The 1993 CIA World Factbook (part 3 of 5)

The 1993 CIA World Factbook (part 3 of 5)

Economic aid: US commitments, including Ex-Im (FY70-89), $839 million; Western (non-US) countries, ODA and OOF bilateral commitments (1970-89), $7,490 million; OPEC bilateral aid (1979-89), $74 million; Communist countries (1970-89), $83 million Currency: 1 Kenyan shilling (KSh) = 100 cents Exchange rates: Kenyan shillings (KSh) per US$1 -36.227 (January 1993), 32.217 (1992), 27.508 (1991), 22.915 (1990), 20.572 (1989), 17.747 (1988) Fiscal year: 1 July - 30 June

*Kenya, Communications

Railroads: 2,040 km 1.000-meter gauge Highways: 64,590 km total; 7,000 km paved, 4,150 km gravel, remainder improved earth Inland waterways: part of Lake Victoria system is within boundaries of Kenya Pipelines: petroleum products 483 km Ports: coastal - Mombasa, Lamu; inland - Kisumu Merchant marine: 1 oil tanker ship (1,000 GRT or over) totaling 3,727 GRT/5,558 DWT Airports: total: 247 usable: 208 with permanent-surface runways: 18 with runways over 3,659 m: 2 with runways 2,440-3,659 m: 3 with runways 1,220-2,439 m: 43 Telecommunications: in top group of African systems; consists primarily of radio relay links; over 260,000 telephones; broadcast stations - 16 AM; 4 FM, 6 TV; satellite earth stations - 1 Atlantic Ocean INTELSAT and 1 Indian Ocean INTELSAT

*Kenya, Defense Forces

Branches: Army, Navy, Air Force, paramilitary General Service Unit of the Police Manpower availability: males age 15-49 5,912,744; fit for military service 3,654,738 (1993 est.); no conscription Defense expenditures: exchange rate conversion - $294 million, 4.9% of GDP (FY88/89 est.)

*Kingman Reef, Header

Affiliation: (territory of the US)

*Kingman Reef, Geography

Location: in the North Pacific Ocean, 1,600 km south-southwest of Honolulu, about halfway between Hawaii and American Samoa Map references: Oceania Area: total area: 1 km2 land area: 1 km2 comparative area: about 1.7 times the size of the Mall in Washington, DC Land boundaries: 0 km Coastline: 3 km Maritime claims: contiguous zone: 24 nm continental shelf: 200 m or depth of exploitation exclusive economic zone: 200 nm territorial sea: 12 nm International disputes: none Climate: tropical, but moderated by prevailing winds Terrain: low and nearly level with a maximum elevation of about 1 meter Natural resources: none Land use: arable land: 0% permanent crops: 0% meadows and pastures: 0% forest and woodland: 0% other: 100% Irrigated land: 0 km2 Environment: barren coral atoll with deep interior lagoon; wet or awash most of the time Note: maximum elevation of about 1 meter makes this a navigational hazard; closed to the public

*Kingman Reef, People

Population: uninhabited

*Kingman Reef, Government

Names: conventional long form: none conventional short form: Kingman Reef Digraph: KQ Type: unincorporated territory of the US administered by the US Navy Capital: none; administered from Washington, DC

*Kingman Reef, Economy

Overview: no economic activity

*Kingman Reef, Communications

Ports: none; offshore anchorage only Airports: lagoon was used as a halfway station between Hawaii and American Samoa by Pan American Airways for flying boats in 1937 and 1938

*Kingman Reef, Defense Forces

Note: defense is the responsibility of the US

*Kiribati, Geography

Location: Oceania, straddling the equator in the Pacific Ocean, about halfway between Hawaii and Australia Map references: Oceania Area: total area: 717 km2 land area: 717 km2 comparative area: slightly more than four times the size of Washington, DC note: includes three island groups - Gilbert Islands, Line Islands, Phoenix Islands Land boundaries: 0 km Coastline: 1,143 km Maritime claims: exclusive economic zone: 200 nm territorial sea: 12 nm International disputes: none Climate: tropical; marine, hot and humid, moderated by trade winds Terrain: mostly low-lying coral atolls surrounded by extensive reefs Natural resources: phosphate (production discontinued in 1979) Land use: arable land: 0% permanent crops: 51% meadows and pastures: 0% forest and woodland: 3% other: 46% Irrigated land: NA km2 Environment: typhoons can occur any time, but usually November to March; 20 of the 33 islands are inhabited Note: Banaba (Ocean Island) in Kiribati is one of the three great phosphate rock islands in the Pacific Ocean - the others are Makatea in French Polynesia and Nauru

*Kiribati, People

Population: 76,320 (July 1993 est.) Population growth rate: 2.03% (1993 est.) Birth rate: 32.03 births/1,000 population (1993 est.) Death rate: 12.31 deaths/1,000 population (1993 est.) Net migration rate: 0.56 migrant(s)/1,000 population (1993 est.) Infant mortality rate: 98.4 deaths/1,000 live births (1993 est.) Life expectancy at birth: total population: 54.16 years male: 52.56 years female: 55.78 years (1993 est.) Total fertility rate: 3.82 children born/woman (1993 est.) Nationality: noun: I-Kiribati (singular and plural) adjective: I-Kiribati Ethnic divisions: Micronesian Religions: Roman Catholic 52.6%, Protestant (Congregational) 40.9%, Seventh-Day Adventist, Baha'i, Church of God, Mormon 6% (1985) Languages: English (official), Gilbertese Literacy: total population: NA% male: NA% female: NA% Labor force: 7,870 economically active, not including subsistence farmers (1985 est.)

*Kiribati, Government

Names: conventional long form: Republic of Kiribati conventional short form: Kiribati former: Gilbert Islands Digraph: KR Type: republic Capital: Tarawa Administrative divisions: 3 units; Gilbert Islands, Line Islands, Phoenix Islands note: a new administrative structure of 6 districts (Banaba, Central Gilberts, Line Islands, Northern Gilberts, Southern Gilberts, Tarawa) may have been changed to 21 island councils (one for each of the inhabited islands) named Abaiang, Abemama, Aranuka, Arorae, Banaba, Beru, Butaritari, Canton, Kiritimati, Kuria, Maiana, Makin, Marakei, Nikunau, Nonouti, Onotoa, Tabiteuea, Tabuaeran, Tamana, Tarawa, Teraina Independence: 12 July 1979 (from UK) Constitution: 12 July 1979 Legal system: NA National holiday: Independence Day, 12 July (1979) Political parties and leaders: National Progressive Party, Teatao TEANNAKI; Christian Democratic Party, Teburoro TITO; New Movement Party, leader NA; Liberal Party, Tewareka TENTOA; Maneaba Party, Roniti TEIWAKI note: there is no tradition of formally organized political parties in Kiribati; they more closely resemble factions or interest groups because they have no party headquarters, formal platforms, or party structures Suffrage: 18 years of age; universal Elections: President: last held on 8 July 1991 (next to be held by NA 1996); results - Teatao TEANNAKI 52%, Roniti TEIWAKI 28% House of Assembly: last held on 8 May 1991 (next to be held by NA 1996); results - percent of vote by party NA; seats - (40 total; 39 elected) percent of seats by party NA Executive branch: president (Beretitenti), vice president (Kauoman-ni-Beretitenti), Cabinet Legislative branch: unicameral House of Assembly (Maneaba Ni Maungatabu) Judicial branch: Court of Appeal, High Court Leaders: Chief of State and Head of Government: President Teatao TEANNAKI (since 8 July 1991); Vice President Taomati IUTA (since 8 July 1991)

*Kiribati, Government

Member of: ACP, AsDB, C, ESCAP, IBRD, ICAO, ICFTU, IDA, IFC, IMF, INTERPOL, ITU, SPARTECA, SPC, SPF, UNESCO, UPU, WHO Diplomatic representation in US: chief of mission: (vacant) US diplomatic representation: the ambassador to Fiji is accredited to Kiribati Flag: the upper half is red with a yellow frigate bird flying over a yellow rising sun, and the lower half is blue with three horizontal wavy white stripes to represent the ocean

*Kiribati, Economy

Overview: The country has few national resources. Commercially viable phosphate deposits were exhausted at the time of independence in 1979. Copra and fish now represent the bulk of production and exports. The economy has fluctuated widely in recent years. Real GDP declined about 8% in 1987, as the fish catch fell sharply to only one-fourth the level of 1986 and copra production was hampered by repeated rains. Output rebounded strongly in 1988, with real GDP growing by 17%. The upturn in economic growth came from an increase in copra production and a good fish catch. Following the strong surge in output in 1988, GNP increased 1% in both 1989 and 1990. National product: GDP - exchange rate conversion - $36.8 million (1990 est.) National product real growth rate: 1% (1990 est.) National product per capita: $525 (1990 est.) Inflation rate (consumer prices): 4.8% (1991 est.) Unemployment rate: NA% Budget: revenues $29.9 million; expenditures $16.3 million, including capital expenditures of $14.0 million (1990 est.) Exports: $5.8 million (f.o.b., 1990 est.) commodities: copra 18%, fish 17%, seaweed 13% partners: EC 50%, Fiji 22%, US 18% (1990) Imports: $26.7 million (c.i.f., 1990 est.) commodities: foodstuffs, machinery and equipment, miscellaneous manufactured goods, fuel partners: Australia 33%, Japan 24%, Fiji 19%, NZ 6%, US 6% (1990) External debt: $2 million (December 1989 est.) Industrial production: growth rate 0% (1988 est.); accounts for less than 4% of GDP Electricity: 5,000 kW capacity; 13 million kWh produced, 190 kWh per capita (1990) Industries: fishing, handicrafts Agriculture: accounts for 15% of GDP (including fishing); copra and fish contribute about 95% to exports; subsistence farming predominates; food crops - taro, breadfruit, sweet potatoes, vegetables; not self-sufficient in food Economic aid: Western (non-US) countries, ODA and OOF bilateral commitments (1970-89), $273 million Currency: 1 Australian dollar ($A) = 100 cents Exchange rates: Australian dollars ($A) per US$1 - 1.4837 (January 1993), 1.3600 (1992), 1.2835 (1991), 1.2799 (1990), 1.2618 (1989), 1.2752 (1988) Fiscal year: NA

*Kiribati, Communications

Highways: 640 km of motorable roads Inland waterways: small network of canals, totaling 5 km, in Line Islands Ports: Banaba and Betio (Tarawa) Airports: total: 21 useable: 20 with permanent-surface runways: 4 with runways over 3,659 m : 0 with runways 2,440-3,659 m: 0 with runways 1,220-2,439 m: 5 Telecommunications: 1,400 telephones; broadcast stations - 1 AM, no FM, no TV; 1 Pacific Ocean INTELSAT earth station

*Kiribati, Defense Forces

Branches: Police Force (carries out law enforcement functions and paramilitary duties; there are small police posts on all islands); no military force is maintained Manpower availability: NA Defense expenditures: $NA, NA% of GDP

*Korea, North, Geography

Location: Northeast Asia, between China and South Korea Map references: Asia, Standard Time Zones of the World Area: total area: 120,540 km2 land area: 120,410 km2 comparative area: slightly smaller than Mississippi Land boundaries: total 1,673 km, China 1,416 km, South Korea 238 km, Russia 19 km Coastline: 2,495 km Maritime claims: territorial sea: 12 nm exclusive economic zone: 200 nm military boundary line: 50 nm in the Sea of Japan and the exclusive economic zone limit in the Yellow Sea where all foreign vessels and aircraft without permission are banned International disputes: short section of boundary with China is indefinite; Demarcation Line with South Korea Climate: temperate with rainfall concentrated in summer Terrain: mostly hills and mountains separated by deep, narrow valleys; coastal plains wide in west, discontinuous in east Natural resources: coal, lead, tungsten, zinc, graphite, magnesite, iron ore, copper, gold, pyrites, salt, fluorspar, hydropower Land use: arable land: 18% permanent crops: 1% meadows and pastures: 0% forest and woodland: 74% other: 7% Irrigated land: 14,000 km2 (1989) Environment: mountainous interior is isolated, nearly inaccessible, and sparsely populated; late spring droughts often followed by severe flooding Note: strategic location bordering China, South Korea, and Russia

*Korea, North, People

Population: 22,645,811 (July 1993 est.) Population growth rate: 1.86% (1993 est.) Birth rate: 24.09 births/1,000 population (1993 est.) Death rate: 5.52 deaths/1,000 population (1993 est.) Net migration rate: 0 migrant(s)/1,000 population (1993 est.) Infant mortality rate: 28.6 deaths/1,000 live births (1993 est.) Life expectancy at birth: total population: 69.51 years male: 66.42 years female: 72.75 years (1993 est.) Total fertility rate: 2.4 children born/woman (1993 est.) Nationality: noun: Korean(s) adjective: Korean Ethnic divisions: racially homogeneous Religions: Buddhism and Confucianism, some Christianity and syncretic Chondogyo note: autonomous religious activities now almost nonexistent; government-sponsored religious groups exist to provide illusion of religious freedom Languages: Korean Literacy: age 15 and over can read and write (1990) total population: 99% male: 99% female: 99% Labor force: 9.615 million by occupation: agricultural 36%, nonagricultural 64% note: shortage of skilled and unskilled labor (mid-1987 est.)

*Korea, North, Government

Names: conventional long form: Democratic People's Republic of Korea conventional short form: North Korea local long form: Choson-minjujuui-inmin-konghwaguk local short form: none Abbreviation: DPRK Digraph: KN Type: Communist state; Stalinist dictatorship Capital: P'yongyang Administrative divisions: 9 provinces (do, singular and plural) and 3 special cities* (jikhalsi,, singular and plural); Chagang-do (Chagang Province), Hamgyong-bukto (North Hamgyong Province), Hamgyong-namdo (South Hamgyong Province), Hwanghae-bukto (North Hwanghae Province), Hwanghae-namdo (South Hwanghae Province), Kaesong-si* (Kaesong City), Kangwon-do (Kangwon Province), Namp'o-si*, (Namp'o City), P'yongan-bukto (North P'yongan Province), P'yongan-namdo (South P'yongan Province), P'yongyang-si* (P'yongyang City), Yanggang-do, (Yanggang Province) Independence: 9 September 1948 note: 15 August 1945, date of independence from the Japanese and celebrated in North Korea as National Liberation Day Constitution: adopted 1948, completely revised 27 December 1972, revised again in April 1992 Legal system: based on German civil law system with Japanese influences and Communist legal theory; no judicial review of legislative acts; has not accepted compulsory ICJ jurisdiction National holiday: DPRK Foundation Day, 9 September (1948) Political parties and leaders: major party - Korean Workers' Party (KWP), KIM Il-song, general secretary, and his son, KIM Chong-il, secretary, Central Committee; Korean Social Democratic Party, KIM Yong-ho, vice-chairman; Chondoist Chongu Party, CHONG Sin-hyok, chairman Suffrage: 17 years of age; universal Elections: President: last held 24 May 1990 (next to be held by NA 1994); results - President KIM Il-song was reelected without opposition Supreme People's Assembly: last held on 7-9 April 1993 (next to be held NA); results - percent of vote by party NA; seats - (687 total) the KWP approves a single list of candidates who are elected without opposition; minor parties hold a few seats Executive branch: president, two vice presidents, premier, ten vice premiers, State Administration Council (cabinet)

*Korea, North, Government

Legislative branch: unicameral Supreme People's Assembly (Ch'oego Inmin Hoeui) Judicial branch: Central Court Leaders: Chief of State: President KIM Il-song (national leader since 1948, president since 28 December 1972); designated successor KIM Chong-il (son of president, born 16 February 1942) Head of Government: Premier KANG Song-san (since December 1992) Member of: ESCAP, FAO, G-77, IAEA, ICAO, IFAD, IMF (observer), IMO, IOC, ISO, ITU, LORCS, NAM, UN, UNCTAD, UNESCO, UNIDO, UPU, WFTU, WHO, WIPO, WMO, WTO Diplomatic representation in US: none US diplomatic representation: none Flag: three horizontal bands of blue (top), red (triple width), and blue; the red band is edged in white; on the hoist side of the red band is a white disk with a red five-pointed star

*Korea, North, Economy

Overview: More than 90% of this command economy is socialized; agricultural land is collectivized; and state-owned industry produces 95% of manufactured goods. State control of economic affairs is unusually tight even for a Communist country because of the small size and homogeneity of the society and the strict rule of KIM Il-song and his son, KIM Chong-il. Economic growth during the period 1984-88 averaged 2-3%, but output declined by 3-5% annually during 1989-92 because of systemic problems and disruptions in socialist-style economic relations with the former USSR and China. In 1992, output dropped sharply, by perhaps 10-15%, as the economy felt the cumulative effect of the reduction in outside support. The leadership insisted in maintaining its high level of military outlays from a shrinking economic pie. Moreover, a serious drawdown in inventories and critical shortages in the energy sector have led to increasing interruptions in industrial production. Abundant mineral resources and hydropower have formed the basis of industrial development since WWII. Output of the extractive industries includes coal, iron ore, magnesite, graphite, copper, zinc, lead, and precious metals. Manufacturing is centered on heavy industry, including military industry, with light industry lagging far behind. Despite the use of improved seed varieties, expansion of irrigation, and the heavy use of fertilizers, North Korea has not yet become self-sufficient in food production. Five consecutive years of poor harvests, coupled with distribution problems, have led to chronic food shortages. North Korea remains far behind South Korea in economic development and living standards. National product: GNP - purchasing power equivalent - $22 billion (1992 est.) National product real growth rate: -10% to -15% (1992 est.) National product per capita: $1,000 (1992 est.) Inflation rate (consumer prices): NA% Unemployment rate: NA% Budget: revenues $18.5 billion; expenditures $18.4 billion, including capital expenditures of $NA (1992) Exports: $1.3 billion (f.o.b., 1992 est.) commodities: minerals, metallurgical products, agricultural and fishery products, manufactures (including armaments) partners: China, Japan, Russia, South Korea, Germany, Hong Kong, Mexico Imports: $1.9 billion (f.o.b., 1992 est.) commodities: petroleum, grain, coking coal, machinery and equipment, consumer goods partners: China, Russia, Japan, Hong Kong, Germany, Singapore External debt: $8 billion (1992 est.) Industrial production: growth rate -15% (1992 est.) Electricity: 7,300,000 kW capacity; 26,000 million kWh produced, 1,160 kWh per capita (1992)

*Korea, North, Economy

Industries: machine building, military products, electric power, chemicals, mining, metallurgy, textiles, food processing Agriculture: accounts for about 25% of GNP and 36% of work force; principal crops - rice, corn, potatoes, soybeans, pulses; livestock and livestock products - cattle, hogs, pork, eggs; not self-sufficient in grain; fish catch estimated at 1.7 million metric tons in 1987 Economic aid: Communist countries, $1.4 billion a year in the 1980s Currency: 1 North Korean won (Wn) = 100 chon Exchange rates: North Korean won (Wn) per US$1 - 2.13 (May 1992), 2.14 (September 1991), 2.1 (January 1990), 2.3 (December 1989), 2.13 (December 1988), 0.94 (March 1987) Fiscal year: calendar year

*Korea, North, Communications

Railroads: 4,915 km total; 4,250 km 1.435-meter standard gauge, 665 km 0.762-meter narrow gauge; 159 km double track; 3,084 km electrified; government owned (1989) Highways: about 30,000 km (1991); 92.5% gravel, crushed stone, or earth surface; 7.5% paved Inland waterways: 2,253 km; mostly navigable by small craft only Pipelines: crude oil 37 km Ports: primary - Ch'ongjin, Hungnam (Hamhung), Najin, Namp'o, Wonsan; secondary - Haeju, Kimchaek, Kosong, Sinuiju, Songnim, Sonbong (formerly Unggi), Ungsang Merchant marine: 80 ships (1,000 GRT and over) totaling 675,666 GRT/1,057,815 DWT; includes 1 passenger, 1 short-sea passenger, 2 passenger-cargo, 67 cargo, 2 oil tanker, 5 bulk, 1 combination bulk, 1 container Airports: total: 55 usable : 55 (est.) with permanent-surface runways: about 30 with runways over 3,659 m: fewer than 5 with runways 2,440-3,659 m: 20 with runways 1,220-2,439 m: 30 Telecommunications: broadcast stations - 18 AM, no FM, 11 TV; 300,000 TV sets (1989); 3,500,000 radio receivers; 1 Indian Ocean INTELSAT earth station

*Korea, North, Defense Forces

Branches: Korean People's Army (including the Army, Navy, Air Force), Civil Security Forces Manpower availability: males age 15-49 6,567,684; fit for military service 3,996,893; reach military age (18) annually 208,132 (1993 est.) Defense expenditures: exchange rate conversion - about $5 billion, 20-25% of GNP (1991 est.); note - the officially announced but suspect figure is $1.9 billion (1991) 8% of GNP (1991 est.)

*Korea, South, Geography

Location: Northeast Asia, between North Korea and Japan Map references: Asia, Standard Time Zones of the World Area: total area: 98,480 km2 land area: 98,190 km2 comparative area: slightly larger than Indiana Land boundaries: total 238 km, North Korea 238 km Coastline: 2,413 km Maritime claims: continental shelf: not specified territorial sea: 12 nm; 3 nm in the Korea Strait International disputes: Demarcation Line with North Korea; Liancourt Rocks claimed by Japan Climate: temperate, with rainfall heavier in summer than winter Terrain: mostly hills and mountains; wide coastal plains in west and south Natural resources: coal, tungsten, graphite, molybdenum, lead, hydropower Land use: arable land: 21% permanent crops: 1% meadows and pastures: 1% forest and woodland: 67% other: 10% Irrigated land: 13,530 km2 (1989) Environment: occasional typhoons bring high winds and floods; earthquakes in southwest; air pollution in large cities

*Korea, South, People

Population: 44,613,993 (July 1993 est.) Population growth rate: 1.05% (1993 est.) Birth rate: 15.72 births/1,000 population (1993 est.) Death rate: 6.16 deaths/1,000 population (1993 est.) Net migration rate: 0.91 migrant(s)/1,000 population (1993 est.) Infant mortality rate: 22.5 deaths/1,000 live births (1993 est.) Life expectancy at birth: total population: 70.29 years male: 67.1 years female: 73.68 years (1993 est.) Total fertility rate: 1.64 children born/woman (1993 est.) Nationality: noun: Korean(s) adjective: Korean Ethnic divisions: homogeneous (except for about 20,000 Chinese) Religions: Christianity 48.6%, Buddhism 47.4%, Confucianism 3%, pervasive folk religion (Shamanism), Chondogyo (religion of the heavenly way) 0.2% Languages: Korean, English widely taught in high school Literacy: age 15 and over can read and write (1990) total population: 96% male: 99% female: 94% Labor force: 19 million by occupation: services and other 52%, mining and manufacturing 27%, agriculture, fishing, forestry 21% (1991)

*Korea, South, Government

Names: conventional long form: Republic of Korea conventional short form: South Korea local long form: Taehan-min'guk local short form: none Abbreviation: ROK Digraph: KS Type: republic Capital: Seoul Administrative divisions: 9 provinces (do, singular and plural) and 6 special cities* (jikhalsi,, singular and plural); Cheju-do, Cholla-bukto, Cholla-namdo, Ch'ungch'ong-bukto, Ch'ungch'ong-namdo, Inch'on-jikhalsi*, Kangwon-do,, Kwangju-jikhalsi*,, Kyonggi-do, Kyongsang-bukto, Kyongsang-namdo, Pusan-jikhalsi*, Soul-t'ukpyolsi*, Taegu-jikhalsi*, Taejon-jikhalsi*, Independence: 15 August 1948 Constitution: 25 February 1988 Legal system: combines elements of continental European civil law systems, Anglo-American law, and Chinese classical thought National holiday: Independence Day, 15 August (1948) Political parties and leaders: majority party: Democratic Liberal Party (DLP), KIM Young Sam, president opposition: Democratic Party (DP), LEE Ki Taek, executive chairman; United People's Party (UPP), CHUNG Ju Yung, chairman; several smaller parties note: the DLP resulted from a merger of the Democratic Justice Party (DJP), Reunification Democratic Party (RDP), and New Democratic Republican Party (NDRP) on 9 February 1990 Other political or pressure groups: Korean National Council of Churches; National Democratic Alliance of Korea; National Federation of Student Associations; National Federation of Farmers' Associations; National Council of Labor Unions; Federation of Korean Trade Unions; Korean Veterans' Association; Federation of Korean Industries; Korean Traders Association Suffrage: 20 years of age; universal Elections: President: last held on 18 December 1992 (next to be held NA December 1997); results - KIM Young Sam (DLP) 41.9%, KIM Dae Jung (DP) 33.8%, CHUNG Ju Yung (UPP) 16.3%, other 8%

*Korea, South, Government

National Assembly: last held on 24 March 1992; results - DLP 38.5%, DP 29.2%, Unification National Party (UNP) 17.3% (name later changed to UPP), other 15%; seats - (299 total) DLP 149, DP 97, UNP 31, other 22; the distribution of seats as of May 1993 was DLP 167, DP 95, UPP 14, other 23 note: the change in the distribution of seats reflects the fluidity of the current situation where party members are constantly switching from one party to another Executive branch: president, prime minister, two deputy prime ministers, State Council (cabinet) Legislative branch: unicameral National Assembly (Kuk Hoe) Judicial branch: Supreme Court Leaders: Chief of State: President KIM Young Sam (since 25 February 1993) Head of Government: Prime Minister HWANG In Sung (since 25 February 1993); Deputy Prime Minister LEE Kyung Shick (since 25 February 1993) and Deputy Prime Minister HAN Wan Sang (since 25 February 1993) Member of: AfDB, APEC, AsDB, CCC, COCOM (cooperating country), CP, EBRD, ESCAP, FAO, G-77, GATT, IAEA, IBRD, ICAO, ICC, ICFTU, IDA, IFAD, IFC, ILO, IMF, IMO, INMARSAT, INTELSAT, INTERPOL, IOC, IOM, ISO, ITU, LORCS, OAS (observer), UN, UNCTAD, UNESCO, UNIDO, UPU, WHO, WIPO, WMO, WTO Diplomatic representation in US: chief of mission: Ambassador HAN Seung Soo chancery: 2370 Massachusetts Avenue NW, Washington, DC 20008 telephone: (202) 939-5600 consulates general: Agana (Guam), Anchorage, Atlanta, Chicago, Honolulu, Houston, Los Angeles, New York, San Francisco, and Seattle US diplomatic representation: chief of mission: (vacant), Charge d'Affaires Raymond BURGHARDT embassy: 82 Sejong-Ro, Chongro-ku, Seoul, AMEMB, Unit 15550 mailing address: APO AP 96205-0001 telephone: [82] (2) 732-2601 through 2618 FAX: [82] (2) 738-8845 consulate: Pusan Flag: white with a red (top) and blue yin-yang symbol in the center; there is a different black trigram from the ancient I Ching (Book of Changes) in each corner of the white field

*Korea, South, Economy

Overview: The driving force behind the economy's dynamic growth has been the planned development of an export-oriented economy in a vigorously entrepreneurial society. Real GNP increased more than 10% annually between 1986 and 1991. This growth ultimately led to an overheated situation characterized by a tight labor market, strong inflationary pressures, and a rapidly rising current account deficit. As a result, in 1992, focusing attention on slowing the growth rate of inflation and reducing the deficit is leading to a slow-down in growth. The economy remains the envy of the great majority of the world's peoples. National product: GNP - purchasing power equivalent - $287 billion (1992 est.) National product real growth rate: 5% (1992 est.) National product per capita: $6,500 (1992 est.) Inflation rate (consumer prices): 4.5% (1992 est.) Unemployment rate: 2.4% (1992 est.) Budget: revenues $48.4 billion; expenditures $48.4 billion, including capital expenditures of $NA (1993) Exports: $76.8 billion (f.o.b., 1992) commodities: textiles, clothing, electronic and electrical equipment, footwear, machinery, steel, automobiles, ships, fish partners: US 24%, Japan 15% (1992) Imports: $81.7 billion (c.i.f., 1992) commodities: machinery, electronics and electronic equipment, oil, steel, transport equipment, textiles, organic chemicals, grains partners: Japan 24%, US 22% (1992) External debt: $42 billion (1992) Industrial production: growth rate 5.0% (1992 est.); accounts for about 45% of GNP Electricity: 24,000,000 kW capacity; 105,000 million kWh produced, 2,380 kWh per capita (1992) Industries: textiles, clothing, footwear, food processing, chemicals, steel, electronics, automobile production, shipbuilding Agriculture: accounts for 8% of GNP and employs 21% of work force (including fishing and forestry); principal crops - rice, root crops, barley, vegetables, fruit; livestock and livestock products - cattle, hogs, chickens, milk, eggs; self-sufficient in food, except for wheat; fish catch of 2.9 million metric tons, seventh-largest in world Economic aid: US commitments, including Ex-Im (FY70-89), $3.9 billion; non-US countries (1970-89), $3.0 billion Currency: 1 South Korean won (W) = 100 chon (theoretical)

*Korea, South, Economy

Exchange rates: South Korean won (W) per US$1 - 791.99 (January 1993), 780.65 (1992), 733.35 (1991), 707.76 (1990), 671.46 (1989), 731.47 (1988) Fiscal year: calendar year

*Korea, South, Communications

Railroads: 3,091 km total (1991); 3,044 km 1.435 meter standard gauge, 47 km 0.610-meter narrow gauge, 847 km double track; 525 km electrified, government owned Highways: 63,201 km total (1991); 1,551 expressways, 12,190 km national highway, 49,460 km provincial and local roads Inland waterways: 1,609 km; use restricted to small native craft Pipelines: petroleum products 455 km Ports: Pusan, Inchon, Kunsan, Mokpo, Ulsan Merchant marine: 431 ships (1,000 GRT or over) totaling 6,689,227 GRT/11,016,014 DWT; includes 2 short-sea passenger, 138 cargo, 61 container, 11 refrigerated cargo, 9 vehicle carrier, 45 oil tanker, 12 chemical tanker, 13 liquefied gas, 2 combination ore/oil, 135 bulk, 2 combination bulk, 1 multifunction large-load carrier Airports: total: 103 usable: 93 with permanent-surface runways: 59 with runways over 3,659 m: 0 with runways 2,440-3,659 m: 22 with runways 1,220-2,439 m: 18 Telecommunications: excellent domestic and international services; 13,276,449 telephone subscribers; broadcast stations - 79 AM, 46 FM, 256 TV (57 of 1 kW or greater); satellite earth stations - 2 Pacific Ocean INTELSAT and 1 Indian Ocean INTELSAT

*Korea, South, Defense Forces

Branches: Army, Navy, Marine Corps, Air Force Manpower availability: males age 15-49 13,286,969; fit for military service 8,542,640; reach military age (18) annually 432,434 (1993 est.) Defense expenditures: exchange rate conversion - $12.2 billion, 3.6% of GNP (1993 est.)

*Kuwait, Geography

Location: Middle East, at the head of the Persian Gulf, between Iraq and Saudi Arabia Map references: Africa, Middle East, Standard Time Zones of the World Area: total area: 17,820 km2 land area: 17,820 km2 comparative area: slightly smaller than New Jersey Land boundaries: total 464 km, Iraq 242 km, Saudi Arabia 222 km Coastline: 499 km Maritime claims: continental shelf: not specified territorial sea: 12 nm International disputes: in April 1991 Iraq officially accepted UN Security Council Resolution 687, which demands that Iraq accept the inviolability of the boundary set forth in its 1963 agreement with Kuwait, ending earlier claims to Bubiyan and Warbah Islands, or to all of Kuwait; the 20 May 1993 final report of the UN Iraq/Kuwait Boundary Demarcation Commission was welcomed by the Security Council in Resolution 833 of 27 May 1993, which also reaffirmed that the decisions of the commission on the boundary were final, bringing to a completion the official demarcation of the Iraq-Kuwait boundary; Iraqi officials still make public statements claiming Kuwait; ownership of Qaruh and Umm al Maradim Islands disputed by Saudi Arabia Climate: dry desert; intensely hot summers; short, cool winters Terrain: flat to slightly undulating desert plain Natural resources: petroleum, fish, shrimp, natural gas Land use: arable land: 0% permanent crops: 0% meadows and pastures: 8% forest and woodland: 0% other: 92% Irrigated land: 20 km2 (1989 est.) Environment: some of world's largest and most sophisticated desalination facilities provide most of water; air and water pollution; desertification Note: strategic location at head of Persian Gulf

*Kuwait, People

Population: 1,698,077 (July 1993 est.) Population growth rate: 8.67% (1993 est.) Birth rate: 30.29 births/1,000 population (1993 est.) Death rate: 2.39 deaths/1,000 population (1993 est.) Net migration rate: 58.74 migrant(s)/1,000 population (1993 est.) Infant mortality rate: 13.1 deaths/1,000 live births (1993 est.) Life expectancy at birth: total population: 74.62 years male: 72.47 years female: 76.87 years (1993 est.) Total fertility rate: 4.11 children born/woman (1993 est.) Nationality: noun: Kuwaiti(s) adjective: Kuwaiti Ethnic divisions: Kuwaiti 45%, other Arab 35%, South Asian 9%, Iranian 4%, other 7% Religions: Muslim 85% (Shi'a 30%, Sunni 45%, other 10%), Christian, Hindu, Parsi, and other 15% Languages: Arabic (official), English widely spoken Literacy: age 15 and over can read and write (1990) total population: 73% male: 77% female: 67% Labor force: 566,000 (1986) by occupation: services 45.0%, construction 20.0%, trade 12.0%, manufacturing 8.6%, finance and real estate 2.6%, agriculture 1.9%, power and water 1.7%, mining and quarrying 1.4% note: 70% of labor force was non-Kuwaiti (1986)

*Kuwait, Government

Names: conventional long form: State of Kuwait conventional short form: Kuwait local long form: Dawlat al Kuwayt local short form: Al Kuwayt Digraph: KU Type: nominal constitutional monarchy Capital: Kuwait Administrative divisions: 5 governorates (mu'hafaz'at, singular - muh'afaz'ah); Al Ah'madi, Al Jahrah, Al Kuwayt, 'Hawalli; Farwaniyah Independence: 19 June 1961 (from UK) Constitution: 16 November 1962 (some provisions suspended since 29 August 1962) Legal system: civil law system with Islamic law significant in personal matters; has not accepted compulsory ICJ jurisdiction National holiday: National Day, 25 February Political parties and leaders: none Other political or pressure groups: 40,000 Palestinian community; small, clandestine leftist and Shi'a fundamentalist groups are active; several groups critical of government policies are active Suffrage: adult males who resided in Kuwait before 1920 and their male descendants at age 21 note: out of all citizens, only 10% are eligible to vote and only 5% actually vote Elections: National Assembly: dissolved 3 July 1986; new elections were held on 5 October 1992 with a second election in the 14th and 16th constituencies scheduled for 15 February 1993 Executive branch: amir, prime minister, deputy prime minister, Council of Ministers (cabinet) Legislative branch: unicameral National Assembly (Majlis al 'umma) dissolved 3 July 1986; elections for new Assembly held 5 October 1992 Judicial branch: High Court of Appeal Leaders: Chief of State: Amir Shaykh JABIR al-Ahmad al-Jabir al-Sabah (since 31 December 1977) Head of Government: Prime Minister and Crown Prince SA'D al-'Abdallah al-Salim al-Sabah (since 8 February 1978); Deputy Prime Minister SABAH al-Ahmad al-Jabir al-Sabah (since 17 October 1992)

*Kuwait, Government

Member of: ABEDA, AfDB, AFESD, AL, AMF, BDEAC, CAEU, ESCWA, FAO, G-77, GATT, GCC, IAEA, IBRD, ICAO, IDA, IDB, IFAD, IFC, ILO, IMF, IMO, INMARSAT, INTELSAT, INTERPOL, IOC, ISO (correspondent), ITU, LORCS, NAM, OAPEC, OIC, OPEC, UN, UNCTAD, UNESCO, UNIDO, UPU, WFTU, WHO, WMO, WTO Diplomatic representation in US: chief of mission: Ambassador Muhammad al-Sabah al-Salim al-SABAH chancery: 2940 Tilden Street NW, Washington, DC 20008 telephone: (202) 966-0702 US diplomatic representation: chief of mission: Ambassador Edward (Skip) GNEHM, Jr. embassy: Bneid al-Gar (opposite the Kuwait International Hotel), Kuwait City mailing address: P.O. Box 77 SAFAT, 13001 SAFAT, Kuwait; APO AE 09880 telephone: [965] 242-4151 through 4159 FAX: [956] 244-2855 Flag: three equal horizontal bands of green (top), white, and red with a black trapezoid based on the hoist side

*Kuwait, Economy

Overview: Kuwait is a small and relatively open economy with proven crude oil reserves of about 94 billion barrels - 10% of world reserves. Kuwait is rebuilding its war-ravaged petroleum sector and the increase in crude oil production to nearly 2.0 million barrels per day by the end of 1992 led to an enormous increase in GDP for the year. The government ran a cumulative fiscal deficit of approximately $70 billion over its last two fiscal years, reducing its foreign asset position and increasing its public debt to roughly $40 billion. Petroleum accounts for nearly half of GDP and over 90% of export and government revenue. National product: GDP - exchange rate conversion - $15.3 billion (1992 est.) National product real growth rate: 80% (1992 est.) National product per capita: $11,100 (1992 est.) Inflation rate (consumer prices): 5% (1992 est.) Unemployment rate: NEGL% (1992 est.) Budget: revenues $7.1 billion; expenditures $10.5 billion, including capital expenditures of $3.1 billion (FY88) Exports: $750 million (f.o.b., 1991 est.) commodities: oil partners: France 16%, Italy 15%, Japan 12%, UK 11% Imports: $4.7 billion (f.o.b., 1991 est.) commodities: food, construction materials, vehicles and parts, clothing partners: US 35%, Japan 12%, UK 9%, Canada 9% External debt: $7.2 billion (December 1989 est.) note: external debt has grown substantially in 1991 and 1992 to pay for restoration of war damage Industrial production: growth rate NA%; accounts for NA% of GDP Electricity: 6,873,000 kW available out of 7,398,000 kW capacity due to Persian Gulf war; 12,264 million kWh produced, 8,890 kWh per capita (1992) Industries: petroleum, petrochemicals, desalination, food processing, building materials, salt, construction Agriculture: practically none; dependent on imports for food; about 75% of potable water must be distilled or imported Economic aid: donor - pledged $18.3 billion in bilateral aid to less developed countries (1979-89) Currency: 1 Kuwaiti dinar (KD) = 1,000 fils Exchange rates: Kuwaiti dinars (KD) per US$1 - 0.3044 (January 1993), 0.2934 (1992), 0.2843 (1991), 0.2915 (1990), 0.2937 (1989), 0.2790 (1988)

*Kuwait, Economy

Fiscal year: 1 July - 30 June

*Kuwait, Communications

Railroads: none Highways: 3,900 km total; 3,000 km bituminous; 900 km earth, sand, light gravel Pipelines: crude oil 877 km; petroleum products 40 km; natural gas 165 km Ports: Ash Shu'aybah, Ash Shuwaykh, Mina' al 'Ahmadi Merchant marine: 42 ships (1,000 GRT or over), totaling 1,996,052 GRT/3,373,088 DWT; includes 7 cargo, 4 livestock carrier, 24 oil tanker, 4 liquefied gas, 3 container Airports: total: 7 usable: 4 with permanent-surface runways: 4 with runways over 3,659 m: 0 with runways 2,440-3,659 m: 4 with runways 1,220-2,439 m: 0 Telecommunications: civil network suffered extensive damage as a result of Desert Storm and reconstruction is still under way with some restored international and domestic capabilities; broadcast stations - 3 AM, 0 FM, 3 TV; satellite earth stations - destroyed during Persian Gulf War and not rebuilt yet; temporary mobile satellite ground stations provide international telecommunications; coaxial cable and microwave radio relay to Saudi Arabia; service to Iraq is nonoperational

*Kuwait, Defense Forces

Branches: Army, Navy, Air Force, National Police Force, National Guard Manpower availability: males age 15-49 498,254; fit for military service 298,865; reach military age (18) annually 14,459 (1993 est.) Defense expenditures: exchange rate conversion - $2.5 billion, 7.3% of GDP (FY92/93)

*Kyrgyzstan, Geography

Location: South Asia, between China and Kazakhstan Map references: Asia, Commonwealth of Independent States - Central Asian States, Standard Time Zones of the World Area: total area: 198,500 km2 land area: 191,300 km2 comparative area: slightly smaller than South Dakota Land boundaries: total 3,878 km, China 858 km, Kazakhstan 1,051 km, Tajikistan 870 km, Uzbekistan 1,099 km Coastline: 0 km (landlocked) Maritime claims: none; landlocked International disputes: territorial dispute with Tajikistan on southern boundary in Isfara Valley area Climate: dry continental to polar in high Tien Shan; subtropical in south (Fergana Valley) Terrain: peaks of Tien Shan rise to 7,000 meters, and associated valleys and basins encompass entire nation Natural resources: small amounts of coal, natural gas, oil, nepheline, rare earth metals, mercury, bismuth, gold, lead, zinc, hydroelectric power Land use: arable land: NA% permanent crops: NA% meadows and pastures: NA% forest and woodland: NA% other: NA% Irrigated land: 10,320 km2 (1990) Environment: NA Note: landlocked

*Kyrgyzstan, People

Population: 4,625,954 (July 1993 est.) Population growth rate: 1.56% (1993 est.) Birth rate: 26.69 births/1,000 population (1993 est.) Death rate: 7.45 deaths/1,000 population (1993 est.) Net migration rate: -3.62 migrant(s)/1,000 population (1993 est.) Infant mortality rate: 47.8 deaths/1,000 live births (1993 est.) Life expectancy at birth: total population: 67.71 years male: 63.47 years female: 72.15 years (1993 est.) Total fertility rate: 3.39 children born/woman (1993 est.) Nationality: noun: Kirghiz(s) adjective: Kirghiz Ethnic divisions: Kirghiz 52.4%, Russian 21.5%, Uzbek 12.9%, Ukrainian 2.5%, German 2.4%, other 8.3% Religions: Muslim 70%, Russian Orthodox NA% Languages: Kirghiz (Kyrgyz) - official language, Russian Literacy: age 9-49 can read and write (1970) total population: 100% male: 100% female: 100% Labor force: 1.748 million by occupation: agriculture and forestry 33%, industry and construction 28%, other 39% (1990)

*Kyrgyzstan, Government

Names: conventional long form: Republic of Kyrgyzstan conventional short form: Kyrgyzstan local long form: Kyrgyzstan Respublikasy local short form: none former: Kirghiz Soviet Socialist Republic Digraph: KG Type: republic Capital: Bishkek (Frunze) Administrative divisions: 6 oblasts (oblastey, singular - oblast'); Chu, Jalal-Abad, Ysyk-Kul', Naryn, Osh, Talas Independence: 31 August 1991 (from Soviet Union) Constitution: adopted 5 May 1993 Legal system: based on civil law system National holiday: National Day, 2 December Political parties and leaders: Kyrgyz Democratic Movement, Kazat AKMAKOV, chairman; Civic Accord, Coalition representing nonnative minority groups; National Revived Asaba (Banner) Party, Asan ORMUSHEV, chairman; Communist Party was banned but has registered as political party 18 September 1992 Other political or pressure groups: National Unity Democratic Movement; Peasant Party; Council of Free Trade Unions; Union of Entrepreneurs Suffrage: 18 years of age; universal Elections: President: last held 12 October 1991 (next to be held NA 1996); results - Askar AKAYEV won in uncontested election with 95% of vote with 90% of electorate voting; note - president elected by Supreme Soviet 28 October 1990, then by popular vote 12 October 1991 Zhogorku Keneshom: last held 25 February 1990 for the Supreme Soviet (next to be held no later than NA November 1994 for the Zhgorku Keneshom); results - Commnunists 90%; seats - (350 total) Communists 310 Executive branch: president, Cabinet of Ministers, prime minister Legislative branch: unicameral Zhogorku Keneshom Judicial branch: Supreme Court Leaders: Chief of State: President Askar AKAYEV (since 28 October 1990); Vice President Feliks KULOV (since 12 October 1992)

*Kyrgyzstan, Government

Head of Government: Prime Minister Tursenbek CHYNGYSHEV (since 2 March 1992); Deputy Prime Minister Abdygani ERKEBAYEV; Supreme Soviet Chairman Medetkan SHERIMKULOV (since NA) Member of: CIS, CSCE, EBRD, ECO, ESCAP, IBRD, IDA, ILO, IMF, NACC, PCA, UN, UNCTAD, UNESCO, WHO Diplomatic representation in US: chief of mission: Ambassador Roza OTUNBAYEVA chancery: 1511 K Street, NW, Washington, DC telephone: (202) 347-5029 US diplomatic representation: chief of mission: Ambassador Edward HURWITZ embassy: (temporary) Erkindik Prospekt #66, Bishkek mailing address: APO AE 09721 telephone: 7-3312 22-26-93, 22-35-51, 22-29-20 FAX: 7-3312 22-35-51 Flag: red field with a yellow sun in the center having 40 rays representing the 40 Krygyz tribes; on the obverse side the rays run counterclockwise, on the reverse, clockwise; in the center of the sun is a red ring crossed by two sets of three lines, a stylized representation of the roof of the traditional Kyrgyz yurt

*Kyrgyzstan, Economy

Overview: Kyrgyzstan's small economy (less than 1% of the total for the former Soviet Union) is oriented toward agriculture, producing mainly livestock such as goats and sheep, as well as cotton, grain, and tobacco. Industry, concentrated around Bishkek, produces small quantities of electric motors, livestock feeding equipment, washing machines, furniture, cement, paper, and bricks. Mineral extraction is small, the most important minerals being coal, rare earth metals and gold. Kyrgyzstan is a net importer of many types of food and fuel but is a net exporter of electricity. In 1992, the Kirghiz leadership made progress on reform, primarily by privatizing business, granting life-long tenure to farmers, and freeing most prices. Nonetheless, in 1992 overall industrial and livestock output declined because of acute fuel shortages and a widespread lack of spare parts. National product: GDP $NA National product real growth rate: -25% (1992 est.) National product per capita: $NA Inflation rate (consumer prices): 29% per month (first quarter 1993) Unemployment rate: 0.1% includes officially registered unemployed; also large numbers of underemployed workers Budget: revenues $NA; expenditures $NA, including capital expenditures of $NA Exports: $NA commodities: wool, chemicals, cotton, ferrous and nonferrous metals, shoes, machinery, tobacco partners: Russia 70%, Ukraine, Uzbekistan, Kazakhstan, and others Imports: $NA commodities: lumber, industrial products, ferrous metals, fuel, machinery, textiles, footwear partners: other CIS republics External debt: $650 million (1991) Industrial production: growth rate NA% (1992) Electricity: 4,100,000 kW capacity; 11,800 million kWh produced, 2,551 kWh per capita (1992) Industries: small machinery, textiles, food-processing industries, cement, shoes, sawn logs, refrigerators, furniture, electric motors, gold, and rare earth metals Agriculture: wool, tobacco, cotton, livestock (sheep, goats, cattle), vegetables, meat, grapes, fruits and berries, eggs, milk, potatoes Illicit drugs: illicit producer of cannabis and opium; mostly for CIS consumption; limited government eradication program; used as transshipment point for illicit drugs to Western Europel Economic aid: $300 million official and commitments by foreign donors (1992)

*Kyrgyzstan, Economy

Currency: introduced national currency, the som (10 May 1993) Exchange rates: rubles per US$1 - 415 (24 December 1992) but subject to wide fluctuations Fiscal year: calendar year

*Kyrgyzstan, Communications

Railroads: 370 km; does not include industrial lines (1990) Highways: 30,300 km total; 22,600 km paved or graveled, 7,700 km earth(1990) Pipelines: natural gas 200 km Ports: none; landlocked Airports: total: 52 useable: 27 with permanent-surface runways: 12 with runways over 3,659 m: 1 with runways 2,440-3,659 m: 4 with runways 1,220-2,439 m: 13 Telecommunications: poorly developed; 56 telephones per 1000 persons (December 1990); connections with other CIS countries by landline or microwave and with other countries by leased connections with Moscow international gateway switch; satellite earth stations - Orbita and INTELSAT (TV receive only); new intelsat earth station provide TV receive-only capability for Turkish broadcasts

*Kyrgyzstan, Defense Forces

Branches: National Guard, Security Forces (internal and border troops), Civil Defense Manpower availability: males age 15-49 1,093,694; fit for military service 890,961 (1993 est.) Defense expenditures: $NA, NA% of GDP

*Laos, Geography

Location: Southeast Asia, between Vietnam and Thailand Map references: Southeast Asia, Standard Time Zones of the World Area: total area: 236,800 km2 land area: 230,800 km2 comparative area: slightly larger than Utah Land boundaries: total 5,083 km, Burma 235 km, Cambodia 541 km, China 423 km, Thailand 1,754 km, Vietnam 2,130 km Coastline: 0 km (landlocked) Maritime claims: none; landlocked International disputes: boundary dispute with Thailand Climate: tropical monsoon; rainy season (May to November); dry season (December to April) Terrain: mostly rugged mountains; some plains and plateaus Natural resources: timber, hydropower, gypsum, tin, gold, gemstones Land use: arable land: 4% permanent crops: 0% meadows and pastures: 3% forest and woodland: 58% other: 35% Irrigated land: 1,200 km2 (1989 est.) Environment: deforestation; soil erosion; subject to floods Note: landlocked

*Laos, People

Population: 4,569,327 (July 1993 est.) Population growth rate: 2.86% (1993 est.) Birth rate: 43.82 births/1,000 population (1993 est.) Death rate: 15.22 deaths/1,000 population (1993 est.) Net migration rate: 0 migrant(s)/1,000 population (1993 est.) Infant mortality rate: 104.4 deaths/1,000 live births (1993 est.) Life expectancy at birth: total population: 51.18 years male: 49.67 years female: 52.77 years (1993 est.) Total fertility rate: 6.16 children born/woman (1993 est.) Nationality: noun: Lao(s) or Laotian(s) adjective: Lao or Laotian Ethnic divisions: Lao 50%, Phoutheung (Kha) 15%, tribal Thai 20%, Meo, Hmong, Yao, and other 15% Religions: Buddhist 85%, animist and other 15% Languages: Lao (official), French, English Literacy: age 15-45 can read and write (1985) total population: 84% male: 92% female: 76% Labor force: 1-1.5 million by occupation: agriculture 85-90% (est.)

*Laos, Government

Names: conventional long form: Lao People's Democratic Republic conventional short form: Laos local long form: Sathalanalat Paxathipatai Paxaxon Lao local short form: none Digraph: LA Type: Communist state Capital: Vientiane Administrative divisions: 16 provinces (khoueng, singular and plural) and 1 municipality* (kampheng, nakhon, singular and plural); Attapu, Bokeo, Bolikhamsai, Champasak, Houaphan, Khammouan, Louang Namtha, Louangphrabang, Oudomxai, Phongsali, Saravan, Savannakhet, Sekong, Vientiane, Vientiane*, Xaignabouri,, Xiangkhoang Independence: 19 July 1949 (from France) Constitution: promulgated August 1991 Legal system: based on civil law system; has not accepted compulsory ICJ jurisdiction National holiday: National Day, 2 December (1975) (proclamation of the Lao People's Democratic Republic) Political parties and leaders: Lao People's Revolutionary Party (LPRP), KHAMTAI Siphandon, party president; includes Lao Front for National Construction (LFNC); other parties moribund Other political or pressure groups: non-Communist political groups moribund; most leaders fled the country in 1975 Suffrage: 18 years of age; universal Elections: Third National Assembly: last held on 20 December 1992 (next to be held NA); results - percent of vote by party NA; seats - (85 total) number of seats by party NA Executive branch: president, prime minister and two deputy prime ministers, Council of Ministers (cabinet) Legislative branch: National Assembly Judicial branch: Supreme People's Court Leaders: Chief of State: President NOUHAK Phoumsavan (since 25 November 1992) Head of Government: Prime Minister Gen. KHAMTAI Siphandon (since 15 August 1991) Member of: ACCT (associate), AsDB, CP, ESCAP, FAO, G-77, IBRD, ICAO, IDA, IFAD, IFC, ILO, IMF, INTERPOL, IOC, ITU, LORCS, NAM, PCA, UN, UNCTAD, UNESCO, UNIDO, UPU, WFTU, WHO, WMO, WTO

*Laos, Government

Diplomatic representation in US: chief of mission: Ambassador HIEM Phommachanh chancery: 2222 S Street NW, Washington, DC 20008 telephone: (202) 332-6416 or 6417 US diplomatic representation: chief of mission: Ambassador Charles B. SALMON, Jr. embassy: Rue Bartholonie, Vientiane mailing address: B. P. 114, Vientiane, or AMEMB, Box V, APO AP 96546 telephone: (856) 2220, 2357, 2384 FAX: (856) 4675 Flag: three horizontal bands of red (top), blue (double width), and red with a large white disk centered in the blue band

*Laos, Economy

Overview: One of the world's poorest nations, Laos has had a Communist centrally planned economy with government ownership and control of productive enterprises of any size. In recent years, however, the government has been decentralizing control and encouraging private enterprise. Laos is a landlocked country with a primitive infrastructure; that is, it has no railroads, a rudimentary road system, limited external and internal telecommunications, and electricity available in only a limited area. Subsistence agriculture is the main occupation, accounting for over 60% of GDP and providing about 85-90% of total employment. The predominant crop is rice. For the foreseeable future the economy will continue to depend for its survival on foreign aid from the IMF and other international sources; aid from the former USSR and Eastern Europe has been cut sharply. National product: GDP - exchange rate conversion - $900 million (1991) National product real growth rate: 4% (1991) National product per capita: $200 (1991) Inflation rate (consumer prices): 10% (1991) Unemployment rate: 21% (1989 est.) Budget: revenues $83 million; expenditures $188.5 million, including capital expenditures of $94 million (1990 est.) Exports: $72 million (f.o.b., 1990 est.) commodities: electricity, wood products, coffee, tin partners: Thailand, Malaysia, Vietnam, USSR, US, China Imports: $238 million (c.i.f., 1990 est.) commodities: food, fuel oil, consumer goods, manufactures partners: Thailand, USSR, Japan, France, Vietnam, China External debt: $1.1 billion (1990 est.) Industrial production: growth rate 12% (1991 est.); accounts for about 18% of GDP (1991 est.) Electricity: 226,000 kW capacity; 990 million kWh produced, 220 kWh per capita (1992) Industries: tin and gypsum mining, timber, electric power, agricultural processing, construction Agriculture: accounts for 60% of GDP and employs most of the work force; subsistence farming predominates; normally self-sufficient in nondrought years; principal crops - rice (80% of cultivated land), sweet potatoes, vegetables, corn, coffee, sugarcane, cotton; livestock - buffaloes, hogs, cattle, poultry Illicit drugs: illicit producer of cannabis, opium poppy for the international drug trade, third-largest opium producer

*Laos, Economy

Economic aid: US commitments, including Ex-Im (FY70-79), $276 million; Western (non-US) countries, ODA and OOF bilateral commitments (1970-89), $605 million; Communist countries (1970-89), $995 million Currency: 1 new kip (NK) = 100 at Exchange rates: new kips (NK) per US$1 - 710 (May 1992), 710 (December 1991), 700 (September 1990), 576 (1989), 385 (1988), 200 (1987) Fiscal year: 1 July - 30 June

*Laos, Communications

Railroads: none Highways: about 27,527 km total; 1,856 km bituminous or bituminous treated; 7,451 km gravel, crushed stone, or improved earth; 18,220 km unimproved earth and often impassable during rainy season mid-May to mid-September Inland waterways: about 4,587 km, primarily Mekong and tributaries; 2,897 additional kilometers are sectionally navigable by craft drawing less than 0.5 m Pipelines: petroleum products 136 km Ports: none Airports: total: 54 usable: 41 with permanent-surface runways: 8 with runways over 3,659 m: 0 with runways 2,440-3,659 m: 1 with runways 1,220-2,439 m: 15 Telecommunications: service to general public practically non-existant; radio communications network provides generally erratic service to government users; 7,390 telephones (1986); broadcast stations - 10 AM, no FM, 1 TV; 1 satellite earth station

*Laos, Defense Forces

Branches: Lao People's Army (LPA; including naval, aviation, and militia elements), Air Force, National Police Department Manpower availability: males age 15-49 980,274; fit for military service 528,450; reach military age (18) annually 43,849 (1993 est.) Defense expenditures: exchange rate conversion - $NA, NA% of GDP

*Latvia, Geography

Location: Eastern Europe, bordering on the Baltic Sea, between Sweden and Russia Map references: Arctic Region, Asia, Europe, Standard Time Zones of the World Area: total area: 64,100 km2 land area: 64,100 km2 comparative area: slightly larger than West Virginia Land boundaries: total 1,078 km, Belarus 141 km, Estonia 267 km, Lithuania 453 km, Russia 217 km Coastline: 531 km Maritime claims: exclusive economic zone: 200 nm territorial sea: 12 nm International disputes: the Abrene section of border ceded by the Latvian Soviet Socialist Republic to Russia in 1944 Climate: maritime; wet, moderate winters Terrain: low plain Natural resources: minimal; amber, peat, limestone, dolomite Land use: arable land: 27% permanent crops: 0% meadows and pastures: 13% forest and woodland: 39% other: 21% Irrigated land: 160 km2 (1990) Environment: heightened levels of air and water pollution because of a lack of waste conversion equipment; Gulf of Riga and Daugava River heavily polluted; contamination of soil and groundwater with chemicals and petroleum products at military bases

*Latvia, People

Population: 2,735,573 (July 1993 est.) Population growth rate: 0.5% (1993 est.) Birth rate: 13.99 births/1,000 population (1993 est.) Death rate: 12.73 deaths/1,000 population (1993 est.) Net migration rate: 3.72 migrant(s)/1,000 population (1993 est.) Infant mortality rate: 22 deaths/1,000 live births (1993 est.) Life expectancy at birth: total population: 69.23 years male: 64.15 years female: 74.55 years (1993 est.) Total fertility rate: 2 children born/woman (1993 est.) Nationality: noun: Latvian(s) adjective: Latvian Ethnic divisions: Latvian 51.8%, Russian 33.8%, Belarusian 4.5%, Ukrainian 3.4%, Polish 2.3%, other 4.2% Religions: Lutheran, Roman Catholic, Russian Orthodox Languages: Latvian (official), Lithuanian, Russian, other Literacy: age 9-49 can read and write (1970) total population: 100% male: 100% female: 100% Labor force: 1.407 million by occupation: industry and construction 41%, agriculture and forestry 16%, other 43% (1990)

*Latvia, Government

Names: conventional long form: Republic of Latvia conventional short form: Latvia local long form: Latvijas Republika local short form: Latvija former: Latvian Soviet Socialist Republic Digraph: LG Type: republic Capital: Riga Administrative divisions: none (all districts are under direct republic jurisdiction) Independence: 6 September 1991 (from Soviet Union) Constitution: adopted NA May 1922, considering rewriting constitution Legal system: based on civil law system National holiday: Independence Day, 18 November (1918) Political parties and leaders: Democratic Labor Party of Latvia, Juris BOJARS, chairman; Inter-Front of the Working People of Latvia, Igor LOPATIN, chairman (Inter-Front was banned after the coup); Latvian National Movement for Independence, Eduards BERKLAVS, chairman; Latvian Democratic Party, Janis DINEVICS, chairman; Latvian Social Democratic Workers' Party, Uldis BERZINS, chairman; Latvian People's Front, Uldis AUGST-KALNS, chairman; Latvian Liberal Party, Georg LANSMANIS, chairman Suffrage: 18 years of age; universal Elections: President: last held October 1988 (next to be held NA); note - Anatolijs V. GORBUNOVS elected by Supreme Soviet; elected to restyled post of Chairman of the Supreme Council on 3 May 1990; new elections have not been scheduled Supreme Council: last held 18 March 1990 for the Supreme Soviet (next to be held 5-6 June 1993 for the Saeima); results - percent of vote by party NA; seats - (234 total) Latvian Communist Party 59, Latvian Democratic Workers Party 31, Social Democratic Party of Latvia 4, Green Party of Latvia 7, Latvian Farmers Union 7, Latvian Popular Front 126; note - the Supreme Council is an interim 201-seats legislative body; a new parliament or Saiema to be elected in June 1993 Congress of Latvia: last held April 1990 (next to be held NA); results - percent of vote by party NA; seats - (231 total) number of seats by party NA; note - the Congress of Latvia is a quasi-governmental structure Executive branch: Chairman of Supreme Council (president), prime minister, cabinet Legislative branch: unicameral Supreme Council

*Latvia, Government

Judicial branch: Supreme Court Leaders: Chief of State: Chairman Supreme Council Anatolijs V. GORBUNOVS (since NA October 1988) Head of Government: Prime Minister Ivars GODMANIS (since NA May 1990) Member of: CBSS, CSCE, EBRD, ECE, FAO, IBRD, ICAO, IDA, ILO, IMF, IOM (observer), ITU, NACC, UN, UNCTAD, UNESCO, UNIDO, UPU, WHO Diplomatic representation in US: chief of mission: Ambassador Ojars KALNINS chancery: 4325 17th Street NW, Washington, DC 20011 telephone: (202) 726-8213 and 8214 US diplomatic representation: chief of mission: Ambassador Ints M, SILINS; embassy: Raina Boulevard 7, Riga 226050 mailing address: APO AE 09862 telephone: 0-11 [358] (49) 311-348 (cellular) FAX: [358] (49) 314-665 (cellular), (7) (01-32) 220-502 note: dialing to the Baltics still requires use of an international operator, unless you use the cellular phone lines Flag: two horizontal bands of maroon (top and bottom), white (middle, narrower than other two bands)

*Latvia, Economy

Overview: Latvia is in the process of reforming the centrally planned economy inherited from the former USSR into a market economy. Prices have been freed, and privatization of shops and farms has begun. Latvia lacks natural resources, aside from its arable land and small forests. Its most valuable economic asset is its work force, which is better educated and disciplined than in most of the former Soviet republics. Industrial production is highly diversified, with products ranging from agricultural machinery to consumer electronics. One conspicuous vulnerability: Latvia produces only 10% of its electric power needs. Latvia in the near term must retain key commercial ties to Russia, Belarus, and Ukraine while moving in the long run toward joint ventures with technological support from, and trade ties to the West. Because of the efficiency of its mostly individual farms, Latvians enjoy a diet that is higher in meat, vegetables, and dairy products and lower in grain and potatoes than diets in the 12 non-Baltic republics of the former USSR. Good relations with Russia are threatened by animosity between ethnic Russians (34% of the population) and native Latvians. The cumulative difficulties in replacing old sources of supply and old markets, together with the phasing out of the Russian ruble as the medium of exchange, help account for the sharp 30% drop in GDP in 1992. National product: GDP $NA National product real growth rate: -30% (1992) National product per capita: $NA Inflation rate (consumer prices): 2% per month (first quarter 1993) Unemployment rate: 3.6% (March 1993); but large numbers of underemployed workers Budget: revenues $NA; expenditures $NA, including capital expenditures of $NA Exports: $NA commodities: NA partners: NA Imports: $NA commodities: NA partners: NA External debt: $650 million (1991 est.) Industrial production: growth rate -35% (1992 est.) Electricity: 2,140,000 kW capacity; 5,800 million kWh produced, 2,125 kWh per capita (1992) Industries: employs 33% of labor force; highly diversified; dependent on imports for energy, raw materials, and intermediate products; produces buses, vans, street and railroad cars, synthetic fibers, agricultural machinery, fertilizers, washing machines, radios, electronics, pharmaceuticals, processed foods, textiles

*Latvia, Economy

Agriculture: employs 16% of labor force; principally dairy farming and livestock feeding; products - meat, milk, eggs, grain, sugar beets, potatoes, vegetables; fishing and fish packing Illicit drugs: transshipment point for illicit drugs from Central and Southwest Asia to Western Europe; limited producer of illicit opium; mostly for domestic consumption; also produces illicit amphetamines for export Economic aid: NA Currency: 1 lat = 100 NA; introduced NA March 1993 Exchange rates: lats per US$1 - 1.32 (March 1993) Fiscal year: calendar year

*Latvia, Communications

Railroads: 2,400 km; does not include industrial lines (1990) Highways: 59,500 km total; 33,000 km hard surfaced 26,500 km earth (1990) Inland waterways: 300 km perennially navigable Pipelines: crude oil 750 km, refined products 780 km, natural gas 560 km (1992) Ports: coastal - Riga, Ventspils, Liepaja; inland - Daugavpils Merchant marine: 96 ships (1,000 GRT or over) totaling 905,006 GRT/1,178,844 DWT; includes 14 cargo, 27 refrigerated cargo, 2 container, 9 roll-on/roll-off, 44 oil tanker Airports: total: 50 useable: 15 with permanent-surface runways: 11 with runways over 3,659 m: 0 with runways 2,440-3,659 m: 7 with runways 1,220-2,439 m: 7 Telecommunications: NMT-450 analog cellular network is operational covering Riga, Ventspils, Daugavpils, Rezekne, and Valmiera; broadcast stations - NA; international traffic carried by leased connection to the Moscow international gateway switch and through new independent international automatic telephone exchange in Riga and the Finnish cellular net

*Latvia, Defense Forces

Branches: Ground Forces, Navy, Air Force, Security Forces (internal and border troops), Border Guard, Home Guard (Zemessardze) Manpower availability: males age 15-49 648,273; fit for military service 511,297; reach military age (18) annually 18,767 (1993 est.) Defense expenditures: 176 million rubles, 3-5% of GDP; note - conversion of the military budget into US$ using the current exchange rate could produce misleading results

*Lebanon, Header

Note: Lebanon has made progress toward rebuilding its political institutions and regaining its national sovereignty since the end of the devastating 16-year civil war in October 1990. Under the Ta'if accord - the blueprint for national reconciliation - the Lebanese have established a more equitable political system, particularly by giving Muslims a greater say in the political process. Since December 1990, the Lebanese have formed three cabinets and conducted the first legislative election in 20 years. Most of the militias have been weakened or disbanded. The Lebanese Armed Forces (LAF) has seized vast quantities of weapons used by the militias during the war and extended central government authority over about one-half of the country. Hizballah, the radical Sh'ia party, is the only significant group that retains most of its weapons. Foreign forces still occupy areas of Lebanon. Israel continues to support a proxy militia, The Army of South Lebanon (ASL), along a narrow stretch of territory contiguous to its border. The ASL's enclave encompasses this self-declared security zone and about 20 kilometers north to the strategic town of Jazzine. As of December 1992, Syria maintained about 30,000 troops in Lebanon. These troops are based mainly in Beirut, North Lebanon, and the Bekaa Valley. Syria's deployment was legitimized by the Arab League early in Lebanon's civil war and in the Ta'if accord. Citing the continued weakness of the LAF, Beirut's requests, and failure of the Lebanese Government to implement all of the constitutional reforms in the Ta'if accord, Damascus has so far refused to withdraw its troops from Beirut.

*Lebanon, Geography

Location: Middle East, in the eastern Mediterranean Sea, between Israel and Syria Map references: Africa, Middle East, Standard Time Zones of the World Area: total area: 10,400 km2 land area: 10,230 km2 comparative area: about 0.8 times the size of Connecticut Land boundaries: total 454 km, Israel 79 km, Syria 375 km Coastline: 225 km Maritime claims: territorial sea: 12 nm International disputes: separated from Israel by the 1949 Armistice Line; Israeli troops in southern Lebanon since June 1982; Syrian troops in northern, central, and eastern Lebanon since October 1976 Climate: Mediterranean; mild to cool, wet winters with hot, dry summers; Lebanon mountians experience heavy winter snows Terrain: narrow coastal plain; Al Biqa' (Bekaa Valley) separates Lebanon and Anti-Lebanon Mountains Natural resources: limestone, iron ore, salt, water-surplus state in a water-deficit region Land use: arable land: 21% permanent crops: 9% meadows and pastures: 1% forest and woodland: 8% other: 61% Irrigated land: 860 km2 (1989 est.) Environment: rugged terrain historically helped isolate, protect, and develop numerous factional groups based on religion, clan, ethnicity; deforestation; soil erosion; air and water pollution; desertification Note: Nahr al Litani only major river in Near East not crossing an international boundary

*Lebanon, People

Population: 3,552,369 (July 1993 est.) Population growth rate: 1.81% (1993 est.) Birth rate: 27.86 births/1,000 population (1993 est.) Death rate: 6.66 deaths/1,000 population (1993 est.) Net migration rate: -3.1 migrant(s)/1,000 population (1993 est.) Infant mortality rate: 41 deaths/1,000 live births (1993 est.) Life expectancy at birth: total population: 69.01 years male: 66.63 years female: 71.52 years (1993 est.) Total fertility rate: 3.47 children born/woman (1993 est.) Nationality: noun: Lebanese (singular and plural) adjective: Lebanese Ethnic divisions: Arab 95%, Armenian 4%, other 1% Religions: Islam 70% (5 legally recognized Islamic groups - Alawite or Nusayri, Druze, Isma'ilite, Shi'a, Sunni), Christian 30% (11 legally recognized Christian groups - 4 Orthodox Christian, 6 Catholic, 1 Protestant), Judaism NEGL% Languages: Arabic (official), French (official), Armenian, English Literacy: age 15 and over can read and write (1990) total population: 80% male: 88% female: 73% Labor force: 650,000 by occupation: industry, commerce, and services 79%, agriculture 11%, government 10% (1985)

*Lebanon, Government

Names: conventional long form: Republic of Lebanon conventional short form: Lebanon local long form: Al Jumhuriyah al Lubnaniyah local short form: none Digraph: LE Type: republic Capital: Beirut Administrative divisions: 5 governorates (muhafazat, singular - muhafazah); Al Biqa, 'Al Janub, Ash Shamal, Bayrut, Jabal Lubnan Independence: 22 November 1943 (from League of Nations mandate under French administration) Constitution: 26 May 1926 (amended) Legal system: mixture of Ottoman law, canon law, Napoleonic code, and civil law; no judicial review of legislative acts; has not accepted compulsory ICJ jurisdiction National holiday: Independence Day, 22 November (1943) Political parties and leaders: political party activity is organized along largely sectarian lines; numerous political groupings exist, consisting of individual political figures and followers motivated by religious, clan, and economic considerations Suffrage: 21 years of age; compulsory for all males; authorized for women at age 21 with elementary education Elections: National Assembly: Lebanon's first legislative election in 20 years was held in the summer of 1992; the National Assembly is composed of 128 deputies, one-half Christian and one-half Muslim; its mandate expires in 1996 Executive branch: president, prime minister, Cabinet; note - by custom, the president is a Maronite Christian, the prime minister is a Sunni Muslim, and the speaker of the legislature is a Shi'a Muslim Legislative branch: unicameral National Assembly (Arabic - Majlis Alnuwab, French - Assemblee Nationale) Judicial branch: four Courts of Cassation (three courts for civil and commercial cases and one court for criminal cases) Leaders: Chief of State: President Ilyas HARAWI (since 24 November 1989) Head of Government: Prime Minister Rafiq HARIRI (since 22 October 1992)

*Lebanon, Government

Member of: ABEDA, AFESD, AL, AMF, CCC, ESCWA, FAO, G-24, G-77, IAEA, IBRD, ICAO, ICC, ICFTU, IDA, IDB, IFAD, IFC, ILO, IMF, IMO, INTELSAT, INTERPOL, IOC, ITU, LORCS, NAM, OIC, PCA, UN, UNCTAD, UNESCO, UNHCR, UNIDO, UNRWA, UPU, WFTU, WHO, WIPO, WMO, WTO Diplomatic representation in US: chief of mission: Ambassador Simon KARAM chancery: 2560 28th Street NW, Washington, DC 20008 telephone: (202) 939-6300 consulates general: Detroit, New York, and Los Angeles US diplomatic representation: chief of mission: Ambassador Ryan C. CROCKER mailing embassy: Antelias, Beirut address: P. O. Box 70-840, Beirut, or Box B, FPO AE 09836 telephone: [961] 417774 or 415802, 415803, 402200, 403300 Flag: three horizontal bands of red (top), white (double width), and red with a green and brown cedar tree centered in the white band

*Lebanon, Economy

Overview: Since 1975 civil war has seriously damaged Lebanon's economic infrastructure, cut national output by half, and all but ended Lebanon's position as a Middle Eastern entrepot and banking hub. Following October 1990, however, a tentative peace has enabled the central government to begin restoring control in Beirut, collect taxes, and regain access to key port and government facilities. The battered economy has also been propped up by a financially sound banking system and resilient small- and medium-scale manufacturers. Family remittances, banking transactions, manufactured and farm exports, the narcotics trade, and international emergency aid are main sources of foreign exchange. In the relatively settled year of 1991, industrial production, agricultural output, and exports showed substantial gains. The further rebuilding of the war-ravaged country was delayed in 1992 because of an upturn in political wrangling. Hope for restoring economic momentum in 1993 rests with the new, business-oriented Prime Minister HARIRI. National product: GDP - exchange rate conversion - $4.8 billion (1991 est.) National product real growth rate: NA% National product per capita: $1,400 (1991 est.) Inflation rate (consumer prices): 100% (1992 est.) Unemployment rate: 35% (1991 est.) Budget: revenues $533 million; expenditures $1.3 billion, including capital expenditures of $NA (1991 est.) Exports: $490 million (f.o.b., 1991) commodities: agricultural products, chemicals, textiles, precious and semiprecious metals and jewelry, metals and metal products partners: Saudi Arabia 21%, Switzerland 9.5%, Jordan 6%, Kuwait 12%, US 5% Imports: $3.7 billion (c.i.f., 1991) commodities: Consumer goods, machinery and transport equipment, petroleum products partners: Italy 14%, France 12%, US 6%, Turkey 5%, Saudi Arabia 3% External debt: $400 million (1992 est.) Industrial production: growth rate NA% Electricity: 1,300,000 kW capacity; 3,413 million kWh produced, 990 kWh per capita (1992) Industries: banking, food processing, textiles, cement, oil refining, chemicals, jewelry, some metal fabricating Agriculture: accounts for about one-third of GDP; principal products - citrus fruits, vegetables, potatoes, olives, tobacco, hemp (hashish), sheep, goats; not self-sufficient in grain

*Lebanon, Economy

Illicit drugs: illicit producer of opium, hashish, and heroin for the international drug trade; opium poppy production in Al Biqa almost completely eradicated this year; hashish production is shipped to Western Europe, Israel, US, the Middle East, and South America Economic aid: US commitments, including Ex-Im (FY70-88), $356 million; Western (non-US) countries, ODA and OOF bilateral commitments (1970-89), $664 million; OPEC bilateral aid (1979-89), $962 million; Communist countries (1970-89), $9 million Currency: 1 Lebanese pound (#L) = 100 piasters Exchange rates: Lebanese pounds (#L) per US$1 - 1,742.00 (April 1993), 1,712.80 (1992), 928.23 (1991), 695.09 (1990), 496.69 (1989), 409.23 (1988) Fiscal year: calendar year

*Lebanon, Communications

Railroads: system in disrepair, considered inoperable Highways: 7,300 km total; 6,200 km paved, 450 km gravel and crushed stone, 650 km improved earth Pipelines: crude oil 72 km (none in operation) Ports: Beirut, Tripoli, Ra'Sil'ata, Juniyah, Sidon, Az Zahrani, Tyre, Jubayl, Shikka Jadidah Merchant marine: 63 ships (1,000 GRT or over) totaling 270,505 GRT/403,328 DWT; includes 39 cargo, 1 refrigerated cargo, 2 vehicle carrier, 3 roll-on/roll-off, 1 container, 9 livestock carrier, 2 chemical tanker, 1 specialized tanker, 4 bulk, 1 combination bulk Airports: total: 9 usable: 8 with permanent-surface runways: 6 with runways over 3,659 m: 0 with runways 2,440-3,659 m: 3 with runways 1,220-2,439 m: 2 Telecommunications: telecommunications system severely damaged by civil war; rebuilding still underway; 325,000 telephones (95 telephones per 1,000 persons); domestic traffic carried primarily by microwave radio relay and a small amount of cable; international traffic by satellite - 1 Indian Ocean INTELSAT earth station and 1 Atlantic Ocean INTELSAT earth station (erratic operations), coaxial cable to Syria; microwave radio relay to Syria but inoperable beyond Syria to Jordan, 3 submarine coaxial cables; broadcast stations - 5 AM, 3 FM, 13 TV (numerous AM and FM stations are operated sporadically by various factions)

*Lebanon, Defense Forces

Branches: Lebanese Armed Forces (LAF; including Army, Navy, and Air Force) Manpower availability: males age 15-49 798,299; fit for military service 495,763 (1993 est.) Defense expenditures: exchange rate conversion - $271 million, 8.2% of GDP (1992 budget)

*Lesotho, Geography

Location: Southern Africa, an enclave of South Africa Map references: Africa, Standard Time Zones of the World Area: total area: 30,350 km2 land area: 30,350 km2 comparative area: slightly larger than Maryland Land boundaries: total 909 km, South Africa 909 km Coastline: 0 km (landlocked) Maritime claims: none; landlocked International disputes: none Climate: temperate; cool to cold, dry winters; hot, wet summers Terrain: mostly highland with some plateaus, hills, and mountains Natural resources: some diamonds and other minerals, water, agricultural and grazing land Land use: arable land: 10% permanent crops: 0% meadows and pastures: 66% forest and woodland: 0% other: 24% Irrigated land: NA km2 Environment: population pressure forcing settlement in marginal areas results in overgrazing, severe soil erosion, soil exhaustion; desertification Note: landlocked; surrounded by South Africa; Highlands Water Project will control, store, and redirect water to South Africa

*Lesotho, People

Population: 1,896,484 (July 1993 est.) Population growth rate: 2.52% (1993 est.) Birth rate: 34.64 births/1,000 population (1993 est.) Death rate: 9.44 deaths/1,000 population (1993 est.) Net migration rate: 0 migrant(s)/1,000 population (1993 est.) Infant mortality rate: 71.5 deaths/1,000 live births (1993 est.) Life expectancy at birth: total population: 61.73 years male: 59.91 years female: 63.6 years (1993 est.) Total fertility rate: 4.6 children born/woman (1993 est.) Nationality: noun: Mosotho (singular), Basotho (plural) adjective: Basotho Ethnic divisions: Sotho 99.7%, Europeans 1,600, Asians 800 Religions: Christian 80%, rest indigenous beliefs Languages: Sesotho (southern Sotho), English (official), Zulu, Xhosa Literacy: age 15 and over can read and write (1966) total population: 59% male: 44% female: 68% Labor force: 689,000 economically active by occupation: 86.2% of resident population engaged in subsistence agriculture; roughly 60% of active male labor force works in South Africa

*Lesotho, Government

Names: conventional long form: Kingdom of Lesotho conventional short form: Lesotho former: Basutoland Digraph: LT Type: constitutional monarchy Capital: Maseru Administrative divisions: 10 districts; Berea, Butha-Buthe, Leribe, Mafeteng, Maseru, Mohale's Hoek, Mokhotlong, Qacha's Nek, Quthing, Thaba-Tseka Independence: 4 October 1966 (from UK) Constitution: 4 October 1966, suspended January 1970 Legal system: based on English common law and Roman-Dutch law; judicial review of legislative acts in High Court and Court of Appeal; has not accepted compulsory ICJ jurisdiction National holiday: Independence Day, 4 October (1966) Political parties and leaders: Basotho National Party (BNP), Evaristus SEKHONYANA; Basutoland Congress Party (BCP), Ntsu MOKHEHLE; National Independent Party (NIP), A. C. MANYELI; Marematlou Freedom Party (MFP), Vincent MALEBO; United Democratic Party, Charles MOFELI; Communist Party of Lesotho (CPL), JCOB M. KENA Suffrage: 21 years of age; universal Elections: National Assembly: dissolved following the military coup in January 1986; military has pledged elections will take place in March 1993 Executive branch: monarch, chairman of the Military Council, Military Council, Council of Ministers (cabinet) Legislative branch: none - the bicameral Parliament was dissolved following the military coup in January 1986; note - a National Constituent Assembly convened in June 1990 to rewrite the constitution and debate issues of national importance, but it has no legislative authority Judicial branch: High Court, Court of Appeal Leaders: Chief of State: King LETSIE III (since 12 November 1990 following dismissal of his father, exiled King MOSHOESHOE II, by Maj. Gen. LEKHANYA) Head of Government: Chairman of the Military Council Gen. Elias Phisoana RAMAEMA (since 30 April 1991) Member of: ACP, AfDB, C, CCC, ECA, FAO, G-77, GATT, IBRD, ICAO, ICFTU, IDA, IFAD, IFC, ILO, IMF, INTERPOL, IOC, ITU, LORCS, NAM, OAU, SACU, SADC, UN, UNCTAD, UNESCO, UNHCR, UNIDO, UPU, WCL, WHO, WIPO, WMO, WTO

*Lesotho, Government

Diplomatic representation in US: chief of mission: Ambassador Designate Teboho KITLEI chancery: 2511 Massachusetts Avenue NW, Washington, DC 20008 telephone: (202) 797-5534 US diplomatic representation: chief of mission: Ambassador Leonard H.O. SPEARMAN, Sr. embassy: address NA, Maseru mailing address: P. O. Box 333, Maseru 100 Lesotho telephone: [266] 312-666 FAX: (266) 310-116 Flag: divided diagonally from the lower hoist side corner; the upper half is white bearing the brown silhouette of a large shield with crossed spear and club; the lower half is a diagonal blue band with a green triangle in the corner

*Lesotho, Economy

Overview: Small, landlocked, and mountainous, Lesotho has no important natural resources other than water. Its economy is based on agriculture, light manufacturing, and remittances from laborers employed in South Africa ($439 million in 1991). The great majority of households gain their livelihoods from subsistence farming and migrant labor. Manufacturing depends largely on farm products to support the milling, canning, leather, and jute industries; other industries include textile, clothing, and construction (in particular, a major water improvement project which will permit the sale of water to South Africa). Industry's share of GDP rose from 6% in 1982 to 15% in 1989. Political and economic instability in South Africa raises uncertainty for Lesotho's economy, especially with respect to migrant worker remittances - recently the equivalent of nearly three-fourths of domestic output. National product: GDP - exchange rate conversion - $620 million (1991 est.) note: GNP of $1.0 billion (1991 est.) National product real growth rate: 5.3% (1991 est.); GNP 2.2% (1991 est.) National product per capita: $340 (1991 est.); GNP $570 (1991 est.) Inflation rate (consumer prices): 17.9% (1991) Unemployment rate: at least 55% among adult males (1991 est.) Budget: revenues $388 million; expenditures $399 million, including capital expenditures of $132 million (FY93) Exports: $57 million (f.o.b., 1991) commodities: wool, mohair, wheat, cattle, peas, beans, corn, hides, skins, baskets partners: South Africa 53%, EC 30%, North and South America 13% (1989) Imports: $805 million (c.i.f., 1991) commodities: mainly corn, building materials, clothing, vehicles, machinery, medicines, petroleum partners: South Africa 95%, EC 2% (1989) External debt: $358 million (for public sector) (December 1990/91 est.) Industrial production: growth rate 5.0% (1991 est.); accounts for 11% of GDP Electricity: power supplied by South Africa Industries: food, beverages, textiles, handicrafts, tourism Agriculture: accounts for 19% of GDP (1990 est.) and employs 60-70% of all households; exceedingly primitive, mostly subsistence farming and livestock; principal crops corn, wheat, pulses, sorghum, barley Economic aid: US commitments, including Ex-Im (FY70-89), $268 million; US, $10.3 million (1992), $10.1 million (1993 est.); Western (non-US) countries, ODA and OOF bilateral commitments (1970-89), $819 million; OPEC bilateral aid (1979-89), $4 million; Communist countries (1970-89), $14 million

*Lesotho, Economy

Currency: 1 loti (L) = 100 lisente Exchange rates: maloti (M) per US$1 - 3.1576 (May 1993), 2.8497 (1992), 2.7563 (1991), 2.5863 (1990), 2.6166 (1989), 2.2611 (1988); note - the Basotho loti is at par with the South African rand Fiscal year: 1 April - 31 March

*Lesotho, Communications

Railroads: 2.6 km; owned, operated by, and included in the statistics of South Africa Highways: 7,215 km total; 572 km paved; 2,337 km crushed stone, gravel, or stabilized soil; 1,806 km improved earth, 2,500 km unimproved earth Airports: total: 28 usable: 28 with permanent-surface runways: 3 with runways over 3,659 m: 0 with runways 2,440-3,659 m: 1 with runways 1,220-2,439 m: 2 Telecommunications: rudimentary system consisting of a few landlines, a small microwave system, and minor radio communications stations; 5,920 telephones; broadcast stations - 3 AM, 2 FM, 1 TV; 1 Atlantic Ocean INTELSAT earth station

*Lesotho, Defense Forces

Branches: Royal Lesotho Defense Force (RLDF; including Army, Air Wing), Royal Lesotho Mounted Police Manpower availability: males age 15-49 422,802; fit for military service 228,102 (1993 est.) Defense expenditures: exchange rate conversion - $55 million, 13% of GDP (1990 est.)

*Liberia, Geography

Location: Western Africa, bordering the North Pacific Ocean between Cote d'Ivoire and Sierra Leone Map references: Africa, Standard Time Zones of the World Area: total area: 111,370 km2 land area: 96,320 km2 comparative area: slightly larger than Tennessee Land boundaries: total 1,585 km, Guinea 563 km, Cote d'Ivoire 716 km, Sierra Leone 306 km Coastline: 579 km Maritime claims: continental shelf: 200 m depth or to depth of exploitation territorial sea: 200 nm International disputes: none Climate: tropical; hot, humid; dry winters with hot days and cool to cold nights; wet, cloudy summers with frequent heavy showers Terrain: mostly flat to rolling coastal plains rising to rolling plateau and low mountains in northeast Natural resources: iron ore, timber, diamonds, gold Land use: arable land: 1% permanent crops: 3% meadows and pastures: 2% forest and woodland: 39% other: 55% Irrigated land: 20 km2 (1989 est.) Environment: West Africa's largest tropical rain forest, subject to deforestation

*Liberia, People

Population: 2,874,881 (July 1993 est.) Population growth rate: 3.37% (1993 est.) Birth rate: 43.9 births/1,000 population (1993 est.) Death rate: 12.38 deaths/1,000 population (1993 est.) Net migration rate: 2.15 migrant(s)/1,000 population (1993 est.) Infant mortality rate: 115.9 deaths/1,000 live births (1993 est.) Life expectancy at birth: total population: 57.28 years male: 54.88 years female: 59.76 years (1993 est.) Total fertility rate: 6.42 children born/woman (1993 est.) Nationality: noun: Liberian(s) adjective: Liberian Ethnic divisions: indigenous African tribes 95% (including Kpelle, Bassa, Gio, Kru, Grebo, Mano, Krahn, Gola, Gbandi, Loma, Kissi, Vai, and Bella), Americo-Liberians 5% (descendants of repatriated slaves) Religions: traditional 70%, Muslim 20%, Christian 10% Languages: English 20% (official), Niger-Congo language group about 20 local languages come from this group Literacy: age 15 and over can read and write (1990) total population: 40% male: 50% female: 29% Labor force: 510,000 including 220,000 in the monetary economy by occupation: agriculture 70.5%, services 10.8%, industry and commerce 4.5%, other 14.2% note: non-African foreigners hold about 95% of the top-level management and engineering jobs; 52% of population of working age

*Liberia, Government

Names: conventional long form: Republic of Liberia conventional short form: Liberia Digraph: LI Type: republic Capital: Monrovia Administrative divisions: 13 counties; Bomi, Bong, Grand Bassa, Cape Mount, Grand Gedeh, Grand Kru, Lofa, Margibi, Maryland, Montserrado, Nimba, River Cess, Sinoe Independence: 26 July 1847 Constitution: 6 January 1986 Legal system: dual system of statutory law based on Anglo-American common law for the modern sector and customary law based on unwritten tribal practices for indigenous sector National holiday: Independence Day, 26 July (1847) Political parties and leaders: National Democratic Party of Liberia (NDPL), Augustus CAINE, chairman; Liberian Action Party (LAP), Emmanuel KOROMAH, chairman; Unity Party (UP), Carlos SMITH, chairman; United People's Party (UPP), Gabriel Baccus MATTHEWS, chairman Suffrage: 18 years of age; universal Elections: President: last held on 15 October 1985 (next to be held NA); results - Gen. Dr. Samuel Kanyon DOE (NDPL) 50.9%, Jackson DOE (LAP) 26.4%, other 22.7%; note - President Doe was killed by rebel forces on 9 September 1990 Senate: last held on 15 October 1985 (next to be held NA); results - percent of vote by party NA; seats - (26 total) NDPL 21, LAP 3, UP 1, UPP 1 House of Representatives: last held on 15 October 1985 (next to be held NA); results - percent of vote by party NA; seats - (64 total) NDPL 51, LAP 8, UP 3, UPP 2 Executive branch: president, vice president, Cabinet Legislative branch: bicameral National Assembly consists of an upper house or Senate and a lower house or House of Representatives Judicial branch: People's Supreme Court Leaders: Chief of State and Head of Government: interim President Dr. Amos SAWYER (since 15 November 1990) note: this is an interim government appointed by the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) that will be replaced after elections are held under a West African-brokered peace plan; a rebel faction led by Charles TAYLOR is challenging the SAWYER government's legitimacy; former president, Gen. Dr. Samuel Kanyon DOE, was killed on 9 September 1990 by Prince Y. JOHNSON

*Liberia, Government

Member of: ACP, AfDB, CCC, ECA, ECOWAS, FAO, G-77, IAEA, IBRD, ICAO, ICFTU, IDA, IFAD, IFC, ILO, IMF, IMO, INMARSAT, INTERPOL, IOC, ITU, LORCS, NAM, OAU, UN, UNCTAD, UNESCO, UNIDO, UPU, WHO, WIPO, WMO Diplomatic representation in US: chief of mission: Ambassador James TARPEH chancery: 5201 16th Street NW, Washington, DC 20011 telephone: (202) 723-0437 through 0440 consulate general: New York US diplomatic representation: chief of mission: Ambassador William H. TWADDELL embassy: 111 United Nations Drive, Monrovia mailing address: P. O. Box 98, Monrovia, or APO AE 09813 telephone: [231] 222991 through 222994 FAX: (231) 223710 Flag: 11 equal horizontal stripes of red (top and bottom) alternating with white; there is a white five-pointed star on a blue square in the upper hoist-side corner; the design was based on the US flag

*Liberia, Economy

Overview: Civil war since 1990 has destroyed much of Liberia's economy, especially the infrastructure in and around Monrovia. Businessmen have fled the country, taking capital and expertise with them. Many will not return. Richly endowed with water, mineral resources, forests, and a climate favorable to agriculture, Liberia had been a producer and exporter of basic products, while local manufacturing, mainly foreign owned, had been small in scope. Political instability threatens prospects for economic reconstruction and repatriation of some 750,000 Liberian refugees who have fled to neighboring countries. The political impasse between the interim government and rebel leader Charles Taylor has prevented restoration of normal economic life, including the re-establishment of a strong central government with effective economic development programs. National product: GDP - exchange rate conversion - $988 million (1988) National product real growth rate: 1.5% (1988) National product per capita: $400 (1988) Inflation rate (consumer prices): 12% (1989) Unemployment rate: 43% urban (1988) Budget: revenues $242.1 million; expenditures $435.4 million, including capital expenditures of $29.5 million (1989) Exports: $505 million (f.o.b., 1989 est.) commodities: iron ore 61%, rubber 20%, timber 11%, coffee partners: US, EC, Netherlands Imports: $394 million (c.i.f., 1989 est.) commodities: rice, mineral fuels, chemicals, machinery, transportation equipment, other foodstuffs partners: US, EC, Japan, China, Netherlands, ECOWAS External debt: $1.6 billion (December 1990 est.) Industrial production: growth rate 1.5% in manufacturing (1987); accounts for 22% of GDP Electricity: 410,000 kW capacity; 750 million kWh produced, 275 kWh per capita (1991) Industries: rubber processing, food processing, construction materials, furniture, palm oil processing, mining (iron ore, diamonds) Agriculture: accounts for about 40% of GDP (including fishing and forestry); principal products - rubber, timber, coffee, cocoa, rice, cassava, palm oil, sugarcane, bananas, sheep, goats; not self-sufficient in food, imports 25% of rice consumption Economic aid: US commitments, including Ex-Im (FY70-89), $665 million; Western (non-US) countries, ODA and OOF bilateral commitments (1970-89), $870 million; OPEC bilateral aid (1979-89), $25 million; Communist countries (1970-89), $77 million

*Liberia, Economy

Currency: 1 Liberian dollar (L$) = 100 cents Exchange rates: Liberian dollars (L$) per US$1 - 1.00 (fixed rate since 1940); unofficial parallel exchange rate of L$7 = US$1, January 1992 Fiscal year: calendar year

*Liberia, Communications

Railroads: 480 km total; 328 km 1.435-meter standard gauge, 152 km 1.067-meter narrow gauge; all lines single track; rail systems owned and operated by foreign steel and financial interests in conjunction with Liberian Government Highways: 10,087 km total; 603 km bituminous treated, 2,848 km all weather, 4,313 km dry weather; there are also 2,323 km of private, laterite-surfaced roads open to public use, owned by rubber and timber companies Ports: Monrovia, Buchanan, Greenville, Harper (or Cape Palmas) Merchant marine: 1,618 ships (1,000 GRT or over) totaling 57,769,476 DWT/ 101,391,576 DWT; includes 20 passenger, 1 short-sea passenger, 132 cargo, 56 refrigerated cargo, 21 roll-on/roll-off, 58 vehicle carrier, 97 container, 3 barge carrier, 499 oil tanker, 108 chemical, 68 combination ore/oil, 62 liquefied gas, 6 specialized tanker, 456 bulk, 31 combination bulk; note - a flag of convenience registry; all ships are foreign owned; the top 4 owning flags are US 16%, Japan 14%, Norway 11%, and Hong Kong 9% Airports: total: 59 usable: 41 with permanent-surface runways: 2 with runways over 3,659 m: 0 with runways 2,440-3,659 m: 1 with runways 1,220-2,439 m: 4 Telecommunications: telephone and telegraph service via radio relay network; main center is Monrovia; broadcast stations - 3 AM, 4 FM, 5 TV; 1 Atlantic Ocean INTELSAT earth station; most telecommunications services inoperable due to insurgency movement

*Liberia, Defense Forces

Branches: the ultimate structure of the Liberian military force will depend on who is the victor in the ongoing civil war Manpower availability: males age 15-49 684,681; fit for military service 365,518 (1993 est.) Defense expenditures: exchange rate conversion - $NA, NA% of GDP

*Libya, Geography

Location: Northern Africa, on the southern coast of the Mediterranean Sea, between Egypt and Tunisia Map references: Africa, Standard Time Zones of the World Area: total area: 1,759,540 km2 land area: 1,759,540 km2 comparative area: slightly larger than Alaska Land boundaries: total 4,383 km, Algeria 982 km, Chad 1,055 km, Egypt 1,150 km, Niger 354 km, Sudan 383 km, Tunisia 459 km Coastline: 1,770 km Maritime claims: territorial sea: 12 nm Gulf of Sidra closing line: 32 degrees 30 minutes north International disputes: claims and occupies the Aozou Strip in northern Chad; maritime boundary dispute with Tunisia; Libya claims part of northern Niger and part of southeastern Algeria Climate: Mediterranean along coast; dry, extreme desert interior Terrain: mostly barren, flat to undulating plains, plateaus, depressions Natural resources: petroleum, natural gas, gypsum Land use: arable land: 2% permanent crops: 0% meadows and pastures: 8% forest and woodland: 0% other: 90% Irrigated land: 2,420 km2 (1989 est.) Environment: hot, dry, dust-laden ghibli is a southern wind lasting one to four days in spring and fall; desertification; sparse natural surface-water resources Note: the Great Manmade River Project, the largest water development scheme in the world, is being built to bring water from large aquifers under the Sahara to coastal cities

*Libya, People

Population: 4,872,598 (July 1993 est.) Population growth rate: 3.73% (1993 est.) Birth rate: 45.66 births/1,000 population (1993 est.) Death rate: 8.37 deaths/1,000 population (1993 est.) Net migration rate: 0 migrant(s)/1,000 population (1993 est.) Infant mortality rate: 65.5 deaths/1,000 live births (1993 est.) Life expectancy at birth: total population: 63.47 years male: 61.35 years female: 65.7 years (1993 est.) Total fertility rate: 6.44 children born/woman (1993 est.) Nationality: noun: Libyan(s) adjective: Libyan Ethnic divisions: Berber and Arab 97%, Greeks, Maltese, Italians, Egyptians, Pakistanis, Turks, Indians, Tunisians Religions: Sunni Muslim 97% Languages: Arabic, Italian, English, all are widely understood in the major cities Literacy: age 15 and over can read and write (1990) total population: 64% male: 75% female: 50% Labor force: 1 million includes about 280,000 resident foreigners by occupation: industry 31%, services 27%, government 24%, agriculture 18%

*Libya, Government

Names: conventional long form: Socialist People's Libyan Arab Jamahiriya conventional short form: Libya local long form: Al Jumahiriyah al Arabiyah al Libiyah ash Shabiyah al Ishirakiyah local short form: none Digraph: LY Type: Jamahiriya (a state of the masses) in theory, governed by the populace through local councils; in fact, a military dictatorship Capital: Tripoli Administrative divisions: 25 municipalities (baladiyah, singular - baladiyat); Ajdabiya, Al 'Aziziyah, Al Fatih, Al Jabal al Akhdar, Al Jufrah, Al Khums, Al Kufrah, An Nuqat al Khams, Ash Shati', Awbari, Az Zawiyah, Banghazi, Darnah, Ghadamis, Gharyan, Misratah, Murzuq, Sabha, Sawfajjin, Surt, Tarabulus, Tarhunah, Tubruq, Yafran, Zlitan Independence: 24 December 1951 (from Italy) Constitution: 11 December 1969, amended 2 March 1977 Legal system: based on Italian civil law system and Islamic law; separate religious courts; no constitutional provision for judicial review of legislative acts; has not accepted compulsory ICJ jurisdiction National holiday: Revolution Day, 1 September (1969) Political parties and leaders: none Other political or pressure groups: various Arab nationalist movements and the Arab Socialist Resurrection (Ba'th) party with almost negligible memberships may be functioning clandestinely, as well as some Islamic elements Suffrage: 18 years of age; universal and compulsory Elections: national elections are indirect through a hierarchy of peoples' committees Executive branch: revolutionary leader, chairman of the General People's Committee (premier), General People's Committee (cabinet) Legislative branch: unicameral General People's Congress Judicial branch: Supreme Court Leaders: Chief of State: Revolutionary Leader Col. Mu'ammar Abu Minyar al-QADHAFI (since 1 September 1969) Head of Government: Chairman of the General People's Committee (Premier) Abu Zayd 'umar DURDA (since 7 October 1990)

*Libya, Government

Member of: ABEDA, AfDB, AFESD, AL, AMF, AMU, CAEU, CCC, ECA, FAO, G-77, IAEA, IBRD, ICAO, IDA, IDB, IFAD, IFC, ILO, IMF, IMO, INTELSAT, INTERPOL, IOC, ITU, LORCS, NAM, OAPEC, OAU, OIC, OPEC, UN, UNCTAD, UNESCO, UNIDO, UPU, WHO, WIPO, WMO, WTO Diplomatic representation in US: none US diplomatic representation: none Flag: plain green; green is the traditional color of Islam (the state religion)

*Libya, Economy

Overview: The socialist-oriented economy depends primarily upon revenues from the oil sector, which contributes practically all export earnings and about one-third of GDP. In 1990 per capita GDP was the highest in Africa at $5,410, but GDP growth rates have slowed and fluctuate sharply in response to changes in the world oil market. Import restrictions and inefficient resource allocations have led to shortages of basic goods and foodstuffs, although the reopening of the Libyan-Tunisian border in April 1988 and the Libyan-Egyptian border in December 1989 have eased shortages. Austerity budgets and a lack of trained technicians have undermined the government's ability to implement a number of planned infrastructure development projects. Windfall revenues from the hike in world oil prices in late 1990 improved the foreign payments position and resulted in a current account surplus for the first time in five years. The nonoil manufacturing and construction sectors, which account for about 20% of GDP, have expanded from processing mostly agricultural products to include petrochemicals, iron, steel, and aluminum. Although agriculture accounts for only 5% of GDP, it employs about 20% of the labor force. Climatic conditions and poor soils severely limit farm output, and Libya imports about 75% of its food requirements. National product: GDP - exchange rate conversion - $26.1 billion (1992 est.) National product real growth rate: 0.2% (1992 est.) National product per capita: $5,800 (1992 est.) Inflation rate (consumer prices): 7% (1991 est.) Unemployment rate: NA% Budget: revenues $8.1 billion; expenditures $9.8 billion, including capital expenditures of $3.1 billion (1989 est.) Exports: $9.71 billion (f.o.b., 1992) commodities: crude oil, refined petroleum products, natural gas partners: Italy, former USSR, Germany, Spain, France, Belgium/Luxembourg, Turkey Imports: $8.66 billion (f.o.b., 1992) commodities: machinery, transport equipment, food, manufactured goods partners: Italy, former USSR, Germany, UK, Japan, Korea External debt: $3.5 billion excluding military debt (1991 est.) Industrial production: growth rate 10.5%; accounts for 7.6% of GDP (not including oil) (1990) Electricity: 4,935,000 kW capacity; 14,385 million kWh produced, 2,952 kWh per capita (1992) Industries: petroleum, food processing, textiles, handicrafts, cement Agriculture: 5% of GNP; cash crops - wheat, barley, olives, dates, citrus fruits, peanuts; 75% of food is imported

*Libya, Economy

Economic aid: Western (non-US) countries, ODA and OOF bilateral commitments (1970-87), $242 million; no longer a recipient Currency: 1 Libyan dinar (LD) = 1,000 dirhams Exchange rates: Libyan dinars (LD) per US$1 - 0.2998 (January 1993), 0.3013 (1992), 0.2684 (1991), 0.2699 (1990), 0.2922 (1989), 0.2853 (1988) Fiscal year: calendar year

*Libya, Communications

Railroads: Libya has had no railroad in operation since 1965, all previous systems having been dismantled; current plans are to construct a standard gauge (1.435 m) line from the Tunisian frontier to Tripoli and Misratah, then inland to Sabha, center of a mineral rich area, but there has been no progress; other plans made jointly with Egypt would establish a rail line from As Sallum, Egypt to Tobruk with completion set for mid-1994, progress unknown Highways: 19,300 km total; 10,800 km bituminous/bituminous treated, 8,500 km crushed stone or earth Inland waterways: none Pipelines: crude oil 4,383 km; natural gas 1,947 km; petroleum products 443 km (includes liquified petroleum gas 256 km) Ports: Tobruk, Tripoli, Banghazi, Misratah, Marsa al Burayqah, Ra's Lanuf, Ra's al Unif Merchant marine: 32 ships (1,000 GRT or over) totaling 694,883 GRT/1,215,494 DWT; includes 4 short-sea passenger, 11 cargo, 4 roll-on/roll-off, 10 oil tanker, 1 chemical tanker, 2 liquefied gas Airports: total: 138 usable: 124 with permanent-surface runways: 56 with runways over 3,659 m: 9 with runways 2,440-3,659 m: 27 with runways 1,220-2,439 m: 47 Telecommunications: modern telecommunications system using radio relay, coaxial cable, tropospheric scatter, and domestic satellite stations; 370,000 telephones; broadcast stations - 17 AM, 3 FM, 12 TV; satellite earth stations - 1 Atlantic Ocean INTELSAT, 1 Indian Ocean INTELSAT, and 14 domestic; submarine cables to France and Italy; radio relay to Tunisia and Egypt; tropospheric scatter to Greece; planned ARABSAT and Intersputnik satellite stations

*Libya, Defense Forces

Branches: Armed Peoples of the Libyan Arab Jamahiriyah (including Army, Navy, Air and Air Defense Command) Manpower availability: males age 15-49 1,058,134; fit for military service 628,285; reach military age (17) annually 50,997 (1993 est.); conscription now being implemented Defense expenditures: exchange rate conversion - $3.3 billion, 15% of GDP (1989 est.)

*Liechtenstein, Geography

Location: Western Europe, between Austria and Switzerland Map references: Europe, Standard Time Zones of the World Area: total area: 160 km2 land area: 160 km2 comparative area: about 0.9 times the size of Washington, DC Land boundaries: total 78 km, Austria 37 km, Switzerland 41 km Coastline: 0 km (landlocked) Maritime claims: none; landlocked International disputes: claims 620 square miles of Czech territory confiscated from its royal family in 1918; the Czech Republic insists that restitution does not go back before February 1948, when the Communists seized power 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 Natural resources: hydroelectric potential Land use: arable land: 25% permanent crops: 0% meadows and pastures: 38% forest and woodland: 19% other: 18% Irrigated land: NA km2 Environment: variety of microclimatic variations based on elevation Note: landlocked

*Liechtenstein, People

Population: 29,894 (July 1993 est.) Population growth rate: 1.32% (1993 est.) Birth rate: 13.15 births/1,000 population (1993 est.) Death rate: 6.62 deaths/1,000 population (1993 est.) Net migration rate: 6.66 migrant(s)/1,000 population (1993 est.) Infant mortality rate: 5.3 deaths/1,000 live births (1993 est.) Life expectancy at birth: total population: 77.29 years male: 73.65 years female: 80.9 years (1993 est.) Total fertility rate: 1.45 children born/woman (1993 est.) Nationality: noun: Liechtensteiner(s) adjective: Liechtenstein Ethnic divisions: Alemannic 95%, Italian and other 5% Religions: Roman Catholic 87.3%, Protestant 8.3%, unknown 1.6%, other 2.8% (1988) Languages: German (official), Alemannic dialect Literacy: age 10 and over can read and write (1981) total population: 100% male: 100% female: 100% Labor force: 19,905 of which 11,933 are foreigners; 6,885 commute from Austria and Switzerland to work each day by occupation: industry, trade, and building 53.2%, services 45%, agriculture, fishing, forestry, and horticulture 1.8% (1990)

*Liechtenstein, Government

Names: conventional long form: Principality of Liechtenstein conventional short form: Liechtenstein local long form: Furstentum Liechtenstein local short form: Liechtenstein Digraph: LS Type: hereditary constitutional monarchy Capital: Vaduz Administrative divisions: 11 communes (gemeinden, singular - gemeinde); Balzers, Eschen, Gamprin, Mauren, Planken, Ruggell, Schaan, Schellenberg, Triesen, Triesenberg, Vaduz Independence: 23 January 1719 (Imperial Principality of Liechtenstein established) Constitution: 5 October 1921 Legal system: local civil and penal codes; accepts compulsory ICJ jurisdiction, with reservations National holiday: Assumption Day, 15 August Political parties and leaders: Fatherland Union (VU), Dr. Otto HASLER; Progressive Citizens' Party (FBP), Emanuel VOGT; Free Electoral List (FL) Suffrage: 18 years of age; universal Elections: Diet: last held on 7 February 1993 (next to be held by March 1997); results - percent of vote by party NA; seats - (25 total) FBP 12, VU 11, FL 2 Executive branch: reigning prince, hereditary prince, head of government, deputy head of government Legislative branch: unicameral Diet (Landtag) Judicial branch: Supreme Court (Oberster Gerichtshof) for criminal cases, Superior Court (Obergericht) for civil cases Leaders: Chief of State: Prince Hans ADAM II (since 13 November 1989; assumed executive powers 26 August 1984); Heir Apparent Prince ALOIS von und zu Liechtenstein (born 11 June 1968) Head of Government: Markus BUECHEL (since 7 February 1993); Deputy Head of Government Dr. Herbert WILLE (since 2 February 1986) Member of: CE, CSCE, EBRD, ECE, EFTA, IAEA, INTELSAT, INTERPOL, IOC, ITU, LORCS, UN, UNCTAD, UPU, WCL, WIPO Diplomatic representation in US: in routine diplomatic matters, Liechtenstein is represented in the US by the Swiss Embassy

*Liechtenstein, Government

US diplomatic representation: the US has no diplomatic or consular mission in Liechtenstein, but the US Consul General at Zurich (Switzerland) has consular accreditation at Vaduz Flag: two equal horizontal bands of blue (top) and red with a gold crown on the hoist side of the blue band

*Liechtenstein, Economy

Overview: The prosperous economy is based primarily on small-scale light industry and tourism. Industry accounts for 53% of total employment, the service sector 45% (mostly based on tourism), and agriculture and forestry 2%. The sale of postage stamps to collectors is estimated at $10 million annually. Low business taxes (the maximum tax rate is 20%) and easy incorporation rules have induced about 25,000 holding or so-called letter box companies to establish nominal offices in Liechtenstein. Such companies, incorporated solely for tax purposes, provide 30% of state revenues. The economy is tied closely to Switzerland's economy in a customs union, and incomes and living standards parallel those of the more prosperous Swiss groups. National product: GDP - purchasing power equivalent - $630 million (1990 est.) National product real growth rate: NA% National product per capita: $22,300 (1990 est.) Inflation rate (consumer prices): 5.4% (1990) Unemployment rate: 1.5% (1990) Budget: revenues $259 million; expenditures $292 million, including capital expenditures of $NA (1990) Exports: $1.6 billion commodities: small specialty machinery, dental products, stamps, hardware, pottery partners: EFTA countries 20.9% (Switzerland 15.4%), EC countries 42.7%, other 36.4% (1990) Imports: $NA commodities: machinery, metal goods, textiles, foodstuffs, motor vehicles partners: NA External debt: $NA Industrial production: growth rate NA% Electricity: 23,000 kW capacity; 150 million kWh produced, 5,230 kWh per capita (1992) Industries: electronics, metal manufacturing, textiles, ceramics, pharmaceuticals, food products, precision instruments, tourism Agriculture: livestock, vegetables, corn, wheat, potatoes, grapes Economic aid: none Currency: 1 Swiss franc, franken, or franco (SwF) = 100 centimes, rappen, or centesimi Exchange rates: Swiss francs, franken, or franchi (SwF) per US$1 - 1.4781 (January 1993), 1.4062 (1992), 1.4340 (1991), 1.3892 (1990), 1.6359 (1989), 1.4633 (1988) Fiscal year: calendar year

*Liechtenstein, Communications

Railroads: 18.5 km 1.435-meter standard gauge, electrified; owned, operated, and included in statistics of Austrian Federal Railways Highways: 130.66 km main roads, 192.27 km byroads Airports: none Telecommunications: limited, but sufficient automatic telephone system; 25,400 telephones; linked to Swiss networks by cable and radio relay for international telephone, radio, and TV services

*Liechtenstein, Defense Forces

Note: defense is responsibility of Switzerland

*Lithuania, Geography

Location: Eastern Europe, bordering the Baltic Sea, between Sweden and Russia Map references: Asia, Europe, Standard Time Zones of the World Area: total area: 65,200 km2 land area: 65,200 km2 comparative area: slightly larger than West Virginia Land boundaries: total 1,273 km, Belarus 502 km, Latvia 453 km, Poland 91 km, Russia (Kaliningrad) 227 km Coastline: 108 km Maritime claims: territorial sea: 12 nm International disputes: dispute with Russia (Kaliningrad Oblast) over the position of the Neman River border presently located on the Lithuanian bank and not in midriver as by international standards Climate: maritime; wet, moderate winters Terrain: lowland, many scattered small lakes, fertile soil Natural resources: peat Land use: arable land: 49.1% permanent crops: 0% meadows and pastures: 22.2% forest and woodland: 16.3% other: 12.4% Irrigated land: 430 km2 (1990) Environment: risk of accidents from the two Chernobyl-type reactors at the Ignalina Nuclear Power Plant; contamination of soil and groundwater with petroleum products and chemicals at military bases

*Lithuania, People

Population: 3,819,638 (July 1993 est.) Population growth rate: 0.76% (1993 est.) Birth rate: 14.95 births/1,000 population (1993 est.) Death rate: 10.94 deaths/1,000 population (1993 est.) Net migration rate: 3.62 migrant(s)/1,000 population (1993 est.) Infant mortality rate: 16.9 deaths/1,000 live births (1993 est.) Life expectancy at birth: total population: 71.12 years male: 66.39 years female: 76.08 years (1993 est.) Total fertility rate: 2.03 children born/woman (1993 est.) Nationality: noun: Lithuanian(s) adjective: Lithuanian Ethnic divisions: Lithuanian 80.1%, Russian 8.6%, Polish 7.7%, Belarusian 1.5%, other 2.1% Religions: Roman Catholic, Lutheran, other Languages: Lithuanian (official), Polish, Russian Literacy: age 9-49 can read and write (1970) total population: 100% male: 100% female: 100% Labor force: 1.836 million by occupation: industry and construction 42%, agriculture and forestry 18%, other 40% (1990)

*Lithuania, Government

Names: conventional long form: Republic of Lithuania conventional short form: Lithuania local long form: Lietuvos Respublika local short form: Lietuva former: Lithuanian Soviet Socialist Republic Digraph: LH Type: republic Capital: Vilnius Administrative divisions: NA districts Independence: 6 September 1991 (from Soviet Union) Constitution: adopted 25 October 1992 Legal system: based on civil law system; no judicial review of legislative acts National holiday: Independence Day, 16 February Political parties and leaders: Christian Democratic Party, Egidijus KLUMBYS, chairman; Democratic Labor Party of Lithuania, Algirdas Mykolas BRAZAUSKAS, chairman; Lithuanian Democratic Party, Sauluis PECELIUNAS, chairman; Lithuanian Green Party, Irena IGNATAVICIENE, chairwoman; Lithuanian Humanism Party, Vytautas KAZLAUSKAS, chairman; Lithuanian Independence Party, Virgilijus CEPAITIS, chairman; Lithuanian Liberty League, Antanas TERLECKAS; Lithuanian Liberal Union, Vytautus RADZVILAS, chairman; Lithuanian Nationalist Union, Rimantas SMETONA, chairman; Lithuanian Social Democratic Party, Aloizas SAKALAS, chairman; Union of the Motherland, Vytavtas LANDSBERGIS, chairman Other political or pressure groups: Sajudis; Lithuanian Future Forum; Farmers Union Suffrage: 18 years of age; universal Elections: President: last held 14 February 1993 (next to be held NA); results - Algirdas BRAZAUSKAS was elected Seimas (parliament): last held 26 October and 25 November 1992 (next to be held NA); results - Democratic Labor Party 51%; seats - (141 total) Democratic Labor Party 73 Executive branch: president, prime minister, cabinet Legislative branch: unicameral Seimas (parliament) Judicial branch: Supreme Court, Court of Appeals Leaders: Chief of State: Seimas Chairman and Acting President Algirdas Mykolas BRAZAUSKAS (since 15 November 1992); Deputy Seimas Chairmen Aloyzas SAKALAS (since NA December 1992) and Egidius BICKAUSKAS (since NA December 1992)

*Lithuania, Government

Head of Government: Premier Adolfas SLEZEVICIUS (since NA) Member of: CBSS, CSCE, EBRD, ECE, FAO, IBRD, ICAO, ILO, IMF, INTERPOL, ITU, NACC, UN, UNCTAD, UNESCO, UNIDO, UPU, WHO, WIPO Diplomatic representation in US: chief of mission: Ambassador Stasys LOZORAITIS, Jr. chancery: 2622 16th St. NW, Washington, DC 20009 telephone: (202) 234-5860, 2639 FAX: (202) 328-0466 consulate general: New York US diplomatic representation: chief of mission: Ambassador Darryl N. JOHNSON embassy: Akmenu 6, Vilnius 232600 mailing address: APO AE 09723 telephone: 011 [7] (012-2) 222-031 FAX: 011 [7] (012-2) 222-779 Flag: three equal horizontal bands of yellow (top), green, and red

*Lithuania, Economy

Overview: Lithuania is striving to become an independent privatized economy. Although it was substantially above average in living standards and technology in the old USSR, Lithuania historically lagged behind Latvia and Estonia in economic development. The country has no important natural resources aside from its arable land and strategic location. Industry depends entirely on imported materials that have come from the republics of the former USSR. Lithuania benefits from its ice-free port at Klaipeda on the Baltic Sea and its rail and highway hub at Vilnius, which provides land communication between Eastern Europe and Russia, Latvia, Estonia, and Belarus. Industry produces a small assortment of high-quality products, ranging from complex machine tools to sophisticated consumer electronics. Because of nuclear power, Lithuania is presently self-sufficient in electricity, exporting its surplus to Latvia and Belarus; the nuclear facilities inherited from the USSR, however, have come under world scrutiny as seriously deficient in safety standards. Agriculture is efficient compared with most of the former Soviet Union. Lithuania held first place in per capita consumption of meat, second place for eggs and potatoes, and fourth place for milk and dairy products. Grain must be imported to support the meat and dairy industries. Lithuania is pressing ahead with plans to privatize at least 60% of state-owned property (industry, agriculture, and housing), having already sold almost all housing and many small enterprises using a voucher system. Other government priorities include encouraging foreign investment by protecting the property rights of foreign firms and redirecting foreign trade away from Eastern markets to the more competitive Western markets. For the moment, Lithuania will remain highly dependent on Russia for energy, raw materials, grains, and markets for its products. In 1992, output plummeted by 30% because of cumulative problems with inputs and with markets, problems that were accentuated by the phasing out of the Russian ruble as the medium of exchange. National product: GDP $NA National product real growth rate: -30% (1992 est.) National product per capita: $NA Inflation rate (consumer prices): 10%-20% per month (first quarter 1993) Unemployment rate: 1% (February 1993); but large numbers of underemployed workers Budget: revenues $258.5 million; expenditures $270.2 million, including capital expenditures of $NA (1992 est.) Exports: $NA commodities: electronics 18%, petroleum products 5%, food 10%, chemicals 6% (1989) partners: Russia 40%, Ukraine 16%, other former Soviet republics 32%, West 12% Imports: $NA commodities: oil 24%, machinery 14%, chemicals 8%, grain NA% (1989) partners: Russia 62%, Belarus 18%, former Soviet republics 10%, West 10% External debt: $650 million (1991 est.) Industrial production: growth rate -50% (1992 est.)

*Lithuania, Economy

Electricity: 5,925,000 kW capacity; 25,000 million kWh produced, 6,600 kWh per capita (1992) Industries: employs 25% of the labor force; shares in the total production of the former USSR are: metal-cutting machine tools 6.6%; electric motors 4.6%; television sets 6.2%; refrigerators and freezers 5.4%; other branches: petroleum refining, shipbuilding (small ships), furniture making, textiles, food processing, fertilizers, agricultural machinery, optical equipment, electronic components, computers, and amber Agriculture: employs around 20% of labor force; sugar, grain, potatoes, sugarbeets, vegetables, meat, milk, dairy products, eggs, fish; most developed are the livestock and dairy branches, which depend on imported grain; net exporter of meat, milk, and eggs Illicit drugs: transshipment point for illicit drugs from Central and Southwest Asia to Western Europe; limited producer of illicit opium; mostly for domestic consumption Economic aid: US commitments, including Ex-Im (1992), $10 million; Western (non-US) countries, ODA and OOF bilateral commitments (1970-86), $NA million; Communist countries (1971-86), $NA million Currency: using talonas as temporary currency (March 1993), but planning introduction of convertible litas (late 1993) Exchange rates: NA Fiscal year: calendar year

*Lithuania, Communications

Railroads: 2,100 km; does not include industrial lines (1990) Highways: 44,200 km total 35,500 km hard surfaced, 8,700 km earth (1990) Inland waterways: 600 km perennially navigable Pipelines: crude oil 105 km, natural gas 760 km (1992) Ports: coastal - Klaipeda; inland - Kaunas Merchant marine: 46 ships (1,000 GRT or over) totaling 282,633 GRT/332,447 DWT; includes 31 cargo, 3 railcar carrier, 1 roll-on/roll-off, 11 combination bulk Airports: total: 96 useable: 19 with permanent-surface runways: 12 with runways over 3,659 m: 0 with runways 2,440-3,659 m: 5 with runways 1,220-2,439 m: 11 Telecommunications: better developed than in most other former USSR republics; operational NMT-450 analog cellular network in Vilnius; fiber optic cable installed beween Vilnius and Kaunas; 224 telephones per 1000 persons; broadcast stations - 13 AM, 26 FM, 1 SW, 1 LW, 3 TV; landlines or microwave to former USSR republics; leased connection to the Moscow international switch for traffic with other countries; satellite earth stations - (8 channels to Norway); new international digital telephone exchange in Kaunas for direct access to 13 countries via satellite link out of Copenhagen, Denmark

*Lithuania, Defense Forces

Branches: Ground Forces, Navy, Air Force, Security Forces (internal and border troops), National Guard (Skat) Manpower availability: males age 15-49 933,245; fit for military service 739,400; reach military age (18) annually 27,056 (1993 est.) Defense expenditures: exchange rate conversion - $NA, 5.5% of GDP (1993 est.)

*Luxembourg, Geography

Location: Western Europe, between Belgium and Germany Map references: Europe, Standard Time Zones of the World Area: total area: 2,586 km2 land area: 2,586 km2 comparative area: slightly smaller than Rhode Island Land boundaries: total 359 km, Belgium 148 km, France 73 km, Germany 138 km Coastline: 0 km (landlocked) Maritime claims: none; landlocked International disputes: none 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 floodplain in the southeast Natural resources: iron ore (no longer exploited) Land use: arable land: 24% permanent crops: 1% meadows and pastures: 20% forest and woodland: 21% other: 34% Irrigated land: NA km2 Environment: deforestation Note: landlocked

*Luxembourg, People

Population: 398,220 (July 1993 est.) Population growth rate: 1.04% (1993 est.) Birth rate: 12.96 births/1,000 population (1993 est.) Death rate: 9.56 deaths/1,000 population (1993 est.) Net migration rate: 6.97 migrant(s)/1,000 population (1993 est.) Infant mortality rate: 6.9 deaths/1,000 live births (1993 est.) Life expectancy at birth: total population: 76.43 years male: 72.71 years female: 80.3 years (1993 est.) Total fertility rate: 1.63 children born/woman (1993 est.) Nationality: noun: Luxembourger(s) adjective: Luxembourg Ethnic divisions: Celtic base (with French and German blend), Portuguese, Italian, and European (guest and worker residents) Religions: Roman Catholic 97%, Protestant and Jewish 3% Languages: Luxembourgisch, German, French, English Literacy: age 15 and over can read and write (1980) total population: 100% male: 100% female: 100% Labor force: 177,300 one-third of labor force is foreign workers, mostly from Portugal, Italy, France, Belgium, and Germany by occupation: services 65%, industry 31.6%, agriculture 3.4% (1988)

*Luxembourg, Government

Names: conventional long form: Grand Duchy of Luxembourg conventional short form: Luxembourg local long form: Grand-Duche de Luxembourg local short form: Luxembourg Digraph: LU Type: constitutional monarchy Capital: Luxembourg Administrative divisions: 3 districts; Diekirch, Grevenmacher, Luxembourg Independence: 1839 Constitution: 17 October 1868, occasional revisions Legal system: based on civil law system; accepts compulsory ICJ jurisdiction National holiday: National Day, 23 June (1921) (public celebration of the Grand Duke's birthday) Political parties and leaders: Christian Social Party (CSV), Jacques SANTER; Socialist Workers Party (LSAP), Jacques POOS; Liberal (DP), Colette FLESCH; Communist (KPL), Andre HOFFMANN; Green Alternative (GAP), Jean HUSS Other political or pressure groups: group of steel companies representing iron and steel industry; Centrale Paysanne representing agricultural producers; Christian and Socialist labor unions; Federation of Industrialists; Artisans and Shopkeepers Federation Suffrage: 18 years of age; universal and compulsory Elections: Chamber of Deputies: last held on 18 June 1989 (next to be held by June 1994); results - CSV 31.7%, LSAP 27.2%, DP 16.2%, Greens 8.4%, PAC 7.3%, KPL 5.1%, other 4.1%; seats - (60 total) CSV 22, LSAP 18, DP 11, Greens 4, PAC 4, KPL 1 Executive branch: grand duke, prime minister, vice prime minister, Council of Ministers (cabinet) Legislative branch: unicameral Chamber of Deputies (Chambre des Deputes); note - the Council of State (Conseil d'Etat) is an advisory body whose views are considered by the Chamber of Deputies Judicial branch: Superior Court of Justice (Cour Superieure de Justice) Leaders: Chief of State: Grand Duke JEAN (since 12 November 1964); Heir Apparent Prince HENRI (son of Grand Duke Jean, born 16 April 1955) Head of Government: Prime Minister Jacques SANTER (since 21 July 1984); Vice Prime Minister Jacques F. POOS (since 21 July 1984)

*Luxembourg, Government

Member of: ACCT, Australia Group, Benelux, CCC, CE, COCOM, CSCE, EBRD, EC, ECE, EIB, FAO, GATT, IAEA, IBRD, ICAO, ICC, ICFTU, IDA, IEA, IFAD, IFC, ILO, IMF, IMO, INTELSAT, INTERPOL, IOC, IOM, ITU, LORCS, MTCR, NACC, NATO, NEA, NSG, OECD, PCA, UN, UNCTAD, UNESCO, UNIDO, UNPROFOR, UPU, WCL, WEU, WHO, WIPO, WMO, ZC Diplomatic representation in US: chief of mission: Ambassador Alphonse BERNS chancery: 2200 Massachusetts Avenue NW, Washington, DC 20008 telephone: (202) 265-4171 FAX: (202) 328-8270 consulates general: New York and San Francisco US diplomatic representation: chief of mission: Ambassador Edward M. ROWELL embassy: 22 Boulevard Emmanuel-Servais, 2535 Luxembourg City mailing address: PSC 11, APO AE 09132-5380 telephone: [352] 460123 FAX: [352] 461401 Flag: 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; design was based on the flag of France

*Luxembourg, Economy

Overview: The stable economy features moderate growth, low inflation, and negligible unemployment. Agriculture is based on small but highly productive family-owned farms. The industrial sector, until recently dominated by steel, has become increasingly more diversified, particularly toward high-technology firms. During the past decade, growth in the financial sector has more than compensated for the decline in steel. Services, especially banking, account for a growing proportion of the economy. Luxembourg participates in an economic union with Belgium on trade and most financial matters and is also closely connected economically to the Netherlands. National product: GDP - purchasing power equivalent - $8.5 billion (1992) National product real growth rate: 2.5% (1992) National product per capita: $21,700 (1992) Inflation rate (consumer prices): 3.6% (1992) Unemployment rate: 1.4% (1991) Budget: revenues $3.5 billion; expenditures $3.5 billion, including capital expenditures of $NA (1992) Exports: $6.4 billion (f.o.b., 1991 est.) commodities: finished steel products, chemicals, rubber products, glass, aluminum, other industrial products partners: EC 76%, US 5% Imports: $8.3 billion (c.i.f., 1991 est.) commodities: minerals, metals, foodstuffs, quality consumer goods partners: Belgium 37%, FRG 31%, France 12%, US 2% External debt: $131.6 million (1989 est.) Industrial production: growth rate -0.5% (1990); accounts for 25% of GDP Electricity: 1,238,750 kW capacity; 1,375 million kWh produced, 3,450 kWh per capita (1990) Industries: banking, iron and steel, food processing, chemicals, metal products, engineering, tires, glass, aluminum Agriculture: accounts for less than 3% of GDP (including forestry); principal products - barley, oats, potatoes, wheat, fruits, wine grapes; cattle raising widespread Illicit drugs: money-laundering hub Economic aid: none Currency: 1 Luxembourg franc (LuxF) = 100 centimes

*Luxembourg, Economy

Exchange rates: Luxembourg francs (LuxF) per US$1 - 33.256 (January 1993), 32.150 (1992), 34.148 (1991), 33.418 (1990), 39.404 (1989), 36.768 (1988); note - the Luxembourg franc is at par with the Belgian franc, which circulates freely in Luxembourg Fiscal year: calendar year

*Luxembourg, Communications

Railroads: Luxembourg National Railways (CFL) operates 272 km 1.435-meter standard gauge; 178 km double track; 178 km electrified Highways: 5,108 km total; 4,995 km paved, 57 km gravel, 56 km earth; about 80 km limited access divided highway Inland waterways: 37 km; Moselle River Pipelines: petroleum products 48 km Ports: Mertert (river port) Merchant marine: 53 ships (1,000 GRT or over) totaling 1,570,466 GRT/2,614,154 DWT; includes 2 cargo, 5 container, 5 roll-on/roll-off, 6 oil tanker, 4 chemical tanker, 3 combination ore/oil, 8 liquefied gas, 2 passenger, 8 bulk, 6 combination bulk, 4 refrigerated cargo Airports: total: 2 usable: 2 with permanent-surface runways: 1 with runways over 3,659 m: 1 with runways 2,440-3,659 m: 0 with runways 1,220-2,439 m: 1 Telecommunications: highly developed, completely automated and efficient system, mainly buried cables; 230,000 telephones; broadcast stations - 2 AM, 3 FM, 3 TV; 3 channels leased on TAT-6 coaxial submarine cable; 1 direct-broadcast satellite earth station; nationwide mobile phone system

*Luxembourg, Defense Forces

Branches: Army, National Gendarmerie Manpower availability: males age 15-49 103,607; fit for military service 86,003; reach military age (19) annually 2,227 (1993 est.) Defense expenditures: exchange rate conversion - $100 million, 1.2% of GDP (1992)

*Macau, Header

Affiliation: (overseas territory of Portugal)

*Macau, Geography

Location: East Asia, 27 km west-southwest of Hong Kong on the southeast coast of China bordering the South China Sea Map references: Asia, Oceania, Southeast Asia, Standard Time Zones of the World Area: total area: 16 km2 land area: 16 km2 comparative area: about 0.1 times the size of Washington, DC Land boundaries: total 0.34 km, China 0.34 km Coastline: 40 km Maritime claims: not specified International disputes: none Climate: subtropical; marine with cool winters, warm summers Terrain: generally flat Natural resources: negligible Land use: arable land: 0% permanent crops: 0% meadows and pastures: 0% forest and woodland: 0% other: 100% Irrigated land: NA km2 Environment: essentially urban; one causeway and one bridge connect the two islands to the peninsula on mainland

*Macau, People

Population: 477,850 (July 1993 est.) Population growth rate: 1.44% (1993 est.) Birth rate: 14.99 births/1,000 population (1993 est.) Death rate: 4.05 deaths/1,000 population (1993 est.) Net migration rate: 3.45 migrant(s)/1,000 population (1993 est.) Infant mortality rate: 5.5 deaths/1,000 live births (1993 est.) Life expectancy at birth: total population: 79.64 years male: 77.24 years female: 82.17 years (1993 est.) Total fertility rate: 1.44 children born/woman (1993 est.) Nationality: noun: Macanese (singular and plural) adjective: Macau Ethnic divisions: Chinese 95%, Portuguese 3%, other 2% Religions: Buddhist 45%, Roman Catholic 7%, Protestant 1%, none 45.8%, other 1.2% (1981) Languages: Portuguese (official), Cantonese is the language of commerce Literacy: age 15 and over can read and write (1981) total population: 90% male: 93% female: 86% Labor force: 180,000 (1986) by occupation: NA

*Macau, Government

Names: conventional long form: none conventional short form: Macau local long form: none local short form: Ilha de Macau Digraph: MC Type: overseas territory of Portugal scheduled to revert to China in 1999 Capital: Macau Administrative divisions: 2 districts (concelhos, singular - concelho); Ilhas, Macau Independence: none (territory of Portugal; Portugal signed an agreement with China on 13 April 1987 to return Macau to China on 20 December 1999; in the joint declaration, China promises to respect Macau's existing social and economic systems and lifestyle for 50 year after transition) Constitution: 17 February 1976, Organic Law of Macau; basic law drafted primarily by Beijing awaiting final approval Legal system: Portuguese civil law system National holiday: Day of Portugal, 10 June Political parties and leaders: Association to Defend the Interests of Macau; Macau Democratic Center; Group to Study the Development of Macau; Macau Independent Group Other political or pressure groups: wealthy Macanese and Chinese representing local interests, wealthy pro-Communist merchants representing China's interests; in January 1967 the Macau Government acceded to Chinese demands that gave China veto power over administration Suffrage: 18 years of age; universal Elections: Legislative Assembly: last held on 10 March 1991; results - percent of vote by party NA; seats - (23 total; 8 elected by universal suffrage, 8 by indirect suffrage, and 7 appointed by the governor) number of seats by party NA Executive branch: president of Portugal, governor, Consultative Council (cabinet) Legislative branch: unicameral Legislative Assembly Judicial branch: Supreme Court Leaders: Chief of State: President (of Portugal) Mario Alberto SOARES (since 9 March 1986) Head of Government: Governor Gen. Vasco Joachim Rocha VIEIRA (since 20 March 1991) Member of: ESCAP (associate), GATT, IMO (associate), WTO (associate)

*Macau, Government

Diplomatic representation in US: as Chinese territory under Portuguese administration, Macanese interests in the US are represented by Portugal US diplomatic representation: the US has no offices in Macau, and US interests are monitored by the US Consulate General in Hong Kong Flag: the flag of Portugal is used

*Macau, Economy

Overview: The economy is based largely on tourism (including gambling) and textile and fireworks manufacturing. Efforts to diversify have spawned other small industries - toys, artificial flowers, and electronics. The tourist sector has accounted for roughly 25% of GDP, and the clothing industry has provided about two-thirds of export earnings; the gambling industry represented well over 40% of GDP in 1992. Macau depends on China for most of its food, fresh water, and energy imports. Japan and Hong Kong are the main suppliers of raw materials and capital goods. National product: GDP - exchange rate conversion - $3.1 billion (1991) National product real growth rate: 3.1% (1991) National product per capita: $6,700 (1991) Inflation rate (consumer prices): 8.2% (1991 est.) Unemployment rate: 2% (1991 est.) Budget: revenues $305 million; expenditures $298 million, including capital expenditures of $NA (1989) Exports: $1.8 billion (1992 est.) commodities: textiles, clothing, toys partners: US 36%, Hong Kong 13%, Germany 12%, France 8% (1991) Imports: $2.0 billion (1992 est.) commodities: raw materials, foodstuffs, capital goods partners: Hong Kong 35%, China 22%, Japan 17% (1991) External debt: $91 million (1985) Industrial production: NA Electricity: 258,000 kW capacity; 855 million kWh produced, 1,806 kWh per capita (1992) Industries: clothing, textiles, toys, plastic products, furniture, tourism Agriculture: rice, vegetables; food shortages - rice, vegetables, meat; depends mostly on imports for food requirements Economic aid: none Currency: 1 pataca (P) = 100 avos Exchange rates: patacas (P) per US$1 - 8.034 (1991), 8.024 (1990), 8.030 (1989), 8.044 (1988), 7.993 (1987); note - linked to the Hong Kong dollar at the rate of 1.03 patacas per Hong Kong dollar Fiscal year: calendar year

*Macau, Communications

Highways: 42 km paved Ports: Macau Airports: none useable, 1 under construction; 1 seaplane station Telecommunications: fairly modern communication facilities maintained for domestic and international services; 52,000 telephones; broadcast stations - 4 AM, 3 FM, no TV (TV programs received from Hong Kong); 115,000 radio receivers (est.); international high-frequency radio communication facility; access to international communications carriers provided via Hong Kong and China; 1 Indian Ocean INTELSAT earth station

*Macau, Defense Forces

Manpower availability: males age 15-49 137,738; fit for military service 77,159 (1993 est.) Note: defense is responsibility of Portugal

*Macedonia, Header

Macedonia has proclaimed independent statehood but has not been formally recognized as a state by the United States.

*Macedonia, Geography

Location: Southern Europe, between Serbia and Montenegro and Greece Map references: Ethnic Groups in Eastern Europe, Europe, Standard Time Zones of the World Area: total area: 25,333 km2 land area: 24,856 km2 comparative area: slightly larger than Vermont Land boundaries: total 748 km, Albania 151 km, Bulgaria 148 km, Greece 228 km, Serbia and Montenegro 221 km (all with Serbia) Coastline: 0 km (landlocked) Maritime claims: none; landlocked International disputes: Greece claims republic's name implies territorial claims against Aegean Macedonia Climate: hot, dry summers and autumns and relatively cold winters with heavy snowfall Terrain: mountainous territory covered with deep basins and valleys; there are three large lakes, each divided by a frontier line Natural resources: chromium, lead, zinc, manganese, tungsten, nickel, low-grade iron ore, asbestos, sulphur, timber Land use: arable land: 5% permanent crops: 5% meadows and pastures: 20% forest and woodland: 30% other: 40% Irrigated land: NA km2 Environment: Macedonia suffers from high seismic hazard; air pollution from metallurgical plants Note: landlocked; major transportation corridor from Western and Central Europe to Aegean Sea and Southern Europe to Western Europe

*Macedonia, People

Population: 2,193,951 (July 1993 est.) Population growth rate: 0.91% (1993 est.) Birth rate: 15.91 births/1,000 population (1993 est.) Death rate: 6.79 deaths/1,000 population (1993 est.) Net migration rate: 0 migrant(s)/1,000 population (1993 est.) Infant mortality rate: 29.7 deaths/1,000 live births (1993 est.) Life expectancy at birth: total population: 73.19 years male: 71.15 years female: 75.41 years (1993 est.) Total fertility rate: 2 children born/woman (1993 est.) Nationality: noun: Macedonian(s) adjective: Macedonian Ethnic divisions: Macedonian 67%, Albanian 21%, Turkish 4%, Serb 2%, other 6% Religions: Eastern Orthodox 59%, Muslim 26%, Catholic 4%, Protestant 1%, other 10% Languages: Macedonian 70%, Albanian 21%, Turkish 3%, Serbo-Croatian 3%, other 3% Literacy: total population: NA% male: NA% female: NA% Labor force: 507,324 by occupation: agriculture 8%, manufacturing and mining 40% (1990)

*Macedonia, Government

Names: conventional long form: Republic of Macedonia conventional short form: Macedonia local long form: Republika Makedonija local short form: Makedonija Digraph: MK Type: emerging democracy Capital: Skopje Administrative divisions: 34 districts (opcine, singular - opcina) Berovo, Bitola, Brod, Debar, Delcevo, Demir Hisar, Gevgelija, Gostivar, Kavadarci, Kicevo, Kocani, Kratovo, Kriva Palanka, Krusevo, Kumanovo, Negotino, Ohrid, Prilep, Probistip, Radovis, Resen, Skopje-Centar, Skopje-Cair, Skopje-Karpos, Skopje-Kisela Voda, Skopje-Gazi Baba, Stip, Struga, Strumica, Sveti Nikole, Tetovo, Titov Veles, Valandovo, Vinica Independence: 20 November 1991 (from Yugoslavia) Constitution: adopted 17 November 1991, effective 20 November 1991 Legal system: based on civil law system; judicial review of legislative acts National holiday: NA Political parties and leaders: Social-Democratic League of Macedonia (SDSM; former Communist Party), Branko CRVENKOVSKI, president; Party for Democratic Prosperity in Macedonia (PDPM), Nevzat HALILI, president; National Democratic Party (PDP), Ilijas HALINI, president; Alliance of Reform Forces of Macedonia (SRSM), Stojan ANDOV, president; Socialist Party of Macedonia (SPM), Kiro POPOVSKI, president; Internal Macedonian Revolutionary Organization - Democratic Party for Macedonian National Unity (VMRO-DPMNE), Ljupco GEORGIEVSKI, president; Party of Yugoslavs in Macedonia (SJM), Milan DURCINOV, president Other political or pressure groups: Movement for All Macedonian Action (MAAK); League for Democracy; Albanian Democratic Union-Liberal Party Suffrage: 18 years of age; universal Elections: President: last held 27 January 1991 (next to be held NA); results - Kiro GLIGOROV was elected by the Assembly Assembly: last held 11 and 25 November and 9 December 1990 (next to be held NA); results - percent of vote by party NA; seats - (120 total) VMRO-DPMNE 37, SDSM 31, PDPM 25, SRSM 17, SJM 1, SPM 5, others 4 Executive branch: president, Council of Ministers, prime minister Legislative branch: unicameral Assembly (Sobranje) Judicial branch: Constitutional Court, Judicial Court of the Republic

*Macedonia, Government

Leaders: Chief of State: President Kiro GLIGOROV (since 27 January 1991) Head of Government: Prime Minister Branko CRVENKOVSKI (since NA September 1992), Deputy Prime Ministers Jovan ANDONOV (since NA March 1991), Stevo CRVENKOVSKI (since NA September 1992), and Becir ZUTA (since NA March 1991) Member of: EBRD, ICAO, IMF, UN, UNCTAD, WMO Diplomatic representation in US: none; US does not recognize Macedonia US diplomatic representation: none; US does not recognize Macedonia Flag: 16-point gold sun (Vergino, Sun) centered on a red field

*Macedonia, Economy

Overview: Macedonia, although the poorest among the six republics of a dissolved Yugoslav federation, can meet basic food and energy needs through its own agricultural and coal resources. It will, however, move down toward a bare subsistence level of life unless economic ties are reforged or enlarged with its neighbors Serbia and Montenegro, Albania, Greece, and Bulgaria. The economy depends on outside sources for all of its oil and gas and its modern machinery and parts. Continued political turmoil, both internally and in the region as a whole, prevents any swift readjustments of trade patterns and economic programs. Inflation in early 1992 was out of control, the result of fracturing trade links, the decline in economic activity, and general uncertainties about the future status of the country; prices rose 38% in March 1992 alone. In August 1992, Greece, angry at the use of "Macedonia" as the republic's name, imposed a partial blockade for several months. This blockade, combined with the effects of the UN sanctions on Serbia and Montenegro, cost the economy approximately $1 billion in 1992 according to official figures. Macedonia's geographical isolation, technological backwardness, and potential political instability place it far down the list of countries of interest to Western investors. Resolution of the dispute with Greece and an internal commitment to economic reform would help to encourage foreign investment over the long run. In the immediate future, the worst scenario for the economy would be the spread of fighting across its borders. National product: GDP - purchasing power equivalent - $7.1 billion (1991 est.) National product real growth rate: -18% (1991 est.) National product per capita: $3,110 (1991 est.) Inflation rate (consumer prices): 114.9% (1991 est.) Unemployment rate: 20% (1991 est.) Budget: revenues $NA; expenditures $NA, including capital expenditures of $NA Exports: $578 million (1990) commodities: manufactured goods 40%, machinery and transport equipment 14%, miscellaneous manufactured articles 23%, raw materials 7.6%, food (rice) and live animals 5.7%, beverages and tobacco 4.5%, chemicals 4.7% partners: principally Serbia and Montenegro and the other former Yugoslav republics, Germany, Greece, Albania Imports: $1,112 million (1990) commodities: fuels and lubricants 19%, manufactured goods 18%, machinery and transport equipment 15%, food and live animals 14%, chemicals 11.4%, raw materials 10%, miscellaneous manufactured articles 8.0%, beverages and tobacco 3.5% partners: other former Yugoslav republics, Greece, Albania, Germany, Bulgaria External debt: $845.8 million Industrial production: growth rate -18% (1991 est.) Electricity: 1,600,000 kw capacity; 6,300 million kWh produced, 2,900 kWh per capita (1992)

*Macedonia, Economy

Industries: low levels of technology predominate, such as, oil refining by distillation only; produces basic liquid fuels, coal, metallic chromium, lead, zinc, and ferronickel; light industry produces basic textiles, wood products, and tobacco Agriculture: provides 12% of GDP and meets the basic need for food; principal crops are rice, tobacco, wheat, corn, and millet; also grown are cotton, sesame, mulberry leaves, citrus fruit, and vegetables; Macedonia is one of the seven legal cultivators of the opium poppy for the world pharmaceutical industry, including some exports to the US; agricultural production is highly labor intensive Illicit drugs: NA Economic aid: $10 million from the US for humanitarian and technical assistance; EC promised a 100 ECU million economic aid package Currency: 1 denar (abbreviation NA) = 100 NA Exchange rates: denar per US$1 - 240 (January 1991) Fiscal year: calendar year

*Macedonia, Communications

Railroads: NA Highways: 10,591 km total (1991); 5,091 km paved, 1,404 km gravel, 4,096 km earth Inland waterways: NA km Pipelines: none Ports: none; landlocked Airports: total: 17 useable: 17 with permanent-surface runways: 9 with runways over 3,659 m: 0 with runways 2,440-3,659 m: 2 with runways 1,220-2,439 m: 2 Telecommunications: 125,000 telephones; broadcast stations - 6 AM, 2 FM, 5 (2 relays) TV; 370,000 radios, 325,000 TV; satellite communications ground stations - none

*Macedonia, Defense Forces

Branches: Army, Navy, Air and Air Defense Force, Police Force Manpower availability: males age 15-49 597,024; fit for military service 484,701; reach military age (19) annually 18,979 (1993 est.) Defense expenditures: 7 billion denars, NA% of GNP (1993 est.); note - conversion of the military budget into US dollars using the current exchange rate could produce misleading results

*Madagascar, Geography

Location: in the western Indian Ocean, 430 km east of Mozambique in Southern Africa Map references: Africa, Standard Time Zones of the World Area: total area: 587,040 km2 land area: 581,540 km2 comparative area: slightly less than twice the size of Arizona Land boundaries: 0 km Coastline: 4,828 km Maritime claims: exclusive economic zone: 200 nm territorial sea: 12 nm International disputes: claims Bassas da India, Europa Island, Glorioso Islands, Juan de Nova Island, and Tromelin Island (all administered by France) Climate: tropical along coast, temperate inland, arid in south Terrain: narrow coastal plain, high plateau and mountains in center Natural resources: graphite, chromite, coal, bauxite, salt, quartz, tar sands, semiprecious stones, mica, fish Land use: arable land: 4% permanent crops: 1% meadows and pastures: 58% forest and woodland: 26% other: 11% Irrigated land: 9,000 km2 (1989 est.) Environment: subject to periodic cyclones; deforestation; overgrazing; soil erosion; desertification Note: world's fourth-largest island; strategic location along Mozambique Channel

*Madagascar, People

Population: 13,005,989 (July 1993 est.) Population growth rate: 3.2% (1993 est.) Birth rate: 45.66 births/1,000 population (1993 est.) Death rate: 13.71 deaths/1,000 population (1993 est.) Net migration rate: 0 migrant(s)/1,000 population (1993 est.) Infant mortality rate: 91 deaths/1,000 live births (1993 est.) Life expectancy at birth: total population: 53.52 years male: 51.65 years female: 55.45 years (1993 est.) Total fertility rate: 6.75 children born/woman (1993 est.) Nationality: noun: Malagasy (singular and plural) adjective: Malagasy Ethnic divisions: Malayo-Indonesian (Merina and related Betsileo), Cotiers (mixed African, Malayo-Indonesian, and Arab ancestry - Betsimisaraka, Tsimihety, Antaisaka, Sakalava), French, Indian, Creole, Comoran Religions: indigenous beliefs 52%, Christian 41%, Muslim 7% Languages: French (official), Malagasy (official) Literacy: age 15 and over can read and write (1990) total population: 80% male: 88% female: 73% Labor force: 4.9 million 90% nonsalaried family workers engaged in subsistence agriculture; 175,000 wage earners by occupation: agriculture 26%, domestic service 17%, industry 15%, commerce 14%, construction 11%, services 9%, transportation 6%, other 2% note: 51% of population of working age (1985)

*Madagascar, Government

Names: conventional long form: Republic of Madagascar conventional short form: Madagascar local long form: Republique de Madagascar local short form: Madagascar former: Malagasy Republic Digraph: MA Type: republic Capital: Antananarivo Administrative divisions: 6 provinces - Antananarivo, Antsiranana, Fianarantsoa, Mahajanga, Toamasina, Toliary Independence: 26 June 1960 (from France) Constitution: 12 September 1992 Legal system: based on French civil law system and traditional Malagasy law; has not accepted compulsory ICJ jurisdiction National holiday: Independence Day, 26 June (1960) Political parties and leaders: some 30 political parties now exist in Madagascar, the most important of which are Advance Guard of the Malagasy Revolution (AREMA), Didier RATSIRAKA; Congress Party for Malagasy Independence (AKFM), RAKOTOVAO-ANDRIATIANA; Movement for National Unity (VONJY), Dr. Marojama RAZANABAHINY; Malagasy Christian Democratic Union (UDECMA), Norbert ANDRIAMORASATA; Militants for the Establishment of a Proletarian Regime (MFM), Manandafy RAKOTONIRINA; National Movement for the Independence of Madagascar (MONIMA), Monja JAONA; National Union for the Defense of Democracy (UNDD), Albert ZAFY Other political or pressure groups: National Council of Christian Churches (FFKM), leader NA; Federalist Movement, leader NA Suffrage: 18 years of age; universal Elections: President: last held on 10 February 1993 (next to be held 1998); results - Albert ZAFY (UNDD), 67%; Didier RATSIRAKA (AREMA), 33% Popular National Assembly: last held on 28 May 1989 (next to be held May 1993); results - AREMA 88.2%, MFM 5.1%, AKFM 3.7%, VONJY 2.2%, other 0.8%; seats - (137 total) AREMA 120, MFM 7, AKFM 5, VONJY 4, MONIMA 1 Executive branch: president, prime minister, Council of Ministers

*Madagascar, Government

Legislative branch: unicameral Popular National Assembly (Assemblee Nationale Populaire); note - the National Assembly has suspended its operations during 1992 and early 1993 in preparation for new legislative elections. In its place, an interim High Authority of State and a Social and Economic Recovery Council have been established Judicial branch: Supreme Court (Cour Supreme), High Constitutional Court (Haute Cour Constitutionnelle) Leaders: Chief of State: President Adm. Didier RATSIRAKA (since 15 June 1975) Head of Government: Prime Minister Guy RAZANAMASY (since 8 August 1991) Member of: ACCT, ACP, AfDB, CCC, ECA, FAO, G-77, GATT, IAEA, IBRD, ICAO, ICC, ICFTU, IDA, IFAD, IFC, ILO, IMF, IMO, INTELSAT, INTERPOL, IOC, ITU, LORCS, NAM, OAU, UN, UNCTAD, UNESCO, UNHCR, UNIDO, UPU, WCL, WFTU, WHO, WIPO, WMO, WTO Diplomatic representation in US: chief of mission: Ambassador Pierrot Jocelyn RAJAONARIVELO chancery: 2374 Massachusetts Avenue NW, Washington, DC 20008 telephone: (202) 265-5525 or 5526 consulate general: New York US diplomatic representation: chief of mission: Ambassador Douglas BARRETT embassy: 14 and 16 Rue Rainitovo, Antsahavola, Antananarivo mailing address: B. P. 620, Antananarivo telephone: [261] (2) 212-57, 209-56, 200-89, 207-18 FAX: 261-234-539 Flag: two equal horizontal bands of red (top) and green with a vertical white band of the same width on hoist side

*Madagascar, Economy

Overview: Madagascar is one of the poorest countries in the world. Agriculture, including fishing and forestry, is the mainstay of the economy, accounting for over 30% of GDP and contributing to more than 70% of total export earnings. Industry is largely confined to the processing of agricultural products and textile manufacturing; in 1991 it accounted for only 13% of GDP. In 1986 the government introduced a five-year development plan that stressed self-sufficiency in food (mainly rice) by 1990, increased production for exports, and reduced energy imports. After mid-1991, however, output dropped sharply because of protracted antigovernment strikes and demonstrations for political reform. National product: GDP - exchange rate conversion - $2.5 billion (1992 est.) National product real growth rate: 1% (1992 est.) National product per capita: $200 (1992 est.) Inflation rate (consumer prices): 20% (1992 est.) Unemployment rate: NA% Budget: revenues $250 million; expenditures $265 million, including capital expenditures of $180 million (1991) Exports: $312 million (f.o.b., 1991 est.) commodities: coffee 45%, vanilla 20%, cloves 11%, sugar, petroleum products partners: France, Japan, Italy, Germany, US Imports: $350 million (f.o.b., 1992 est.) commodities: intermediate manufactures 30%, capital goods 28%, petroleum 15%, consumer goods 14%, food 13% partners: France, Germany, UK, other EC, US External debt: $4.4 billion (1991) Industrial production: growth rate 5.2% (1990 est.); accounts for 13% of GDP Electricity: 125,000 kW capacity; 450 million kWh produced, 35 kWh per capita (1991) Industries: agricultural processing (meat canneries, soap factories, breweries, tanneries, sugar refining plants), light consumer goods industries (textiles, glassware), cement, automobile assembly plant, paper, petroleum Agriculture: accounts for 31% of GDP; cash crops - coffee, vanilla, sugarcane, cloves, cocoa; food crops - rice, cassava, beans, bananas, peanuts; cattle raising widespread; almost self-sufficient in rice Illicit drugs: illicit producer of cannabis (cultivated and wild varieties) used mostly for domestic consumption Economic aid: US commitments, including Ex-Im (FY70-89), $136 million; Western (non-US) countries, ODA and OOF bilateral commitments (1970-89), $3,125 million; Communist countries (1970-89), $491 million

*Madagascar, Economy

Currency: 1 Malagasy franc (FMG) = 100 centimes Exchange rates: Malagasy francs (FMG) per US$1 - 1,910.2 (December 1992), 1,867.9 (1992), 1,835.4 (1991), 1,454.6 (December 1990), 1,603.4 (1989), 1,407.1 (1988), 1,069.2 (1987) Fiscal year: calendar year

*Madagascar, Communications

Railroads: 1,020 km 1.000-meter gauge Highways: 40,000 km total; 4,694 km paved, 811 km crushed stone, gravel, or stabilized soil, 34,495 km improved and unimproved earth (est.) Inland waterways: of local importance only; isolated streams and small portions of Canal des Pangalanes Ports: Toamasina, Antsiranana, Mahajanga, Toliara Merchant marine: 11 ships (1,000 GRT or over) totaling 35,359 GRT/48,772 DWT; includes 6 cargo, 2 roll-on/roll-off cargo, 1 oil tanker, 1 chemical tanker, 1 liquefied gas Airports: total: 146 usable: 103 with permanent-surface runways: 30 with runways over 3,659 m: 0 with runways 2,440-3,659 m: 3 with runways 1,220-2,439 m: 36 Telecommunications: above average system includes open-wire lines, coaxial cables, radio relay, and troposcatter links; submarine cable to Bahrain; satellite earth stations - 1 Indian Ocean INTELSAT and broadcast stations - 17 AM, 3 FM, 1 (36 repeaters) TV

*Madagascar, Defense Forces

Branches: Popular Armed Forces (including Intervention Forces, Development Forces, Aeronaval Forces - including Navy and Air Force), Gendarmerie, Presidential Security Regiment Manpower availability: males age 15-49 2,826,018; fit for military service 1,681,553; reach military age (20) annually 118,233 (1993 est.) Defense expenditures: exchange rate conversion - $37 million, 2.2% of GDP (1991 est.)

*Malawi, Geography

Location: Southern Africa, between Mozambique and Zambia Map references: Africa, Standard Time Zones of the World Area: total area: 118,480 km2 land area: 94,080 km2 comparative area: slightly larger than Pennsylvania Land boundaries: total 2,881 km, Mozambique 1,569 km, Tanzania 475 km, Zambia 837 km Coastline: 0 km (landlocked) Maritime claims: none; landlocked International disputes: dispute with Tanzania over the boundary in Lake Nyasa (Lake Malawi) Climate: tropical; rainy season (November to May); dry season (May to November) Terrain: narrow elongated plateau with rolling plains, rounded hills, some mountains Natural resources: limestone, unexploited deposits of uranium, coal, and bauxite Land use: arable land: 25% permanent crops: 0% meadows and pastures: 20% forest and woodland: 50% other: 5% Irrigated land: 200 km2 (1989 est.) Environment: deforestation Note: landlocked

*Malawi, People

Population: 9,831,935 (July 1993 est.) Population growth rate: -0.95% (1993 est.) Birth rate: 51.1 births/1,000 population (1993 est.) Death rate: 22.87 deaths/1,000 population (1993 est.) Net migration rate: -37.71 migrant(s)/1,000 population (1993 est.) Infant mortality rate: 141.9 deaths/1,000 live births (1993 est.) Life expectancy at birth: total population: 40.48 years male: 39.61 years female: 41.37 years (1993 est.) Total fertility rate: 7.5 children born/woman (1993 est.) Nationality: noun: Malawian(s) adjective: Malawian Ethnic divisions: Chewa, Nyanja, Tumbuko, Yao, Lomwe, Sena, Tonga, Ngoni, Ngonde, Asian, European Religions: Protestant 55%, Roman Catholic 20%, Muslim 20%, traditional indigenous beliefs Languages: English (official), Chichewa (official), other languages important regionally Literacy: age 15 and over can read and write (1966) total population: 22% male: 34% female: 12% Labor force: 428,000 wage earners by occupation: agriculture 43%, manufacturing 16%, personal services 15%, commerce 9%, construction 7%, miscellaneous services 4%, other permanently employed 6% (1986)

*Malawi, Government

Names: conventional long form: Republic of Malawi conventional short form: Malawi former: Nyasaland Digraph: MI Type: one-party republic note: a referendum to determine whether Malawi should remain a one-party state is scheduled to be held on 14 June 1993 Capital: Lilongwe Administrative divisions: 24 districts; Blantyre, Chikwawa, Chiradzulu, Chitipa, Dedza, Dowa, Karonga, Kasungu, Lilongwe, Machinga (Kasupe), Mangochi, Mchinji, Mulanje, Mwanza, Mzimba, Ntcheu, Nkhata Bay, Nkhotakota, Nsanje, Ntchisi, Rumphi, Salima, Thyolo, Zomba Independence: 6 July 1964 (from UK) Constitution: 6 July 1964; republished as amended January 1974 Legal system: based on English common law and customary law; judicial review of legislative acts in the Supreme Court of Appeal; has not accepted compulsory ICJ jurisdiction National holiday: Independence Day, 6 July (1964) Political parties and leaders: only party - Malawi Congress Party (MCP), Wadson DELEZA, administrative secretary; John TEMBO, treasurer general; top party position of secretary general vacant since 1983 Other political or pressure groups: Alliance for Democracy (AFORD), Chakufwa CHIHANA; United Democratic Front (UDF) Bakili MULUZI; Malawi Democratic People (MDP), leader NA Suffrage: 21 years of age; universal Elections: President: President BANDA sworn in as President for Life on 6 July 1971 National Assembly: last held 26-27 June 1987 (next to be held by June 1997); results - MCP is the only party; seats - (141 total, 136 elected) MCP 141 Executive branch: president, Cabinet Legislative branch: unicameral National Assembly Judicial branch: High Court, Supreme Court of Appeal Leaders: Chief of State and Head of Government: President Dr. Hastings Kamuzu BANDA (since 6 July 1966; sworn in as President for Life 6 July 1971)

*Malawi, Government

Member of: ACP, AfDB, C, CCC, ECA, FAO, G-77, GATT, IBRD, ICAO, ICFTU, IDA, IFAD, IFC, ILO, IMF, IMO, INTELSAT, INTERPOL, IOC, ISO (correspondent), ITU, LORCS, NAM, OAU, SADC, UN, UNCTAD, UNESCO, UNIDO, UPU, WHO, WIPO, WMO, WTO Diplomatic representation in US: chief of mission: Ambassador Robert B. MBAYA chancery: 2408 Massachusetts Avenue NW, Washington, DC 20008 telephone: (202) 797-1007 US diplomatic representation: chief of mission: Ambassador Michael T. F. PISTOR embassy: address NA, in new capital city development area in Lilongwe mailing address: P. O. Box 30016, Lilongwe telephone: [265] 730-166 FAX: [265] 732-282 Flag: three equal horizontal bands of black (top), red, and green with a radiant, rising, red sun centered in the black band; similar to the flag of Afghanistan, which is longer and has the national coat of arms superimposed on the hoist side of the black and red bands

*Malawi, Economy

Overview: Landlocked Malawi ranks among the world's least developed countries. The economy is predominately agricultural, with about 90% of the population living in rural areas. Agriculture accounts for 40% of GDP and 90% of export revenues. After two years of weak performance, economic growth improved significantly in 1988-91 as a result of good weather and a broadly based economic adjustment effort by the government. Drought cut overall output sharply in 1992. The economy depends on substantial inflows of economic assistance from the IMF, the World Bank, and individual donor nations. National product: GDP - exchange rate conversion - $1.9 billion (1992 est.) National product real growth rate: -7.7% (1992 est.) National product per capita: $200 (1992 est.) Inflation rate (consumer prices): 21% (1992 est.) Unemployment rate: NA% Budget: revenues $398 million; expenditures $510 million, including capital expenditures of $154 million (FY91 est.) Exports: $400 million (f.o.b., 1991 est.) commodities: tobacco, tea, sugar, coffee, peanuts, wood products partners: US, UK, Zambia, South Africa, Germany Imports: $660 million (c.i.f., 1991 est.) commodities: food, petroleum products, semimanufactures, consumer goods, transportation equipment partners: South Africa, Japan, US, UK, Zimbabwe External debt: $1.8 billion (December 1991 est.) Industrial production: growth rate 4.0% (1990 est.); accounts for about 18% of GDP (1988) Electricity: 190,000 kW capacity; 620 million kWh produced, 65 kWh per capita (1992) Industries: agricultural processing (tea, tobacco, sugar), sawmilling, cement, consumer goods Agriculture: accounts for 40% of GDP; cash crops - tobacco, sugarcane, cotton, tea, and corn; subsistence crops - potatoes, cassava, sorghum, pulses; livestock - cattle, goats Economic aid: US commitments, including Ex-Im (FY70-89), $215 million; Western (non-US) countries, ODA and OOF bilateral commitments (1970-89), $2,150 million Currency: 1 Malawian kwacha (MK) = 100 tambala Exchange rates: Malawian kwacha (MK) per US$1 - 4.3418 (November 1992), 2.8033 (1991), 2.7289 (1990), 2.7595 (1989), 2.5613 (1988), 2.2087 (1987) Fiscal year: 1 April - 31 March

*Malawi, Communications

Railroads: 789 km 1.067-meter gauge Highways: 13,135 km total; 2,364 km paved; 251 km crushed stone, gravel, or stabilized soil; 10,520 km earth and improved earth Inland waterways: Lake Nyasa (Lake Malawi); Shire River, 144 km Ports: Chipoka, Monkey Bay, Nkhata Bay, and Nkotakota - all on Lake Nyasa (Lake Malawi) Airports: total: 47 usable: 41 with permanent-surface runways: 5 with runways over 3,659 m: 0 with runways 2,440-3,659 m: 1 with runways 1,220-2,439 m: 10 Telecommunications: fair system of open-wire lines, radio relay links, and radio communications stations; 42,250 telephones; broadcast stations - 10 AM, 17 FM, no TV; satellite earth stations - 1 Indian Ocean INTELSAT and 1 Atlantic Ocean INTELSAT Note: a majority of exports would normally go through Mozambique on the Beira, Nacala, and Limgogo railroads, but now most go through South Africa because of insurgent activity and damage to rail lines

*Malawi, Defense Forces

Branches: Army (including Air Wing and Naval Detachment), Police (including paramilitary Mobile Force Unit), paramilitary Malawi Young Pioneers Manpower availability: males age 15-49 2,059,509; fit for military service 1,048,986 (1993 est.) Defense expenditures: exchange rate conversion - $22 million, 1.6% of GDP (1989 est.)

*Malaysia, Geography

Location: Southeast Asia, bordering the South China Sea, between Vietnam and Indonesia Map references: Asia, Oceania, Southeast Asia, Standard Time Zones of the World Area: total area: 329,750 km2 land area: 328,550 km2 comparative area: slightly larger than New Mexico Land boundaries: total 2,669 km, Brunei 381 km, Indonesia 1,782 km, Thailand 506 km Coastline: 4,675 km (Peninsular Malaysia 2,068 km, East Malaysia 2,607 km) Maritime claims: continental shelf: 200 m depth or to depth of exploitation; specified boundary in the South China Sea exclusive fishing zone: 200 nm exclusive economic zone: 200 nm territorial sea: 12 nm International disputes: involved in a complex dispute over the Spratly Islands with China, Philippines, Taiwan, Vietnam, and possibly Brunei; State of Sabah claimed by the Philippines; Brunei may wish to purchase the Malaysian salient that divides Brunei into two parts; two islands in dispute with Singapore; two islands in dispute with Indonesia Climate: tropical; annual southwest (April to October) and northeast (October to February) monsoons Terrain: coastal plains rising to hills and mountains Natural resources: tin, petroleum, timber, copper, iron ore, natural gas, bauxite Land use: arable land: 3% permanent crops: 10% meadows and pastures: 0% forest and woodland: 63% other: 24% Irrigated land: 3,420 km2 (1989 est.) Environment: subject to flooding; air and water pollution Note: strategic location along Strait of Malacca and southern South China Sea

*Malaysia, People

Population: 18,845,340 (July 1993 est.) Population growth rate: 2.32% (1993 est.) Birth rate: 28.93 births/1,000 population (1993 est.) Death rate: 5.77 deaths/1,000 population (1993 est.) Net migration rate: 0 migrant(s)/1,000 population (1993 est.) Infant mortality rate: 26.5 deaths/1,000 live births (1993 est.) Life expectancy at birth: total population: 68.82 years male: 65.96 years female: 71.81 years (1993 est.) Total fertility rate: 3.54 children born/woman (1993 est.) Nationality: noun: Malaysian(s) adjective: Malaysian Ethnic divisions: Malay and other indigenous 59%, Chinese 32%, Indian 9% Religions: Peninsular Malaysia: Muslim (Malays) Buddhist (Chinese), Hindu (Indians) Sabah: Muslim 38% Christian 17%, other 45% Sarawak: tribal religion 35% Buddhist and Confucianist 24%, Muslim 20%, Christian 16%, other 5% Languages: Peninsular Malaysia: Malay (official) English, Chinese dialects, Tamil State of Sabah: English Malay, numerous tribal dialects, Chinese (Mandarin and Hakka dialects predominate) State of Sarawak: English Malay, Mandarin, numerous tribal languages, Literacy: age 15 and over can read and write (1990) total population: 78% male: 86% female: 70% Labor force: 7.258 million (1991 est.)

*Malaysia, Government

Names: conventional long form: none conventional short form: Malaysia former: Malayan Union Digraph: MY Type: constitutional monarchy note: Federation of Malaysia formed 9 July 1963; nominally headed by the paramount ruler (king) and a bicameral Parliament; Peninsular Malaysian states - hereditary rulers in all but Melaka, where governors are appointed by Malaysian Pulau Pinang Government; powers of state governments are limited by federal Constitution; Sabah - self-governing state, holds 20 seats in House of Representatives, with foreign affairs, defense, internal security, and other powers delegated to federal government; Sarawak - self-governing state within Malaysia, holds 27 seats in House of Representatives, with foreign affairs, defense, internal security, and other powers delegated to federal government Capital: Kuala Lumpur Administrative divisions: 13 states (negeri-negeri, singular - negeri) and 2 federal territories*, (wilayah-wilayah persekutuan, singular - wilayah persekutuan); Johor, Kedah, Kelantan, Labuan*, Melaka, Negeri Sembilan, Pahang, Perak, Perlis, Pulau, Pinang, Sabah, Sarawak, Selangor, Terengganu, Wilayah Persekutuan*, Independence: 31 August 1957 (from UK) Constitution: 31 August 1957, amended 16 September 1963 Legal system: based on English common law; judicial review of legislative acts in the Supreme Court at request of supreme head of the federation; has not accepted compulsory ICJ jurisdiction National holiday: National Day, 31 August (1957) Political parties and leaders: Peninsular Malaysia: National Front, a confederation of 13 political parties dominated by United Malays National Organization Baru (UMNO Baru), MAHATHIR bin Mohamad; Malaysian Chinese Association (MCA), LING Liong Sik; Gerakan Rakyat Malaysia, Datuk LIM Keng Yaik; Malaysian Indian Congress (MIC), Datuk S. Samy VELLU Sabah: Berjaya Party, Datuk Haji Mohammed NOOR Mansor; Bersatu Sabah (PBS), Joseph Pairin KITINGAN; United Sabah National Organizaton (USNO), leader NA Sarawak: coalition Sarawak National Front composed of the Party Pesaka Bumiputra Bersatu (PBB), Datuk Patinggi Amar Haji Abdul TAIB Mahmud; Sarawak United People's Party (SUPP), Datuk Amar James WONG Soon Kai; Sarawak National Party (SNAP), Datuk Amar James WONG; Parti Bansa Dayak Sarawak (PBDS), Datuk Leo MOGGIE; major opposition parties are Democratic Action Party (DAP), LIM Kit Siang and Pan-Malaysian Islamic Party (PAS), Fadzil NOOR Suffrage: 21 years of age; universal

*Malaysia, Government

Elections: House of Representatives: last held 21 October 1990 (next to be held by August 1995); results - National Front 52%, other 48%; seats - (180 total) National Front 127, DAP 20, PAS 7, independents 4, other 22; note - within the National Front, UMNO got 71 seats and MCA 18 seats Executive branch: paramount ruler, deputy paramount ruler, prime minister, deputy prime minister, Cabinet Legislative branch: bicameral Parliament (Parlimen) consists of an upper house or Senate (Dewan Negara) and a lower house or House of Representatives (Dewan Rakyat) Judicial branch: Supreme Court Leaders: Chief of State: Paramount Ruler AZLAN Muhibbuddin Shah ibni Sultan Yusof Izzudin (since 26 April 1989); Deputy Paramount Ruler JA'AFAR ibni Abdul Rahman (since 26 April 1989) Head of Government: Prime Minister Dr. MAHATHIR bin Mohamad (since 16 July 1981); Deputy Prime Minister Abdul GHAFAR Bin Baba (since 7 May 1986) Member of: APEC, AsDB, ASEAN, C, CCC, CP, ESCAP, FAO, G-15, G-77, GATT, IAEA, IBRD, ICAO, ICFTU, IDA, IDB, IFAD, IFC, ILO, IMF, IMO, INMARSAT, INTELSAT, INTERPOL, IOC, ISO, ITU, LORCS, MINURSO, NAM, OIC, UN, UNAVEM II, UNCTAD, UNESCO, UNIDO, UNIKOM, UNOMOZ, UNTAC, UPU, WCL, WHO, WIPO, WMO, WTO Diplomatic representation in US: chief of mission: Ambassador Abdul MAJID Mohamed chancery: 2401 Massachusetts Avenue NW, Washington, DC 20008 telephone: (202) 328-2700 consulates general: Los Angeles and New York US diplomatic representation: chief of mission: Ambassador John S. WOLF embassy: 376 Jalan Tun Razak, 50400 Kuala Lumpur mailing address: P. O. Box No. 10035, 50700 Kuala Lumpur telephone: [60] (3) 248-9011 FAX: [60] (3) 242-2207 Flag: fourteen equal horizontal stripes of red (top) alternating with white (bottom); there is a blue rectangle in the upper hoist-side corner bearing a yellow crescent and a yellow fourteen-pointed star; the crescent and the star are traditional symbols of Islam; the design was based on the flag of the US

*Malaysia, Economy

Overview: The Malaysian economy, a mixture of private enterprise and a soundly managed public sector, has posted a remarkable record of 8%-9% average growth in 1987-92. This growth has resulted in a substantial reduction in poverty and a marked rise in real wages. Despite sluggish growth in the major world economies in 1992, demand for Malaysian goods remained strong and foreign investors continued to commit large sums in the economy. The government is aware of the inflationary potential of this rapid development and is closely monitoring fiscal and monetary policies. National product: GDP - exchange rate conversion - $54.5 billion (1992 est.) National product real growth rate: 8% (1992 est.) National product per capita: $2,960 (1992 est.) Inflation rate (consumer prices): 4.7% (1992 est.) Unemployment rate: 4.1% (1992 est.) Budget: revenues $15.6 billion; expenditures $18.0 billion, including capital expenditures of $4.5 billion (1992 est.) Exports: $39.8 billion (f.o.b., 1992) commodities: electronic equipment, palm oil, petroleum and petroleum products, wood and wood products, rubber, textiles partners: Singapore 23%, US 18.6%, Japan 13.2%, UK 4%, Germany 4% Imports: $39.1 billion (f.o.b., 1992) commodities: food, consumer goods, petroleum products, chemicals, capital equipment partners: Japan 26%, US 15.8%, Singapore 15.7%, Taiwan 5.6%, Germany 4.2% External debt: $25.7 billion (1992 est.) Industrial production: growth rate 13% (1992); accounts for NA% of GDP Electricity: 8,000,000 kW capacity; 30,000 million kWh produced, 1,610 kWh per capita (1992) Industries: Peninsular Malaysia: rubber and oil palm processing and manufacturing, light manufacturing industry, electronics, tin mining and smelting, logging and processing timber Sabah: logging, petroleum production Sarawak: agriculture processing, petroleum production and refining, logging Agriculture: accounts for 20% of GDP Peninsular Malaysia: natural rubber, palm oil, rice Sabah: mainly subsistence, but also rubber, timber, coconut, rice

*Malaysia, Economy

Sarawak: rubber, timber, pepper; deficit of rice in all areas; fish catch of 608,000 metric tons in 1987 Illicit drugs: transit point for Golden Triangle heroin going to the US, Western Europe, and the Third World Economic aid: US commitments, including Ex-Im (FY70-84), $170 million; Western (non-US) countries, ODA and OOF bilateral commitments (1970-89), $4.7 million; OPEC bilateral aid (1979-89), $42 million Currency: 1 ringgit (M$) = 100 sen Exchange rates: ringgits (M$) per US$1 - 2.6238 (January 1993), 2.5475 (1992), 2.7501 (1991), 1.7048 (1990), 2.7088 (1989), 2.6188 (1988) Fiscal year: calendar year

*Malaysia, Communications

Railroads: Peninsular Malaysia: 1,665 km 1.04-meter gauge; 13 km double track, government owned Sabah: 136 km 1.000-meter gauge Sarawak: none Highways: Peninsular Malaysia: 23,600 km; 19,352 km hard surfaced, mostly bituminous surface treatment, and 4,248 km unpaved Sabah: 3,782 km Sarawak: 1,644 km Inland waterways: Peninsular Malaysia: 3,209 km Sabah: 1,569 km Sarawak: 2,518 km Pipelines: crude oil 1,307 km; natural gas 379 km Ports: Tanjong Kidurong, Kota Kinabalu, Kuching, Pasir Gudang, Penang, Port Kelang, Sandakan, Tawau Merchant marine: 184 ships (1,000 GRT or over) totaling 1,869,817 GRT/2,786,765 DWT; includes 1 passenger-cargo, 2 short-sea passenger, 71 cargo, 28 container, 2 vehicle carrier, 2 roll-on/roll-off, 1 livestock carrier, 38 oil tanker, 6 chemical tanker, 6 liquefied gas, 27 bulk Airports: total: 111 usable: 102 with permanent-surface runways: 32 with runways over 3,659 m: 1 with runways 2,440-3,659 m: 7 with runways 1,220-2,439 m: 18 Telecommunications: good intercity service provided on Peninsular Malaysia mainly by microwave radio relay; adequate intercity microwave radio relay network between Sabah and Sarawak via Brunei; international service good; good coverage by radio and television broadcasts; 994,860 telephones (1984); broadcast stations - 28 AM, 3 FM, 33 TV; submarine cables extend to India and Sarawak; SEACOM submarine cable links to Hong Kong and Singapore; satellite earth stations - 1 Indian Ocean INTELSAT, 1 Pacific Ocean INTELSAT, and 2 domestic

*Malaysia, Defense Forces

Branches: Malaysian Army, Royal Malaysian Navy, Royal Malaysian Air Force, Royal Malaysian Police Force, Marine Police, Sarawak Border Scouts Manpower availability: males age 15-49 4,837,256; fit for military service 2,941,577; reach military age (21) annually 181,435 (1993 est.) Defense expenditures: exchange rate conversion - $2.4 billion, about 5% of GDP (1992)

*Maldives, Geography

Location: South Asia, in the Indian Ocean off the southwest coast of India Map references: Asia, Standard Time Zones of the World Area: total area: 300 km2 land area: 300 km2 comparative area: slightly more than 1.5 times the size of Washington, DC Land boundaries: 0 km Coastline: 644 km Maritime claims: exclusive economic zone: 35-310 nm as defined by geographic coordinates; segment of zone coincides with maritime boundary with India territorial sea: 12 nm International disputes: none Climate: tropical; hot, humid; dry, northeast monsoon (November to March); rainy, southwest monsoon (June to August) Terrain: flat with elevations only as high as 2.5 meters Natural resources: fish Land use: arable land: 10% permanent crops: 0% meadows and pastures: 3% forest and woodland: 3% other: 84% Irrigated land: NA km2 Environment: 1,200 coral islands grouped into 19 atolls Note: archipelago of strategic location astride and along major sea lanes in Indian Ocean

*Maldives, People

Population: 243,094 (July 1993 est.) Population growth rate: 3.64% (1993 est.) Birth rate: 44.34 births/1,000 population (1993 est.) Death rate: 7.91 deaths/1,000 population (1993 est.) Net migration rate: 0 migrant(s)/1,000 population (1993 est.) Infant mortality rate: 57.6 deaths/1,000 live births (1993 est.) Life expectancy at birth: total population: 63.86 years male: 62.5 years female: 65.28 years (1993 est.) Total fertility rate: 6.36 children born/woman (1993 est.) Nationality: noun: Maldivian(s) adjective: Maldivian Ethnic divisions: Sinhalese, Dravidian, Arab, African Religions: Sunni Muslim Languages: Divehi (dialect of Sinhala; script derived from Arabic), English spoken by most government officials Literacy: age 15 and over can read and write (1985) total population: 92% male: 92% female: 92% Labor force: 66,000 (est.) by occupation: fishing industry 25%

*Maldives, Government

Names: conventional long form: Republic of Maldives conventional short form: Maldives Digraph: MV Type: republic Capital: Male Administrative divisions: 19 districts (atolls); Aliff, Baa, Daalu, Faafu, Gaafu Aliff, Gaafu Daalu, Haa Aliff, Haa Daalu, Kaafu, Laamu, Laviyani, Meemu, Naviyani, Noonu, Raa, Seenu, Shaviyani, Thaa, Waavu Independence: 26 July 1965 (from UK) Constitution: 4 June 1964 Legal system: based on Islamic law with admixtures of English common law primarily in commercial matters; has not accepted compulsory ICJ jurisdiction National holiday: Independence Day, 26 July (1965) Political parties and leaders: no organized political parties; country governed by the Didi clan for the past eight centuries Suffrage: 21 years of age; universal Elections: President: last held 23 September 1988 (next to be held September 1993); results - President Maumoon Abdul GAYOOM reelected Citizens' Council: last held on 7 December 1989 (next to be held 7 December 1994); results - percent of vote NA; seats - (48 total, 40 elected) Executive branch: president, Cabinet Legislative branch: unicameral Citizens' Council (Majlis) Judicial branch: High Court Leaders: Chief of State and Head of Government: President Maumoon Abdul GAYOOM (since 11 November 1978) Member of: AsDB, C, CP, ESCAP, FAO, G-77, GATT, IBRD, ICAO, IDA, IDB, IFAD, IFC, IMF, IMO, INTERPOL, IOC, ITU, NAM, OIC, SAARC, UN, UNCTAD, UNESCO, UNIDO, UPU, WHO, WMO, WTO Diplomatic representation in US: Maldives does not maintain an embassy in the US, but does have a UN mission in New York US diplomatic representation: chief of mission: the US Ambassador to Sri Lanka is accredited to Maldives and makes periodic visits there consular agency: Midhath Hilmy, Male

*Maldives, Government

telephone: 2581 Flag: red with a large green rectangle in the center bearing a vertical white crescent; the closed side of the crescent is on the hoist side of the flag

*Maldives, Economy

Overview: The economy is based on fishing, tourism, and shipping. Agriculture is limited to the production of a few subsistence crops that provide only 10% of food requirements. Fishing is the largest industry, employing 25% of the work force and accounting for over 60% of exports; it is also an important source of government revenue. During the 1980s tourism became one of the most important and highest growth sectors of the economy. In 1988 industry accounted for about 5% of GDP. Real GDP is officially estimated to have increased by about 10% annually during the period 1974-90. National product: GDP - exchange rate conversion - $140 million (1991 est.) National product real growth rate: 4.7% (1991 est.) National product per capita: $620 (1991 est.) Inflation rate (consumer prices): 11.5% (1991 est.) Unemployment rate: NEGL% Budget: revenues $52 million (excluding foreign transfers); expenditures $83 million, including capital expenditures of $39 million (1991 est.) Exports: $53.7 million (f.o.b., 1991) commodities: fish, clothing partners: US, UK, Sri Lanka Imports: $150.9 million (c.i.f., 1991) commodities: consumer goods, intermediate and capital goods, petroleum products partners: Singapore, Germany, Sri Lanka, India External debt: $90 million (1991) Industrial production: growth rate 24.0% (1990); accounts for 6% of GDP Electricity: 5,000 kW capacity; 11 million kWh produced, 50 kWh per capita (1990) Industries: fishing and fish processing, tourism, shipping, boat building, some coconut processing, garments, woven mats, coir (rope), handicrafts Agriculture: accounts for almost 25% of GDP (including fishing); fishing more important than farming; limited production of coconuts, corn, sweet potatoes; most staple foods must be imported; fish catch of 67,000 tons (1990 est.) Economic aid: US commitments, including Ex-Im (FY70-88), $28 million; Western (non-US) countries, ODA and OOF bilateral commitments (1970-89), $125 million; OPEC bilateral aid (1979-89), $14 million Currency: 1 rufiyaa (Rf) = 100 laaris Exchange rates: rufiyaa (Rf) per US$1 - 10.506 (January 1993), 10.569 (1992), 10.253 (1991), 9.509 (1990), 9.0408 (1989), 8.7846 (1988) Fiscal year: calendar year

*Maldives, Communications

Highways: Male has 9.6 km of coral highways within the city Ports: Male, Gan Merchant marine: 14 ships (1,000 GRT or over) totaling 38,848 GRT/58,496 DWT; includes 12 cargo, 1 container, 1 oil tanker Airports: total: 2 useable: 2 with permanent-surface runways: 2 with runways over 3,659 m: 0 with runways 2,440-3,659 m: 2 with runways 1,220-2,439 m: 0 Telecommunications: minimal domestic and international facilities; 2,804 telephones; broadcast stations - 2 AM, 1 FM, 1 TV; 1 Indian Ocean INTELSAT earth station

*Maldives, Defense Forces

Branches: National Security Service (paramilitary police force) Manpower availability: males age 15-49 53,730; fit for military service 30,014 (1993 est.) Defense expenditures: exchange rate conversion - $NA, NA% of GDP

*Mali, Geography

Location: Western Africa, between Mauritania and Niger Map references: Africa, Standard Time Zones of the World Area: total area: 1.24 million km2 land area: 1.22 million km2 comparative area: slightly less than twice the size of Texas Land boundaries: total 7,243 km, Algeria 1,376 km, Burkina 1,000 km, Guinea 858 km, Cote d'Ivoire 532 km, Mauritania 2,237 km, Niger 821 km, Senegal 419 km Coastline: 0 km (landlocked) Maritime claims: none; landlocked International disputes: the disputed international boundary between Burkina and Mali was submitted to the International Court of Justice (ICJ) in October 1983 and the ICJ issued its final ruling in December 1986, which both sides agreed to accept; Burkina and Mali are proceeding with boundary demarcation, including the tripoint with Niger Climate: subtropical to arid; hot and dry February to June; rainy, humid, and mild June to November; cool and dry November to February Terrain: mostly flat to rolling northern plains covered by sand; savanna in south, rugged hills in northeast Natural resources: gold, phosphates, kaolin, salt, limestone, uranium, bauxite, iron ore, manganese, tin, and copper deposits are known but not exploited Land use: arable land: 2% permanent crops: 0% meadows and pastures: 25% forest and woodland: 7% other: 66% Irrigated land: 50 km2 (1989 est.) Environment: hot, dust-laden harmattan; haze common during dry seasons; desertification Note: landlocked

*Mali, People

Population: 8,868,617 (July 1993 est.) Population growth rate: 2.66% (1993 est.) Birth rate: 51.73 births/1,000 population (1993 est.) Death rate: 20.81 deaths/1,000 population (1993 est.) Net migration rate: -4.35 migrant(s)/1,000 population (1993 est.) Infant mortality rate: 108 deaths/1,000 live births (1993 est.) Life expectancy at birth: total population: 45.45 years male: 43.89 years female: 47.06 years (1993 est.) Total fertility rate: 7.33 children born/woman (1993 est.) Nationality: noun: Malian(s) adjective: Malian Ethnic divisions: Mande 50% (Bambara, Malinke, Sarakole), Peul 17%, Voltaic 12%, Songhai 6%, Tuareg and Moor 10%, other 5% Religions: Muslim 90%, indigenous beliefs 9%, Christian 1% Languages: French (official), Bambara 80%, numerous African languages Literacy: age 15 and over can read and write (1990) total population: 32% male: 41% female: 24% Labor force: 2.666 million (1986 est.) by occupation: agriculture 80%, services 19%, industry and commerce 1% (1981) note: 50% of population of working age (1985)

*Mali, Government

Names: conventional long form: Republic of Mali conventional short form: Mali local long form: Republique de Mali local short form: Mali former: French Sudan Digraph: ML Type: republic Capital: Bamako Administrative divisions: 8 regions (regions, singular - region); Gao, Kayes, Kidal, Koulikoro, Mopti, Segou, Sikasso, Tombouctou Independence: 22 September 1960 (from France) Constitution: new constitution adopted in constitutional referendum in January 1992 Legal system: based on French civil law system and customary law; judicial review of legislative acts in Constitutional Section of Court of State; has not accepted compulsory ICJ jurisdiction National holiday: Anniverary of the Proclamation of the Republic, 22 September (1960) Political parties and leaders: Alliance for Democracy (Adema), Alpha Oumar KONARE; National Committee for Democratic Initiative (CNID), Mountaga TALL; Sudanese Union/African Democratic Rally (US/RAD), Baba Hakib HAIDARA and Treoule Mamadon KONATE; Popular Movement for the Development of the Republic of West Africa; Rally for Democracy and Progress (RDP), Almamy SYLLA; Union for Democracy and Development (UDD), Moussa Balla COULIBALY; Rally for Democracy and Labor (RDT); Union of Democratic Forces for Progress (UFDP), Col. Youssouf TRAORE; Party for Democracy and Progress (PDP), Idrissa TRAORE; Malian Union for Democracy and Development (UMDD) Suffrage: 21 years of age; universal Elections: President: last held in April 1992; Alpha KONARE was elected in runoff race against Montaga TALL National Assembly: last held on 8 March 1992 (next to be held NA); results - percent of vote by party NA; seats - (total 116) Adema 76, CNID 9, US/RAD 8, Popular Movement for the Development of the Republic of West Africa 6, RDP 4, UDD 4, RDT 3, UFDP 3, PDP 2, UMDD 1 Executive branch: Transition Committee for the Salvation of the People (CTSP) composed of 25 members, predominantly civilian Legislative branch: unicameral National Assembly Judicial branch: Supreme Court (Cour Supreme)

*Mali, Government

Leaders: Chief of State: President Alpha Oumar KONARE (since 8 June 1992) Head of Government: Prime Minister Younoussi TOURE (since 8 June 1992) Member of: ACCT, ACP, AfDB, CCC, CEAO, ECA, ECOWAS, FAO, FZ, G-77, IAEA, IBRD, ICAO, IDA, IDB, IFAD, IFC, ILO, IMF, INTELSAT, INTERPOL, IOC, ITU, LORCS, NAM, OAU, OIC, UN, UNCTAD, UNESCO, UNIDO, UPU, WADB, WCL, WHO, WIPO, WMO, WTO Diplomatic representation in US: chief of mission: Ambassador Siragatou Ibrahim CISSE chancery: 2130 R Street NW, Washington, DC 20008 telephone: (202) 332-2249 or 939-8950 US diplomatic representation: chief of mission: Ambassador Herbert Donald GELBER embassy: Rue Rochester NY and Rue Mohamed V., Bamako mailing address: B. P. 34, Bamako telephone: [223] 225470 FAX: [233] 228059 Flag: three equal vertical bands of green (hoist side), yellow, and red; uses the popular pan-African colors of Ethiopia

*Mali, Economy

Overview: Mali is among the poorest countries in the world, with about 70% of its land area desert or semidesert. Economic activity is largely confined to the riverine area irrigated by the Niger. About 10% of the population live as nomads and some 80% of the labor force is engaged in agriculture and fishing. Industrial activity is concentrated on processing farm commodities. In consultation with international lending agencies, the government has adopted a structural adjustment program for 1992-95, aiming at GDP annual growth of 4.6%, inflation of no more than 2.5% on average, and a substantial reduction in the external current account deficit. National product: GDP - exchange rate conversion - $2.3 billion (1991 est.) National product real growth rate: -0.2% (1991 est.) National product per capita: $265 (1991 est.) Inflation rate (consumer prices): 1.4% (1991 est.) Unemployment rate: NA% Budget: revenues $329 million; expenditures $519 million, including capital expenditures of $178 (1989 est.) Exports: $320 million (f.o.b., 1991 est.) commodities: livestock, peanuts, dried fish, cotton, skins partners: mostly franc zone and Western Europe Imports: $390 million (f.o.b., 1991 est.) commodities: textiles, vehicles, petroleum products, machinery, sugar, cereals partners: mostly franc zone and Western Europe External debt: $2.6 billion (1991 est.) Industrial production: growth rate 15.0% (1990 est.); accounts for 10.0% of GDP Electricity: 260,000 kW capacity; 750 million kWh produced, 90 kWh per capita (1991) Industries: small local consumer goods and processing, construction, phosphate, gold, fishing Agriculture: accounts for 50% of GDP; most production based on small subsistence farms; cotton and livestock products account for over 70% of exports; other crops - millet, rice, corn, vegetables, peanuts; livestock - cattle, sheep, goats Economic aid: US commitments, including Ex-Im (FY70-89), $349 million; Western (non-US) countries, ODA and OOF bilateral commitments (1970-89), $3,020 million; OPEC bilateral aid (1979-89), $92 million; Communist countries (1970-89), $190 million Currency: 1 CFA franc (CFAF) = 100 centimes Exchange rates: Communaute Financiere Africaine francs (CFAF) per US$1 - 274.06 (January 1993), 264.69 (1992), 282.11 (1991), 272.26 (1990), 319.01 (1989), 297.85 (1988)

*Mali, Economy

Fiscal year: calendar year

*Mali, Communications

Railroads: 642 km 1.000-meter gauge; linked to Senegal's rail system through Kayes Highways: about 15,700 km total; 1,670 km paved, 3,670 km gravel and improved earth, 10,360 km unimproved earth Inland waterways: 1,815 km navigable Airports: total: 34 usable: 27 with permanent-surface runways: 8 with runways over 3,659 m: 0 with runways 2,440-3,659 m: 5 with runways 1,220-2,439 m: 10 Telecommunications: domestic system poor but improving; provides only minimal service with radio relay, wire, and radio communications stations; expansion of radio relay in progress; 11,000 telephones; broadcast stations - 2 AM, 2 FM, 2 TV; satellite earth stations - 1 Atlantic Ocean INTELSAT and 1 Indian Ocean INTELSAT

*Mali, Defense Forces

Branches: Army, Air Force, Gendarmerie, Republican Guard, National Police (Surete Nationale) Manpower availability: males age 15-49 1,749,662; fit for military service 995,554 (1993 est.); no conscription Defense expenditures: exchange rate conversion - $41 million, 2% of GDP (1989)

*Malta, Geography

Location: in the central Mediterranean Sea, 93 km south of Sicily (Italy), 290 km north of Libya Map references: Europe, Standard Time Zones of the World Area: total area: 320 km2 land area: 320 km2 comparative area: slightly less than twice the size of Washington, DC Land boundaries: 0 km Coastline: 140 km Maritime claims: contiguous zone: 24 nm continental shelf: 200 m depth or to depth of exploitation exclusive fishing zone: 25 nm territorial sea: 12 nm International disputes: none Climate: Mediterranean with mild, rainy winters and hot, dry summers Terrain: mostly low, rocky, flat to dissected plains; many coastal cliffs Natural resources: limestone, salt Land use: arable land: 38% permanent crops: 3% meadows and pastures: 0% forest and woodland: 0% other: 59% Irrigated land: 10 km2 (1989) Environment: numerous bays provide good harbors; fresh water very scarce; increasing reliance on desalination Note: the country comprises an archipelago, with only the 3 largest islands (Malta, Gozo, and Comino) being inhabited

*Malta, People

Population: 363,791 (July 1993 est.) Population growth rate: 0.84% (1993 est.) Birth rate: 13.9 births/1,000 population (1993 est.) Death rate: 7.52 deaths/1,000 population (1993 est.) Net migration rate: 1.98 migrant(s)/1,000 population (1993 est.) Infant mortality rate: 8.2 deaths/1,000 live births (1993 est.) Life expectancy at birth: total population: 76.52 years male: 74.32 years female: 78.9 years (1993 est.) Total fertility rate: 1.97 children born/woman (1993 est.) Nationality: noun: Maltese (singular and plural) adjective: Maltese Ethnic divisions: Arab, Sicilian, Norman, Spanish, Italian, English Religions: Roman Catholic 98% Languages: Maltese (official), English (official) Literacy: age 15 and over can read and write (1985) total population: 84% male: 86% female: 82% Labor force: 127,200 by occupation: government (excluding job corps) 37%, services 26%, manufacturing 22%, training programs 9%, construction 4%, agriculture 2% (1990)

*Malta, Government

Names: conventional long form: Republic of Malta conventional short form: Malta Digraph: MT Type: parliamentary democracy Capital: Valletta Administrative divisions: none (administration directly from Valletta) Independence: 21 September 1964 (from UK) Constitution: 26 April 1974, effective 2 June 1974 Legal system: based on English common law and Roman civil law; has accepted compulsory ICJ jurisdiction, with reservations National holiday: Independence Day, 21 September Political parties and leaders: Nationalist Party (NP), Edward FENECH ADAMI; Malta Labor Party (MLP), Alfred SANT Suffrage: 18 years of age; universal Elections: House of Representatives: last held on 22 February 1992 (next to be held by February 1997); results - NP 51.8%, MLP 46.5%; seats - (usually 65 total) MLP 36, NP 29; note - additional seats are given to the party with the largest popular vote to ensure a legislative majority; current total 69 (MLP 33, NP 36 after adjustment) Executive branch: president, prime minister, deputy prime minister, Cabinet Legislative branch: unicameral House of Representatives Judicial branch: Constitutional Court, Court of Appeal Leaders: Chief of State: President Vincent (Censu) TABONE (since 4 April 1989) Head of Government: Prime Minister Dr. Edward (Eddie) FENECH ADAMI (since 12 May 1987); Deputy Prime Minister Dr. Guido DE MARCO (since 14 May 1987) Member of: C, CCC, CE, CSCE, EBRD, ECE, FAO, G-77, GATT, IBRD, ICAO, ICFTU, IFAD, ILO, IMF, IMO, INMARSAT, INTERPOL, IOC, IOM (observer), ITU, NAM, PCA, UN, UNCTAD, UNESCO, UNIDO, UPU, WHO, WIPO, WMO, WTO Diplomatic representation in US: chief of mission: Ambassador Albert BORG OLIVIER DE PUGET chancery: 2017 Connecticut Avenue NW, Washington, DC 20008 telephone: (202) 462-3611 or 3612 FAX: (202) 387-5470

*Malta, Government

consulate: New York US diplomatic representation: chief of mission: (vacant) embassy: 2nd Floor, Development House, Saint Anne Street, Floriana, Valletta mailing address: P. O. Box 535, Valletta telephone: [356] 240424, 240425, 243216, 243217, 243653, 223654 FAX: same as telephone numbers Flag: two equal vertical bands of white (hoist side) and red; in the upper hoist-side corner is a representation of the George Cross, edged in red

*Malta, Economy

Overview: Significant resources are limestone, a favorable geographic location, and a productive labor force. Malta produces only about 20% of its food needs, has limited freshwater supplies, and has no domestic energy sources. Consequently, the economy is highly dependent on foreign trade and services. Manufacturing and tourism are the largest contributors to the economy. Manufacturing accounts for about 27% of GDP, with the electronics and textile industries major contributors and the state-owned Malta drydocks employing about 4,300 people. In 1991, about 900,000 tourists visited the island. Per capita GDP at $7,600 places Malta in the middle-income range of the world's nations. National product: GDP - exchange rate conversion - $2.7 billion (1991 est.) National product real growth rate: 5.9% (1991) National product per capita: $7,600 (1991 est.) Inflation rate (consumer prices): 2.9% (1991) Unemployment rate: 3.6% (1992) Budget: revenues $1.1 billion; expenditures $1.1 billion, including capital expenditures of $161 million (1992 est.) Exports: $l.2 billion (f.o.b., 1991) commodities: clothing, textiles, footwear, ships partners: Italy 30%, Germany 22%, UK 11% Imports: $2.1 billion (f.o.b., 1991) commodities: food, petroleum, machinery and semimanufactured goods partners: Italy 30%, UK 16%, Germany 13%, US 4% External debt: $127 million (1990 est.) Industrial production: growth rate 19.0% (1990); accounts for 27% of GDP Electricity: 328,000 kW capacity; 1,110 million kWh produced, 3,000 kWh per capita (1992) Industries: tourism, electronics, ship repair yard, construction, food manufacturing, textiles, footwear, clothing, beverages, tobacco Agriculture: accounts for 3% of GDP and 2.5% of the work force (1992); overall, 20% self-sufficient; main products - potatoes, cauliflower, grapes, wheat, barley, tomatoes, citrus, cut flowers, green peppers, hogs, poultry, eggs; generally adequate supplies of vegetables, poultry, milk, pork products; seasonal or periodic shortages in grain, animal fodder, fruits, other basic foodstuffs Economic aid: US commitments, including Ex-Im (FY70-81), $172 million; Western (non-US) countries, ODA and OOF bilateral commitments (1970-89), $336 million; OPEC bilateral aid (1979-89), $76 million; Communist countries (1970-88), $48 million Currency: 1 Maltese lira (LM) = 100 cents

*Malta, Economy

Exchange rates: Maltese liri (LM) per US$1 - 0.3687 (January 1993), 0.3178 (1992), 0.3226 (1991), 0.3172 (1990), 0.3483 (1989), 0.3306 (1988) Fiscal year: 1 April - 31 March

*Malta, Communications

Highways: 1,291 km total; 1,179 km paved (asphalt), 77 km crushed stone or gravel, 35 km improved and unimproved earth Ports: Valletta, Marsaxlokk Merchant marine: 789 ships (1,000 GRT or over) totaling 11,059,874 GRT/18,758,969 DWT; includes 6 passenger, 17 short-sea passenger, 272 cargo, 26 container, 2 passenger-cargo, 20 roll-on/roll-off, 2 vehicle carrier, 3 barge carrier, 17 refrigerated cargo, 19 chemical tanker, 15 combination ore/oil, 3 specialized tanker, 3 liquefied gas, 131 oil tanker, 223 bulk, 26 combination bulk, 3 multifunction large load carrier, 1 railcar carrier; note - a flag of convenience registry; China owns 2 ships, Russia owns 52 ships, Cuba owns 10, Vietnam owns 6, Croatia owns 37, Romania owns 3 Airports: total: 1 useable: 1 with permanent-surface runways: 1 with runways over 3,659 m: 0 with runways 2,440-3,659 m: 1 with runways 1,220-2,439 m: 0 Telecommunications: automatic system satisfies normal requirements; 153,000 telephones; excellent service by broadcast stations - 8 AM, 4 FM, and 2 TV; submarine cable and microwave radio relay between islands; international service by 1 submarine cable and 1 Atlantic Ocean INTELSAT earth station

*Malta, Defense Forces

Branches: Armed Forces, Maltese Police Force Manpower availability: males age 15-49 97,446; fit for military service 77,481 (1993 est.) Defense expenditures: exchange rate conversion - $21.9 million, 1.3% of GDP (1989 est.)

*Man, Isle of, Header

Affiliation: (British crown dependency)

*Man, Isle of, Geography

Location: in the Irish Sea, between Ireland and Great Britain Map references: Europe Area: total area: 588 km2 land area: 588 km2 comparative area: nearly 3.5 times the size of Washington, DC Land boundaries: 0 km Coastline: 113 km Maritime claims: exclusive fishing zone: 200 nm territorial sea: 3 nm International disputes: none Climate: cool summers and mild winters; humid; overcast about half the time Terrain: hills in north and south bisected by central valley Natural resources: lead, iron ore Land use: arable land: NA% permanent crops: NA% meadows and pastures: NA% forest and woodland: NA% other: NA% (extensive arable land and forests) Irrigated land: NA km2 Environment: strong westerly winds prevail Note: one small islet, the Calf of Man, lies to the southwest, and is a bird sanctuary

*Man, Isle of, People

Population: 71,263 (July 1993 est.) Population growth rate: 1.07% (1993 est.) Birth rate: 13.57 births/1,000 population (1993 est.) Death rate: 12.87 deaths/1,000 population (1993 est.) Net migration rate: 9.99 migrant(s)/1,000 population (1993 est.) Infant mortality rate: 8.5 deaths/1,000 live births (1993 est.) Life expectancy at birth: total population: 75.98 years male: 73.25 years female: 78.92 years (1993 est.) Total fertility rate: 1.8 children born/woman (1993 est.) Nationality: noun: Manxman, Manxwoman adjective: Manx Ethnic divisions: Manx (Norse-Celtic descent), Briton Religions: Anglican, Roman Catholic, Methodist, Baptist, Presbyterian, Society of Friends Languages: English, Manx Gaelic Literacy: total population: NA% male: NA% female: NA% Labor force: 25,864 (1981) by occupation: NA

*Man, Isle of, Government

Names: conventional long form: none conventional short form: Isle of Man Digraph: IM Type: British crown dependency Capital: Douglas Administrative divisions: none (British crown dependency) Independence: none (British crown dependency) Constitution: 1961, Isle of Man Constitution Act Legal system: English law and local statute National holiday: Tynwald Day, 5 July Political parties and leaders: there is no party system and members sit as independents Suffrage: 21 years of age; universal Elections: House of Keys: last held in 1991 (next to be held NA 1996); results - percent of vote NA; no party system; seats - (24 total) independents 24 Executive branch: British monarch, lieutenant governor, president, prime minister, Council of Ministers (cabinet) Legislative branch: bicameral Tynwald consists of an upper house or Legislative Council and a lower house or House of Keys Judicial branch: Court of Tynwald Leaders: Chief of State: Lord of Mann Queen ELIZABETH II (since 6 February 1952), represented by Lieutenant Governor Air Marshal Sir Laurence JONES (since NA 1990) Head of Government: President of the Legislative Council Sir Charles KERRUISH (since NA 1990) Member of: none Diplomatic representation in US: none (British crown dependency) US diplomatic representation: none (British crown dependency) Flag: red with the Three Legs of Man emblem (Trinacria), in the center; the three legs are joined at the thigh and bent at the knee; in order to have the toes pointing clockwise on both sides of the flag, a two-sided emblem is used

*Man, Isle of, Economy

Overview: Offshore banking, manufacturing, and tourism are key sectors of the economy. The government's policy of offering incentives to high-technology companies and financial institutions to locate on the island has paid off in expanding employment opportunities in high-income industries. As a result, agriculture and fishing, once the mainstays of the economy, have declined in their shares of GNP. Banking now contributes over 20% to GNP and manufacturing about 15%. Trade is mostly with the UK. The Isle of Man enjoys free access to European Community markets. National product: GNP - exchange rate conversion - $490 million (1988) National product real growth rate: NA% National product per capita: $7,500 (1988) Inflation rate (consumer prices): 7% (1992 est.) Unemployment rate: 1% (1992 est.) Budget: revenues $130.4 million; expenditures $114.4 million, including capital expenditures of $18.1 million (FY85 est.) Exports: $NA commodities: tweeds, herring, processed shellfish, meat partners: UK Imports: $NA commodities: timber, fertilizers, fish partners: UK External debt: $NA Industrial production: growth rate NA% Electricity: 61,000 kW capacity; 190 million kWh produced, 2,965 kWh per capita (1992) Industries: an important offshore financial center; financial services, light manufacturing, tourism Agriculture: cereals and vegetables; cattle, sheep, pigs, poultry Economic aid: NA Currency: 1 Manx pound (#M) = 100 pence Exchange rates: Manx pounds (#M) per US$1 - 0.6527 (January 1993), 0.5664 (1992), 0.5652 (1991), 0.5603 (1990), 0.6099 (1989), 0.5614 (1988); the Manx pound is at par with the British pound Fiscal year: 1 April - 31 March

*Man, Isle of, Communications

Railroads: 60 km; 36 km electric track, 24 km steam track Highways: 640 km motorable roads Ports: Douglas, Ramsey, Peel Merchant marine: 59 ships (1,000 GRT or over) totaling 1,363,502 GRT/2,363,502 DWT; includes 10 cargo, 6 container, 9 roll-on/roll-off, 14 oil tanker, 4 chemical tanker, 4 liquefied gas, 12 bulk; note - a captive register of the United Kingdom, although not all ships on the register are British owned Airports: total: 1 useable: 1 with permanent-surface runways: 1 with runways over 3,659 m: 0 with runways 2,440-3,659 m: 0 with runways 1,220-2,439 m: 1 Telecommunications: 24,435 telephones; broadcast stations - 1 AM, 4 FM, 4 TV

*Man, Isle of, Defense Forces

Note: defense is the responsibility of the UK

*Marshall Islands, Geography

Location: Oceania, in the North Pacific Ocean, about two-thirds of the way between Hawaii and Papua New Guinea Map references: Oceania, Standard Time Zones of the World Area: total area: 181.3 km2 land area: 181.3 km2 comparative area: slightly larger than Washington, DC note: includes the atolls of Bikini, Eniwetok, and Kwajalein Land boundaries: 0 km Coastline: 370.4 km Maritime claims: contiguous zone: 24 nm exclusive economic zone: 200 nm territorial sea: 12 nm International disputes: claims US territory of Wake Island Climate: wet season May to November; hot and humid; islands border typhoon belt Terrain: low coral limestone and sand islands Natural resources: phosphate deposits, marine products, deep seabed minerals Land use: arable land: 0% permanent crops: 60% meadows and pastures: 0% forest and woodland: 0% other: 40% Irrigated land: NA km2 Environment: occasionally subject to typhoons; two archipelagic island chains of 30 atolls and 1,152 islands Note: Bikini and Eniwetok are former US nuclear test sites; Kwajalein, the famous World War II battleground, is now used as a US missile test range

*Marshall Islands, People

Population: 51,982 (July 1993 est.) Population growth rate: 3.87% (1993 est.) Birth rate: 46.65 births/1,000 population (1993 est.) Death rate: 7.91 deaths/1,000 population (1993 est.) Net migration rate: 0 migrant(s)/1,000 population (1993 est.) Infant mortality rate: 50.5 deaths/1,000 live births (1993 est.) Life expectancy at birth: total population: 62.79 years male: 61.27 years female: 64.38 years (1993 est.) Total fertility rate: 6.99 children born/woman (1993 est.) Nationality: noun: Marshallese (singular and plural) adjective: Marshallese Ethnic divisions: Micronesian Religions: Christian (mostly Protestant) Languages: English (universally spoken and is the official language), two major Marshallese dialects from the Malayo-Polynesian family, Japanese Literacy: age 15 and over can read and write (1980) total population: 93% male: 100% female: 88% Labor force: 4,800 (1986) by occupation: NA

*Marshall Islands, Government

Names: conventional long form: Republic of the Marshall Islands conventional short form: Marshall Islands former: Marshall Islands District (Trust Territory of the Pacific Islands) Digraph: RM Type: constitutional government in free association with the US; the Compact of Free Association entered into force 21 October 1986 Capital: Majuro Administrative divisions: none Independence: 21 October 1986 (from the US-administered UN trusteeship) Constitution: 1 May 1979 Legal system: based on adapted Trust Territory laws, acts of the legislature, municipal, common, and customary laws National holiday: Proclamation of the Republic of the Marshall Islands, 1 May (1979) Political parties and leaders: no formal parties; President KABUA is chief political (and traditional) leader Suffrage: 18 years of age; universal Elections: President: last held 6 January 1992 (next to be held NA; results - President Amata KABUA was reelected Parliament: last held 18 November 1991 (next to be held November 1995); results - percent of vote NA; seats - (33 total) Executive branch: president, Cabinet Legislative branch: unicameral Nitijela (parliament) Judicial branch: Supreme Court Leaders: Chief of State and Head of Government: President Amata KABUA (since 1979) Member of: AsDB, ESCAP, IBRD, ICAO, IFC, IMF, INTERPOL, SPARTECA, SPC, SPF, UN, UNCTAD, WHO Diplomatic representation in US: chief of mission: Ambassador Wilfred I. KENDALL chancery: 2433 Massachusetts Avenue, NW, Washington, DC 20008 telephone: (202) 234-5414 US diplomatic representation: chief of mission: Ambassador David C. FIELDS

*Marshall Islands, Government

embassy: NA address, Majuro mailing address: P. O. Box 1379, Majuro, Republic of the Marshall Islands 96960-1379 telephone: (011) 692-4011 FAX: (011) 692-4012 Flag: blue with two stripes radiating from the lower hoist-side corner - orange (top) and white; there is a white star with four large rays and 20 small rays on the hoist side above the two stripes

*Marshall Islands, Economy

Overview: Agriculture and tourism are the mainstays of the economy. Agricultural production is concentrated on small farms, and the most important commercial crops are coconuts, tomatoes, melons, and breadfruit. A few cattle ranches supply the domestic meat market. Small-scale industry is limited to handicrafts, fish processing, and copra. The tourist industry is the primary source of foreign exchange and employs about 10% of the labor force. The islands have few natural resources, and imports far exceed exports. In 1987 the US Government provided grants of $40 million out of the Marshallese budget of $55 million. National product: GDP - exchange rate conversion - $63 million (1989 est.) National product real growth rate: NA% National product per capita: $1,500 (1989 est.) Inflation rate (consumer prices): NA% Unemployment rate: NA% Budget: revenues $55 million; expenditures $NA, including capital expenditures of $NA (1987 est.) Exports: $2.5 million (f.o.b., 1985) commodities: copra, copra oil, agricultural products, handicrafts partners: NA Imports: $29.2 million (c.i.f., 1985) commodities: foodstuffs, beverages, building materials partners: NA External debt: $NA Industrial production: growth rate NA% Electricity: 42,000 kW capacity; 80 million kWh produced, 1,840 kWh per capita (1990) Industries: copra, fish, tourism; craft items from shell, wood, and pearls; offshore banking (embryonic) Agriculture: coconuts, cacao, taro, breadfruit, fruits, pigs, chickens Economic aid: under the terms of the Compact of Free Association, the US is to provide approximately $40 million in aid annually Currency: US currency is used Exchange rates: US currency is used Fiscal year: 1 October - 30 September

*Marshall Islands, Communications

Highways: paved roads on major islands (Majuro, Kwajalein), otherwise stone-, coral-, or laterite-surfaced roads and tracks Ports: Majuro Merchant marine: 29 ships (1,000 GRT or over) totaling 1,786,070 GRT/3,498,895 DWT; includes 2 cargo, 1 container, 9 oil tanker, 15 bulk carrier, 2 combination ore/oil; note - a flag of convenience registry Airports: total: 16 usable: 16 with permanent-surface runways: 4 with runways over 3,659m: 0 with runways 2,440-3,659 m: 0 with runways 1,220-2,439 m: 8 Telecommunications: telephone network - 570 lines (Majuro) and 186 (Ebeye); telex services; islands interconnected by shortwave radio (used mostly for government purposes); broadcast stations - 1 AM, 2 FM, 1 TV, 1 shortwave; 2 Pacific Ocean INTELSAT earth stations; US Government satellite communications system on Kwajalein

*Marshall Islands, Defense Forces

Note: defense is the responsibility of the US

*Martinique, Header

Affiliation: (overseas department of France)

*Martinique, Geography

Location: in the Caribbean Sea, off the coast of Venezuela Map references: Central America and the Caribbean, South America Area: total area: 1,100 km2 land area: 1,060 km2 comparative area: slightly more than six times the size of Washington, DC Land boundaries: 0 km Coastline: 290 km Maritime claims: exclusive economic zone: 200 nm territorial sea: 12 nm International disputes: none Climate: tropical; moderated by trade winds; rainy season (June to October) Terrain: mountainous with indented coastline; dormant volcano Natural resources: coastal scenery and beaches, cultivable land Land use: arable land: 10% permanent crops: 8% meadows and pastures: 30% forest and woodland: 26% other: 26% Irrigated land: 60 km2 (1989 est.) Environment: subject to hurricanes, flooding, and volcanic activity that result in an average of one major natural disaster every five years

*Martinique, People

Population: 387,656 (July 1993 est.) Population growth rate: 1.21% (1993 est.) Birth rate: 18.07 births/1,000 population (1993 est.) Death rate: 5.94 deaths/1,000 population (1993 est.) Net migration rate: 0 migrant(s)/1,000 population (1993 est.) Infant mortality rate: 10.7 deaths/1,000 live births (1993 est.) Life expectancy at birth: total population: 77.82 years male: 74.68 years female: 81.01 years (1993 est.) Total fertility rate: 1.94 children born/woman (1993 est.) Nationality: noun: Martiniquais (singular and plural) adjective: Martiniquais Ethnic divisions: African and African-Caucasian-Indian mixture 90%, Caucasian 5%, East Indian, Lebanese, Chinese less than 5% Religions: Roman Catholic 95%, Hindu and pagan African 5% Languages: French, Creole patois Literacy: age 15 and over can read and write (1982) total population: 93% male: 92% female: 93% Labor force: 100,000 by occupation: service industry 31.7%, construction and public works 29.4%, agriculture 13.1%, industry 7.3%, fisheries 2.2%, other 16.3%

*Martinique, Government

Names: conventional long form: Department of Martinique conventional short form: Martinique local long form: Departement de la Martinique local short form: Martinique Digraph: MB Type: overseas department of France Capital: Fort-de-France Administrative divisions: none (overseas department of France) Independence: none (overseas department of France) Constitution: 28 September 1958 (French Constitution) Legal system: French legal system National holiday: National Day, Taking of the Bastille, 14 July (1789) Political parties and leaders: Rally for the Republic (RPR); Union for a Martinique of Progress (UMP); Martinique Progressive Party (PPM); Socialist Federation of Martinique (FSM); Martinique Communist Party (PCM); Martinique Patriots (PM); Union for French Democracy (UDF) Other political or pressure groups: Proletarian Action Group (GAP); Alhed Marie-Jeanne Socialist Revolution Group (GRS); Martinique Independence Movement (MIM); Caribbean Revolutionary Alliance (ARC); Central Union for Martinique Workers (CSTM), Marc PULVAR; Frantz Fanon Circle; League of Workers and Peasants Suffrage: 18 years of age; universal Elections: French Senate: last held 24 September 1989 (next to be held NA); results - percent of vote by party NA; seats - (2 total) UDF 1, PPM 1 French National Assembly: last held on 5 and 12 June 1988 (next to be held June 1993); results - percent of vote by party NA; seats - (4 total) PPM 1, FSM 1, RPR 1, UDF 1 General Council: last held in 25 September and 8 October 1988 (next to be held by NA); results - percent of vote by party NA; seats - (44 total) number of seats by party NA; note - a leftist coalition obtained a one-seat margin Regional Assembly: last held on NA March 1992 (next to be held by March 1998); results - percent of vote by party NA; seats - (41 total) UMP 16 Executive branch: government commissioner Legislative branch: unicameral General Council Judicial branch: Supreme Court

*Martinique, Government

Leaders: Chief of State: President Francois MITTERRAND (since 21 May 1981) Head of Government: Government Commissioner Jean Claude ROURE (since 5 May 1989); President of the General Council Emile MAURICE (since NA 1988) Member of: FZ, WCL Diplomatic representation in US: as an overseas department of France, Martiniquais interests are represented in the US by France US diplomatic representation: chief of mission: Consul General Raymond G. ROBINSON embassy: Consulate General at 14 Rue Blenac, Fort-de-France mailing address: B. P. 561, Fort-de-France 97206 telephone: [596] 63-13-03 Flag: the flag of France is used

*Martinique, Economy

Overview: The economy is based on sugarcane, bananas, tourism, and light industry. Agriculture accounts for about 10% of GDP and the small industrial sector for 10%. Sugar production has declined, with most of the sugarcane now used for the production of rum. Banana exports are increasing, going mostly to France. The bulk of meat, vegetable, and grain requirements must be imported, contributing to a chronic trade deficit that requires large annual transfers of aid from France. Tourism has become more important than agricultural exports as a source of foreign exchange. The majority of the work force is employed in the service sector and in administration. Banana workers launched protests late in 1992 because of falling banana prices and fears of greater competition in the European market from other producers. National product: GDP - exchange rate conversion - $2 billion (1988) National product real growth rate: NA% National product per capita: $6,000 (1988) Inflation rate (consumer prices): 3.9% (1990) Unemployment rate: 32.1% (1990) Budget: revenues $268 million; expenditures $268 million, including capital expenditures of $NA (1989 est.) Exports: $196 million (f.o.b., 1988) commodities: refined petroleum products, bananas, rum, pineapples partners: France 65%, Guadeloupe 24%, Germany (1987) Imports: $1.3 billion (c.i.f., 1988) commodities: petroleum products, crude oil, foodstuffs, construction materials, vehicles, clothing and other consumer goods partners: France 65%, UK, Italy, Germany, Japan, US (1987) External debt: $NA Industrial production: growth rate NA% Electricity: 113,100 kW capacity; 588 million kWh produced, 1,580 kWh per capita (1992) Industries: construction, rum, cement, oil refining, sugar, tourism Agriculture: including fishing and forestry, accounts for about 12% of GDP; principal crops - pineapples, avocados, bananas, flowers, vegetables, sugarcane for rum; dependent on imported food, particularly meat and vegetables Economic aid: Western (non-US) countries, ODA and OOF bilateral commitments (1970-89), $10.1 billion Currency: 1 French franc (F) = 100 centimes Exchange rates: French francs (F) per US$1 - 5.4812 (January 1993), 5.2938 (1992), 5.6421 (1991), 5.4453 (1990), 6.3801 (1989), 5.9569 (1988)

*Martinique, Economy

Fiscal year: calendar year

*Martinique, Communications

Highways: 1,680 km total; 1,300 km paved, 380 km gravel and earth Ports: Fort-de-France Airports: total: 2 useable: 2 with permanent-surface runways: 1 with runways over 3,659 m: 0 with runways 2,440-3,659 m: 1 with runways 1,220-2,439 m: 0 Telecommunications: domestic facilities are adequate; 68,900 telephones; interisland microwave radio relay links to Guadeloupe, Dominica, and Saint Lucia; broadcast stations - 1 AM, 6 FM, 10 TV; 2 Atlantic Ocean INTELSAT earth stations

*Martinique, Defense Forces

Branches: French Forces, Gendarmerie Note: defense is the responsibility of France

*Mauritania, Geography

Location: Northern Africa, along the North Atlantic Ocean, between Western Sahara and Senegal Map references: Africa, Standard Time Zones of the World Area: total area: 1,030,700 km2 land area: 1,030,400 km2 comparative area: slightly larger than three times the size of New Mexico Land boundaries: total 5,074 km, Algeria 463 km, Mali 2,237 km, Senegal 813 km, Western Sahara 1,561 km Coastline: 754 km Maritime claims: contiguous zone: 24 nm continental shelf: 200 nm or the edge of continental margin exclusive economic zone: 200 nm territorial sea: 12 nm International disputes: boundary with Senegal Climate: desert; constantly hot, dry, dusty Terrain: mostly barren, flat plains of the Sahara; some central hills Natural resources: iron ore, gypsum, fish, copper, phosphate Land use: arable land: 1% permanent crops: 0% meadows and pastures: 38% forest and woodland: 5% other: 56% Irrigated land: 120 km2 (1989 est.) Environment: hot, dry, dust/sand-laden sirocco wind blows primarily in March and April; desertification; only perennial river is the Senegal

*Mauritania, People

Population: 2,124,792 (July 1993 est.) Population growth rate: 3.14% (1993 est.) Birth rate: 47.97 births/1,000 population (1993 est.) Death rate: 16.54 deaths/1,000 population (1993 est.) Net migration rate: 0 migrant(s)/1,000 population (1993 est.) Infant mortality rate: 87 deaths/1,000 live births (1993 est.) Life expectancy at birth: total population: 47.59 years male: 44.81 years female: 50.48 years (1993 est.) Total fertility rate: 7.05 children born/woman (1993 est.) Nationality: noun: Mauritanian(s) adjective: Mauritanian Ethnic divisions: mixed Maur/black 40%, Maur 30%, black 30% Religions: Muslim 100% Languages: Hasaniya Arabic (official), Pular, Soninke, Wolof (official) Literacy: age 10 and over can read and write (1990) total population: 34% male: 47% female: 21% Labor force: 465,000 (1981 est.); 45,000 wage earners (1980) by occupation: agriculture 47%, services 29%, industry and commerce 14%, government 10% note: 53% of population of working age (1985)

*Mauritania, Government

Names: conventional long form: Islamic Republic of Mauritania conventional short form: Mauritania local long form: Al Jumhuriyah al Islamiyah al Muritaniyah local short form: Muritaniyah Digraph: MR Type: republic Capital: Nouakchott Administrative divisions: 12 regions(regions, singular - region); Adrar, Assaba, Brakna, Dakhlet Nouadhibou, Gorgol, Guidimaka, Hodh ech Chargui, Hodh el Gharbi, Inchiri, Tagant, Tiris Zemmour, Trarza note: there may be a new capital district of Nouakchott Independence: 28 November 1960 (from France) Constitution: 12 July 1991 Legal system: three-tier system: Islamic (Shari'a) courts, special courts, state security courts (in the process of being eliminated) National holiday: Independence Day, 28 November (1960) Political parties and leaders: legalized by constitution passed 12 July 1991, however, politics continue to be tribally based; emerging parties include Democratic and Social Republican Party (PRDS), led by President Col. Maaouya Ould Sid'Ahmed TAYA; Union of Democratic Forces - New Era (UFD/NE), headed by Ahmed Ould DADDAH; Assembly for Democracy and Unity (RDU), Ahmed Ould SIDI BABA; Popular Social and Democratic Union (UPSD), Mohamed Mahmoud Ould MAH; Mauritanian Party for Renewal (PMR), Hameida BOUCHRAYA; National Avant-Garde Party (PAN), Khattry Ould JIDDOU; Mauritanian Party of the Democratic Center (PCDM), Bamba Ould SIDI BADI Other political or pressure groups: Mauritanian Workers Union (UTM) Suffrage: 18 years of age; universal Elections: President: last held January 1992 (next to be held January 1998); results - President Col. Maaouya Ould Sid 'Ahmed TAYA elected Senate: last held 3 and 10 April 1992 (one-third of the seats up for re-election in 1994) National Assembly: last held 6 and 13 March 1992 (next to be held March 1997) Executive branch: president Legislative branch: bicameral legislature consists of an upper house or Senate (Majlis al-Shuyukh) and a lower house or National Assembly (Majlis al-Watani)

*Mauritania, Government

Judicial branch: Supreme Court (Cour Supreme) Leaders: Chief of State and Head of Government: President Col. Maaouya Ould Sid'Ahmed TAYA (since 12 December 1984) Member of: ABEDA, ACCT (associate), ACP, AfDB, AFESD, AL, AMF, AMU, CAEU, CCC, CEAO, ECA, ECOWAS, FAO, G-77, GATT, IBRD, ICAO, IDA, IDB, IFAD, IFC, ILO, IMF, IMO, INTELSAT, INTERPOL, IOC, ITU, LORCS, NAM, OAU, OIC, UN, UNCTAD, UNESCO, UNIDO, UPU, WHO, WIPO, WMO, WTO Diplomatic representation in US: chief of mission: Ambassador Mohamed Fall OULD AININA chancery: 2129 Leroy Place NW, Washington, DC 20008 telephone: (202) 232-5700 US diplomatic representation: chief of mission: Ambassador Gordon S. BROWN embassy: address NA, Nouakchott mailing address: B. P. 222, Nouakchott telephone: [222] (2) 526-60 or 526-63 FAX: [222] (2) 525-89 Flag: green with a yellow five-pointed star above a yellow, horizontal crescent; the closed side of the crescent is down; the crescent, star, and color green are traditional symbols of Islam

*Mauritania, Economy

Overview: A majority of the population still depends on agriculture and livestock for a livelihood, even though most of the nomads and many subsistence farmers were forced into the cities by recurrent droughts in the 1970s and 1980s. Mauritania has extensive deposits of iron ore, which account for almost 50% of total exports. The decline in world demand for this ore, however, has led to cutbacks in production. The nation's coastal waters are among the richest fishing areas in the world, but overexploitation by foreigners threatens this key source of revenue. The country's first deepwater port opened near Nouakchott in 1986. In recent years, the droughts, the endemic conflict with Senegal, rising energy costs, and economic mismanagement have resulted in a substantial buildup of foreign debt. The government has begun the second stage of an economic reform program in consultation with the World Bank, the IMF, and major donor countries. But the reform process suffered a major setback following the Gulf war of early 1991. Because of Mauritania's support of SADDAM Husayn, bilateral aid from its two top donors, Saudi Arabia and Kuwait, was suspended, and multilateral aid was reduced. National product: GDP - exchange rate conversion - $1.1 billion (1991 est.) National product real growth rate: 3% (1991 est.) National product per capita: $555 (1991 est.) Inflation rate (consumer prices): 6.2% (1991 est.) Unemployment rate: 20% (1991 est.) Budget: revenues $280 million; expenditures $346 million, including capital expenditures of $61 million (1989 est.) Exports: $447 million (f.o.b., 1990) commodities: iron ore, processed fish, small amounts of gum arabic and gypsum; unrecorded but numerically significant cattle exports to Senegal partners: EC 43%, Japan 27%, USSR 11%, Cote d'Ivoire 3% Imports: $385 million (c.i.f., 1990) commodities: foodstuffs, consumer goods, petroleum products, capital goods partners: EC 60%, Algeria 15%, China 6%, US 3% External debt: $1.9 billion (1990) Industrial production: growth rate 4.4% (1988 est.); accounts for almost 33% of GDP Electricity: 190,000 kW capacity; 135 million kWh produced, 70 kWh per capita (1991) Industries: fish processing, mining of iron ore and gypsum Agriculture: accounts for 50% of GDP (including fishing); largely subsistence farming and nomadic cattle and sheep herding except in Senegal river valley; crops - dates, millet, sorghum, root crops; fish products number-one export; large food deficit in years of drought

*Mauritania, Economy

Economic aid: US commitments, including Ex-Im (FY70-89), $168 million; Western (non-US) countries, ODA and OOF bilateral commitments (1970-89), $1.3 billion; OPEC bilateral aid (1979-89), $490 million; Communist countries (1970-89), $277 million; Arab Development Bank (1991), $20 million Currency: 1 ouguiya (UM) = 5 khoums Exchange rates: ouguiya (UM) per US$1 - 116.990 (February 1993), 87.082 (1992), 81.946 (1991), 80.609 (1990), 83.051 (1989), 75.261 (1988) Fiscal year: calendar year

*Mauritania, Communications

Railroads: 690 km 1.435-meter (standard) gauge, single track, owned and operated by government mining company Highways: 7,525 km total; 1,685 km paved; 1,040 km gravel, crushed stone, or otherwise improved; 4,800 km unimproved roads, trails, tracks Inland waterways: mostly ferry traffic on the Senegal River Ports: Nouadhibou, Nouakchott Merchant marine: 1 cargo ship (1,000 GRT or over) totaling 1,290 GRT/1,840 DWT Airports: total: 29 usable: 29 with permanent-surface runways: 9 with runways over 3,659 m: 1 with runways 2,440-3,659 m: 5 with runways 1,220-2,439 m: 16 Telecommunications: poor system of cable and open-wire lines, minor microwave radio relay links, and radio communications stations (improvements being made); broadcast stations - 2 AM, no FM, 1 TV; satellite earth stations - 1 Atlantic Ocean INTELSAT and 2 ARABSAT, with six planned

*Mauritania, Defense Forces

Branches: Army, Navy, Air Force, National Gendarmerie, National Guard, National Police, Presidential Guard Manpower availability: males age 15-49 452,008; fit for military service 220,717 (1993 est.); conscription law not implemented Defense expenditures: exchange rate conversion - $40 million, 4.2% of GDP (1989)

*Mauritius, Geography

Location: Southern Africa, in the western Indian Ocean, 900 km east of Madagascar Map references: Africa, Standard Time Zones of the World Area: total area: 1,860 km2 land area: 1,850 km2 comparative area: slightly less than 10.5 times the size of Washington, DC note: includes Agalega Islands, Cargados Carajos Shoals (Saint Brandon), and Rodrigues Land boundaries: 0 km Coastline: 177 km Maritime claims: contiguous zone: 24 nm continental shelf: 200 nm or the edge of continental margin exclusive economic zone: 200 nm territorial sea: 12 nm International disputes: claims UK-administered Chagos Archipelago, which includes the island of Diego Garcia in UK-administered British Indian Ocean Territory; claims French-administered Tromelin Island Climate: tropical modified by southeast trade winds; warm, dry winter (May to November); hot, wet, humid summer (November to May) Terrain: small coastal plain rising to discontinuous mountains encircling central plateau Natural resources: arable land, fish Land use: arable land: 54% permanent crops: 4% meadows and pastures: 4% forest and woodland: 31% other: 7% Irrigated land: 170 km2 (1989 est.) Environment: subject to cyclones (November to April); almost completely surrounded by reefs

*Mauritius, People

Population: 1,106,516 (July 1993 est.) Population growth rate: 0.95% (1993 est.) Birth rate: 19.67 births/1,000 population (1993 est.) Death rate: 6.44 deaths/1,000 population (1993 est.) Net migration rate: -3.71 migrant(s)/1,000 population (1993 est.) Infant mortality rate: 19 deaths/1,000 live births (1993 est.) Life expectancy at birth: total population: 70.24 years male: 66.34 years female: 74.3 years (1993 est.) Total fertility rate: 2.23 children born/woman (1993 est.) Nationality: noun: Mauritian(s) adjective: Mauritian Ethnic divisions: Indo-Mauritian 68%, Creole 27%, Sino-Mauritian 3%, Franco-Mauritian 2% Religions: Hindu 52%, Christian 28.3% (Roman Catholic 26%, Protestant 2.3%), Muslim 16.6%, other 3.1% Languages: English (official), Creole, French, Hindi, Urdu, Hakka, Bojpoori Literacy: age 13 and over can read and write (1962) total population: 61% male: 72% female: 50% Labor force: 335,000 by occupation: government services 29%, agriculture and fishing 27%, manufacturing 22%, other 22% note: 43% of population of working age (1985)

*Mauritius, Government

Names: conventional long form: Republic of Mauritius conventional short form: Mauritius Digraph: MP Type: parliamentary democracy Capital: Port Louis Administrative divisions: 9 districts and 3 dependencies*; Agalega Islands*, Black River, Cargados, Carajos*, Flacq, Grand, Port, Moka, Pamplemousses, Plaines Wilhems, Port Louis, Riviere du Rempart, Rodrigues*, Savanne, Independence: 12 March 1968 (from UK) Constitution: 12 March 1968 Legal system: based on French civil law system with elements of English common law in certain areas National holiday: Independence Day, 12 March (1968) Political parties and leaders: government coalition: Militant Socialist Movement (MSM), A. JUGNAUTH Mauritian Militant Movement (MMM), Paul BERENGER; Organization of the People of Rodrigues (OPR), Louis Serge CLAIR; Democratic Labor Movement (MTD), Anil BAICHOO opposition: Mauritian Labor Party (MLP), Navin RAMGOOLMAN Socialist Workers Front, Sylvio MICHEL; Mauritian Social Democratic Party (PMSD), X. DUVAL Other political or pressure groups: various labor unions Suffrage: 18 years of age; universal Elections: Legislative Assembly: last held on 15 September 1991 (next to be held by 15 September 1996); results - MSM/MMM 53%, MLP/PMSD 38%; seats - (70 total, 62 elected) MSM/MMM alliance 59 (MSM 29, MMM 26, OPR 2, MTD 2); MLP/PMSD 3 Executive branch: president, vice president, prime minister, deputy prime minister, Council of Ministers (cabinet) Legislative branch: unicameral Legislative Assembly Judicial branch: Supreme Court Leaders: Chief of State: President Cassam UTEEM (since 1 July 1992); Vice President Robin Dranooth GHURBURRON (since 1 July 1992) Head of Government: Prime Minister Sir Anerood JUGNAUTH (since 12 June 1982); Deputy Prime Minister Prem NABABSING (since 26 September 1990)

*Mauritius, Government

Member of: ACCT, ACP, AfDB, C, CCC, ECA, FAO, G-77, GATT, IAEA, IBRD, ICAO, ICFTU, IDA, IFAD, IFC, ILO, IMF, IMO, INTELSAT, INTERPOL, IOC, ISO (correspondent), ITU, LORCS, NAM, OAU, PCA, UN, UNCTAD, UNESCO, UNIDO, UPU, WCL, WFTU, WHO, WIPO, WMO, WTO Diplomatic representation in US: chief of mission: Ambassador Chitmansing JESSERAMSING chancery: Suite 134, 4301 Connecticut Avenue NW, Washington, DC 20008 telephone: (202) 244-1491 or 1492 US diplomatic representation: chief of mission: Ambassador vacant embassy: 4th Floor, Rogers House, John Kennedy Street, Port Louis mailing address: 4th Floor, Rogers House, John Kennedy Street, Port Louis telephone: [230] 208-9763 through 208-9767 FAX: [230] 208-9534 Flag: four equal horizontal bands of red (top), blue, yellow, and green

*Mauritius, Economy

Overview: The economy is based on sugar, manufacturing (mainly textiles), and tourism. Sugarcane is grown on about 90% of the cultivated land area and accounts for 40% of export earnings. The government's development strategy is centered on industrialization (with a view to exports), agricultural diversification, and tourism. Economic performance in FY91 was impressive, with 6% real growth and low unemployment. National product: GDP - exchange rate conversion - $2.5 billion (FY91 est.) National product real growth rate: 6.1% (FY91 est.) National product per capita: $2,300 (FY91 est.) Inflation rate (consumer prices): 7% (FY91) Unemployment rate: 2.4% (1991 est.) Budget: revenues $557 million; expenditures $607 million, including capital expenditures of $111 million (FY90) Exports: $1.2 billion (f.o.b., 1990) commodities: textiles 44%, sugar 40%, light manufactures 10% partners: EC and US have preferential treatment, EC 77%, US 15% Imports: $1.6 billion (f.o.b., 1990) commodities: manufactured goods 50%, capital equipment 17%, foodstuffs 13%, petroleum products 8%, chemicals 7% partners: EC, US, South Africa, Japan External debt: $869 million (1991 est.) Industrial production: growth rate 7% (1990); accounts for 25% of GDP Electricity: 235,000 kW capacity; 630 million kWh produced, 570 kWh per capita (1992) Industries: food processing (largely sugar milling), textiles, wearing apparel, chemicals, metal products, transport equipment, nonelectrical machinery, tourism Agriculture: accounts for 10% of GDP; about 90% of cultivated land in sugarcane; other products - tea, corn, potatoes, bananas, pulses, cattle, goats, fish; net food importer, especially rice and fish Illicit drugs: illicit producer of cannabis for the international drug trade Economic aid: US commitments, including Ex-Im (FY70-89), $76 million; Western (non-US) countries (1970-89), $709 million; Communist countries (1970-89), $54 million Currency: 1 Mauritian rupee (MauR) = 100 cents Exchange rates: Mauritian rupees (MauRs) per US$1 - 16.982 (January 1993), 15.563 (1992), 15.652 (1991), 14.839 (1990), 15.250 (1989), 13.438 (1988)

*Mauritius, Economy

Fiscal year: 1 July - 30 June

*Mauritius, Communications

Highways: 1,800 km total; 1,640 km paved, 160 km earth Ports: Port Louis Merchant marine: 7 ships (1,000 GRT or over) totaling 103,328 GRT/163,142 DWT; includes 3 cargo, 1 liquefied gas, 3 bulk Airports: total: 5 usable: 4 with permanent-surface runways: 2 with runways over 3,659 m: 0 with runways 2,440-3,659 m: 1 with runways 1,220-2,439 m: 0 Telecommunications: small system with good service utilizing primarily microwave radio relay; new microwave link to Reunion; high-frequency radio links to several countries; over 48,000 telephones; broadcast stations - 2 AM, no FM, 4 TV; 1 Indian Ocean INTELSAT earth station

*Mauritius, Defense Forces

Branches: National Police Force (including the paramilitary Special Mobile Force (SMF), Special Support Units (SSU), and National Coast Guard Manpower availability: males age 15-49 312,056; fit for military service 159,408 (1993 est.) Defense expenditures: exchange rate conversion - $5 million, 0.2% of GDP (FY89)

*Mayotte, Header

Affiliation: (territorial collectivity of France)

*Mayotte, Geography

Location: Southern Africa, in the northern Mozambique Channel about halfway between Madagascar and Mozambique Map references: Africa Area: total area: 375 km2 land area: 375 km2 comparative area: slightly more than twice the size of Washington, DC Land boundaries: 0 km Coastline: 185.2 km Maritime claims: exclusive economic zone: 200 nm territorial sea: 12 nm International disputes: claimed by Comoros Climate: tropical; marine; hot, humid, rainy season during northeastern monsoon (November to May); dry season is cooler (May to November) Terrain: generally undulating with ancient volcanic peaks, deep ravines Natural resources: negligible Land use: arable land: NA% permanent crops: NA% meadows and pastures: NA% forest and woodland: NA% other: NA% Irrigated land: NA km2 Environment: subject to cyclones during rainy season Note: part of Comoro Archipelago