Chapter 75
Military expenditures--dollar figure: $2.1 billion (1998)
Military expenditures--percent of GDP: 2.1% (1998)
Transnational Issues
Disputes--international: involved in a complex dispute over the Spratly Islands with China, Philippines, Taiwan, Vietnam, and possibly Brunei; Philippines have not fully revoked claim to Sabah State; two islands in dispute with Singapore; two islands in dispute with Indonesia
Illicit drugs: transit point for some illicit drugs going to Western markets; drug trafficking prosecuted vigorously and carries severe penalties
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@Maldives --------
Geography
Location: Southern Asia, group of atolls in the Indian Ocean, south-southwest of India
Geographic coordinates: 3 15 N, 73 00 E
Map references: Asia
Area: total: 300 sq km land: 300 sq km water: 0 sq km
Area--comparative: about 1.7 times the size of Washington, DC
Land boundaries: 0 km
Coastline: 644 km
Maritime claims: measured from claimed archipelagic baselines contiguous zone: 24 nm exclusive economic zone: 200 nm territorial sea: 12 nm
Climate: tropical; hot, humid; dry, northeast monsoon (November to March); rainy, southwest monsoon (June to August)
Terrain: flat, with white sandy beaches
Elevation extremes: lowest point: Indian Ocean 0 m highest point: unnamed location on Wilingili island in the Addu Atoll 2.4 m
Natural resources: fish
Land use: arable land: 10% permanent crops: 0% permanent pastures: 3% forests and woodland: 3% other: 84% (1993 est.)
Irrigated land: NA sq km
Natural hazards: low level of islands makes them very sensitive to sea level rise
Environment--current issues: depletion of freshwater aquifers threatens water supplies
Environment--international agreements: party to: Biodiversity, Climate Change, Climate Change-Kyoto Protocol, Hazardous Wastes, Ozone Layer Protection signed, but not ratified: Law of the Sea
Geography--note: 1,190 coral islands grouped into 26 atolls; archipelago of strategic location astride and along major sea lanes in Indian Ocean
People
Population: 300,220 (July 1999 est.)
Age structure: 0-14 years: 47% (male 72,414; female 68,764) 15-64 years: 50% (male 76,446; female 73,275) 65 years and over: 3% (male 4,944; female 4,377) (1999 est.)
Population growth rate: 3.37% (1999 est.)
Birth rate: 39.3 births/1,000 population (1999 est.)
Death rate: 5.63 deaths/1,000 population (1999 est.)
Net migration rate: 0 migrant(s)/1,000 population (1999 est.)
Sex ratio: at birth: 1.05 male(s)/female under 15 years: 1.05 male(s)/female 15-64 years: 1.04 male(s)/female 65 years and over: 1.13 male(s)/female total population: 1.05 male(s)/female (1999 est.)
Infant mortality rate: 38.14 deaths/1,000 live births (1999 est.)
Life expectancy at birth: total population: 68.29 years male: 66.53 years female: 70.15 years (1999 est.)
Total fertility rate: 5.73 children born/woman (1999 est.)
Nationality: noun: Maldivian(s) adjective: Maldivian
Ethnic groups: Sinhalese, Dravidian, Arab, African
Religions: Sunni Muslim
Languages: Maldivian Divehi (dialect of Sinhala, script derived from Arabic), English spoken by most government officials
Literacy: definition: age 15 and over can read and write total population: 93.2% male: 93.3% female: 93% (1995 est.)
Government
Country name: conventional long form: Republic of Maldives conventional short form: Maldives local long form: Dhivehi Raajjeyge Jumhooriyyaa local short form: Dhivehi Raajje
Data code: MV
Government type: republic
Capital: Male
Administrative divisions: 19 atolls (atholhu, singular and plural) and 1 other first-order administrative division*; Alifu, Baa, Dhaalu, Faafu, Gaafu Alifu, Gaafu Dhaalu, Gnaviyani, Haa Alifu, Haa Dhaalu, Kaafu, Laamu, Lhaviyani, Maale*, Meemu, Noonu, Raa, Seenu, Shaviyani, Thaa, Vaavu
Independence: 26 July 1965 (from UK)
National holiday: Independence Day, 26 July (1965)
Constitution: 4 June 1968
Legal system: based on Islamic law with admixtures of English common law primarily in commercial matters; has not accepted compulsory ICJ jurisdiction
Suffrage: 21 years of age; universal
Executive branch: chief of state: President Maumoon Abdul GAYOOM (since 11 November 1978); note--the president is both the chief of state and head of government head of government: President Maumoon Abdul GAYOOM (since 11 November 1978); note--the president is both the chief of state and head of government cabinet: Ministry of Atolls appointed by the president; note--need not be members of Majlis elections: president elected by secret ballot of the Majlis for a five-year term; election last held 1 October 1993 (next to be held NA October 1998) election results: President Maumoon Abdul GAYOOM reelected; percent of Majlis vote--Maumoon Abdul GAYOOM 92.76%
Legislative branch: unicameral Citizens' Council or Majlis (48 seats; 40 elected by popular vote, 8 appointed by the president; members serve five-year terms) elections: last held 2 December 1994 (next to be held NA December 1999) election results: percent of vote--NA; seats--independents 40
Judicial branch: High Court
Political parties and leaders: although political parties are not banned, none exist
International organization participation: AsDB, C, CCC, CP, ESCAP, FAO, G-77, IBRD, ICAO, IDA, IDB, IFAD, IFC, IMF, IMO, Intelsat (nonsignatory user), Interpol, IOC, ITU, NAM, OIC, OPCW, SAARC, UN, UNCTAD, UNESCO, UNIDO, UPU, WHO, WMO, WToO, WTrO
Diplomatic representation in the US: Maldives does not have an embassy in the US, but does have a Permanent Mission to the UN in New York
Diplomatic representation from the US: the US does not have an embassy in Maldives; the US Ambassador to Sri Lanka is accredited to Maldives and makes periodic visits there
Flag description: 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
Economy
Economy--overview: Tourism, Maldives largest industry, accounts for about 18% of GDP and more than 60% of the Maldives' foreign exchange receipts. Over 90% of government tax revenue comes from import duties and tourism-related taxes. About 350,000 tourists visited the islands in 1997. Fishing is a second leading growth sector. The Maldivian Government began an economic reform program in 1989 initially by lifting import quotas and opening some exports to the private sector. Subsequently, it has liberalized regulations to allow more foreign investment. Agriculture and manufacturing continue to play a minor role in the economy, constrained by the limited availability of cultivable land and the shortage of domestic labor. Most staple foods must be imported. Industry, which consists mainly of garment production, boat building, and handicrafts, accounts for about 15% of GDP. Maldivian authorities worry about the impact of erosion and possible global warming on their low-lying country; 80% of the area is one meter or less above sea level.
GDP: purchasing power parity--$500 million (1998 est.)
GDP--real growth rate: 5.8% (1998 est.)
GDP--per capita: purchasing power parity?$1,840 (1998 est.)
GDP--composition by sector: agriculture: 22% industry: 15% services: 63% (1994 est.)
Population below poverty line: NA%
Household income or consumption by percentage share: lowest 10%: NA% highest 10%: NA%
Inflation rate (consumer prices): 6.3% (1996)
Labor force: 56,435 (1990 est.)
Labor force--by occupation: fishing industry and agriculture 25%, services 21%, manufacturing and construction 21%, trade, restaurants, and hotels 16%, transportation and communication 10%, other 7%
Unemployment rate: NEGL%
Budget: revenues: $88 million (excluding foreign grants) expenditures: $141 million, including capital expenditures of $NA (1995 est.)
Industries: fish processing, tourism, shipping, boat building, coconut processing, garments, woven mats, rope, handicrafts, coral and sand mining
Industrial production growth rate: 6.3% (1994 est.)
Electricity--production: 60 million kWh (1996)
Electricity--production by source: fossil fuel: 100% hydro: 0% nuclear: 0% other: 0% (1996)
Electricity--consumption: 60 million kWh (1996)
Electricity--exports: 0 kWh (1996)
Electricity--imports: 0 kWh (1996)
Agriculture--products: coconuts, corn, sweet potatoes; fish
Exports: $59 million (f.o.b., 1996)
Exports--commodities: fish, clothing
Exports--partners: Sri Lanka, US, Germany, Singapore, UK
Imports: $302 million (f.o.b., 1996)
Imports--commodities: consumer goods, intermediate and capital goods, petroleum products
Imports--partners: Singapore, India, Sri Lanka, Hong Kong, Japan, Thailand
Debt--external: $179 million (1996 est.)
Economic aid--recipient: $NA
Currency: 1 rufiyaa (Rf) = 100 laari
Exchange rates: rufiyaa (Rf) per US$1--11.770 (1995-January 1999), 11.586 (1994), 10.957 (1993)
Fiscal year: calendar year
Communications
Telephones: 8,523 (1992 est.)
Telephone system: minimal domestic and international facilities domestic: inter-atoll communication primarily through HF transceivers and VHF/UHF telephones international: satellite earth station--1 Intelsat (Indian Ocean)
Radio broadcast stations: AM 2, FM 1, shortwave 0
Radios: 28,284 (1992 est.)
Television broadcast stations: 1 (1997)
Televisions: 7,309 (1992 est.)
Transportation
Railways: 0 km
Highways: total: NA km paved: NA km unpaved: NA km; note--Male has 9.6 km of coral highways within the city (1988 est.)
Ports and harbors: Gan, Male
Merchant marine: total: 21 ships (1,000 GRT or over) totaling 75,585 GRT/115,590 DWT ships by type: cargo 18, container 1, oil tanker 1, short-sea passenger 1 (1998 est.)
Airports: 5 (1998 est.)
Airports--with paved runways: total: 2 over 3,047 m: 1 2,438 to 3,047 m: 1 (1998 est.)
Airports--with unpaved runways: total: 3 914 to 1,523 m: 3 (1998 est.)
Military
Military branches: National Security Service (paramilitary police force)
Military manpower--availability: males age 15-49: 66,554 (1999 est.)
Military manpower--fit for military service: males age 15-49: 37,086 (1999 est.)
Military expenditures--dollar figure: $NA
Military expenditures--percent of GDP: NA%
Transnational Issues
Disputes--international: none
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@Mali ----
Geography
Location: Western Africa, southwest of Algeria
Geographic coordinates: 17 00 N, 4 00 W
Map references: Africa
Area: total: 1.24 million sq km land: 1.22 million sq km water: 20,000 sq km
Area--comparative: slightly less than twice the size of Texas
Land boundaries: total: 7,243 km border countries: Algeria 1,376 km, Burkina Faso 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)
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
Elevation extremes: lowest point: Senegal River 23 m highest point: Hombori Tondo 1,155 m
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% permanent pastures: 25% forests and woodland: 6% other: 67% (1993 est.)
Irrigated land: 780 sq km (1993 est.)
Natural hazards: hot, dust-laden harmattan haze common during dry seasons; recurring droughts
Environment--current issues: deforestation; soil erosion; desertification; inadequate supplies of potable water; poaching
Environment--international agreements: party to: Biodiversity, Climate Change, Desertification, Endangered Species, Law of the Sea, Ozone Layer Protection, Wetlands signed, but not ratified: Climate Change-Kyoto Protocol, Nuclear Test Ban
Geography--note: landlocked
People
Population: 10,429,124 (July 1999 est.)
Age structure: 0-14 years: 47% (male 2,482,301; female 2,460,894) 15-64 years: 49% (male 2,447,712; female 2,708,978) 65 years and over: 4% (male 155,178; female 174,061) (1999 est.)
Population growth rate: 3.01% (1999 est.)
Birth rate: 49.5 births/1,000 population (1999 est.)
Death rate: 18.56 deaths/1,000 population (1999 est.)
Net migration rate: -0.87 migrant(s)/1,000 population (1999 est.)
Sex ratio: at birth: 1.03 male(s)/female under 15 years: 1.01 male(s)/female 15-64 years: 0.9 male(s)/female 65 years and over: 0.89 male(s)/female total population: 0.95 male(s)/female (1999 est.)
Infant mortality rate: 119.44 deaths/1,000 live births (1999 est.)
Life expectancy at birth: total population: 47.5 years male: 46.09 years female: 48.96 years (1999 est.)
Total fertility rate: 6.96 children born/woman (1999 est.)
Nationality: noun: Malian(s) adjective: Malian
Ethnic groups: 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: definition: age 15 and over can read and write total population: 31% male: 39.4% female: 23.1% (1995 est.)
Government
Country name: conventional long form: Republic of Mali conventional short form: Mali local long form: Republique de Mali local short form: Mali former: French Sudan
Data code: ML
Government type: republic
Capital: Bamako
Administrative divisions: 8 regions (regions, singular--region); Gao, Kayes, Kidal, Koulikoro, Mopti, Segou, Sikasso, Tombouctou
Independence: 22 September 1960 (from France)
National holiday: Anniversary of the Proclamation of the Republic, 22 September (1960)
Constitution: adopted 12 January 1992
Legal system: based on French civil law system and customary law; judicial review of legislative acts in Constitutional Court (which was formally established on 9 March 1994); has not accepted compulsory ICJ jurisdiction
Suffrage: 21 years of age; universal
Executive branch: chief of state: President Alpha Oumar KONARE (since 8 June 1992) head of government: Prime Minister Ibrahim Boubacar KEITA (since March 1994) cabinet: Council of Ministers appointed by the prime minister elections: president elected by popular vote for a five-year term; election last held 11 May 1997 (next to be held May 2002); prime minister appointed by the president election results: Alpha Oumar KONARE reelected president; percent of vote--Alpha Oumar KONARE 85.15%, Mamadou DIABY 4.09%, other 10.76%
Legislative branch: unicameral National Assembly or Assemblee Nationale (147 seats; members are elected by popular vote to serve five-year terms) elections: last held 20 July and 3 August 1997 (next to be held in two rounds in 2002); note--much of the opposition boycotted the election election results: percent of vote by party--NA; seats by party--ADEMA 130, PARENA 8, CDS 4, UDD 3, PDP 2
Judicial branch: Supreme Court (Cour Supreme)
Political parties and leaders: Alliance for Democracy or ADEMA TRAORE]; National Congress for Democratic Initiative or CNID Movement for the Independence, Renaissance and Integration of Africa
Political pressure groups and leaders: United Movement and Fronts of Azawad or MFUA; Patriotic Movement of the Ghanda Koye or MPGK
International organization participation: ACCT, ACP, AfDB, CCC, ECA, ECOWAS, FAO, FZ, G-77, IAEA, IBRD, ICAO, ICFTU, ICRM, IDA, IDB, IFAD, IFC, IFRCS, ILO, IMF, Intelsat, Interpol, IOC, ITU, MINURCA, MIPONUH, MONUA, NAM, OAU, OIC, OPCW, UN, UNCTAD, UNESCO, UNIDO, UNOMSIL, UPU, WADB, WAEMU, WCL, WFTU, WHO, WIPO, WMO, WToO, WTrO
Diplomatic representation in the US: chief of mission: Ambassador Cheick Oumar DIARRAH chancery: 2130 R Street NW, Washington, DC 20008
Diplomatic representation from the US: chief of mission: Ambassador David P. RAWSON embassy: Rue Rochester NY and Rue Mohamed V, Bamako mailing address: B. P. 34, Bamako
Flag description: three equal vertical bands of green (hoist side), yellow, and red; uses the popular pan-African colors of Ethiopia
Economy
Economy--overview: Mali is among the poorest countries in the world, with 65% of its land area desert or semidesert. Economic activity is largely confined to the riverine area irrigated by the Niger. About 10% of the population is nomadic and some 80% of the labor force is engaged in farming and fishing. Industrial activity is concentrated on processing farm commodities. Mali is heavily dependent on foreign aid and vulnerable to fluctuations in world prices for cotton, its main export. In 1997, the government continued its successful implementation of an IMF-recommended structural adjustment program that is helping the economy grow, diversify, and attract foreign investment. Mali's adherence to economic reform, and the 50% devaluation of the African franc in January 1994, has pushed up economic growth. Several multinational corporations increased gold mining operations in 1996-98, and the government anticipates that Mali will become a major Sub-Saharan gold exporter in the next few years. Annual growth thus may fall in the 5% range in 1999-2000, and inflation held to 5% or less.
GDP: purchasing power parity--$8 billion (1998 est.)
GDP--real growth rate: 4.6% (1998 est.)
GDP--per capita: purchasing power parity?$790 (1998 est.)
GDP--composition by sector: agriculture: 49% industry: 17% services: 34% (1995)
Population below poverty line: NA%
Household income or consumption by percentage share: lowest 10%: NA% highest 10%: NA%
Inflation rate (consumer prices): 5% (1998 est.)
Labor force: NA
Labor force--by occupation: agriculture and fishing 80% (1998 est.)
Unemployment rate: NA%
Budget: revenues: $730 million expenditures: $770 million, including capital expenditures of $320 million (1997 est.)
Industries: minor local consumer goods production and food processing; construction; phosphate and gold mining
Industrial production growth rate: 0.6% (1995 est.)
Electricity--production: 288 million kWh (1996)
Electricity--production by source: fossil fuel: 21.88% hydro: 78.12% nuclear: 0% other: 0% (1996)
Electricity--consumption: 288 million kWh (1996)
Electricity--exports: 0 kWh (1996)
Electricity--imports: 0 kWh (1996)
Agriculture--products: cotton, millet, rice, corn, vegetables, peanuts; cattle, sheep, goats
Exports: $590 million (f.o.b., 1998 est.)
Exports--commodities: cotton 50%, gold, livestock (1998 est.)
Exports--partners: Thailand 20%, Italy 20%, China 9%, Brazil, franc zone (1997)
Imports: $600 million (f.o.b., 1998 est.)
Imports--commodities: machinery and equipment, construction materials, petroleum, foodstuffs, textiles
Imports--partners: Cote d'Ivoire 19%, France 17%, other franc zone and EU countries (1997)
Debt--external: $3.1 billion (1998)
Economic aid--recipient: $596.4 million (1995)
Currency: 1 Communaute Financiere Africaine franc (CFAF) = 100 centimes
Exchange rates: Communaute Financiere Africaine francs (CFAF) per US$1--567.81 (January 1999), 589.95 (1998), 583.67 (1997), 511.55 (1996), 499.15 (1995), 555.20 (1994)
Fiscal year: calendar year
Communications
Telephones: 11,000 (1982 est.)
Telephone system: domestic system poor but improving; provides only minimal service domestic: network consists of microwave radio relay, open wire, and radiotelephone communications stations; expansion of microwave radio relay in progress international: satellite earth stations--2 Intelsat (1 Atlantic Ocean and 1 Indian Ocean)
Radio broadcast stations: AM 2, FM 2, shortwave 1
Radios: 430,000 (1992 est.)
Television broadcast stations: 1 (in addition, there are two repeaters) (1997)
Televisions: 11,000 (1992 est.)
Transportation
Railways: total: 641 km; (linked to Senegal's rail system through Kayes) narrow gauge: 641 km 1.000-m gauge (1995)
Highways: total: 15,100 km paved: 1,827 km unpaved: 13,273 km (1996 est.)
Waterways: 1,815 km navigable
Ports and harbors: Koulikoro
Airports: 28 (1998 est.)
Airports--with paved runways: total: 6 2,438 to 3,047 m: 4 914 to 1,523 m: 2 (1998 est.)
Airports--with unpaved runways: total: 22 2,438 to 3,047 m: 1 1,524 to 2,437 m: 3 914 to 1,523 m: 8 under 914 m: 10 (1998 est.)
Military
Military branches: Army, Air Force, Gendarmerie, Republican Guard, National Guard, National Police (Surete Nationale)
Military manpower--availability: males age 15-49: 2,128,375 (1999 est.)
Military manpower--fit for military service: males age 15-49: 1,218,732 (1999 est.)
Military expenditures--dollar figure: $49 million (1996)
Military expenditures--percent of GDP: 2% (1996)
Transnational Issues
Disputes--international: none
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@Malta -----
Geography
Location: Southern Europe, islands in the Mediterranean Sea, south of Sicily (Italy)
Geographic coordinates: 35 50 N, 14 35 E
Map references: Europe
Area: total: 320 sq km land: 320 sq km water: 0 sq km
Area--comparative: slightly less than twice the size of Washington, DC
Land boundaries: 0 km
Coastline: 140 km
Maritime claims: contiguous zone: 24 nm continental shelf: 200-m depth or to the depth of exploitation exclusive fishing zone: 25 nm territorial sea: 12 nm
Climate: Mediterranean with mild, rainy winters and hot, dry summers
Terrain: mostly low, rocky, flat to dissected plains; many coastal cliffs
Elevation extremes: lowest point: Mediterranean Sea 0 m highest point: Ta'Dmejrek 253 m (near Dingli)
Natural resources: limestone, salt
Land use: arable land: 38% permanent crops: 3% permanent pastures: NA% forests and woodland: NA% other: 59% (1993 est.)
Irrigated land: 10 sq km (1993 est.)
Natural hazards: NA
Environment--current issues: very limited natural fresh water resources; increasing reliance on desalination
Environment--international agreements: party to: Air Pollution, Climate Change, Desertification, Endangered Species, Law of the Sea, Marine Dumping, Nuclear Test Ban, Ozone Layer Protection, Ship Pollution, Wetlands signed, but not ratified: Biodiversity, Climate Change-Kyoto Protocol
Geography--note: the country comprises an archipelago, with only the three largest islands (Malta, Ghawdex or Gozo, and Kemmuna or Comino) being inhabited; numerous bays provide good harbors
People
Population: 381,603 (July 1999 est.)
Age structure: 0-14 years: 20% (male 40,058; female 37,810) 15-64 years: 68% (male 130,282; female 128,390) 65 years and over: 12% (male 18,996; female 26,067) (1999 est.)
Population growth rate: 0.49% (1999 est.)
Birth rate: 11.02 births/1,000 population (1999 est.)
Death rate: 7.37 deaths/1,000 population (1999 est.)
Net migration rate: 1.24 migrant(s)/1,000 population (1999 est.)
Sex ratio: at birth: 1.06 male(s)/female under 15 years: 1.06 male(s)/female 15-64 years: 1.01 male(s)/female 65 years and over: 0.73 male(s)/female total population: 0.98 male(s)/female (1999 est.)
Infant mortality rate: 7.42 deaths/1,000 live births (1999 est.)
Life expectancy at birth: total population: 77.76 years male: 75.43 years female: 80.23 years (1999 est.)
Total fertility rate: 1.63 children born/woman (1999 est.)
Nationality: noun: Maltese (singular and plural) adjective: Maltese