Part 137

Chapter 1373,568 wordsPublic domain

islands vary geologically from high mountainous islands to low, coral atolls; volcanic outcroppings on Pohnpei, Kosrae, and Chuuk

Elevation extremes:

lowest point: Pacific Ocean 0 m

highest point: Dolohmwar (Totolom) 791 m

Natural resources:

timber, marine products, deep-seabed minerals, phosphate

Land use:

arable land: 5.71%

permanent crops: 45.71%

other: 48.58% (2005)

Irrigated land:

Natural hazards:

typhoons (June to December)

Environment - current issues:

overfishing, climate change, pollution

Environment - international agreements:

party to: Biodiversity, Climate Change, Climate Change-Kyoto Protocol, Desertification, Hazardous Wastes, Law of the Sea, Ozone Layer Protection

signed, but not ratified: none of the selected agreements

Geography - note:

four major island groups totaling 607 islands

People ::Micronesia, Federated States of

Population:

107,154 (July 2010 est.) country comparison to the world: 191

Age structure:

0-14 years: 34.8% (male 19,010/female 18,411)

15-64 years: 62.3% (male 33,286/female 33,629)

65 years and over: 2.9% (male 1,317/female 1,781) (2010 est.)

Median age:

total: 22.4 years

male: 21.8 years

female: 22.9 years (2010 est.)

Population growth rate:

-0.284% (2010 est.) country comparison to the world: 218

Birth rate:

22.57 births/1,000 population (2010 est.) country comparison to the world: 77

Death rate:

4.4 deaths/1,000 population (July 2010 est.) country comparison to the world: 203

Net migration rate:

-21.01 migrant(s)/1,000 population (2010 est.) country comparison to the world: 220

Urbanization:

urban population: 22% of total population (2008)

rate of urbanization: 0.8% annual rate of change (2005-10 est.)

Sex ratio:

at birth: 1.05 male(s)/female

under 15 years: 1.03 male(s)/female

15-64 years: 0.99 male(s)/female

65 years and over: 0.74 male(s)/female

total population: 0.99 male(s)/female (2010 est.)

Infant mortality rate:

total: 25.2 deaths/1,000 live births country comparison to the world: 83 male: 27.82 deaths/1,000 live births

female: 22.45 deaths/1,000 live births (2010 est.)

Life expectancy at birth:

total population: 71.23 years country comparison to the world: 132 male: 69.32 years

female: 73.24 years (2010 est.)

Total fertility rate:

2.8 children born/woman (2010 est.) country comparison to the world: 74

HIV/AIDS - adult prevalence rate:

HIV/AIDS - people living with HIV/AIDS:

HIV/AIDS - deaths:

Nationality:

noun: Micronesian(s)

adjective: Micronesian; Chuukese, Kosraen(s), Pohnpeian(s), Yapese

Ethnic groups:

Chuukese 48.8%, Pohnpeian 24.2%, Kosraean 6.2%, Yapese 5.2%, Yap outer islands 4.5%, Asian 1.8%, Polynesian 1.5%, other 6.4%, unknown 1.4% (2000 census)

Religions:

Roman Catholic 52.7%, Congregational 40.1%, Baptist 0.9%, Seventh-Day Adventist 0.7%, other 3.8%, none or unspecified 0.8% (2000 Census)

Languages:

English (official and common language), Chuukese, Kosrean, Pohnpeian, Yapese, Ulithian, Woleaian, Nukuoro, Kapingamarangi

Literacy:

definition: age 15 and over can read and write

total population: 89%

male: 91%

female: 88% (1980 est.)

Education expenditures:

7.3% of GDP (2000) country comparison to the world: 16

Government ::Micronesia, Federated States of

Country name:

conventional long form: Federated States of Micronesia

conventional short form: none

local long form: Federated States of Micronesia

local short form: none

former: Trust Territory of the Pacific Islands, Ponape, Truk, and Yap Districts

abbreviation: FSM

Government type:

constitutional government in free association with the US; the Compact of Free Association entered into force on 3 November 1986 and the Amended Compact entered into force in May 2004

Capital:

geographic coordinates: 6 55 N, 158 09 E

time difference: UTC+11 (16 hours ahead of Washington, DC during Standard Time)

Administrative divisions:

4 states; Chuuk (Truk), Kosrae (Kosaie), Pohnpei (Ponape), Yap

Independence:

3 November 1986 (from the US-administered UN trusteeship)

National holiday:

Constitution Day, 10 May (1979)

Constitution:

10 May 1979

Legal system:

based on adapted Trust Territory laws, acts of the legislature, municipal, common, and customary laws; has not accepted compulsory ICJ jurisdiction

Suffrage:

18 years of age; universal

Executive branch:

chief of state: President Emanuel MORI (since 11 May 2007); Vice President Alik L. ALIK (since 11 May 2007); note - the president is both the chief of state and head of government

head of government: President Emanuel MORI (since 11 May 2007); Vice President Alik L. ALIK (since 11 May 2007)

cabinet: Cabinet includes the vice president and the heads of the 8 executive departments (For more information visit the World Leaders website ) elections: president and vice president elected by Congress from among the four senators at large for a four-year term (eligible for a second term); election last held on 11 May 2007 (next to be held in May 2011); note - a proposed constitutional amendment to establish popular elections for president and vice president failed

election results: Emanuel MORI elected president; percent of Congress vote - NA; Alik L. ALIK elected vice president; percent of Congress vote - NA

Legislative branch:

unicameral Congress (14 seats; 4 - one elected from each state to serve four-year terms and 10 - elected from single-member districts delineated by population to serve two-year terms; members elected by popular vote)

elections: last held on 3 March 2009 (next to be held in March 2011)

election results: percent of vote - NA%; seats - independents 14

Judicial branch:

Supreme Court

Political parties and leaders:

no formal parties

Political pressure groups and leaders:

International organization participation:

ACP, ADB, AOSIS, FAO, G-77, IBRD, ICAO, ICRM, IDA, IFC, IFRCS, IMF, IOC, ITSO, ITU, MIGA, OPCW, PIF, Sparteca, SPC, UN, UNCTAD, UNESCO, WHO, WMO

Diplomatic representation in the US:

chief of mission: Ambassador Yosiwo GEORGE

chancery: 1725 N Street NW, Washington, DC 20036

telephone: [1] (202) 223-4383

FAX: [1] (202) 223-4391

consulate(s) general: Honolulu, Tamuning (Guam)

Diplomatic representation from the US:

chief of mission: Ambassador Peter A. PRAHAR

embassy: 101 Upper Pics Road, Kolonia

mailing address: P. O. Box 1286, Kolonia, Pohnpei, 96941

telephone: [691] 320-2187

FAX: [691] 320-2186

Flag description:

light blue with four white five-pointed stars centered; the stars are arranged in a diamond pattern; blue symbolizes the Pacific Ocean, the stars represent the four island groups of Chuuk, Kosrae, Pohnpei, and Yap

National anthem:

lyrics/music: unknown

note: adopted 1991; the anthem is also known as "Across All Micronesia;" the music is based on the 1820 German patriotic song "Ich hab mich ergeben," which was the West German national anthem from 1949-1950; variants of this tune are used in Johannes Brahms' "Festival Overture" and Gustav Mahler's "Third Symphony"

Economy ::Micronesia, Federated States of

Economy - overview:

Economic activity consists primarily of subsistence farming and fishing. The islands have few mineral deposits worth exploiting, except for high-grade phosphate. The potential for a tourist industry exists, but the remote location, a lack of adequate facilities, and limited air connections hinder development. Under the original terms of the Compact of Free Association, the US provided $1.3 billion in grant aid during the period 1986-2001; the level of aid has been subsequently reduced. The Amended Compact of Free Association with the US guarantees the Federated States of Micronesia (FSM) millions of dollars in annual aid through 2023, and establishes a Trust Fund into which the US and the FSM make annual contributions in order to provide annual payouts to the FSM in perpetuity after 2023. The country's medium-term economic outlook appears fragile due not only to the reduction in US assistance but also to the current slow growth of the private sector.

GDP (purchasing power parity):

$238.1 million (2008 est.) country comparison to the world: 214 $277 million (2002 est.)

note: data are in 2008 US dollars

GDP supplemented by grant aid, averaging perhaps $100 million annually

GDP (official exchange rate):

$238.1 million (2008)

GDP - real growth rate:

NA%

0.3% (2005 est.)

GDP - per capita (PPP):

$2,200 (2008 est.) country comparison to the world: 185 $2,300 (2005 est.)

note: data are in 2008 US dollars

GDP - composition by sector:

agriculture: 28.9%

industry: 15.2%

services: 55.9% (2004 est.)

Labor force:

16,360 (2008) country comparison to the world: 211

Labor force - by occupation:

agriculture: 0.9%

industry: 34.4%

services: 64.7%

note: two-thirds are government employees (FY05 est.)

Unemployment rate:

22% (2000 est.) country comparison to the world: 171

Population below poverty line:

26.7% (2000)

Household income or consumption by percentage share:

lowest 10%: NA%

highest 10%: NA%

Inflation rate (consumer prices):

2.2% (2005) country comparison to the world: 64

Commercial bank prime lending rate:

15.38% (31 December 2009 est.) country comparison to the world: 52 14.38% (31 December 2008 est.)

Stock of narrow money:

$29.02 million (31 December 2009) country comparison to the world: 185 $21.21 million (31 December 2008)

Stock of broad money:

$114 million (31 December 2009 est.) country comparison to the world: 184 $98 million (31 December 2008 est.)

Stock of domestic credit:

$65.68 million (31 December 2009) country comparison to the world: 180 $43.75 million (31 December 2008)

Agriculture - products:

black pepper, tropical fruits and vegetables, coconuts, bananas, cassava (tapioca), sakau (kava), Kosraen citrus, betel nuts, sweet potatoes; pigs, chickens; fish

Industries:

tourism, construction; fish processing, specialized aquaculture; craft items (from shell, wood, and pearls)

Industrial production growth rate:

NA%

Electricity - production:

192 million kWh (2002) country comparison to the world: 177

Electricity - consumption:

178.6 million kWh (2002) country comparison to the world: 179

Electricity - exports:

0 kWh (2002)

Electricity - imports:

0 kWh (2002)

Current account balance:

-$34.3 million (FY05 est.) country comparison to the world: 67

Exports:

$14 million (2004 est.) country comparison to the world: 209

Exports - commodities:

fish, garments, bananas, black pepper, sakau (kava), betel nut

Imports:

$132.7 million (2004) country comparison to the world: 207

Imports - commodities:

food, manufactured goods, machinery and equipment, beverages

Debt - external:

$60.8 million (FY05 est.) country comparison to the world: 186

Exchange rates:

the US dollar is used

Communications ::Micronesia, Federated States of

Telephones - main lines in use:

8,700 (2009) country comparison to the world: 203

Telephones - mobile cellular:

38,000 (2009) country comparison to the world: 199

Telephone system:

general assessment: adequate system

domestic: islands interconnected by shortwave radiotelephone (used mostly for government purposes), satellite (Intelsat) ground stations, and some coaxial and fiber-optic cable; mobile-cellular service available on Kosrae, Pohnpei, and Yap

international: country code - 691; satellite earth stations - 5 Intelsat (Pacific Ocean) (2002)

Broadcast media:

no television broadcast stations; each state has a multi-channel cable service with television transmissions carrying roughly 95% imported programming and 5% local programming; about a half dozen radio stations in operation (2009)

Internet country code:

.fm

Internet hosts:

3,097 (2010) country comparison to the world: 144

Internet users:

17,000 (2009) country comparison to the world: 194

Transportation ::Micronesia, Federated States of

Airports:

6 (2010) country comparison to the world: 170

Airports - with paved runways:

total: 6

1,524 to 2,437 m: 4

914 to 1,523 m: 2 (2010)

Roadways:

total: 240 km country comparison to the world: 206 paved: 42 km

unpaved: 198 km (2000)

Merchant marine:

total: 3 country comparison to the world: 140 by type: cargo 1, passenger/cargo 2 (2010)

Ports and terminals:

Colonia (Tomil Harbor), Lele Harbor, Pohnepi Harbor

Military ::Micronesia, Federated States of

Military branches:

no regular military forces

Manpower available for military service:

males age 16-49: 26,687 (2010 est.)

Manpower fit for military service:

males age 16-49: 21,909

females age 16-49: 23,410 (2010 est.)

Manpower reaching militarily significant age annually:

male: 1,270

female: 1,221 (2010 est.)

Military - note:

defense is the responsibility of the US

Transnational Issues ::Micronesia, Federated States of

Disputes - international:

none

Illicit drugs:

major consumer of cannabis

page last updated on January 11, 2011

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@Moldova (Europe)

Introduction ::Moldova

Background:

Part of Romania during the interwar period, Moldova was incorporated into the Soviet Union at the close of World War II. Although the country has been independent from the USSR since 1991, Russian forces have remained on Moldovan territory east of the Dniester River supporting the Slavic majority population, mostly Ukrainians and Russians, who have proclaimed a "Transnistria" republic. One of the poorest nations in Europe, Moldova became the first former Soviet state to elect a Communist, Vladimir VORONIN, as its president in 2001. VORONIN served as Moldova's president until he resigned in September 2009, following the opposition's gain of a narrow majority in July parliamentary elections and the Communist Party's (PCRM) subsequent inability to attract the three-fifths of parliamentary votes required to elect a president. Moldova's four opposition parties formed a new coalition, the Alliance for European Integration (AEI), which acted as Moldova's governing coalition until parliamentary elections were held in November 2010 and a new governing coalition could be formed. Moldova experienced significant political uncertainty in 2009 and 2010, holding three general elections (in April 2009, July 2009, and November 2010) and four presidential ballots in parliament, all of which failed to secure a president.

Geography ::Moldova

Location:

Eastern Europe, northeast of Romania

Geographic coordinates:

47 00 N, 29 00 E

Map references:

Europe

Area:

total: 33,851 sq km country comparison to the world: 139 land: 32,891 sq km

water: 960 sq km

Area - comparative:

slightly larger than Maryland

Land boundaries:

total: 1,390 km

border countries: Romania 450 km, Ukraine 940 km

Coastline:

0 km (landlocked)

Maritime claims:

none (landlocked)

Climate:

moderate winters, warm summers

Terrain:

rolling steppe, gradual slope south to Black Sea

Elevation extremes:

lowest point: Dniester (Nistru) 2 m

highest point: Dealul Balanesti 430 m

Natural resources:

lignite, phosphorites, gypsum, arable land, limestone

Land use:

arable land: 54.52%

permanent crops: 8.81%

other: 36.67% (2005)

Irrigated land:

3,000 sq km (2003)

Total renewable water resources:

11.7 cu km (1997)

Freshwater withdrawal (domestic/industrial/agricultural):

total: 2.31 cu km/yr (10%/58%/33%)

per capita: 549 cu m/yr (2000)

Natural hazards:

landslides

Environment - current issues:

heavy use of agricultural chemicals, including banned pesticides such as DDT, has contaminated soil and groundwater; extensive soil erosion from poor farming methods

Environment - international agreements:

party to: Air Pollution, Air Pollution-Persistent Organic Pollutants, Biodiversity, Climate Change, Climate Change-Kyoto Protocol, Desertification, Endangered Species, Hazardous Wastes, Ozone Layer Protection, Ship Pollution, Wetlands

signed, but not ratified: none of the selected agreements

Geography - note:

landlocked; well endowed with various sedimentary rocks and minerals including sand, gravel, gypsum, and limestone

People ::Moldova

Population:

4,317,483 (July 2010 est.) country comparison to the world: 124

Age structure:

0-14 years: 15.9% (male 353,495/female 334,592)

15-64 years: 73.3% (male 1,536,263/female 1,629,882)

65 years and over: 10.8% (male 172,070/female 294,446) (2010 est.)

Median age:

total: 35 years

male: 33.1 years

female: 37.1 years (2010 est.)

Population growth rate:

-0.072% (2010 est.) country comparison to the world: 206

Birth rate:

11.16 births/1,000 population (2010 est.) country comparison to the world: 174

Death rate:

10.76 deaths/1,000 population (July 2010 est.) country comparison to the world: 44

Net migration rate:

-1.13 migrant(s)/1,000 population (2010 est.) country comparison to the world: 159

Urbanization:

urban population: 42% of total population (2008)

rate of urbanization: -1.5% annual rate of change (2005-10 est.)

Sex ratio:

at birth: 1.059 male(s)/female

under 15 years: 1.06 male(s)/female

15-64 years: 0.94 male(s)/female

65 years and over: 0.58 male(s)/female

total population: 0.91 male(s)/female (2010 est.)

Infant mortality rate:

total: 12.77 deaths/1,000 live births country comparison to the world: 135 male: 14.2 deaths/1,000 live births

female: 11.25 deaths/1,000 live births (2010 est.)

Life expectancy at birth:

total population: 71.09 years country comparison to the world: 133 male: 67.39 years

female: 75 years (2010 est.)

Total fertility rate:

1.28 children born/woman (2010 est.) country comparison to the world: 211

HIV/AIDS - adult prevalence rate:

0.4% (2007 est.) country comparison to the world: 81

HIV/AIDS - people living with HIV/AIDS:

8,900 (2007 est.) country comparison to the world: 109

HIV/AIDS - deaths:

fewer than 100 (2007 est.) country comparison to the world: 135

Nationality:

noun: Moldovan(s)

adjective: Moldovan

Ethnic groups:

Moldovan/Romanian 78.2%, Ukrainian 8.4%, Russian 5.8%, Gagauz 4.4%, Bulgarian 1.9%, other 1.3% (2004 census)

note: internal disputes with ethnic Slavs in the Transnistrian region

Religions:

Eastern Orthodox 98%, Jewish 1.5%, Baptist and other 0.5% (2000)

Languages:

Moldovan (official, virtually the same as the Romanian language), Russian, Gagauz (a Turkish dialect)

Literacy:

definition: age 15 and over can read and write

total population: 99.1%

male: 99.7%

female: 98.6% (2005 est.)

School life expectancy (primary to tertiary education):

total: 12 years

male: 12 years

female: 13 years (2008)

Education expenditures:

8.2% of GDP (2008) country comparison to the world: 9

Government ::Moldova

Country name:

conventional long form: Republic of Moldova

conventional short form: Moldova

local long form: Republica Moldova

local short form: Moldova

former: Moldavian Soviet Socialist Republic, Moldovan Soviet Socialist Republic

Government type:

republic

Capital:

note: pronounced KEE-shee-now

geographic coordinates: 47 00 N, 28 51 E

time difference: UTC+2 (7 hours ahead of Washington, DC during Standard Time)

daylight saving time: +1hr, begins last Sunday in March; ends last Sunday in October

Administrative divisions:

32 raions (raioane, singular - raion), 3 municipalities (municipii, singular - municipiu), 1 autonomous territorial unit (unitatea teritoriala autonoma), and 1 territorial unit (unitatea teritoriala)

raions: Anenii Noi, Basarabeasca, Briceni, Cahul, Cantemir, Calarasi, Causeni, Cimislia, Criuleni, Donduseni, Drochia, Dubasari, Edinet, Falesti, Floresti, Glodeni, Hincesti, Ialoveni, Leova, Nisporeni, Ocnita, Orhei, Rezina, Riscani, Singerei, Soldanesti, Soroca, Stefan-Voda, Straseni, Taraclia, Telenesti, Ungheni

municipalities: Balti, Bender, Chisinau

autonomous territorial unit: Gagauzia

territorial unit: Stinga Nistrului (Transnistria)

Independence:

27 August 1991 (from the Soviet Union)

National holiday:

Independence Day, 27 August (1991)

Constitution:

adopted 29 July 1994; effective 27 August 1994; note - replaced 1979 Soviet constitution

Legal system:

based on civil law system; Constitutional Court reviews legality of legislative acts and governmental decisions of resolution; accepts many UN and Organization for Security and Cooperation in Europe (OSCE) documents; has not accepted compulsory ICJ jurisdiction

Suffrage:

18 years of age; universal

Executive branch:

chief of state: Acting President Marian LUPU (since 30 December 2010)

note: Vladimir VORONIN, president since 4 April 2001, resigned on 11 September 2009; Marian LUPU, the Speaker of Parliament, is serving as acting president until new elections can be held

head of government: Prime Minister Vladimir FILAT (since 25 September 2009)

note: Vladimir Filat resigned on 27 December 2010, but was reappointed on 31 December 2010

cabinet: Cabinet selected by president, subject to approval of Parliament (For more information visit the World Leaders website ) elections: president elected by Parliament for a four-year term (eligible for a second term); last successful election held on 4 April 2005, most recent (failed) election held on 10 December 2009); note - prime minister designated by the president upon consultation with Parliament; within 15 days from designation, the prime minister-designate must request a vote of confidence from the Parliament regarding his/her work program and entire cabinet; prime minister (re)designated on 31 December 2010; cabinet received a vote of confidence on 14 January 2011

election results: Vladimir VORONIN reelected president (2005); parliamentary votes - Vladimir VORONIN 75, Gheorghe DUCA 1; Vladimir FILAT (re)designated prime minister; parliamentary votes of confidence - 59 of 101

Legislative branch:

unicameral Parliament or Parlamentul (101 seats; members elected on an at-large basis by popular vote to serve four-year terms)

elections: last held on 28 November 2010 (next to be held in 2014); note - this was the third parliamentary election in less than two years; the earlier parliaments (elected 5 April 2009 and 29 July 2009) could not agree on a presidential candidate

election results: percent of vote by party - PCRM 39.3%, PLDM 29.4%, PD 12.7%, PL 10%, other 8.6%; seats by party - PCRM 42, PLDM 32, PD 15, PL 12; note - the PLDM, PD, and PL governing coalition, termed the Alliance for European Integration, has 59 seats; it remains 2 votes short of the 61 needed to elect a new president

Judicial branch:

Supreme Court; Constitutional Court (the sole authority for constitutional judicature)

Political parties and leaders:

represented in Parliament: Communist Party of the Republic of Moldova or PCRM [Vladimir VORONIN]; Democratic Party or PD [Mihai LUPU]; Liberal Democratic Party or PLDM [Vladmir FILAT]; Liberal Party or PL [Mihai GHIMPU]

not represented in Parliament: Christian Democratic People's Party or PPCD [Iurie ROSCA]; Conservative Party or PC [Natalia NIRCA]; Ecological Party of Moldova "Green Alliance" or PEMAVE [Vladimir BRAGA]; European Action Movement or MAE [Veaceslav UNTILA]; For Nation and Country Party or PpNT [Sergiu MOCANU]; Humanist Party of Moldova or PUM [Valeriu PASAT]; Labor Party or PM [Gheorghe SIMA]; National Liberal Party or PNL [Vitalia PAVLICENKO]; Our Moldova Alliance or AMN [Serafim URECHEAN]; Patriots of Moldova Party or PPM [Mihail GARBUZ]; Popular Republican Party or PPR [Nicolae ANDRONIC]; Republican Party of Moldova or PRM [Andrei STRATAN]; Roma Social Political Movement of the Republic of Moldova or MRRM [Ion BUCUR]; Social Democratic Party or PSD [Victor SELIN]; Social Political Movement "Equality" or MR [Valeriy KLIMENCO]; United Moldova Party or PMUEM [Vladimir TURCAN]

Political pressure groups and leaders:

International organization participation: