution-Sulfur 85, Air Pollution-Sulfur 94, Air Pollution-Volatile Organic Compounds, Biodiversity, Climate Change, Climate Change-Kyoto Protocol, Desertification, Endangered Species, Hazardous Wastes, Law of the Sea, Marine Dumping, Ozone Layer Protection, Ship Pollution, Tropical Timber 83, Tropical Timber 94, Wetlands
signed, but not ratified: Environmental Modification
Geography - note:
landlocked; the only Grand Duchy in the world
People ::Luxembourg
Population:
497,538 (July 2010 est.) country comparison to the world: 170
Age structure:
0-14 years: 18.5% (male 46,918/female 44,052)
15-64 years: 66.7% (male 165,342/female 162,681)
65 years and over: 14.8% (male 29,839/female 42,943) (2010 est.)
Median age:
total: 39.3 years
male: 38.3 years
female: 40.3 years (2010 est.)
Population growth rate:
1.158% (2010 est.) country comparison to the world: 109
Birth rate:
11.7 births/1,000 population (2010 est.) country comparison to the world: 168
Death rate:
8.46 deaths/1,000 population (July 2010 est.) country comparison to the world: 85
Net migration rate:
8.34 migrant(s)/1,000 population (2010 est.) country comparison to the world: 11
Urbanization:
urban population: 82% of total population (2008)
rate of urbanization: 1% annual rate of change (2005-10 est.)
Sex ratio:
at birth: 1.066 male(s)/female
under 15 years: 1.07 male(s)/female
15-64 years: 1.01 male(s)/female
65 years and over: 0.7 male(s)/female
total population: 0.97 male(s)/female (2010 est.)
Infant mortality rate:
total: 4.49 deaths/1,000 live births country comparison to the world: 194 male: 4.51 deaths/1,000 live births
female: 4.48 deaths/1,000 live births (2010 est.)
Life expectancy at birth:
total population: 79.48 years country comparison to the world: 35 male: 76.22 years
female: 82.95 years (2010 est.)
Total fertility rate:
1.78 children born/woman (2010 est.) country comparison to the world: 159
HIV/AIDS - adult prevalence rate:
0.2% (2007 est.) country comparison to the world: 99
HIV/AIDS - people living with HIV/AIDS:
fewer than 500 (2003 est.) country comparison to the world: 150
HIV/AIDS - deaths:
fewer than 100 (2003 est.) country comparison to the world: 139
Nationality:
noun: Luxembourger(s)
adjective: Luxembourg
Ethnic groups:
Luxembourger 63.1%, Portuguese 13.3%, French 4.5%, Italian 4.3%, German 2.3%, other EU 7.3%, other 5.2% (2000 census)
Religions:
Roman Catholic 87%, other (includes Protestant, Jewish, and Muslim) 13% (2000)
Languages:
Luxembourgish (national language), German (administrative language), French (administrative language)
Literacy:
definition: age 15 and over can read and write
total population: 100%
male: 100%
female: 100% (2000 est.)
School life expectancy (primary to tertiary education):
total: 13 years
male: 13 years
female: 13 years (2006)
Education expenditures:
3.7% of GDP (2001) country comparison to the world: 125
Government ::Luxembourg
Country name:
conventional long form: Grand Duchy of Luxembourg
conventional short form: Luxembourg
local long form: Grand Duche de Luxembourg
local short form: Luxembourg
Government type:
constitutional monarchy
Capital:
name: Luxembourg
geographic coordinates: 49 36 N, 6 07 E
time difference: UTC+1 (6 hours ahead of Washington, DC during Standard Time)
daylight saving time: +1hr, begins last Sunday in March; ends last Sunday in October
Administrative divisions:
3 districts; Diekirch, Grevenmacher, Luxembourg
Independence:
1839 (from the Netherlands)
National holiday:
National Day (Birthday of Grand Duchess Charlotte) 23 June; note - the actual date of birth was 23 January 1896, but the festivities were shifted by five months to allow observance during a more favorable time of year
Constitution:
17 October 1868; occasional revisions
Legal system:
based on civil law system; accepts compulsory ICJ jurisdiction
Suffrage:
18 years of age; universal and compulsory
Executive branch:
chief of state: Grand Duke HENRI (since 7 October 2000); Heir Apparent Prince GUILLAUME (son of the monarch, born 11 November 1981)
head of government: Prime Minister Jean-Claude JUNCKER (since 20 January 1995); Deputy Prime Minister Jean ASSELBORN (since 31 July 2004)
cabinet: Council of Ministers recommended by the prime minister and appointed by the monarch (For more information visit the World Leaders website ) elections: the monarchy is hereditary; following popular elections to the Chamber of Deputies, the leader of the majority party or the leader of the majority coalition usually appointed prime minister by the monarch; the deputy prime minister appointed by the monarch; they are responsible to the Chamber of Deputies
note: government coalition - CSV and LSAP
Legislative branch:
unicameral Chamber of Deputies or Chambre des Deputes (60 seats; members elected by popular vote to serve five-year terms)
elections: last held on 7 June 2009 (next to be held by June 2014)
election results: percent of vote by party - CSV 38%, LSAP 21.6%, DP 15%, Green Party 11.7%, ADR 8.1%, The Left 3.3%, other 2.3%; seats by party - CSV 26, LSAP 13, DP 9, Green Party 7, ADR 4, The Left 1
note: there is also a Council of State that serves as an advisory body to the Chamber of Deputies; the Council of State has 21 members appointed by the Grand Duke on the advice of the prime minister
Judicial branch:
judicial courts and tribunals (three Justices of the Peace, two district courts, and one Supreme Court of Appeals); administrative courts and tribunals (State Prosecutor's Office, administrative courts and tribunals, and the Constitutional Court); judges for all courts are appointed for life by the monarch
Political parties and leaders:
Alternative Democratic Reform Party or ADR [Robert MEHLEN]; Christian Social People's Party or CSV [Michel WOLTER]; dei Lenk/la Gauche (the Left); Democratic Party or DP [Claude MEISCH]; Green Party [Francois BAUSCH]; Luxembourg Socialist Workers' Party or LSAP [Alex BODRY]; other minor parties
Political pressure groups and leaders:
ABBL (bankers' association); ALEBA (financial sector trade union); Centrale Paysanne (federation of agricultural producers); CEP (professional sector chamber); CGFP (trade union representing civil service); Chambre de Commerce (Chamber of Commerce); Chambre des Metiers (Chamber of Artisans); FEDIL (federation of industrialists); Greenpeace (environment protection); LCGP (center-right trade union); Mouvement Ecologique (protection of ecology); OGBL (center-left trade union)
International organization participation:
ADB (nonregional member), Australia Group, Benelux, CE, EAPC, EBRD, EIB, EMU, ESA, EU, FAO, FATF, IAEA, IBRD, ICAO, ICC, ICCt, ICRM, IDA, IEA, IFAD, IFC, IFRCS, ILO, IMF, IMO, Interpol, IOC, IOM, IPU, ISO, ITSO, ITU, ITUC, MIGA, NATO, NEA, NSG, OAS (observer), OECD, OIF, OPCW, OSCE, PCA, Schengen Convention, UN, UNCTAD, UNESCO, UNHCR, UNIDO, UPU, WCO, WHO, WIPO, WMO, WTO, ZC
Diplomatic representation in the US:
chief of mission: Ambassador Jean-Paul SENNINGER
chancery: 2200 Massachusetts Avenue NW, Washington, DC 20008
telephone: [1] (202) 265-4171 through 72
FAX: [1] (202) 328-8270
consulate(s) general: New York, San Francisco
Diplomatic representation from the US:
chief of mission: Ambassador Cynthia STROUM
embassy: 22 Boulevard Emmanuel Servais, L-2535 Luxembourg City
mailing address: American Embassy Luxembourg, Unit 1410, APO AE 09126-1410 (official mail); American Embassy Luxembourg, PSC 9, Box 9500, APO AE 09123 (personal mail)
telephone: [352] 46 01 23
FAX: [352] 46 14 01
Flag description:
three equal horizontal bands of red (top), white, and light blue; similar to the flag of the Netherlands, which uses a darker blue and is shorter; the coloring is derived from the Grand Duke's coat of arms (a red lion on a white and blue striped field)
National anthem:
name: "Ons Heemecht" (Our Motherland); "De Wilhelmus" (The William)
lyrics/music: Michel LENTZ/Jean-Antoine ZINNEN; Nikolaus WELTER/unknown
note: "Ons Heemecht," adopted 1864, is the national anthem, while "De Wilhelmus," adopted 1919, serves as a royal anthem for use when members of the grand ducal family enter or exit a ceremony in Luxembourg
Economy ::Luxembourg
Economy - overview:
This small, stable, high-income economy - benefiting from its proximity to France, Belgium, and Germany - has historically featured solid growth, low inflation, and low unemployment. The industrial sector, initially dominated by steel, has become increasingly diversified to include chemicals, rubber, and other products. Growth in the financial sector, which now accounts for about 28% of GDP, has more than compensated for the decline in steel. Most banks are foreign owned and have extensive foreign dealings, but Luxembourg has lost some of its advantages as a tax haven because of OECD and EU pressure. The economy depends on foreign and cross-border workers for about 60% of its labor force. Luxembourg, like all EU members, suffered from the global economic crisis that began in late 2008, but unemployment has trended below the EU average. Following strong expansion from 2004 to 2007, Luxembourg's economy contracted and 3.4% in 2009, but rebounded 2.6% in 2010. The country continues to enjoy an extraordinarily high standard of living - GDP per capita ranks third in the world, after Liechtenstein and Qatar, and is the highest in the EU. Turmoil in the world financial markets and lower global demand during 2008-09 prompted the government to inject capital into the banking sector and implement stimulus measures to boost the economy. Government stimulus measures and support for the banking sector, however, led to a 5% government budget deficit in 2009, however, the deficit was cut below 3% in 2010.
GDP (purchasing power parity):
$40.81 billion (2010 est.) country comparison to the world: 97 $39.55 billion (2009 est.)
$41.07 billion (2008 est.)
note: data are in 2010 US dollars
GDP (official exchange rate):
$52.43 billion (2010 est.)
GDP - real growth rate:
3.2% (2010 est.) country comparison to the world: 112 -3.7% (2009 est.)
1.4% (2008 est.)
GDP - per capita (PPP):
$81,800 (2010 est.) country comparison to the world: 3 $80,700 (2009 est.)
$84,500 (2008 est.)
note: data are in 2010 US dollars
GDP - composition by sector:
agriculture: 0.4%
industry: 13.6%
services: 86% (2007 est.)
Labor force:
206,000 of whom 125,400 are foreign cross-border workers commuting primarily from France, Belgium, and Germany (2010 est.) country comparison to the world: 167
Labor force - by occupation:
agriculture: 2.2%
industry: 17.2%
services: 80.6% (2007 est.)
Unemployment rate:
5.5% (2010 est.) country comparison to the world: 53 5.7% (2009 est.)
Population below poverty line:
NA%
Household income or consumption by percentage share:
lowest 10%: 3.5%
highest 10%: 23.8% (2000)
Distribution of family income - Gini index:
26 (2005) country comparison to the world: 132
Investment (gross fixed):
16.8% of GDP (2010 est.) country comparison to the world: 119
Public debt:
16.2% of GDP (2010 est.) country comparison to the world: 116 14.6% of GDP (2009 est.)
Inflation rate (consumer prices):
2.1% (2010 est.) country comparison to the world: 58 0.4% (2009 est.)
Central bank discount rate:
1.75% (31 December 2009) country comparison to the world: 128 3% (31 December 2008)
note: this is the European Central Bank's rate on the marginal lending facility, which offers overnight credit to banks in the euro area
Stock of narrow money:
$120.8 billion (31 December 2010 est) country comparison to the world: 28 $121 billion (31 December 2009 est)
note: see entry for the European Union for money supply in the euro area; the European Central Bank (ECB) controls monetary policy for the 16 members of the Economic and Monetary Union (EMU); individual members of the EMU do not control the quantity of money circulating within their own borders
Stock of broad money:
$255.5 billion (31 December 2010 est.) country comparison to the world: 35 $231.7 billion (31 December 2009 est.)
Stock of domestic credit:
$395.1 billion (31 December 2009 est.) country comparison to the world: 28 $369.6 billion (31 December 2008 est.)
Market value of publicly traded shares:
$105.6 billion (31 December 2009) country comparison to the world: 45 $66.46 billion (31 December 2008)
$166.1 billion (31 December 2007)
Agriculture - products:
grapes, barley, oats, potatoes, wheat, fruits; dairy and livestock products
Industries:
banking and financial services, iron and steel, information technology, telecommunications, cargo transportation, food processing, chemicals, metal products, engineering, tires, glass, aluminum, tourism
Industrial production growth rate:
1.7% (2009 est.) country comparison to the world: 136
Electricity - production:
2.696 billion kWh (2007 est.) country comparison to the world: 127
Electricity - consumption:
6.525 billion kWh (2007 est.) country comparison to the world: 103
Electricity - exports:
2.483 billion kWh (2008 est.)
Electricity - imports:
6.83 billion kWh (2008 est.)
Oil - production:
0 bbl/day (2009 est.) country comparison to the world: 149
Oil - consumption:
50,720 bbl/day (2009 est.) country comparison to the world: 96
Oil - exports:
63 bbl/day (2008 est.) country comparison to the world: 133
Oil - imports:
59,210 bbl/day (2008 est.) country comparison to the world: 78
Oil - proved reserves:
0 bbl (1 January 2010 est.) country comparison to the world: 145
Natural gas - production:
0 cu m (2008 est.) country comparison to the world: 162
Natural gas - consumption:
1.268 billion cu m (2009 est.) country comparison to the world: 86
Natural gas - exports:
0 cu m (2008 est.) country comparison to the world: 159
Natural gas - imports:
1.263 billion cu m (2009 est.) country comparison to the world: 51
Natural gas - proved reserves:
0 cu m (1 January 2010 est.) country comparison to the world: 165
Current account balance:
$3.396 billion (2010 est.) country comparison to the world: 36 $2.985 billion (2009 est.)
Exports:
$17.82 billion (2010 est.) country comparison to the world: 71 $15.5 billion (2009 est.)
Exports - commodities:
machinery and equipment, steel products, chemicals, rubber products, glass
Exports - partners:
Germany 19.78%, France 15.87%, Belgium 11.07%, UK 7.96%, Italy 7.49%, Netherlands 4.31% (2009)
Imports:
$23.67 billion (2010 est.) country comparison to the world: 65 $19.76 billion (2009 est.)
Imports - commodities:
minerals, metals, foodstuffs, quality consumer goods
Imports - partners:
Belgium 27.22%, Germany 23.14%, China 18.62%, France 8.85%, Netherlands 5.06% (2009)
Reserves of foreign exchange and gold:
$NA (31 December 2010 est.)
$810 million (31 December 2009 est.)
Debt - external:
$1.892 trillion (30 June 2010) country comparison to the world: 11 $2.02 trillion (31 December 2008)
Stock of direct foreign investment - at home:
$NA (31 December 2009 est.)
$11.21 billion (31 December 2008 est.)
Stock of direct foreign investment - abroad:
$NA
Exchange rates:
euros (EUR) per US dollar - 0.7715 (2010), 0.7179 (2009), 0.6827 (2008), 0.7345 (2007), 0.7964 (2006)
Communications ::Luxembourg
Telephones - main lines in use:
273,600 (2009) country comparison to the world: 119
Telephones - mobile cellular:
719,000 (2009) country comparison to the world: 152
Telephone system:
general assessment: highly developed, completely automated and efficient system, mainly buried cables
domestic: fixed line teledensity over 50 per 100 persons; nationwide mobile-cellular telephone system with market for mobile-cellular phones virtually saturated
international: country code - 352 (2008)
Broadcast media:
Luxembourg has a long tradition of operating radio and TV services to pan-European audiences and is home to Europe's largest privately-owned broadcast media group, the RTL group, which operates 45 television stations and 31 radio stations in Europe; also home to Europe's largest satellite operator, Societe Europeenne des Satellites (SES); domestically, the RTL group operates TV and radio networks; other domestic private radio and TV operators and French and German stations are available; satellite and cable TV services are accessible (2008)
Internet country code:
.lu
Internet hosts:
244,225 (2010) country comparison to the world: 63
Internet users:
424,500 (2009) country comparison to the world: 121
Transportation ::Luxembourg
Airports:
2 (2010) country comparison to the world: 197
Airports - with paved runways:
total: 1
over 3,047 m: 1 (2010)
Airports - with unpaved runways:
total: 1
under 914 m: 1 (2010)
Heliports:
1 (2010)
Pipelines:
gas 155 km (2009)
Railways:
total: 275 km country comparison to the world: 124 standard gauge: 275 km 1.435-m gauge (243 km electrified) (2008)
Roadways:
total: 5,227 km country comparison to the world: 152 paved: 5,227 km (includes 147 km of expressways) (2008)
Waterways:
37 km (on Moselle River) (2008) country comparison to the world: 106
Merchant marine:
total: 47 country comparison to the world: 72 by type: bulk carrier 3, cargo 3, chemical tanker 16, container 10, passenger 3, petroleum tanker 2, roll on/roll off 10
foreign-owned: 45 (Belgium 9, France 16, Germany 9, Netherlands 2, Switzerland 1, UK 5, US 3)
registered in other countries: 16 (Italy 12, Malta 3, Panama 1) (2010)
Ports and terminals:
Mertert
Military ::Luxembourg
Military branches:
Army (2010)
Military service age and obligation:
17-25 years of age for male and female voluntary military service; soldiers under 18 are not deployed into combat or with peacekeeping missions; no conscription; Luxembourg citizen or EU citizen with 3-year residence in Luxembourg (2010)
Manpower available for military service:
males age 16-49: 117,892
females age 16-49: 116,517 (2010 est.)
Manpower fit for military service:
males age 16-49: 96,585
females age 16-49: 95,519 (2010 est.)
Manpower reaching militarily significant age annually:
male: 3,211
female: 3,057 (2010 est.)
Military expenditures:
0.9% of GDP (2005 est.) country comparison to the world: 144
Transnational Issues ::Luxembourg
Disputes - international:
none
page last updated on January 20, 2011
======================================================================
@Macau (East & Southeast Asia)
Introduction ::Macau
Background:
Colonized by the Portuguese in the 16th century, Macau was the first European settlement in the Far East. Pursuant to an agreement signed by China and Portugal on 13 April 1987, Macau became the Macau Special Administrative Region (SAR) of the People's Republic of China on 20 December 1999. In this agreement, China promised that, under its "one country, two systems" formula, China's socialist economic system would not be practiced in Macau, and that Macau would enjoy a high degree of autonomy in all matters except foreign and defense affairs for the next 50 years.
Geography ::Macau
Location:
Eastern Asia, bordering the South China Sea and China
Geographic coordinates:
22 10 N, 113 33 E
Map references:
Southeast Asia
Area:
total: 28.2 sq km country comparison to the world: 236 land: 28.2 sq km
water: 0 sq km
Area - comparative:
less than one-sixth the size of Washington, DC
Land boundaries:
total: 0.34 km
regional border: China 0.34 km
Coastline:
41 km
Maritime claims:
not specified
Climate:
subtropical; marine with cool winters, warm summers
Terrain:
generally flat
Elevation extremes:
lowest point: South China Sea 0 m
highest point: Coloane Alto 172 m
Natural resources:
NEGL
Land use:
arable land: 0%
permanent crops: 0%
other: 100% (2005)
Irrigated land:
NA
Natural hazards:
typhoons
Environment - current issues:
NA
Environment - international agreements:
party to: Marine Dumping (associate member), Ship Pollution (associate member)
Geography - note:
essentially urban; an area of land reclaimed from the sea measuring 5.2 sq km and known as Cotai now connects the islands of Coloane and Taipa; the island area is connected to the mainland peninsula by three bridges
People ::Macau
Population:
567,957 (July 2010 est.) country comparison to the world: 167
Age structure:
0-14 years: 16.1% (male 47,853/female 42,019)
15-64 years: 76.2% (male 199,593/female 227,010)
65 years and over: 7.7% (male 20,245/female 23,126) (2010 est.)
Median age:
total: 35.6 years
male: 36.3 years
female: 35 years (2010 est.)
Population growth rate:
0.89% (2010 est.) country comparison to the world: 129
Birth rate:
8.98 births/1,000 population (2010 est.) country comparison to the world: 210
Death rate:
3.6 deaths/1,000 population (July 2010 est.) country comparison to the world: 214
Net migration rate:
3.52 migrant(s)/1,000 population (2010 est.) country comparison to the world: 26
Urbanization:
urban population: 100% of total population (2008)
rate of urbanization: 0.7% annual rate of change (2005-10 est.)
Sex ratio:
at birth: 1.05 male(s)/female
under 15 years: 1.14 male(s)/female
15-64 years: 0.88 male(s)/female
65 years and over: 0.88 male(s)/female
total population: 0.92 male(s)/female (2010 est.)
Infant mortality rate:
total: 3.2 deaths/1,000 live births country comparison to the world: 217 male: 3.36 deaths/1,000 live births
female: 3.04 deaths/1,000 live births (2010 est.)
Life expectancy at birth:
total population: 84.38 years country comparison to the world: 2 male: 81.42 years
female: 87.49 years (2010 est.)
Total fertility rate:
0.91 children born/woman (2010 est.) country comparison to the world: 224
HIV/AIDS - adult prevalence rate:
NA
HIV/AIDS - people living with HIV/AIDS:
NA
HIV/AIDS - deaths:
NA
Nationality:
noun: Chinese
adjective: Chinese
Ethnic groups:
Chinese 94.3%, other 5.7% (includes Macanese - mixed Portuguese and Asian ancestry) (2006 census)
Religions:
Buddhist 50%, Roman Catholic 15%, none or other 35% (1997 est.)
Languages:
Cantonese 85.7%, Hokkien 4%, Mandarin 3.2%, other Chinese dialects 2.7%, English 1.5%, Tagalog 1.3%, other 1.6% (2001 census)
Literacy:
definition: age 15 and over can read and write
total population: 91.3%
male: 95.3%
female: 87.8% (2001 census)
School life expectancy (primary to tertiary education):
total: 14 years
male: 15 years
female: 14 years (2008)
Education expenditures:
2.2% of GDP (2008) country comparison to the world: 166
Government ::Macau
Country name:
conventional long form: Macau Special Administrative Region
conventional short form: Macau
local long form: Aomen Tebie Xingzhengqu (Chinese); Regiao Administrativa Especial de Macau (Portuguese)
local short form: Aomen (Chinese); Macau (Portuguese)
Dependency status:
special administrative region of China
Government type:
limited democracy
Administrative divisions:
none (special administrative region of the People's Republic of China)
Independence:
none (special administrative region of China)
National holiday:
National Day (Anniversary of the Founding of the People's Republic of China), 1 October (1949); note - 20 December 1999 is celebrated as Macau Special Administrative Region Establishment Day
Constitution:
Basic Law, approved on 31 March 1993 by China's National People's Congress, is Macau's charter
Legal system:
based on Portuguese civil law system
Suffrage:
direct election 18 years of age for some non-executive positions, universal for permanent residents living in Macau for the past seven years; indirect election limited to organizations registered as "corporate voters" (257 are currently registered) and a 300-member Election Committee drawn from broad regional groupings, municipal organizations, and central government bodies
Executive branch:
chief of state: President of China HU Jintao (since 15 March 2003)
head of government: Chief Executive Fernando CHUI Sai-on (since 20 December 2009)
cabinet: Executive Council consists of 1 government secretary, 3 legislators, 4 businessmen, 1 pro-Beijing unionist, and 1 pro-Beijing educator (For more information visit the World Leaders website ) elections: chief executive chosen by a 300-member Election Committee for a five-year term (eligible for a second term); election last held on 26 July 2009 (next to be held in July 2014)
election results: Fernando CHUI Sai-on elected in 2009 with 282 votes, took office on 20 December 2009
Legislative branch:
unicameral Legislative Assembly (29 seats; 12 members elected by popular vote, 10 by indirect vote, and 7 appointed by the chief executive; members to serve four-year terms)
elections: last held on 20 September 2009 (next to be held in September 2013)
election results: percent of vote - UPD 14.9%, ACUM 12%, APMD 11.6%, NUDM 9.9%, UPP 9.9%, ANMD 7.8%, UMG 7.3%, MUDAR 5.5%, others 21.1%; seats by political group - UPD 2, ACUM 2, APMD 2, NUMD 1, UPP 1, ANMD 1, UMG 1, MUDAR 1; 10 seats filled by professional and business groups; 7 members appointed by the chief executive
Judicial branch:
Court of Final Appeal in Macau Special Administrative Region
Political parties and leaders:
Alliance for Change or MUDAR; Macau Development Alliance or NUDM [Angela LEONG On-kei]; Macau-Guangdong Union or UNG; Macau United Citizens' Association or ACUM [CHAN Meng-kam]; New Democratic Macau Association or APMD [Antonio NG Kuok-cheong]; New Hope or NE [Jose Maria Pereira COUTINHO]; Union for Promoting Progress or UPP [LEONG Heng-teng]
note: there is no political party ordinance, so there are no registered political parties; politically active groups register as societies or companies
Political pressure groups and leaders:
Civic Power [Agnes LAM Lok-fong]; Macau New Chinese Youth Association [LEONG Sin-man]; Macau Society of Tourism and Entertainment or STDM [Stanley HO]; Macau Worker's Union [HO Heng-kuok]; Union for Democracy Development [Antonio NG Kuok-cheong]
International organization participation:
IHO, IMF, IMO (associate), Interpol (subbureau), ISO (correspondent), UNESCO (associate), UNWTO (associate), UPU, WCO, WTO
Diplomatic representation in the US:
none (special administrative region of China)
Diplomatic representation from the US:
the US has no offices in Macau; US Consulate General in Hong Kong is accredited to Macau
Flag description:
green with a lotus flower above a stylized bridge and water in white, beneath an arc of five gold, five-pointed stars: one large in the center of the arc and two smaller on either side; the lotus is the floral emblem of Macau, the three petals represent the peninsula and two islands that make up Macau; the five stars echo those on the flag of China
National anthem:
note: as a Special Administrative Region of China, "Yiyonggjun Jinxingqu" is official (see China)
Economy ::Macau
Economy - overview:
Macau's economy slowed dramatically in 2009 as a result of the global economic slowdown, but strong growth resumed in 2010, largely on the back of strong tourism and gaming sectors. After opening up its locally-controlled casino industry to foreign competition in 2001, the territory attracted tens of billions of dollars in foreign investment, transforming Macau into one of the world's largest gaming center. Macau's gaming and tourism businesses were fueled by China's decision to relax travel restrictions on Chinese citizens wishing to visit Macau. By 2006, Macau's gaming revenue surpassed that of the Las Vegas strip, and gaming-related taxes accounted for more than 70% of total government revenue. In 2008, Macau introduced measures to cool the rapidly developing sector. This city of nearly 570,000 hosted more than 21 million visitors in 2009. Almost 51% came from mainland China. Macau's traditional manufacturing industry has virtually disappeared since the termination of the Multi-Fiber Agreement in 2005. In 2009, total exports were less than US$1 billion, while gaming receipts were almost US$15 billion. By October 2010, gross gaming revenue had already reached US$19 billion for the year. The Macau government plans to tighten control over the opening of new casinos and strengthen supervision of local casino operations in 2011 and has introduced measures to diversify the economy. The Closer Economic Partnership Agreement (CEPA) between Macau and mainland China that came into effect on 1 January 2004 offers Macau-made products tariff-free access to the mainland; nevertheless, China remains Macau's third largest goods export market, behind Hong Kong and the United States. Macau's currency, the Pataca, is closely tied to the Hong Kong dollar, which is also freely accepted in the territory.
GDP (purchasing power parity):
$18.47 billion (2009 est.) country comparison to the world: 129 $18.14 billion (2008 est.)
$14.4 billion (2006)
note: data are in 2010 US dollars
GDP (official exchange rate):
$22.1 billion (2009 est.)
GDP - real growth rate:
1% (2009 est.) country comparison to the world: 181 12.9% (2008)
26% (2007)
GDP - per capita (PPP):
$33,000 (2009) country comparison to the world: 41 $31,800 (2008)
$28,400 (2006)
GDP - composition by sector:
agriculture: 0.1%
industry: 2.8%
services: 97.1% (2009 est.)
Labor force:
322,000 (2009 est.) country comparison to the world: 163
Labor force - by occupation:
manufacturing: 4.9%
construction: 9.3%
transport and communications: 5.2%
wholesale and retail trade: 12.6%
restaurants and hotels: 13.6%
gambling: 14.2%
public sector: 6.6%
financial services: 2.1%
other services and agriculture: 31.5% (2009 est.)
Unemployment rate:
3.6% (2009) country comparison to the world: 30 3% (2008)
Population below poverty line:
NA%
Household income or consumption by percentage share:
lowest 10%: NA%
highest 10%: NA%
Inflation rate (consumer prices):
1.2% (December 2009) country comparison to the world: 26 8.6% (2008)
Commercial bank prime lending rate:
5.25% (31 December 2009 est.) country comparison to the world: 145 5.43% (31 December 2008 est.)
Stock of narrow money:
$3.831 billion (31 December 2009) country comparison to the world: 101 $3.099 billion (31 December 2008)
Stock of broad money:
$26.56 billion (31 December 2009 est.) country comparison to the world: 75 $23.78 billion (31 December 2008)
Stock of domestic credit:
$1.717 billion (31 December 2008 est.) country comparison to the world: 130 $847 million (31 December 2007 est.)
Market value of publicly traded shares:
$2.3 billion (31 December 2008 est.)
$NA (31 December 2007)
$413.1 million (2004 est.)
Agriculture - products:
only 2% of land area is cultivated, mainly by vegetable growers; fishing, mostly for crustaceans, is important; some of the catch is exported to Hong Kong
Industries:
tourism, gambling, clothing, textiles, electronics, footwear, toys
Industrial production growth rate:
NA%
Electricity - production:
1.424 billion kWh (2009 est.) country comparison to the world: 141
Electricity - consumption:
3.474 billion kWh (2009 est.) country comparison to the world: 119
Electricity - exports:
0 kWh (2009 est.)
Electricity - imports:
2.215 billion kWh (2009 est.)
Oil - production:
0 bbl/day (2009 est.) country comparison to the world: 168
Oil - consumption:
16,000 bbl/day (2009 est.) country comparison to the world: 136
Oil - exports:
0 bbl/day (2009 est.) country comparison to the world: 184
Oil - imports:
9,294 bbl/day (2009 est.) country comparison to the world: 140
Oil - proved reserves:
0 bbl (1 January 2010 est.) country comparison to the world: 144
Natural gas - production:
0 cu m (2009 est.) country comparison to the world: 161
Natural gas - consumption:
91.3 million cu m (2009) country comparison to the world: 103
Natural gas - exports:
0 cu m (2009 est.) country comparison to the world: 158
Natural gas - imports:
97.8 million cu m (2009 est.) country comparison to the world: 66
Natural gas - proved reserves:
300,000 cu m (1 January 2008 est.) country comparison to the world: 103
Current account balance:
$NA
Exports:
$950 million (2009 est.) country comparison to the world: 153 $2 billion (2008); note - includes reexports
Exports - commodities:
clothing, textiles, footwear, toys, electronics, machinery and parts
Exports - partners:
Hong Kong 38.7%, US 17.9%, China 14.4%, Germany 4% (2009)
Imports:
$4.5 billion (2009 est.) country comparison to the world: 123 $5.4 billion (2008 est.)
Imports - commodities:
raw materials and semi-manufactured goods, consumer goods (foodstuffs, beverages, tobacco), capital goods, mineral fuels and oils
Imports - partners:
China 31.1%, Hong Kong 10.8%, Japan 8.1%, France 8%, US 6.2% (2009)
Reserves of foreign exchange and gold:
$NA
Debt - external:
$0 (2009) country comparison to the world: 198
Stock of direct foreign investment - at home:
$13.6 billion (2008 est.) country comparison to the world: 77 $11.1 billion (#REF! est.)
Stock of direct foreign investment - abroad:
$980 million (2009 est.) country comparison to the world: 74 $1 billion (2008 est.)
Exchange rates:
patacas (MOP) per US dollar - 7.985 (2009), 7.983 (2008), 8.011 (2007), 8.0015 (2006)
Communications ::Macau
Telephones - main lines in use:
168,903 (2010) country comparison to the world: 131
Telephones - mobile cellular:
1.109 million (2010) country comparison to the world: 144
Telephone system:
general assessment: fairly modern communication facilities maintained for domestic and international services
domestic: termination of monopoly over mobile-cellular telephone services in 2001 spurred sharp increase in subscriptions with mobile-cellular teledensity approaching 200 per 100 persons in 2010; fixed-line subscribership appears to have peaked and is now in decline
international: country code - 853; landing point for the SEA-ME-WE-3 submarine cable network that provides links to Asia, the Middle East, and Europe; HF radiotelephone communication facility; satellite earth station - 1 Intelsat (Indian Ocean) (2010)
Broadcast media:
local government dominates broadcast media; 2 television stations operated by the government with one broadcasting in Portuguese and the other in Cantonese and Mandarin; cable and satellite TV services are available; 3 radio stations broadcasting, of which 2 are government-operated (2008)
Internet country code:
.mo
Internet hosts:
252 (2010) country comparison to the world: 189
Internet users:
270,200 (2009) country comparison to the world: 134
Transportation ::Macau
Airports:
1 (2010) country comparison to the world: 218
Airports - with paved runways:
total: 1
over 3,047 m: 1 (2010)
Heliports:
2 (2010)
Roadways:
total: 413 km country comparison to the world: 198 paved: 413 km (2009)
Ports and terminals:
Macau
Military ::Macau
Military branches:
no regular military forces
Manpower available for military service:
males age 16-49: 150,712 (2010 est.)
Manpower fit for military service:
males age 16-49: 124,074
females age 16-49: 149,799 (2010 est.)
Manpower reaching militarily significant age annually:
male: 4,488
female: 3,900 (2010 est.)
Military - note:
defense is the responsibility of China
Transnational Issues ::Macau
Disputes - international:
none
Illicit drugs:
transshipment point for drugs going into mainland China; consumer of opiates and amphetamines
page last updated on January 20, 2011
======================================================================
@Macedonia (Europe)
Introduction ::Macedonia
Background:
Macedonia gained its independence peacefully from Yugoslavia in 1991. Greece's objection to the new state's use of what it considered a Hellenic name and symbols delayed international recognition, which occurred under the provisional designation of "the Former Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia." In 1995, Greece lifted a 20-month trade embargo and the two countries agreed to normalize relations. The United States began referring to Macedonia by its constitutional name, Republic of Macedonia, in 2004 and negotiations continue between Greece and Macedonia to resolve the name issue. Some ethnic Albanians, angered by perceived political and economic inequities, launched an insurgency in 2001 that eventually won the support of the majority of Macedonia's Albanian population and led to the internationally-brokered Ohrid Framework Agreement, which ended the fighting by establishing a set of new laws enhancing the rights of minorities. Fully implementing the Framework Agreement and stimulating economic growth and development continue to be challenges for Macedonia, although progress has been made on both fronts over the past several years.
Geography ::Macedonia
Location:
Southeastern Europe, north of Greece
Geographic coordinates:
41 50 N, 22 00 E
Map references:
Europe
Area:
total: 25,713 sq km country comparison to the world: 149 land: 25,433 sq km
water: 280 sq km
Area - comparative:
slightly larger than Vermont
Land boundaries:
total: 766 km
border countries: Albania 151 km, Bulgaria 148 km, Greece 246 km, Kosovo 159 km, Serbia 62 km
Coastline:
0 km (landlocked)
Maritime claims:
none (landlocked)
Climate:
warm, dry summers and autumns; relatively cold winters with heavy snowfall
Terrain:
mountainous territory covered with deep basins and valleys; three large lakes, each divided by a frontier line; country bisected by the Vardar River
Elevation extremes:
lowest point: Vardar River 50 m
highest point: Golem Korab (Maja e Korabit) 2,764 m
Natural resources:
low-grade iron ore, copper, lead, zinc, chromite, manganese, nickel, tungsten, gold, silver, asbestos, gypsum, timber, arable land
Land use:
arable land: 22.01%
permanent crops: 1.79%
other: 76.2% (2005)
Irrigated land:
550 sq km (2003)
Total renewable water resources:
6.4 cu km (2001)
Freshwater withdrawal (domestic/industrial/agricultural):
total: 2.27
per capita: 1,118 cu m/yr (2000)
Natural hazards:
high seismic risks
Environment - current issues:
air pollution from metallurgical plants
Environment - international agreements:
party to: Air Pollution, 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:
landlocked; major transportation corridor from Western and Central Europe to Aegean Sea and Southern Europe to Western Europe
People ::Macedonia
Population:
2,072,086 (July 2010 est.) country comparison to the world: 143
Age structure:
0-14 years: 19.2% (male 206,054/female 191,354)
15-64 years: 69.4% (male 722,823/female 710,830)
65 years and over: 11.4% (male 102,231/female 133,426) (2010 est.)
Median age:
total: 35.4 years
male: 34.4 years
female: 36.5 years (2010 est.)
Population growth rate:
0.257% (2010 est.) country comparison to the world: 177
Birth rate:
11.92 births/1,000 population (2010 est.) country comparison to the world: 165
Death rate:
8.87 deaths/1,000 population (July 2010 est.) country comparison to the world: 76
Net migration rate:
-0.48 migrant(s)/1,000 population (2010 est.) country comparison to the world: 142
Urbanization:
urban population: 67% of total population (2008)
rate of urbanization: 0.8% annual rate of change (2005-10 est.)
Sex ratio:
at birth: 1.077 male(s)/female
under 15 years: 1.08 male(s)/female
15-64 years: 1.02 male(s)/female
65 years and over: 0.76 male(s)/female
total population: 1 male(s)/female (2010 est.)
Infant mortality rate:
total: 8.76 deaths/1,000 live births country comparison to the world: 158 male: 8.98 deaths/1,000 live births
female: 8.53 deaths/1,000 live births (2010 est.)
Life expectancy at birth:
total population: 74.92 years country comparison to the world: 89 male: 72.4 years
female: 77.64 years (2010 est.)
Total fertility rate:
1.58 children born/woman (2010 est.) country comparison to the world: 180
HIV/AIDS - adult prevalence rate:
less than 0.1% (2007 est.) country comparison to the world: 146
HIV/AIDS - people living with HIV/AIDS:
fewer than 200 (2007 est.) country comparison to the world: 159
HIV/AIDS - deaths:
fewer than 100 (2003 est.) country comparison to the world: 138
Nationality:
noun: Macedonian(s)
adjective: Macedonian
Ethnic groups:
Macedonian 64.2%, Albanian 25.2%, Turkish 3.9%, Roma (Gypsy) 2.7%, Serb 1.8%, other 2.2% (2002 census)
Religions:
Macedonian Orthodox 64.7%, Muslim 33.3%, other Christian 0.37%, other and unspecified 1.63% (2002 census)
Languages:
Macedonian (official) 66.5%, Albanian (official) 25.1%, Turkish 3.5%, Roma 1.9%, Serbian 1.2%, other 1.8% (2002 census)
Literacy:
definition: age 15 and over can read and write
total population: 96.1%
male: 98.2%
female: 94.1% (2002 census)
School life expectancy (primary to tertiary education):
total: 12 years
male: 12 years
female: 12 years (2007)
Education expenditures:
3.5% of GDP (2002) country comparison to the world: 133
Government ::Macedonia
Country name:
conventional long form: Republic of Macedonia
conventional short form: Macedonia
local long form: Republika Makedonija
local short form: Makedonija
note: the provisional designation used by the UN, EU, and NATO is the "former Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia" (FYROM)
former: People's Republic of Macedonia, Socialist Republic of Macedonia
Government type:
parliamentary democracy
Capital:
name: Skopje
geographic coordinates: 42 00 N, 21 26 E
time difference: UTC+1 (6 hours ahead of Washington, DC during Standard Time)
daylight saving time: +1hr, begins last Sunday in March; ends last Sunday in October
Administrative divisions:
84 municipalities (opstini, singular - opstina); Aerodrom (Skopje), Aracinovo, Berovo, Bitola, Bogdanci, Bogovinje, Bosilovo, Brvenica, Butel (Skopje), Cair (Skopje), Caska, Centar (Skopje), Centar Zupa, Cesinovo, Cucer Sandevo, Debar, Debarca, Delcevo, Demir Hisar, Demir Kapija, Dojran, Dolneni, Dorce Petrov (Gjorce Petrov) (Skopje), Drugovo, Gazi Baba (Skopje), Gevgelija, Gostivar, Gradsko, Ilinden, Jegunovce, Karbinci, Karpos (Skopje), Kavadarci, Kicevo, Kisela Voda (Skopje), Kocani, Konce, Kratovo, Kriva Palanka, Krivogastani, Krusevo, Kumanovo, Lipkovo, Lozovo, Makedonska Kamenica, Makedonski Brod, Mavrovo i Rostusa, Mogila, Negotino, Novaci, Novo Selo, Ohrid, Oslomej, Pehcevo, Petrovec, Plasnica, Prilep, Probistip, Radovis, Rankovce, Resen, Rosoman, Saraj (Skopje), Sopiste, Staro Nagoricane, Stip, Struga, Strumica, Studenicani, Suto Orizari (Skopje), Sveti Nikole, Tearce, Tetovo, Valandovo, Vasilevo, Veles, Vevcani, Vinica, Vranestica, Vrapciste, Zajas, Zelenikovo, Zelino, Zrnovci
note: the 10 municipalities followed by Skopje in parentheses collectively constitute the larger Skopje Municipality
Independence:
8 September 1991 (referendum by registered voters endorsed independence from Yugoslavia)
National holiday:
Independence Day, 8 September (1991); also known as National Day
Constitution:
adopted 17 November 1991, effective 20 November 1991; amended November 2001, 2005 and in 2009
note: amended November 2001 by a series of new constitutional amendments strengthening minority rights, in 2005 with amendments related to the judiciary, and in 2009 with amendments related to the threshold required to elect the president
Legal system:
based on civil law system; judicial review of legislative acts; has not accepted compulsory ICJ jurisdiction
Suffrage:
18 years of age; universal
Executive branch:
chief of state: President Gjorge IVANOV (since 12 May 2009)
head of government: Prime Minister Nikola GRUEVSKI (since 26 August 2006)
cabinet: Council of Ministers elected by the majority vote of all the deputies in the Assembly; note - current cabinet formed by the government coalition parties VMRO/DPMNE, BDI/DUI, and several small parties (For more information visit the World Leaders website ) elections: president elected by popular vote for a five-year term (eligible for a second term); two-round election: first round held on 22 March 2009, second round held on 5 April 2009 (next to be held in March 2014); prime minister elected by the Assembly following legislative elections
election results: Gjorge IVANOV elected president on second-round ballot; percent of vote - Gjorge IVANOV 63.1%, Ljubomir FRCKOSKI 36.9%
Legislative branch:
unicameral Assembly or Sobranie (120 seats; members elected by popular vote from party lists based on the percentage of the overall vote the parties gain in each of six electoral districts; members serve four-year terms)
elections: last held on 1 June and 15 June 2008 (next to be held by July 2012)
election results: percent of vote by party - VMRO-DPMNE-led block 49%, SDSM-led block 24%, BDI/DUI 13%, PDSh/DPA 8%, other 6%; seats by party - VMRO-DPMNE-led block 63, SDSM-led block 27, BDI/DUI 18, PDSh/DPA 11, PEI 1
Judicial branch:
Supreme Court; Constitutional Court; Republican Judicial Council
note: the Assembly appoints the judges
Political parties and leaders:
Democratic Alliance or DS [Pavle TRAJANOV]; Democratic Party of Serbs in Macedonia [Ivan STOILJKOVIC]; Democratic Party of the Albanians or PDSh/DPA [Menduh THACI]; Democratic Party of Turks in Macedonia [Kenan HASIPI]; Democratic Union for Integration or BDI/DUI [Ali AHMETI]; Internal Macedonian Revolutionary Organization—Democratic Party for Macedonian National Unity (VMRO-DPMNE) [Nikola GRUEVSKI]; Liberal Democratic Party or LDP [Jovan MANSIJEVSKI]; Liberal Party [Borce STOJANOVSKI]; Movement for Reconstruction of Macedonia or DOM [Liljana POPOVSKA]; New Alternative [Gjorgji OROVCANEC]; New Democracy or DR [Imer SELMANI]; New Social-Democratic Party or NSDP [Tito PETKOVSKI]; Party for Democratic Action in Macedonia or SDAM [Avdija PEPIC]; Party for European Future or PEI [Fijat CANOSKI]; Social-Democratic Union of Macedonia or SDSM [Branko CRVENKOVSKI]; Socialist Party or SP [Ljubisav IVANOV-ZINGO]; Union of Roma of Macedonia [Amdi BAJRAM]; United for Macedonia or OM [Ljube BOSKOVSKI]; VMRO-Macedonian [Borislav STOJMENOV]
Political pressure groups and leaders:
Federation of Free Trade Unions [Svetlana PETROVIC]; Federation of Trade Unions [Vanco MURATOVSKI]; Trade Union of Education, Science and Culture [Dojcin CVETANOSKI]
International organization participation:
BIS, CE, CEI, EAPC, EBRD, EU (applicant), FAO, IAEA, IBRD, ICAO, ICCt, ICRM, IDA, IFAD, IFC, IFRCS, ILO, IMF, IMO, Interpol, IOC, IOM (observer), IPU, ISO, ITU, ITUC, MIGA, OIF, OPCW, OSCE, PCA, PFP, SECI, UN, UNCTAD, UNESCO, UNHCR, UNIDO, UNIFIL, UNWTO, UPU, WCO, WHO, WIPO, WMO, WTO
Diplomatic representation in the US:
chief of mission: Ambassador Zoran JOLEVSKI
chancery: 2129 Wyoming Avenue NW, Washington, DC 20008
telephone: [1] (202) 667-0501
FAX: [1] (202) 667-2131
consulate(s) general: Southfield (Michigan), Chicago
Diplomatic representation from the US:
chief of mission: Ambassador Philip T. REEKER
embassy: Str. Samolilova, Nr. 21, 1000 Skopje
mailing address: American Embassy Skopje, US Department of State, 7120 Skopje Place, Washington, DC 20521-7120 (pouch)
telephone: [389] 2 310-2000
FAX: [389] 2 310-2499
Flag description:
a yellow sun (the Sun of Liberty) with eight broadening rays extending to the edges of the red field; the red and yellow colors have long been associated with Macedonia
National anthem:
name: "Denes Nad Makedonija" (Today Over Macedonia)
lyrics/music: Vlado MALESKI/Todor SKALOVSKI
note: adopted 1991; the song, written in 1943, previously served as the anthem of the Socialist Republic of Macedonia while part of Yugoslavia
Economy ::Macedonia
Economy - overview:
Having a small, open economy makes Macedonia vulnerable to economic developments in Europe and dependent on regional integration and progress toward EU membership for continued economic growth. At independence in September 1991, Macedonia was the least developed of the Yugoslav republics, producing a mere 5% of the total federal output of goods and services. The collapse of Yugoslavia ended transfer payments from the central government and eliminated advantages from inclusion in a de facto free trade area. An absence of infrastructure, UN sanctions on the downsized Yugoslavia, and a Greek economic embargo over a dispute about the country's constitutional name and flag hindered economic growth until 1996. Since then, Macedonia has maintained macroeconomic stability with low inflation, but it has so far lagged the region in attracting foreign investment and creating jobs, despite making extensive fiscal and business sector reforms. Official unemployment remains high at 33%, but may be overstated based on the existence of an extensive gray market, estimated to be more than 20% of GDP, that is not captured by official statistics. In the wake of the global economic downturn, Macedonia has experienced decreased foreign direct investment, lowered credit, and a large trade deficit, but the financial system remained sound. Macroeconomic stability was maintained by a prudent monetary policy, which kept the domestic currency at the pegged level against the euro, at the expense of raising interest rates. As a result, GDP fell in 2009. but returned to positive in 2010.
GDP (purchasing power parity):
$19.46 billion (2010 est.) country comparison to the world: 127 $19.18 billion (2009 est.)
$19.31 billion (2008 est.)
note: data are in 2010 US dollars; Macedonia has a large informal sector
GDP (official exchange rate):
$9.58 billion (2010 est.)
GDP - real growth rate:
1.5% (2010 est.) country comparison to the world: 169 -0.7% (2009 est.)
4.8% (2008 est.)
GDP - per capita (PPP):
$9,400 (2010 est.) country comparison to the world: 114 $9,300 (2009 est.)
$9,400 (2008 est.)
note: data are in 2010 US dollars
GDP - composition by sector:
agriculture: 12.1%
industry: 29.6%
services: 58.3% (2010 est.)
Labor force:
942,000 (2010 est.) country comparison to the world: 143
Labor force - by occupation:
agriculture: 18.6%
industry: 29.5%
services: 51.9% (September 2009)
Unemployment rate:
33.1% (2010 est.) country comparison to the world: 182 32.2% (2009 est.)
Population below poverty line:
28.7% (2008)
Household income or consumption by percentage share:
lowest 10%: 2.4%
highest 10%: 29.6% (2003)
Distribution of family income - Gini index:
39 (2003) country comparison to the world: 68
Investment (gross fixed):
22.3% of GDP (2010 est.) country comparison to the world: 63
Public debt:
25.7% of GDP (2010 est.) country comparison to the world: 96 32.4% of GDP (2009 est.)
Inflation rate (consumer prices):
1.5% (2010 est.) country comparison to the world: 41 -0.8% (2009 est.)
Central bank discount rate:
6.5% (31 December 2009) country comparison to the world: 62 6.5% (31 December 2008)
Commercial bank prime lending rate:
10.07% (31 December 2009 est.) country comparison to the world: 95 9.68% (31 December 2008 est.)
Stock of narrow money:
$1.146 billion (31 December 2010 est) country comparison to the world: 137 $1.184 billion (31 December 2009 est)
Stock of broad money:
$4.134 billion (31 December 2010 est.) country comparison to the world: 126 $4.217 billion (31 December 2009 est.)
Stock of domestic credit:
$4.001 billion (31 December 2010 est.) country comparison to the world: 114 $4.055 billion (31 December 2009 est.)
Market value of publicly traded shares:
$2.859 billion (31 December 2009) country comparison to the world: 100 $823.5 million (31 December 2008)
$2.715 billion (31 December 2007)
Agriculture - products:
grapes, tobacco, vegetables, fruits; milk, eggs
Industries:
food processing, beverages, textiles, chemicals, iron, steel, cement, energy, pharmaceuticals
Industrial production growth rate:
1.3% (2010 est.) country comparison to the world: 143
Electricity - production:
6.162 billion kWh (2009 est.) country comparison to the world: 106
Electricity - consumption:
7.797 billion kWh (2009 est.) country comparison to the world: 95
Electricity - exports:
0 kWh (2009 est.)
Electricity - imports:
1.635 billion kWh (2009 est.)
Oil - production:
0 bbl/day (2009 est.) country comparison to the world: 167
Oil - consumption:
20,000 bbl/day (2009 est.) country comparison to the world: 125
Oil - exports:
4,672 bbl/day (2009 est.) country comparison to the world: 107
Oil - imports:
20,000 bbl/day (2009 est.) country comparison to the world: 112
Oil - proved reserves:
0 bbl (1 January 2010 est.) country comparison to the world: 143
Natural gas - production:
0 cu m (2009 est.) country comparison to the world: 160
Natural gas - consumption:
80 million cu m (2009 est.) country comparison to the world: 105
Natural gas - exports:
0 cu m (2009 est.) country comparison to the world: 157
Natural gas - imports:
82 million cu m (2009 est.) country comparison to the world: 67
Natural gas - proved reserves:
0 cu m (1 January 2010 est.) country comparison to the world: 164
Current account balance:
-$328 million (2010 est.) country comparison to the world: 100 -$645.6 million (2009 est.)
Exports:
$3.171 billion (2010 est.) country comparison to the world: 122 $2.686 billion (2009 est.)
Exports - commodities:
food, beverages, tobacco; textiles, miscellaneous manufactures, iron and steel
Exports - partners:
Germany 20.31%, Greece 13.09%, Italy 11.08%, Bulgaria 10.61%, Croatia 7.74% (2009)
Imports:
$5.113 billion (2010 est.) country comparison to the world: 113 $4.842 billion (2009 est.)
Imports - commodities:
machinery and equipment, automobiles, chemicals, fuels, food products
Imports - partners:
Germany 15.11%, Greece 14.88%, Bulgaria 9.08%, Italy 7.68%, Turkey 7.59%, Slovenia 6.26%, Hungary 4.31% (2009)
Reserves of foreign exchange and gold:
$2.127 billion (31 December 2010 est.) country comparison to the world: 96 $2.292 billion (31 December 2009 est.)
Debt - external:
$5.52 billion (31 December 2010 est.) country comparison to the world: 102 $5.5 billion (31 December 2009 est.)
Stock of direct foreign investment - at home:
$3.528 billion (31 October 2009 est.) country comparison to the world: 84 $3.357 billion (2007 est.)
Stock of direct foreign investment - abroad:
$NA
Exchange rates:
Macedonian denars (MKD) per US dollar - 47.601 (2010), 44.1 (2009), 41.414 (2008), 44.732 (2007), 48.978 (2006)