Part 138

Chapter 1383,717 wordsPublic domain

BSEC, CE, CEI, CIS, EAEC (observer), EAPC, EBRD, FAO, GCTU, GUAM, IAEA, IBRD, ICAO, ICCt, ICRM, IDA, IFAD, IFC, IFRCS, ILO, IMF, IMO, Interpol, IOC, IOM, IPU, ISO (correspondent), ITU, MIGA, OIF, OPCW, OSCE, PFP, SECI, UN, UNCTAD, UNESCO, UNHCR, UNIDO, Union Latina, UNMIL, UNMIS, UNOCI, UNWTO, UPU, WCO, WHO, WIPO, WMO, WTO

Diplomatic representation in the US:

chief of mission: Ambassador Igor MUNTEANU

chancery: 2101 S Street NW, Washington, DC 20008

telephone: [1] (202) 667-1130

FAX: [1] (202) 667-1204

Diplomatic representation from the US:

chief of mission: Ambassador Asif J. CHAUDHRY

embassy: 103 Mateevici Street, Chisinau MD-2009

mailing address: use embassy street address

telephone: [373] (22) 40-8300

FAX: [373] (22) 23-3044

Flag description:

three equal vertical bands of blue (hoist side), yellow, and red; emblem in center of flag is of a Roman eagle of gold outlined in black with a red beak and talons carrying a yellow cross in its beak and a green olive branch in its right talons and a yellow scepter in its left talons; on its breast is a shield divided horizontally red over blue with a stylized ox head, star, rose, and crescent all in black-outlined yellow; based on the color scheme of the flag of Romania - with whom Moldova shares a history and culture - but Moldova's blue band is lighter; the reverse of the flag does not display any coat of arms

note: one of only three national flags that differ on their obverse and reverse sides - the others are Paraguay and Saudi Arabia

National anthem:

lyrics/music: Alexei MATEEVICI/Alexandru CRISTEA

note: adopted 1994

Economy ::Moldova

Economy - overview:

Moldova remains one of the poorest countries in Europe despite recent progress from its small economic base. It enjoys a favorable climate and good farmland but has no major mineral deposits. As a result, the economy depends heavily on agriculture, featuring fruits, vegetables, wine, and tobacco. Moldova must import almost all of its energy supplies. Moldova's dependence on Russian energy was underscored at the end of 2005, when a Russian-owned electrical station in Moldova's separatist Transnistria region cut off power to Moldova and Russia's Gazprom cut off natural gas in disputes over pricing. In January 2009, gas supplies were cut during a dispute between Russia and Ukraine. Russia's decision to ban Moldovan wine and agricultural products, coupled with its decision to double the price Moldova paid for Russian natural gas, have hurt growth. The onset of the global financial crisis and poor economic conditions in Moldova's main foreign markets, caused GDP to fall 6.5% in 2009. Unemployment almost doubled and inflation disappeared - at -0.1%, a record low. Moldova's IMF agreement expired in May 2009. In fall 2009, the IMF allocated $186 million to Moldova to cover its immediate budgetary needs, and the government signed an new agreement with the IMF in January 2010 for a program worth $574 million. In 2010, an upturn in the world economy boosted GDP growth to 3.1% and inflation to 7.3%. Economic reforms have been slow because of corruption and strong political forces backing government controls. Nevertheless, the government's primary goal of EU integration has resulted in some market-oriented progress. The granting of EU trade preferences and increased exports to Russia will encourage higher growth rates, but the agreements are unlikely to serve as a panacea, given the extent to which export success depends on higher quality standards and other factors. The economy has made a modest recovery, but remains vulnerable to political uncertainty, weak administrative capacity, vested bureaucratic interests, higher fuel prices, poor agricultural weather, and the skepticism of foreign investors as well as the presence of an illegal separatist regime in Moldova's Transnistria region.

GDP (purchasing power parity):

$10.6 billion (2010 est.) country comparison to the world: 147 $10.28 billion (2009 est.)

$10.99 billion (2008 est.)

note: data are in 2010 US dollars

GDP (official exchange rate):

$5.357 billion (2010 est.)

GDP - real growth rate:

3.1% (2010 est.) country comparison to the world: 115 -6.5% (2009 est.)

7.8% (2008 est.)

GDP - per capita (PPP):

$2,500 (2010 est.) country comparison to the world: 178 $2,400 (2009 est.)

$2,500 (2008 est.)

note: data are in 2010 US dollars

GDP - composition by sector:

agriculture: 16.3%

industry: 20.1%

services: 63.6% (2010 est.)

Labor force:

1.203 million (2010 est.) country comparison to the world: 138

Labor force - by occupation:

agriculture: 40.6%

industry: 16%

services: 43.3% (2005 est.)

Unemployment rate:

3.4% (2010 est.) country comparison to the world: 26 3.1% (2009 est.)

Population below poverty line:

29.5% (2005)

Household income or consumption by percentage share:

lowest 10%: 3%

highest 10%: 28.2% (2004)

Distribution of family income - Gini index:

33.2 (2003) country comparison to the world: 95 40.6 (1997)

Investment (gross fixed):

21.7% of GDP (2010 est.) country comparison to the world: 69

Public debt:

25% of GDP (2010 est.) country comparison to the world: 99 25.7% of GDP (2009 est.)

Inflation rate (consumer prices):

7.3% (2010 est.) country comparison to the world: 184 -0.1% (2009 est.)

Commercial bank prime lending rate:

20.54% (31 December 2009 est.) country comparison to the world: 15 21.06% (31 December 2008 est.)

Stock of narrow money:

$1.221 billion (31 December 2010 est) country comparison to the world: 134 $1.189 billion (31 December 2009 est)

Stock of broad money:

$2.889 billion (31 December 2010 est.) country comparison to the world: 133 $2.942 billion (31 December 2009 est.)

Stock of domestic credit:

$2.11 billion (31 December 2010 est.) country comparison to the world: 124 $2.251 billion (31 December 2009 est.)

Market value of publicly traded shares:

$NA (2004) country comparison to the world: 103 $573.9 million (2004)

Agriculture - products:

vegetables, fruits, grapes, grain, sugar beets,sunflower seed, tobacco; beef, milk; wine

Industries:

sugar, vegetable oil, food processing, agricultural machinery; foundry equipment, refrigerators and freezers, washing machines; hosiery, shoes, textiles

Industrial production growth rate:

4.5% (2010 est.) country comparison to the world: 75

Electricity - production:

3.617 billion kWh (2007 est.) country comparison to the world: 120

Electricity - consumption:

4.37 billion kWh (2007 est.) country comparison to the world: 114

Electricity - exports:

240 million kWh (2007 est.)

Electricity - imports:

2.931 billion kWh (2007 est.)

Oil - production:

0 bbl/day (2009 est.) country comparison to the world: 148

Oil - consumption:

19,000 bbl/day (2009 est.) country comparison to the world: 128

Oil - exports:

36 bbl/day (2007 est.) country comparison to the world: 135

Oil - imports:

14,230 bbl/day (2007 est.) country comparison to the world: 128

Oil - proved reserves:

0 bbl (1 January 2010 est.) country comparison to the world: 157

Natural gas - production:

50 million cu m (2007 est.) country comparison to the world: 82

Natural gas - consumption:

2.52 billion cu m (2008 est.) country comparison to the world: 77

Natural gas - exports:

0 cu m (2008 est.) country comparison to the world: 94

Natural gas - imports:

2.52 billion cu m (2008 est.) country comparison to the world: 44

Natural gas - proved reserves:

0 cu m (1 January 2010 est.) country comparison to the world: 145

Current account balance:

-$565 million (2010 est.) country comparison to the world: 119 -$464.6 million (2009 est.)

Exports:

$1.45 billion (2010 est.) country comparison to the world: 138 $1.332 billion (2009 est.)

Exports - commodities:

foodstuffs, textiles, machinery

Exports - partners:

Russia 23.77%, Italy 14.11%, Romania 12.74%, Germany 6.92%, Turkey 6.08%, Belarus 5.38% (2009)

Imports:

$3.66 billion (2010 est.) country comparison to the world: 132 $3.276 billion (2009 est.)

Imports - commodities:

mineral products and fuel, machinery and equipment, chemicals, textiles

Imports - partners:

Ukraine 19.9%, Romania 15.1%, Russia 14.52%, Germany 8.69%, Italy 5.7%, Belarus 4.38% (2009)

Reserves of foreign exchange and gold:

$1.6 billion (31 December 2010 est.) country comparison to the world: 104 $1.48 billion (31 December 2009 est.)

Debt - external:

$4.146 billion (31 December 2010 est.) country comparison to the world: 115 $3.844 billion (31 December 2009 est.)

Stock of direct foreign investment - at home:

$NA (31 December 2010)

$1.813 billion (2008)

Stock of direct foreign investment - abroad:

$NA

Exchange rates:

Moldovan lei (MDL) per US dollar - 12.443 (2010), 11.11 (2009), 10.326 (2008), 12.177 (2007), 13.131 (2006)

Communications ::Moldova

Telephones - main lines in use:

1.139 million (2009) country comparison to the world: 72

Telephones - mobile cellular:

2.785 million (2009) country comparison to the world: 116

Telephone system:

general assessment: poor service outside Chisinau; some modernization is under way

domestic: depending on location, new subscribers may face long wait for service; multiple private operators of GSM mobile-cellular telephone service are operating; GPRS system is being introduced; a CDMA mobile telephone network began operations in 2007; combined fixed-line and mobile-cellular teledensity 90 per 100 persons

international: country code - 373; service through Romania and Russia via landline; satellite earth stations - at least 3 (Intelsat, Eutelsat, and Intersputnik) (2009)

Broadcast media:

state-owned national radio-TV broadcaster operates 2 television and 2 radio stations; a total of nearly 40 terrestrial TV channels and some 50 radio stations are in operation; Russian and Romanian channels also are available (2007)

Internet country code:

.md

Internet hosts:

492,181 (2010) country comparison to the world: 50

Internet users:

1.333 million (2009) country comparison to the world: 89

Transportation ::Moldova

Airports:

11 (2010) country comparison to the world: 154

Airports - with paved runways:

total: 5

over 3,047 m: 1

2,438 to 3,047 m: 2

1,524 to 2,437 m: 2 (2010)

Airports - with unpaved runways:

total: 6

1,524 to 2,437 m: 3

under 914 m: 3 (2010)

Pipelines:

gas 1,906 km (2009)

Railways:

total: 1,138 km country comparison to the world: 88 broad gauge: 1,124 km 1.520-m gauge

standard gauge: 14 km 1.435-m gauge (2008)

Roadways:

total: 9,343 km country comparison to the world: 137 paved: 8,810 km

unpaved: 533 km (2008)

Waterways:

558 km (in public use on Danube, Dniester and Prut rivers) (2008) country comparison to the world: 83

Merchant marine:

total: 107 country comparison to the world: 48 by type: bulk carrier 7, cargo 89, chemical tanker 2, passenger/cargo 1, petroleum tanker 1, refrigerated cargo 1, roll on/roll off 6

foreign-owned: 63 (Belgium 2, Egypt 5, Greece 4, Israel 4, Lebanon 1, Romania 2, Russia 5, Syria 3, Turkey 18, UK 6, Ukraine 12, Yemen 1) (2010)

Military ::Moldova

Military branches:

National Army: Land Forces Command (includes special forces), Air Forces Command (includes air defense unit), Logistics Command (2010)

Military service age and obligation:

18 years of age for compulsory military service; 17 years of age for voluntary service; male registration required at age 16; 12-month service obligation (2009)

Manpower available for military service:

males age 16-49: 1,150,585

females age 16-49: 1,168,169 (2010 est.)

Manpower fit for military service:

males age 16-49: 877,031

females age 16-49: 979,128 (2010 est.)

Manpower reaching militarily significant age annually:

male: 30,012

female: 28,450 (2010 est.)

Military expenditures:

0.4% of GDP (2005 est.) country comparison to the world: 168

Transnational Issues ::Moldova

Disputes - international:

Moldova and Ukraine operate joint customs posts to monitor the transit of people and commodities through Moldova's break-away Transnistria region, which remains under OSCE supervision

Trafficking in persons:

current situation: Moldova is a major source and, to a lesser extent, a transit country for women and girls trafficked for the purpose of commercial sexual exploitation; Moldovan women are trafficked to the Middle East, Eastern Europe, and Western Europe; girls and young women are trafficked within the country from rural areas to Chisinau; children are also trafficked to neighboring countries for forced labor and begging; labor trafficking of men to work in the construction, agriculture, and service sectors of Russia is increasingly a problem; according to an ILO report, Moldova's national Bureau of Statistics estimated that there were likely over 25,000 Moldovan victims of trafficking for forced labor in 2008

tier rating: Tier 2 Watch List - The Government of Moldova does not fully comply with the minimum standards for the elimination of trafficking; however, it is making significant efforts to do so; despite initial efforts to combat trafficking-related complicity since the government's reassessment on the Tier 2 Watch List in September 2008, and increased victim assistance, the government did not demonstrate sufficiently meaningful efforts to curb trafficking-related corruption, which is a government-acknowledged problem in Moldova; the government improved victim protection efforts, deployed more law-enforcement officers in the effort and contributed direct financial assistance toward victim protection and assistance for the first time (2010)

Illicit drugs:

limited cultivation of opium poppy and cannabis, mostly for CIS consumption; transshipment point for illicit drugs from Southwest Asia via Central Asia to Russia, Western Europe, and possibly the US; widespread crime and underground economic activity

page last updated on January 19, 2011

======================================================================

@Monaco (Europe)

Introduction ::Monaco

Background:

The Genoese built a fortress on the site of present day Monaco in 1215. The current ruling Grimaldi family first seized temporary control in 1297, and again in 1331, but were not able to permanently secure their holding until 1419. Economic development was spurred in the late 19th century with a railroad linkup to France and the opening of a casino. Since then, the principality's mild climate, splendid scenery, and gambling facilities have made Monaco world famous as a tourist and recreation center.

Geography ::Monaco

Location:

Western Europe, bordering the Mediterranean Sea on the southern coast of France, near the border with Italy

Geographic coordinates:

43 44 N, 7 24 E

Map references:

Europe

Area:

total: 2 sq km country comparison to the world: 249 land: 2 sq km

water: 0 sq km

Area - comparative:

about three times the size of The Mall in Washington, DC

Land boundaries:

total: 4.4 km

border countries: France 4.4 km

Coastline:

4.1 km

Maritime claims:

territorial sea: 12 nm

exclusive economic zone: 12 nm

Climate:

Mediterranean with mild, wet winters and hot, dry summers

Terrain:

hilly, rugged, rocky

Elevation extremes:

lowest point: Mediterranean Sea 0 m

highest point: Mont Agel 140 m

Natural resources:

none

Land use:

arable land: 0%

permanent crops: 0%

other: 100% (urban area) (2005)

Irrigated land:

Natural hazards:

Environment - current issues:

Environment - international agreements:

party to: Air Pollution, Air Pollution-Sulfur 94, Air Pollution-Volatile Organic Compounds, Biodiversity, Climate Change, Climate Change-Kyoto Protocol, Desertification, Endangered Species, Hazardous Wastes, Law of the Sea, Marine Dumping, Ozone Layer Protection, Ship Pollution, Wetlands, Whaling

signed, but not ratified: none of the selected agreements

Geography - note:

second-smallest independent state in the world (after Holy See); almost entirely urban

People ::Monaco

Population:

30,586 (July 2010 est.) country comparison to the world: 213

Age structure:

0-14 years: 14.6% (male 2,466/female 2,349)

15-64 years: 62.4% (male 10,184/female 10,395)

65 years and over: 23% (male 3,068/female 4,503) (2010 est.)

Median age:

total: 48.9 years

male: 48 years

female: 49.9 years (2010 est.)

Population growth rate:

-0.183% (2010 est.) country comparison to the world: 214

Birth rate:

7.03 births/1,000 population (2010 est.) country comparison to the world: 223

Death rate:

8.01 deaths/1,000 population (July 2010 est.) country comparison to the world: 105

Net migration rate:

-0.85 migrant(s)/1,000 population (2010 est.) country comparison to the world: 152

Urbanization:

urban population: 100% of total population (2008)

rate of urbanization: 0.3% annual rate of change (2005-10 est.)

Sex ratio:

at birth: 1.048 male(s)/female

under 15 years: 1.05 male(s)/female

15-64 years: 1 male(s)/female

65 years and over: 0.8 male(s)/female

total population: 0.95 male(s)/female (2010 est.)

Infant mortality rate:

total: 1.78 deaths/1,000 live births country comparison to the world: 223 male: 2.03 deaths/1,000 live births

female: 1.53 deaths/1,000 live births (2010 est.)

Life expectancy at birth:

total population: 89.78 years country comparison to the world: 1 male: 85.81 years

female: 93.9 years (2010 est.)

Total fertility rate:

1.5 children born/woman (2010 est.) country comparison to the world: 187

HIV/AIDS - adult prevalence rate:

HIV/AIDS - people living with HIV/AIDS:

HIV/AIDS - deaths:

Nationality:

noun: Monegasque(s) or Monacan(s)

adjective: Monegasque or Monacan

Ethnic groups:

French 47%, Monegasque 16%, Italian 16%, other 21%

Religions:

Roman Catholic 90%, other 10%

Languages:

French (official), English, Italian, Monegasque

Literacy:

definition: age 15 and over can read and write

total population: 99%

male: 99%

female: 99% (2003 est.)

Education expenditures:

4.4% of GDP (2004) country comparison to the world: 97

Government ::Monaco

Country name:

conventional long form: Principality of Monaco

conventional short form: Monaco

local long form: Principaute de Monaco

local short form: Monaco

Government type:

constitutional monarchy

Capital:

geographic coordinates: 43 44 N, 7 25 E

time difference: UTC+1 (6 hours ahead of Washington, DC during Standard Time)

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

Administrative divisions:

none; there are no first-order administrative divisions as defined by the US Government, but there are four quarters (quartiers, singular - quartier); Fontvieille, La Condamine, Monaco-Ville, Monte-Carlo

Independence:

1419 (beginning of permanent rule by the House of Grimaldi)

National holiday:

National Day (Saint Rainier's Day), 19 November (1857)

Constitution:

17 December 1962; modified 2 April 2002

Legal system:

based on French law; has not accepted compulsory ICJ jurisdiction

Suffrage:

18 years of age; universal

Executive branch:

chief of state: Prince ALBERT II (since 6 April 2005)

head of government: Minister of State Michel ROGER (since 29 March 2010)

cabinet: Council of Government under the authority of the monarch (For more information visit the World Leaders website ) elections: the monarchy is hereditary; minister of state appointed by the monarch from a list of three French national candidates presented by the French Government

Legislative branch:

unicameral National Council or Conseil National (24 seats; 16 members elected by list majority system, 8 by proportional representation to serve five-year terms)

elections: last held on 3 February 2008 (next to be held in February 2013)

election results: percent of vote by party - UPM 52.2%, REM 40.5%, Monaco Together 7.3%; seats by party - UPM 21, REM 3

Judicial branch:

Supreme Court or Tribunal Supreme (judges appointed by the monarch on the basis of nominations by the National Council)

Political parties and leaders:

Monaco Together; Rally and Issues for Monaco or REM; Union for Monaco or UPM (including National Union for the Future of Monaco or UNAM)

Political pressure groups and leaders:

International organization participation:

CE, FAO, IAEA, ICAO, ICC, ICRM, IFRCS, IHO, IMO, IMSO, Interpol, IOC, IPU, ITSO, ITU, OAS (observer), OIF, OPCW, OSCE, Schengen Convention (de facto member), UN, UNCTAD, UNESCO, UNIDO, Union Latina, UNWTO, UPU, WHO, WIPO, WMO

Diplomatic representation in the US:

chief of mission: Ambassador Gilles NOGHES

chancery: 3400 International Drive NW, Suite 2K-100, Washington, DC 20008

telephone: (202) 234-1530

FAX: (202) 244-7656

consulate(s) general: New York

Diplomatic representation from the US:

the US does not have an embassy in Monaco; the US Ambassador to France is accredited to Monaco; the US Consul General in Marseille (France), under the authority of the US ambassador to France, handles routine diplomatic and consular matters concerning Monaco

Flag description:

two equal horizontal bands of red (top) and white; the colors are those of the ruling House of Grimaldi and have been in use since 1339, making the flag one of the world's oldest national banners

note: similar to the flag of Indonesia which is longer and the flag of Poland which is white (top) and red

National anthem:

lyrics/music: Louis NOTARI/Charles ALBRECHT

note: music adopted 1867, lyrics adopted 1931; although French is much more commonly spoken, only the Monegasque lyrics are official; the French version is known as "Hymne Monegasque" (Monegasque Anthem); the words are generally only sung on official occasions

Economy ::Monaco

Economy - overview:

Monaco, bordering France on the Mediterranean coast, is a popular resort, attracting tourists to its casino and pleasant climate. The principality also is a major banking center and has successfully sought to diversify into services and small, high-value-added, nonpolluting industries. The state has no income tax and low business taxes and thrives as a tax haven both for individuals who have established residence and for foreign companies that have set up businesses and offices. Monaco, however, is not a tax-free shelter; it charges nearly 20% value-added tax, collects stamp duties, and companies face a 33% tax on profits unless they can show that three-quarters of profits are generated within the principality. Monaco was formally removed from the OECD's "grey list" of uncooperative tax jurisdictions in late 2009, but continues to face international pressure to abandon its banking secrecy laws and help combat tax evasion. The state retains monopolies in a number of sectors, including tobacco, the telephone network, and the postal service. Living standards are high, roughly comparable to those in prosperous French metropolitan areas.

GDP (purchasing power parity):

$976.3 million (2006 est.) country comparison to the world: 201 note: data are in 2010 US dollars

GDP (official exchange rate):

$NA

GDP - real growth rate:

NA% (2000 est.)

GDP - per capita (PPP):

$30,000 (2006 est.) country comparison to the world: 46

GDP - composition by sector:

agriculture: 0%

industry: 4.9%

services: 95.1% (2005)

Labor force:

44,000 country comparison to the world: 191 note: includes workers from all foreign countries (2005 est.)

Unemployment rate:

0% (2005) country comparison to the world: 1

Population below poverty line:

NA%

Household income or consumption by percentage share:

lowest 10%: NA%

highest 10%: NA%

Inflation rate (consumer prices):

1.9% (2000) country comparison to the world: 54