Chapter V (24)

Literacy: age 15 and over can read and write (1989 est.)
total population: 98%
male: 99%
female: 98%

Government ----------

Name of country:
conventional long form: Republic of Lithuania
conventional short form: Lithuania
local long form: Lietuvos Respublika
local short form: Lietuva
former: Lithuanian Soviet Socialist Republic

Data code: LH

Type of government: republic

Capital: Vilnius

Administrative divisions: 44 regions (rajonai, singular - rajonas)
and 11 municipalities*: Akmenes Rajonas, Alytaus Rajonas, Alytus*,
Anyksciu Rajonas, Birsionas*, Birzu Rajonas, Druskininkai*,
Ignalinos Rajonas, Jonavos Rajonas, Joniskio Rajonas, Jurbarko
Rajonas, Kaisiadoriu Rajonas, Marijampoles Rajonas, Kaunas*, Kauno
Rajonas, Kedainiu Rajonas, Kelmes Rajonas, Klaipeda*, Klaipedos
Rajonas, Kretingos Rajonas, Kupiskio Rajonas, Lazdiju Rajonas,
Marijampole*, Mazeikiu Rajonas, Moletu Rajonas, Neringa* Pakruojo
Rajonas, Palanga*, Panevezio Rajonas, Panevezys*, Pasvalio Rajonas,
Plunges Rajonas, Prienu Rajonas, Radviliskio Rajonas, Raseiniu
Rajonas, Rokiskio Rajonas, Sakiu Rajonas, Salcininky Rajonas,
Siauliai*, Siauliu Rajonas, Silales Rajonas, Siltues Rajonas,
Sirvinty Rajonas, Skuodo Rajonas, Svencioniu Rajonas, Taurages
Rajonas, Telsiu Rajonas, Traky Rajonas, Ukmerges Rajonas, Utenos
Rajonas, Varenos Rajonas, Vilkaviskio Rajonas, Vilniaus Rajonas,
Vilnius*, Zarasu Rajonas

Independence: 6 September 1991 (from Soviet Union)

National holiday: Independence Day, 16 February (1918)

Constitution: adopted 25 October 1992

Legal system: based on civil law system; no judicial review of
legislative acts

Suffrage: 18 years of age; universal

Executive branch:
chief of state: President Algirdas Mykolas BRAZAUSKAS (since 25
November 1992; elected acting president by Parliament 25 November
1992 and elected by direct vote 15 February 1993) was elected for a
five-year term by universal suffrage; election last held 14 February
1993 (next to be held spring 1997); results - Algirdas BRAZAUSKAS
was elected; percent of vote NA
head of government: Premier Mindaugas STANKEVICIUS (since 15
February 1996) was appointed by the president on approval of the
Seimas
cabinet: Council of Ministers was appointed by the president on the
nomination of the prime minister

Legislative branch: unicameral
Seimas (parliament): elections last held 26 October and 25 November
1992 (next to be held NA October 1996); results - LDDP 51%; seats -
(141 total) LDDP 73, Conservative Party 30, LKDP 17, LTS 8, Farmers'
Union 4, LLS 4, Center Union 2, others 3

Judicial branch: Supreme Court, judges appointed by the Seimas;
Court of Appeal, judges appointed by the Seimas

Political parties and leaders: Christian Democratic Party (LKDP),
Algirdas SAUDARGAS, chairman; Democratic Labor Party of Lithuania
(LDDP), Mindaugas STANKEVICIUS , chairman; Lithuanian Nationalist
Union (LTS), Rimantas SMETONA, chairman; Lithuanian Social
Democratic Party (LSDP), Aloyzas SAKALAS, chairman; Farmers' Union,
Jonas CIULEVICIUS, chairman; Center Union, Romualdas OZOLAS,
chairman; Homeland Union/Conservative Party, Vytautas LANDSBERGIS,
chairman; Lithuanian Polish Union (LLS), Rytardas MACIEKIANIEC,
chairman

Other political or pressure groups: Lithuanian Future Forum

International organization participation: BIS, CBSS, CCC, CE,
EBRD, ECE, EU (applicant), FAO, IAEA, IBRD, ICAO, ICRM, IFC, IFRCS,
ILO, IMF, Intelsat (nonsignatory user), Interpol, IOC, ISO
(correspondent), ITU, NACC, OSCE, PFP, UN, UNCRO, UNCTAD, UNESCO,
UPU, WEU (associate partner), WHO, WIPO, WMO, WTrO (applicant)

Diplomatic representation in US:
chief of mission: Ambassador Alfonsas EIDINTAS
chancery: 2622 16th Street NW, Washington, DC 20009
telephone: [1] (202) 234-5860, 2639
FAX: [1] (202) 328-0466
consulate(s) general: New York

US diplomatic representation:
chief of mission: Ambassador James W. SWIHART, Jr.
embassy: Akmenu 6, Vilnius 2600
mailing address: PSC 78, Box V, APO AE 09723
telephone: [78] (8) 973-0000, 227-224
FAX: [78] (8) 670-6084

Flag: three equal horizontal bands of yellow (top), green, and red

Economy -------

Economic overview: Since declaring independence in 1990, Lithuania
has implemented reforms aimed at eliminating the vestiges of the
former socialist system. With the help of the IMF and other
international institutions, the government has adopted a disciplined
program to restrain inflation, reduce price controls, lower the
budget deficit and privatize the economy. Lithuania has embarked on
a series of price liberalizations; most price controls have been
abolished. More than two-thirds of its industrial facilities as well
as most housing and agricultural enterprises have been privatized,
although important "strategic" enterprises have been exempted from
privatization - namely energy and telecommunications. While
Lithuania has reduced its trade dependence on Russia and other
republics of the FSU from 85% in 1991 to about 40% in 1995, Russia
remains Lithuania's leading trading partner. Lithuania has made
great strides in reducing its annual rate of inflation - from over
1,100% in 1992 to about 35% in 1995. Production bottomed out in
1994-95. A banking crisis beginning in September, during which
central bank reserves dropped one-third, held back growth in 1995.
If the government can stay the course on economic reform and fiscal
discipline - which may be politically difficult in the election year
of 1996 - Lithuania could be set for strong economic growth in the
near term. As for real resources, Lithuania's growth depends largely
on its ability to exploit its strategic location - with its ice-free
port at Klaipeda and its rail and highway hub in Vilnius connecting
it with Eastern Europe, Belarus, Russia, and Ukraine. Lacking
important natural resources, it will remain dependent on imports of
fuels and raw materials.

GDP: purchasing power parity - $13.3 billion (1995 estimate as
extrapolated from World Bank estimate for 1994)

GDP real growth rate: 1% (1995 est.)

GDP per capita: $3,400 (1995 est.)

GDP composition by sector:
agriculture: 20%
industry: 42%
services: 38% (1993 est.)

Inflation rate (consumer prices): 35% (1995 est.)

Labor force: 1.836 million
by occupation: industry and construction 42%, agriculture and
forestry 18%, other 40% (1990)

Unemployment rate: 6.1% (January 1996)

Budget:
revenues: $NA
expenditures: $NA, including capital expenditures of $NA

Industries: metal-cutting machine tools, electric motors,
television sets, refrigerators and freezers, petroleum refining,
shipbuilding (small ships), furniture making, textiles, food
processing, fertilizers, agricultural machinery, optical equipment,
electronic components, computers, amber

Industrial production growth rate: NA%

Electricity:
capacity: 6,190,000 kW
production: 18.9 billion kWh
consumption per capita: 4,608 kWh (1993)

Agriculture: grain, potatoes, sugar beets, vegetables; meat, milk,
eggs; fish

Illicit drugs: transshipment point for illicit drugs from Central
and Southwest Asia and Latin America to Western Europe; limited
producer of illicit opium; mostly for domestic consumption

Exports: $2.2 billion (1994)
commodities: electronics 18%, food 10%, chemicals 6%, petroleum
products 5% (1989)
partners: Russia, Ukraine, Germany

Imports: $2.7 billion (1994)
commodities: oil 24%, machinery 14%, chemicals 8%, grain NA% (1989)
partners: Russia, Germany, Belarus

External debt: $895 million

Economic aid:
recipient: ODA, $144 million (1993)
note: commitments from the West and international financial
institutions, $765 million (1992-95)

Currency: introduced the convertible litas in June 1993

Exchange rates: litai per US$1 - 4.000 (January 1996), 4.000
(1995), 3.978 (1994), 4.344 (1993), 1.773 (1992); note - fixed rate
since 1 May 1994

Fiscal year: calendar year

Transportation --------------

Railways:
total: 2,002 km
broad gauge: 2,002 km 1.524-m gauge (122 km electrified) (1994)

Highways:
total: 55,603 km
paved: 42,209 km (including 382 km of expressways)
unpaved: 13,394 km (1994)

Waterways: 600 km perennially navigable

Pipelines: crude oil, 105 km; natural gas 760 km (1992)

Ports: Kaunas, Klaipeda

Merchant marine:
total: 43 ships (1,000 GRT or over) totaling 264,639 GRT/303,649 DWT
ships by type: cargo 26, combination bulk 11, oil tanker 2, railcar
carrier 1, roll-on/roll-off cargo 1, short-sea passenger 2 (1995
est.)

Airports:
total: 96
with paved runways over 3 047 m: 3
with paved runways 2 438 to 3 047 m: 2
with paved runways 1 524 to 2 437 m: 4
with paved runways 914 to 1 523 m: 2
with paved runways under 914 m: 14
with unpaved runways 2 438 to 3 047 m: 1
with unpaved runways 1 524 to 2 437 m: 1
with unpaved runways 914 to 1 523 m: 6
with unpaved runways under 914 m: 63 (1994 est.)

Communications --------------

Telephones: 900,000

Telephone system: telecommunications system ranks among the most
modern of the former Soviet republics
domestic: an NMT-450 analog cellular telephone network operates in
Vilnius and other cities; landlines and microwave radio relay
connect switching centers
international: international connections no longer depend on the
Moscow international gateway switch, but are established by
satellite through Oslo from Vilnius and through Copenhagen from
Kaunas; satellite earth stations - 1 Eutelsat and 1 Intelsat
(Atlantic Ocean); cellular network linked internationally through
Copenhagen by Eutelsat; international electronic mail is available;
landlines or microwave radio relay to former Soviet republics

Radio broadcast stations: AM 13, FM 26, shortwave 1, longwave 1

Radios: 1.42 million (1993 est.)

Television broadcast stations: 3

Televisions: 1.77 million (1993 est.)

Defense -------

Branches: Ground Forces, Navy, Air and Air Defense Force, Security
Forces (internal and border troops), National Guard (Skat)

Manpower availability:
males age 15-49: 903,437
males fit for military service: 712,875
males reach military age (18) annually: 26,162 (1996 est.)

Defense expenditures: exchange rate conversion - $31.7 million, 1%
of GDP (1995)

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

@Luxembourg ----------

Map ---

Location: 49 45 N, 6 10 E -- Western Europe, between France and
Germany

Flag ----

Description: three equal horizontal bands of red (top), white, and
light blue; similar to the flag of the Netherlands, which uses a
darker blue and is shorter; design was based on the flag of France

Geography ---------

Location: Western Europe, between France and Germany

Geographic coordinates: 49 45 N, 6 10 E

Map references: Europe

Area:
total area: 2,586 sq km
land area: 2,586 sq km
comparative area: slightly smaller than Rhode Island

Land boundaries:
total: 359 km
border countries: Belgium 148 km, France 73 km, Germany 138 km

Coastline: 0 km (landlocked)

Maritime claims: none (landlocked)

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
lowest point: Moselle River 133 m
highest point: Burgplatz 559 m

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 sq km

Environment:
current issues: deforestation; air and water pollution in urban areas
natural hazards: NA
international agreements: party to - Air Pollution, Air
Pollution-Nitrogen Oxides, Air Pollution-Sulphur 85, Air
Pollution-Volatile Organic Compounds, Biodiversity, Climate Change,
Endangered Species, Hazardous Wastes, Marine Dumping, Nuclear Test
Ban, Ozone Layer Protection, Ship Pollution, Tropical Timber 83;
signed, but not ratified - Air Pollution-Sulphur 94,
Desertification, Environmental Modification, Law of the Sea

Geographic note: landlocked

People ------

Population: 415,870 (July 1996 est.)

Age structure:
0-14 years: 18% (male 39,199; female 37,239)
15-64 years: 68% (male 142,394; female 138,349)
65 years and over: 14% (male 23,118; female 35,571) (July 1996 est.)

Population growth rate: 1.57% (1996 est.)

Birth rate: 13.14 births/1,000 population (1996 est.)

Death rate: 8.32 deaths/1,000 population (1996 est.)

Net migration rate: 10.93 migrant(s)/1,000 population (1996 est.)

Sex ratio:
at birth: 1.09 male(s)/female
under 15 years: 1.05 male(s)/female
15-64 years: 1.03 male(s)/female
65 years and over: 0.65 male(s)/female
all ages: 0.97 male(s)/female (1996 est.)

Infant mortality rate: 4.7 deaths/1,000 live births (1996 est.)

Life expectancy at birth:
total population: 78.26 years
male: 75.24 years
female: 81.56 years (1996 est.)

Total fertility rate: 1.76 children born/woman (1996 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 est.)
total population: 100%
male: 100%
female: 100%

Government ----------

Name of country:
conventional long form: Grand Duchy of Luxembourg
conventional short form: Luxembourg
local long form: Grand-Duche de Luxembourg
local short form: Luxembourg

Data code: LU

Type of government: constitutional monarchy

Capital: Luxembourg

Administrative divisions: 3 districts; Diekirch, Grevenmacher, ======================================================================

@Macau -----

(overseas territory of Portugal)

Map ---

Location: 22 10 N, 113 33 E -- Eastern Asia, bordering the South
China Sea and China

Flag ----

Description: the flag of Portugal is used

Geography ---------

Location: Eastern Asia, bordering the South China Sea and China

Geographic coordinates: 22 10 N, 113 33 E

Map references: Southeast Asia

Area:
total area: 16 sq km
land area: 16 sq km
comparative area: about 0.1 times the size of Washington, DC

Land boundaries:
total: 0.34 km
border country: 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
lowest point: South China Sea 0 m
highest point: Coloane Alto 174 m

Natural resources: NEGL

Land use:
arable land: 0%
permanent crops: 0%
meadows and pastures: 0%
forest and woodland: 0%
other: 100%

Irrigated land: NA sq km

Environment:
current issues: NA
natural hazards: NA
international agreements: party to - Ozone Layer Protection
(extended from Portugal)

Geographic note: essentially urban; one causeway and one bridge
connect the two islands to the peninsula on mainland

People ------

Population: 496,837 (July 1996 est.)

Age structure:
0-14 years: 24% (male 60,709; female 57,004)
15-64 years: 68% (male 167,466; female 169,486)
65 years and over: 8% (male 17,569; female 24,603) (July 1996 est.)

Population growth rate: 1.15% (1996 est.)

Birth rate: 14.16 births/1,000 population (1996 est.)

Death rate: 4.31 deaths/1,000 population (1996 est.)

Net migration rate: 1.66 migrant(s)/1,000 population (1996 est.)

Sex ratio:
at birth: 1.05 male(s)/female
under 15 years: 1.06 male(s)/female
15-64 years: 0.99 male(s)/female
65 years and over: 0.71 male(s)/female
all ages: 0.98 male(s)/female (1996 est.)

Infant mortality rate: 5.3 deaths/1,000 live births (1996 est.)

Life expectancy at birth:
total population: 79.95 years
male: 77.49 years
female: 82.54 years (1996 est.)

Total fertility rate: 1.51 children born/woman (1996 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) 4%, Chinese (Cantonese) is the
language of commerce

Literacy: age 15 and over can read and write (1981 est.)
total population: 90%
male: 93%
female: 86%

Government ----------

Name of country:
conventional long form: none
conventional short form: Macau
local long form: none
local short form: Ilha de Macau

Data code: MC

Type of government: 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
years after transition)

National holiday: Day of Portugal, 10 June (1580)

Constitution: 17 February 1976, Organic Law of Macau; basic law
drafted primarily by Beijing promulgated 31 March 1993

Legal system: Portuguese civil law system

Suffrage: 18 years of age; universal

Executive branch:
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) was appointed by the President of Portugal after
consultation with the Legislative Assembly
cabinet: Consultative Council consists of a total of 15 members -
five appointed by the governor, two nominated by the governor, five
elected for a four-year term (two represent administrative bodies,
one represents moral, cultural, and welfare interests, and two
represent economic interests), and three statutory members

Legislative branch: unicameral
Legislative Assembly: elections last held 10 March 1991 (next to be
held NA); results - percent of vote by party NA; seats - (23 total,
8 elected by direct vote, 8 by indirect vote, and 7 appointed by the
governor) number of seats by party NA

Judicial branch: Supreme Court, consisting of five magistrates
including the president; lower court judges appointed for three
years by governor

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 procommunist merchants
representing China's interests; in January 1967 the Macau Government
acceded to Chinese demands that gave China veto power over
administration

International organization participation: CCC, ESCAP (associate),
IMO (associate), Interpol (subbureau), UNESCO (associate), WToO
(associate), WTrO

Diplomatic representation in US: none (Chinese territory under
Portuguese administration)

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

Economy -------

Economic 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
probably represents over 40% of GDP. 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.

GDP: purchasing power parity - $6.4 billion (1995 est.)

GDP real growth rate: 4% (1995 est.)

GDP per capita: $13,000 (1995 est.)

GDP composition by sector:
agriculture: NA%
industry: NA%
services: NA%

Inflation rate (consumer prices): 8.6% (1995 est.)

Labor force: 180,000 (1986)
by occupation: NA

Unemployment rate: 2% (1992 est.)

Budget:
revenues: $305 million
expenditures: $298 million, including capital expenditures of $NA
(1989 est.)

Industries: clothing, textiles, toys, plastic products, furniture,
tourism

Industrial production growth rate: NA%

Electricity:
capacity: 258,000 kW
production: 950 million kWh
consumption per capita: 2,093 kWh (1993)

Agriculture: rice, vegetables

Exports: $1.9 billion (1995 est.)
commodities: textiles, clothing, toys
partners: US 35%, Hong Kong 12.5%, Germany 12%, China 9.9%, France
8% (1992 est.)

Imports: $2 billion (1992 est.)
commodities: raw materials, foodstuffs, capital goods
partners: Hong Kong 33%, China 20%, Japan 18% (1992 est.)

External debt: $0 (1995)

Economic aid:
recipient: ODA, $NA

Currency: 1 pataca (P) = 100 avos

Exchange rates: patacas (P) per US$1 - 8.034 (1991-95), 8.024
(1990), 8.030 (1989); note - linked to the Hong Kong dollar at the
rate of 1.03 patacas per Hong Kong dollar

Fiscal year: calendar year

Transportation --------------

Railways: 0 km

Highways:
total: 90 km
paved: 42 km
unpaved: 48 km (1987 est.)

Ports: Macau

Merchant marine: none

Airports: new international airport completed in 1995; 1 seaplane
station

Communications --------------

Telephones: 170,021 (1994 est.)

Telephone system: fairly modern communication facilities
maintained for domestic and international services
domestic: NA
international: HF radiotelephone communication facility; access to
international communications carriers provided via Hong Kong and
China; satellite earth station - 1 Intelsat (Indian Ocean)

Radio broadcast stations: AM 4, FM 3, shortwave 0

Radios: 135,000 (1992 est.)

Television broadcast stations: 0
note: TV programs received from Hong Kong

Televisions: 34,000 (1992 est.)

Defense -------

Branches: NA

Manpower availability:
males age 15-49: 142,704
males fit for military service: 79,225 (1996 est.)

Defense note: defense is the responsibility of Portugal

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

@Macedonia, The Former Yugoslav Republic of ------------------------------------------

Map ---

Location: 41 50 N, 22 00 E -- Southeastern Europe, north of Greece

Flag ----

Description: a rising yellow sun with 8 rays extending to the
edges of the red field

Geography ---------

Location: Southeastern Europe, north of Greece

Geographic coordinates: 41 50 N, 22 00 E

Map references: Europe

Area:
total area: 25,333 sq km
land area: 24,856 sq km
comparative area: slightly larger than Vermont

Land boundaries:
total: 748 km
border countries: 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: dispute with Greece over name; in
September 1995, Skopje and Athens signed an interim accord resolving
their dispute over symbols and certain constitutional provisions;
Athens also lifted its economic embargo on the Former Yugoslav
Republic of 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; country bisected by the Vardar River
lowest point: Vardar River 50 m
highest point: Korab 2,753 m

Natural resources: chromium, lead, zinc, manganese, tungsten,
nickel, low-grade iron ore, asbestos, sulfur, timber

Land use:
arable land: 5%
permanent crops: 5%
meadows and pastures: 20%
forest and woodland: 30%
other: 40%

Irrigated land: NA sq km

Environment:
current issues: air pollution from metallurgical plants
natural hazards: high seismic risks
international agreements: party to - Law of the Sea, Ozone Layer
Protection

Geographic note: landlocked; major transportation corridor from
Western and Central Europe to Aegean Sea and Southern Europe to
Western Europe

People ------

Population: 2,104,035 (July 1996 est.)
note: the Macedonian government census of July 1994 put the
population at 1.94 million, but ethnic allocations were likely
undercounted

Age structure:
0-14 years: 22% (male 242,593; female 228,563)
15-64 years: 68% (male 728,969; female 703,665)
65 years and over: 10% (male 90,363; female 109,882) (July 1996 est.)

Population growth rate: 0.46% (1996 est.)

Birth rate: 13.31 births/1,000 population (1996 est.)

Death rate: 8.47 deaths/1,000 population (1996 est.)

Net migration rate: -0.2 migrant(s)/1,000 population (1996 est.)

Sex ratio:
at birth: 1.08 male(s)/female
under 15 years: 1.06 male(s)/female
15-64 years: 1.04 male(s)/female
65 years and over: 0.82 male(s)/female
all ages: 1.02 male(s)/female (1996 est.)

Infant mortality rate: 29.7 deaths/1,000 live births (1996 est.)

Life expectancy at birth:
total population: 71.94 years
male: 69.86 years
female: 74.18 years (1996 est.)

Total fertility rate: 1.82 children born/woman (1996 est.)

Nationality:
noun: Macedonian(s)
adjective: Macedonian

Ethnic divisions: Macedonian 65%, Albanian 22%, Turkish 4%, Serb
2%, Gypsies 3%, other 4%

Religions: Eastern Orthodox 67%, Muslim 30%, other 3%

Languages: Macedonian 70%, Albanian 21%, Turkish 3%,
Serbo-Croatian 3%, other 3%

Literacy: NA

Government ----------

Name of country:
conventional long form: The Former Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia
conventional short form: none
local long form: Republika Makedonija
local short form: Makedonija
abbreviation: FYROM

Data code: MK

Type of government: emerging democracy

Capital: Skopje

Administrative divisions: 34 counties (opstinas, singular -
opstina) Berovo, Bitola, Brod, Debar, Delcevo, Gevgelija, Gostivar,
Kavadarci, Kicevo, Kocani, Kratovo, Kriva Palanka, Krusevo,
Kumanovo, Murgasevo, 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: 17 September 1991 (from Yugoslavia)

National holiday: 8 September

Constitution: adopted 17 November 1991, effective 20 November 1991

Legal system: based on civil law system; judicial review of
legislative acts

Suffrage: 18 years of age; universal

Executive branch:
chief of state: President Kiro GLIGOROV (since 27 January 1991) was
elected by the Assembly in 1991 and reelected by popular vote in
1994; election last held 16 October 1994 (next to be held NA 1997);
results - percent of vote NA; note - following a failed
assassination attempt on the president in October 1995, then
Parliamentary Speaker Stojan ANDOV was acting president; GLIGOROV
resumed his duties in early 1996
head of government: Prime Minister Branko CRVENKOVSKI (since 4
September 1992) was appointed by the president
cabinet: Council of Ministers were elected by the majority vote of
all the deputies in the Assembly; note - after the withdrawal of the
Liberal Party from the ruling coalition in early 1996, the Council
of Ministers was reorganized without LP participation

Legislative branch: unicameral
Assembly (Sobranje): elections last held 16 and 30 October 1994
(next to be held NA November 1998); results - percent of vote by
party NA; seats - (120 total) SDSM 58, LP 29, SPM 8, PDP 10, NDP 4,
independents 7, other 4

Judicial branch: Constitutional Court, judges are elected by the
Judicial Council; Judicial Court of the Republic, judges are elected
by the Judicial Council

Political parties and leaders: Social-Democratic Alliance of
Macedonia (SDSM; former Communist Party), Branko CRVENKOVSKI,
president; Party for Democratic Prosperity (PDP), Abdurahman HALITI,
president; National Democratic Party (NDP), Ilijas HALINI,
president; Alliance of Reform Forces of Macedonia - Liberal Party
(SRSM-LP), 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; Democratic Party (DP),
Petar GOSEV, president; Party for Democratic Prosperity of Albanians
(PDPA), Arben XHAFFERI, president

Other political or pressure groups: Movement for All Macedonian
Action (MAAK); Democratic Party of Serbs; Democratic Party of Turks;
Party for Democratic Action (Slavic Muslim)

International organization participation: CCC, CE, CEI, EBRD, ECE,
FAO, IAEA, IBRD, ICAO, IDA, IFAD, IFC, IFRCS, ILO, IMF, IMO,
Intelsat (nonsignatory user), Interpol, IOC, ITU, UN, UNCTAD,
UNESCO, UNIDO, UPU, WHO, WIPO, WMO, WTrO (observer)

Diplomatic representation in US:
chief of mission: Ambassador Ljubica ACEVSKA
chancery: 3050 K Street, NW, Suite 210, Washington, DC 20007
telephone: [1] (202) 337 3063
FAX: [1] (202) 337 3093

US diplomatic representation:
chief of mission: Ambassador-designate Christopher HILL; Charge
d'Affaires Victor D. COMRAS
embassy: ul. 27 Mart No. 5, 9100 Skopje
mailing address: United States Liaison Office Skopje, Department of
State, Washington, DC 20521-7120 (pouch)
telephone: [389] (91) 116-180
FAX: [389] (91) 117-103
note: the US agreed to establish full diplomatic relations with the
Former Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia in September 1995, and to
upgrade the Liaison Office to an Embassy

Flag: a rising yellow sun with 8 rays extending to the edges of
the red field

Economy -------

Economic overview: The Former Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia,
although the poorest republic in the former Yugoslav federation, can
meet basic food and energy needs through its own agricultural and
coal resources. Its economic decline will continue unless 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 most of its modern machinery
and parts. An important supplement of GDP is the remittances from
thousands of Macedonians working in Germany and other West European
nations. The end of sanctions on Serbia and the lifting of the Greek
embargo on Macedonia have reopened its natural trade corridors, but
the country has been slow to capitalize on these opportunities.
Moreover, the Former Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia's geographical
isolation, technological underdevelopment, and potential political
instability place it far down the list of countries of interest to
Western investors. An internal commitment to economic reform would
encourage foreign investment over the long run.

GDP: purchasing power parity - $1.9 billion (1995 est.)

GDP real growth rate: 4%

GDP per capita: $880 (1995 est.)

GDP composition by sector:
agriculture: 24%
industry: 44%
services: 32%

Inflation rate (consumer prices): 14.8% (1995 est.)

Labor force: 591,773 (June 1994)
by occupation: manufacturing and mining 40% (1992)

Unemployment rate: 37% (1995 est.)

Budget:
revenues: $NA
expenditures: $NA, including capital expenditures of $NA

Industries: coal, metallic chromium, lead, zinc, ferronickel,
textiles, wood products, tobacco

Industrial production growth rate: -14% (1993)

Electricity:
capacity: 1,600,000 kW
production: 6.046 billion kWh
consumption per capita: 2,941 kWh (1992)

Agriculture: rice, tobacco, wheat, corn, millet, cotton, sesame,
mulberry leaves, citrus, vegetables; beef, pork, poultry, mutton

Illicit drugs: limited illicit opium cultivation; transshipment
point for Southwest Asian heroin

Exports: $916.2 million (1995)
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% (1990)
partners: principally Serbia and Montenegro and the other former
Yugoslav republics, Germany, Greece, Albania

Imports: $199 million (1995)
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% (1990)
partners: other former Yugoslav republics, Greece, Albania, Germany,
Bulgaria

External debt: $737.1 million (1994)

Economic aid:
recipient: ODA, $NA
note: US, $10 million (for humanitarian and technical assistance);
in December 1995, the EU agreed to provide a credit line of ECU 21.7
million for investment projects

Currency: the denar, which was adopted by the Macedonian
legislature 26 April 1992, was initially issued in the form of a
coupon pegged to the German mark; subsequently repegged to a basket
of seven currencies

Exchange rates: denar per US$1 - 38.8 (December 1995), 39
(November 1994), 865 (October 1992)

Fiscal year: calendar year

Transportation --------------

Railways:
total: 699 km
standard gauge: 699 km 1.435-m gauge (232 km electrified) (1995)

Highways:
total: 10,591 km
paved: 5,091 km
unpaved: 5,500 km (1991 est.)

Waterways: none, lake transport only

Pipelines: none

Ports: none

Airports:
total: 16
with paved runways 2 438 to 3 047 m: 2
with paved runways under 914 m: 12
with unpaved runways 914 to 1 523 m: 2 (1995 est.)

Communications --------------

Telephones: 125,000

Telephone system:
domestic: NA
international: NA

Radio broadcast stations: AM 6, FM 2, shortwave 0

Radios: 369,000 (1992 est.)

Television broadcast stations: 5 (relays 2)

Televisions: 327,011 (1992 est.)

Defense -------

Branches: Army, Navy, Air and Air Defense Forces, Police Force

Manpower availability:
males age 15-49: 571,927
males fit for military service: 458,231
males reach military age (19) annually: 16,698 (1996 est.)

Defense expenditures: 7 billion denars, NA% of GDP (1993 est.);
note - conversion of defense expenditures into US dollars using the
current exchange rate could produce misleading results

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

@Madagascar ----------

Map ---

Location: 20 00 S, 47 00 E -- Southern Africa, island in the
Indian Ocean, east of Mozambique

Flag ----

Description: two equal horizontal bands of red (top) and green
with a vertical white band of the same width on hoist side

Geography ---------

Location: Southern Africa, island in the Indian Ocean, east of
Mozambique

Geographic coordinates: 20 00 S, 47 00 E

Map references: Africa

Area:
total area: 587,040 sq km
land area: 581,540 sq km
comparative area: slightly less than twice the size of Arizona

Land boundaries: 0 km

Coastline: 4,828 km

Maritime claims:
contiguous zone: 24 nm
continental shelf: 200 nm or 100 nm from the 2,500-m isobath
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
lowest point: Indian Ocean 0 m
highest point: Maromokotro 2,876 m

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 sq km (1989 est.)

Environment:
current issues: soil erosion results from deforestation and
overgrazing; desertification; surface water contaminated with raw
sewage and other organic wastes; several species of flora and fauna
unique to the island are endangered
natural hazards: periodic cyclones
international agreements: party to - Endangered Species, Marine Life
Conservation, Nuclear Test Ban; signed, but not ratified -
Biodiversity, Climate Change, Desertification, Law of the Sea

Geographic note: world's fourth-largest island; strategic location
along Mozambique Channel

People ------

Population: 13,670,507 (July 1996 est.)

Age structure:
0-14 years: 45% (male 3,105,958; female 3,034,279)
15-64 years: 52% (male 3,499,021; female 3,573,052)
65 years and over: 3% (male 224,710; female 233,487) (July 1996 est.)

Population growth rate: 2.83% (1996 est.)

Birth rate: 42.63 births/1,000 population (1996 est.)

Death rate: 14.38 deaths/1,000 population (1996 est.)

Net migration rate: 0 migrant(s)/1,000 population (1996 est.)

Sex ratio:
at birth: 1.03 male(s)/female
under 15 years: 1.02 male(s)/female
15-64 years: 0.98 male(s)/female
65 years and over: 0.96 male(s)/female
all ages: 1 male(s)/female (1996 est.)

Infant mortality rate: 93.5 deaths/1,000 live births (1996 est.)

Life expectancy at birth:
total population: 52.19 years
male: 51.11 years
female: 53.3 years (1996 est.)

Total fertility rate: 5.89 children born/woman (1996 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 est.)
total population: 80%
male: 88%
female: 73%

Government ----------

Name of country:
conventional long form: Republic of Madagascar
conventional short form: Madagascar
local long form: Republique de Madagascar
local short form: Madagascar
former: Malagasy Republic

Data code: MA

Type of government: republic

Capital: Antananarivo

Administrative divisions: 6 provinces (faritany); Antananarivo,
Antsiranana, Fianarantsoa, Mahajanga, Toamasina, Toliary

Independence: 26 June 1960 (from France)

National holiday: Independence Day, 26 June (1960)

Constitution: 19 August 1992 by national referendum

Legal system: based on French civil law system and traditional
Malagasy law; has not accepted compulsory ICJ jurisdiction

Suffrage: 18 years of age; universal

Executive branch:
chief of state: President Albert ZAFY (since 9 March 1993) was
elected for a five-year term by popular vote; election last held 10
February 1993 (next to be held NA 1998); results - Albert ZAFY
(UNDD) 67%; Didier RATSIRAKA (AREMA) 33%
head of government: Prime Minister Emmanuel RAKOTOVAHINY (since 30
October 1995) was elected by the National Assembly
cabinet: Council of Ministers was appointed by the prime minister

Legislative branch: bicameral Parliament
Senate (Senat): two-thirds of upper house seats are to be filled
from popularly elected regional assemblies; the remaining third is
to be filled by presidential appointment; decentralization and
formation of regional assemblies is not expected before 1997
National Assembly (Assemblee Nationale): elections last held 16 June
1993 (next to be held NA June 1997); results - percent of vote by
party NA; seats - (138 total) CFV coalition 76, PMDM/MFM 16, CSCD
11, Famima 10, RPSD 7, various pro-Ratsiraka groups 10, others 8

Judicial branch: Supreme Court (Cour Supreme); High Constitutional
Court (Haute Cour Constitutionnelle)

Political parties and leaders: Committee of Living Forces (CFV),
an alliance of National Union for Development and Democracy (UNDD),
Support Group for Democracy and Development in Madagascar (CSDDM),
Action and Reflection Group for the Development of Madagascar
(GRAD), Congress Party for Madagascar Independence - Renewal
(AKFM-Fanavaozana), and some 12 other parties, trade unions, and
religious groups; Militant Party for the Development of Madagascar
(PMDM/MFM), formerly the Movement for Proletarian Power, Manandafy
RAKOTONIRINA; Confederation of Civil Societies for Development
(CSCD), Guy Willy RAZANAMASY; Association of United Malagasys
(Famima); Rally for Social Democracy (RPSD), Pierre TSIRANANA

Other political or pressure groups: National Council of Christian
Churches (FFKM); Federalist Movement

International organization participation: ACCT, ACP, AfDB, CCC,
ECA, FAO, G-77, IAEA, IBRD, ICAO, ICC, ICFTU, ICRM, IDA, IFAD, IFC,
IFRCS, ILO, IMF, IMO, Intelsat, Interpol, IOC, ITU, NAM, OAU, UN,
UNCTAD, UNESCO, UNHCR, UNIDO, UPU, WCL, WFTU, WHO, WIPO, WMO, WToO,
WTrO

Diplomatic representation in US:
chief of mission: Ambassador Pierrot Jocelyn RAJAONARIVELO
chancery: 2374 Massachusetts Avenue NW, Washington, DC 20008
telephone: [1] (202) 265-5525, 5526
consulate(s) general: New York

US diplomatic representation:
chief of mission: Ambassador Vicki J. HUDDLESTON
embassy: 14-16 Rue Rainitovo, Antsahavola, Antananarivo
mailing address: B. P. 620, Antananarivo
telephone: [261] (2) 212-57, 200-89, 207-18
FAX: [261] (2) 234-539

Flag: two equal horizontal bands of red (top) and green with a
vertical white band of the same width on hoist side

Economy -------

Economic overview: Madagascar is one of the poorest countries in
the world, suffering from chronic malnutrition, underfunded health
and education facilities, a roughly 3% annual population growth
rate, and severe loss of forest cover, accompanied by erosion.
Agriculture, including fishing and forestry, is the mainstay of the
economy, accounting for 35% of GDP and contributing more than 70% of
export earnings. Industry is largely confined to the processing of
agricultural products and textile manufacturing; it accounts for 15%
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 export, and reduced energy imports.
Subsequently, growth in output has been held back because of
protracted antigovernment strikes and demonstrations for political
reform. Since 1993, corruption and political instability have caused
the economy and infrastructure to decay further. Since April 1994,
the government commitment to economic reforms has been erratic.
Enormous obstacles stand in the way of Madagascar's realizing its
considerable growth potential.

GDP: purchasing power parity - $11.4 billion (1995 est.)

GDP real growth rate: 2.7% (1995 est.)

GDP per capita: $820 (1995 est.)

GDP composition by sector:
agriculture: 35%
industry: 15%
services: 50% (1995 est.)

Inflation rate (consumer prices): 35% (1994 est.)

Labor force:
total workers: 4.9 million
workers not receiving money wages: 4.7 million (96% of total labor
force); note - 4.3 million workers are in subsistence agriculture
wage earners: 175,400 (3.6% of total work force)
wage earners by occupation: agriculture 45,500, domestic service
29,750, industry 26,250, commerce 24,500, construction 19,250,
service 15,750, transportation 10,500, other 3,500 (1985 est.)

Unemployment rate: NA%

Budget:
revenues: $250 million
expenditures: $265 million, including capital expenditures of $180
million (1991 est.)

Industries: meat processing, soap, breweries, tanneries, sugar,
textiles, glassware, cement, automobile assembly plant, paper,
petroleum

Industrial production growth rate: 3.8% (1993 est.)

Electricity:
capacity: 220,000 kW
production: 560 million kWh
consumption per capita: 40 kWh (1993)

Agriculture: coffee, vanilla, sugarcane, cloves, cocoa, rice,
cassava (tapioca), beans, bananas, peanuts; livestock products

Illicit drugs: illicit producer of cannabis (cultivated and wild
varieties) used mostly for domestic consumption; transshipment point
for heroin

Exports: $240 million (f.o.b., 1993 est.)
commodities: coffee 45%, vanilla 20%, cloves 11%, shellfish, sugar,
petroleum products
partners: France, US, Germany, Japan, Russia

Imports: $510 million (f.o.b., 1993 est.)
commodities: intermediate manufactures 30%, capital goods 28%,
petroleum 15%, consumer goods 14%, food 13%
partners: France, Germany, Japan, UK, Italy, Netherlands

External debt: $4.3 billion (1993 est.)

Economic aid:
recipient: ODA, $318 million (1993)

Currency: 1 Malagasy franc (FMG) = 100 centimes

Exchange rates: Malagasy francs (FMG) per US$1 - 4,239.5 (November
1995), 3,067.3 (1994), 1,913.8 (1993), 1,864.0 (1992), 1,835.4 (1991)

Fiscal year: calendar year

Transportation --------------

Railways:
total: 883 km
narrow gauge: 883 km 1.000-m gauge (1994)

Highways:
total: 34,750 km
paved: 5,352 km
unpaved: 29,398 km (1991 est.)

Waterways: of local importance only; isolated streams and small
portions of Canal des Pangalanes

Ports: Antsiranana, Antsohimbondrona, Mahajanga, Toamasina,
Toliaria

Merchant marine:
total: 11 ships (1,000 GRT or over) totaling 22,132 GRT/31,261 DWT
ships by type: cargo 5, chemical tanker 1, liquefied gas tanker 1,
oil tanker 2, roll-on/roll-off cargo 2 (1995 est.)

Airports:
total: 105
with paved runways over 3 047 m: 1
with paved runways 2 438 to 3 047 m: 2
with paved runways 1 524 to 2 437 m: 3
with paved runways 914 to 1 523 m: 21
with paved runways under 914 m: 31
with unpaved runways 1 524 to 2 437 m: 2
with unpaved runways 914 to 1 523 m: 45 (1995 est.)

Communications --------------

Telephones: 96,000 (1988 est.)

Telephone system: system is above average for Africa
domestic: open-wire lines, coaxial cables, microwave radio relay,
and tropospheric scatter links
international: submarine cable to Bahrain; satellite earth stations
- 1 Intelsat (Indian Ocean) and 1 Intersputnik (Atlantic Ocean
Region)

Radio broadcast stations: AM 17, FM 3, shortwave 0

Radios: 2.565 million (1992 est.)

Television broadcast stations: 1 (repeaters 36)

Televisions: 260,000 (1992 est.)

Defense -------

Branches: Popular Armed Forces (includes Intervention Forces,
Development Forces, Aeronaval Forces - includes Navy and Air Force),
Gendarmerie, Presidential Security Regiment

Manpower availability:
males age 15-49: 3,103,022
males fit for military service: 1,843,732
males reach military age (20) annually: 132,146 (1996 est.)

Defense expenditures: exchange rate conversion - $29 million, 1.0%
of GDP (1994)

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

@Malawi ------

Map ---

Location: 13 30 S, 34 00 E -- Southern Africa, east of Zambia

Flag ----

Description: three equal horizontal bands of black (top), red, and
green with a radiant, rising, red sun centered in the black band

Geography ---------

Location: Southern Africa, east of Zambia

Geographic coordinates: 13 30 S, 34 00 E

Map references: Africa

Area:
total area: 118,480 sq km
land area: 94,080 sq km
comparative area: slightly larger than Pennsylvania

Land boundaries:
total: 2,881 km
border countries: 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
lowest point: junction of the Shire River and international boundary
with Mozambique 37 m
highest point: Mount Mlanje Sapitwa 3,002 m

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 sq km (1989 est.)

Environment:
current issues: deforestation; land degradation; water pollution
from agricultural runoff, sewage, industrial wastes; siltation of
spawning grounds endangers fish populations
natural hazards: NA
international agreements: party to - Biodiversity, Climate Change,
Endangered Species, Environmental Modification, Hazardous Wastes,
Marine Life Conservation, Nuclear Test Ban, Ozone Layer Protection;
signed, but not ratified - Desertification, Law of the Sea

Geographic note: landlocked

People ------

Population: 9,452,844 (July 1996 est.)

Age structure:
0-14 years: 46% (male 2,189,223; female 2,168,317)
15-64 years: 51% (male 2,371,518; female 2,472,245)
65 years and over: 3% (male 107,701; female 143,840) (July 1996 est.)

Population growth rate: 1.71% (1996 est.)

Birth rate: 41.56 births/1,000 population (1996 est.)

Death rate: 24.48 deaths/1,000 population (1996 est.)

Net migration rate: 0 migrant(s)/1,000 population (1996 est.)
note: the return of refugees to Mozambique is apparently complete

Sex ratio:
at birth: 1.03 male(s)/female
under 15 years: 1.01 male(s)/female
15-64 years: 0.96 male(s)/female
65 years and over: 0.75 male(s)/female
all ages: 0.98 male(s)/female (1996 est.)

Infant mortality rate: 139.9 deaths/1,000 live births (1996 est.)

Life expectancy at birth:
total population: 36.16 years
male: 35.87 years
female: 36.46 years (1996 est.)

Total fertility rate: 5.91 children born/woman (1996 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 (1995 est.)
total population: 56.4%
male: 71.9%
female: 41.8%

Government ----------

Name of country:
conventional long form: Republic of Malawi
conventional short form: Malawi
former: Nyasaland

Data code: MI

Type of government: multiparty democracy

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)

National holiday: Independence Day 6 July (1964); Republic Day 6
July (1966)

Constitution: 18 May 1995; most recent revision

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

Suffrage: 18 years of age; universal

Executive branch:
chief of state and head of government: President Bakili MULUZI
(since 21 May 1994), leader of the UDF, was elected for a five-year
term by universal suffrage
cabinet: Cabinet was named by the president

Legislative branch: unicameral
National Assembly: elections last held 17 May 1994 (next to be held
NA 1999); results - percent of vote by party NA; seats - (177 total)
UDF 84, AFORD 33, MCP 55, others 5; note - because of defections and
a bi-election of 18 December 1995, the seats in the National
Assembly were held at the end of the year as follows: UDF 87, MCP
55, AFORD 35
note: the constitution of 18 May 1995, in addition to reducing the
age at which universal suffrage is conferred from 21 to 18 years,
provided for a bicameral legislature; by 1999, in addition to the
existing National Assembly, a Senate of 80 seats is to be elected

Judicial branch: High Court; Supreme Court of Appeal

Political parties and leaders:
ruling party: United Democratic Front (UDF), Bakili MULUZI
opposition groups: Malawi Congress Party (MCP), Green MUNLO,
secretary general (top party position); Alliance for Democracy
(AFORD), Chakufwa CHIHANA; Christian Democratic Party (CDP), Eston
KAKHOME, president; Malawi Democratic Party (MDP), Kampelo KALUA,
president

International organization participation: ACP, AfDB, C, CCC, ECA,
FAO, G-77, IBRD, ICAO, ICFTU, ICRM, IDA, IFAD, IFC, IFRCS, ILO, IMF,
IMO, Intelsat, Interpol, IOC, ISO (correspondent), ITU, NAM, OAU,
SADC, UN, UNAMIR, UNCTAD, UNESCO, UNIDO, UPU, WFTU, WHO, WIPO, WMO,
WToO, WTrO

Diplomatic representation in US:
chief of mission: Ambassador Willie CHOKANI
chancery: 2408 Massachusetts Avenue NW, Washington, DC 20008
telephone: [1] (202) 797-1007

US diplomatic representation:
chief of mission: Ambassador Peter R. CHAVEAS
embassy: address NA, in new capital city development area in Lilongwe
mailing address: P. O. Box 30016, Lilongwe 3, Malawi
telephone: [265] 783 166
FAX: [265] 780 471

Flag: three equal horizontal bands of black (top), red, and green
with a radiant, rising, red sun centered in the black band

Economy -------

Economic 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 31% of GDP and 90% of export revenues. The economy
depends on substantial inflows of economic assistance from the IMF,
the World Bank, and individual donor nations. The new government
faces strong challenges, e.g., to spur exports, to improve
educational and health facilities, and to deal with environmental
problems of deforestation and erosion. Drought hurt the 1994
economy, with GDP down by 12.4%. Good weather and a strong tobacco
crop resulted in an upturn in 1995. In December 1995, donors pledged
$332 million in aid for 1996.

GDP: purchasing power parity - $6.9 billion (1995 est.)

GDP real growth rate: 9.9% (1995 est.)

GDP per capita: $700 (1995 est.)

GDP composition by sector:
agriculture: 31%
industry: 14%
services: 55% (1994)

Inflation rate (consumer prices): 83.3% (1995 est.)

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)

Unemployment rate: NA%

Budget:
revenues: $530 million
expenditures: $674 million, including capital expenditures of $129
million (1993)

Industries: tea, tobacco, sugar, sawmill products, cement,
consumer goods

Industrial production growth rate: 3.5% (1992 est.)

Electricity:
capacity: 190,000 kW
production: 905 million kWh (1993)
consumption per capita: 92 kWh (1993)

Agriculture: tobacco, sugarcane, cotton, tea, corn, potatoes,
cassava (tapioca), sorghum, pulses; cattle, goats

Exports: $365 million (f.o.b., 1994)
commodities: tobacco, tea, sugar, coffee, peanuts, wood products
partners: US, South Africa, Germany, Japan (1994)

Imports: $240 million (c.i.f., 1994)
commodities: food, petroleum products, semimanufactures, consumer
goods, transportation equipment
partners: South Africa, Japan, US, UK, Zimbabwe

External debt: $1.95 billion (December 1994 est.)

Economic aid:
recipient: in December 1995, donors pledged for 1996, $332 million

Currency: 1 Malawian kwacha (MK) = 100 tambala

Exchange rates: Malawian kwacha (MK) per US$1 - 16.3516 (November
1995), 8.7364 (1994), 4.4028 (1993), 3.6033 (1992), 2.8033 (1991)

Fiscal year: 1 April - 31 March

Transportation --------------

Railways:
total: 789 km
narrow gauge: 789 km 1.067-m gauge

Highways:
total: 27,294 km (1990 est.)
paved: NA km
unpaved: NA km

Waterways: Lake Nyasa (Lake Malawi); Shire River, 144 km

Ports: Chipoka, Monkey Bay, Nkhata Bay, Nkhotakota

Airports:
total: 41
with paved runways over 3 047 m: 1
with paved runways 1 524 to 2 437 m: 1
with paved runways 914 to 1 523 m: 4
with paved runways under 914 m: 20
with unpaved runways 1 524 to 2 437 m: 1
with unpaved runways 914 to 1 523 m: 14 (1995 est.)

Communications --------------

Telephones: 43,000 (1985 est.)

Telephone system:
domestic: fair system of open-wire lines, microwave radio relay
links, and radiotelephone communications stations
international: satellite earth stations - 2 Intelsat (1 Indian Ocean
and 1 Atlantic Ocean)

Radio broadcast stations: AM 10, FM 17, shortwave 0

Radios: 1.011 million (1995)

Television broadcast stations: 0 (1987 est.)

Televisions: NA

Defense -------

Branches: Army (includes Air Wing and Naval Detachment), Police
(includes paramilitary Mobile Force Unit)

Manpower availability:
males age 15-49: 2,106,905
males fit for military service: 1,076,788 (1996 est.)

Defense expenditures: exchange rate conversion - $10.4 million,
NA% of GDP (FY94/95)

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

@Malaysia --------

Map ---

Location: 2 30 N, 112 30 E -- Southeastern Asia, peninsula and
northern one-third of the island of Borneo, bordering Indonesia and
the South China Sea, south of Vietnam

Flag ----

Description: 14 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

Geography ---------

Location: Southeastern Asia, peninsula and northern one-third of
the island of Borneo, bordering Indonesia and the South China Sea,
south of Vietnam

Geographic coordinates: 2 30 N, 112 30 E

Map references: Southeast Asia

Area:
total area: 329,750 sq km
land area: 328,550 sq km
comparative area: slightly larger than New Mexico

Land boundaries:
total: 2,669 km
border countries: 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 the 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
lowest point: Indian Ocean 0 m
highest point: Mount Kinabalu 4,100 m

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 sq km (1989 est.)

Environment:
current issues: air pollution from industrial and vehicular
emissions; water pollution from raw sewage; deforestation
natural hazards: flooding
international agreements: party to - Biodiversity, Climate Change,
Endangered Species, Hazardous Wastes, Marine Life Conservation,
Nuclear Test Ban, Ozone Layer Protection, Tropical Timber 83,
Tropical Timber 94, Whaling; signed, but not ratified -
Desertification, Law of the Sea

Geographic note: strategic location along Strait of Malacca and
southern South China Sea

People ------

Population: 19,962,893 (July 1996 est.)

Age structure:
0-14 years: 36% (male 3,684,510; female 3,483,893)
15-64 years: 60% (male 5,996,369; female 6,017,327)
65 years and over: 4% (male 342,742; female 438,052) (July 1996 est.)

Population growth rate: 2.07% (1996 est.)

Birth rate: 26.2 births/1,000 population (1996 est.)

Death rate: 5.49 deaths/1,000 population (1996 est.)

Net migration rate: 0 migrant(s)/1,000 population (1996 est.)

Sex ratio:
at birth: 1.07 male(s)/female
under 15 years: 1.06 male(s)/female
15-64 years: 1 male(s)/female
65 years and over: 0.78 male(s)/female
all ages: 1.01 male(s)/female (1996 est.)

Infant mortality rate: 24 deaths/1,000 live births (1996 est.)

Life expectancy at birth:
total population: 69.75 years
male: 66.82 years
female: 72.89 years (1996 est.)

Total fertility rate: 3.27 children born/woman (1996 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
Sabah: English, Malay, numerous tribal dialects, Chinese (Mandarin
and Hakka dialects predominate)
Sarawak: English, Malay, Mandarin, numerous tribal languages

Literacy: age 15 and over can read and write (1995 est.)
total population: 83.5%
male: 89.1%
female: 78.1%

Government ----------

Name of country:
conventional long form: none
conventional short form: Malaysia
former: Malayan Union

Data code: MY

Type of government: 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,
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)

National holiday: National Day, 31 August (1957)

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

Suffrage: 21 years of age; universal

Executive branch:
chief of state: Paramount Ruler TUANKU JA'AFAR ibni Al-Marhum Tuanku
Abdul Rahman (since 26 April 1994) and Deputy Paramount Ruler Sultan
TUNKU SALAHUDDIN Abdul Aziz Shah ibni Al-Marhum Sultan Hisammuddin
Alam Shah (since 26 April 1994) were elected for five-year terms by
and from the hereditary rulers of nine of the states
head of government: Prime Minister Dr. MAHATHIR bin Mohamad (since
16 July 1981) was appointed by the paramount ruler; Deputy Prime
Minister ANWAR bin Ibrahim (since 1 December 1993)
cabinet: Cabinet was appointed by the paramount ruler from among the
members of Parliament

Legislative branch: bicameral Parliament (Parlimen)
Senate (Dewan Negara): elected members serve six-year terms;
elections last held NA (next to be held NA); results - percent of
vote by party NA; seats - (58 total, 32 appointed by the paramount
ruler and 26 elected by the state legislatures) seats by party NA
House of Representatives (Dewan Rakyat): members elected for
five-year terms; elections last held NA April 1995 (next to be held
NA 2000); results - National Front 63%, other 37%; seats - (192
total) National Front 162, DAP 9, PBS 8, PAS 7, Semangat'46 6

Judicial branch: Supreme Court, judges appointed by the paramount
ruler