Chapter M: Major infectious diseases (47)

26.27 billion cu m (2008 est.) country comparison to the world: 30

Natural gas - exports:

31.03 billion cu m (2008) country comparison to the world: 9

Natural gas - imports:

0 cu m (2008 est.) country comparison to the world: 153

Natural gas - proved reserves:

2.35 trillion cu m (1 January 2009 est.) country comparison to the world: 14

Current account balance:

$33.76 billion (2008 est.) country comparison to the world: 15 $28.93 billion (2007 est.)

Exports:

$198.7 billion (2008 est.) country comparison to the world: 22 $176.4 billion (2007 est.)

Exports - commodities:

electronic equipment, petroleum and liquefied natural gas, wood and wood products, palm oil, rubber, textiles, chemicals

Exports - partners:

Singapore 14.7%, US 12.5%, Japan 10.8%, China 9.5%, Thailand 4.8%, Hong Kong 4.3% (2008)

Imports:

$154.7 billion (2008 est.) country comparison to the world: 29 $139.1 billion (2007 est.)

Imports - commodities:

electronics, machinery, petroleum products, plastics, vehicles, iron and steel products, chemicals

Imports - partners:

China 12.8%, Japan 12.5%, Singapore 11%, US 10.8%, Thailand 5.6%, South Korea 4.6%, Indonesia 4.6%, Germany 4.3% (2008)

Reserves of foreign exchange and gold:

$91.21 billion (31 December 2008 est.) country comparison to the world: 18 $101.1 billion (31 December 2007 est.)

Debt - external:

$75.33 billion (31 December 2008) country comparison to the world: 42 $62.33 billion (31 December 2007)

Stock of direct foreign investment - at home:

$83.35 billion (31 December 2008 est.) country comparison to the world: 39 $76.75 billion (31 December 2007 est.)

Stock of direct foreign investment - abroad:

$71.2 billion (31 December 2008 est.) country comparison to the world: 27 $58.18 billion (31 December 2007 est.)

Exchange rates:

ringgits (MYR) per US dollar - 3.33 (2008 est.), 3.46 (2007), 3.6683 (2006), 3.8 (2005), 3.8 (2004)

Communications ::Malaysia

Telephones - main lines in use:

4.292 million (2008) country comparison to the world: 36

Telephones - mobile cellular:

27.125 million (2008) country comparison to the world: 31

Telephone system:

general assessment: modern system; international service excellent

domestic: good intercity service provided on Peninsular Malaysia mainly by microwave radio relay; adequate intercity microwave radio relay network between Sabah and Sarawak via Brunei; domestic satellite system with 2 earth stations; combined fixed-line and mobile cellular teledensity 125 per 100 persons

international: country code - 60; landing point for several major international submarine cable networks that provide connectivity to Asia, Middle East, and Europe; satellite earth stations - 2 Intelsat (1 Indian Ocean, 1 Pacific Ocean) (2008)

Radio broadcast stations:

AM 35, FM 391, shortwave 15 (2001)

Television broadcast stations:

88 (mainland Malaysia 51, Sabah 16, and Sarawak 21) (2006)

Internet country code:

.my

Internet hosts:

362,968 (2009) country comparison to the world: 53

Internet users:

16.903 million (2008) country comparison to the world: 22

Transportation ::Malaysia

Airports:

118 (2009) country comparison to the world: 51

Airports - with paved runways:

total: 38

over 3,047 m: 7

2,438 to 3,047 m: 10

1,524 to 2,437 m: 6

914 to 1,523 m: 8

under 914 m: 7 (2009)

Airports - with unpaved runways:

total: 80

914 to 1,523 m: 7

under 914 m: 73 (2009)

Heliports:

2 (2009)

Pipelines:

condensate 3 km; gas 1,965 km; oil 31 km; refined products 114 km (2008)

Railways:

total: 1,849 km country comparison to the world: 75 standard gauge: 57 km 1.435-m gauge (57 km electrified)

narrow gauge: 1,792 km 1.000-m gauge (150 km electrified) (2008)

Roadways:

total: 98,721 km country comparison to the world: 42 paved: 80,280 km (includes 1,821 km of expressways)

unpaved: 18,441 km (2004)

Waterways:

7,200 km country comparison to the world: 20 note: Peninsular Malaysia 3,200 km; Sabah 1,500 km; Sarawak 2,500 km (2008)

Merchant marine:

total: 306 country comparison to the world: 30 by type: bulk carrier 12, cargo 97, carrier 1, chemical tanker 34, container 46, liquefied gas 33, passenger/cargo 5, petroleum tanker 71, roll on/roll off 3, vehicle carrier 4

foreign-owned: 40 (Germany 1, Hong Kong 14, Japan 4, Russia 2, Singapore 16, Sweden 3)

registered in other countries: 68 (Bahamas 13, Marshall Islands 3, Norway 1, Panama 12, Philippines 1, Saint Kitts and Nevis 1, Singapore 27, Thailand 3, Tuvalu 1, US 2, unknown 4) (2008)

Ports and terminals:

Bintulu, Johor Bahru, Kuantan, Labuan, George Town (Penang), Port Kelang, Tanjung Pelepas

Transportation - note:

the International Maritime Bureau reports the territorial and offshore waters in the Strait of Malacca and South China Sea as high risk for piracy and armed robbery against ships; numerous commercial vessels have been attacked and hijacked both at anchor and while underway; hijacked vessels are often disguised and cargo diverted to ports in East Asia; crews have been murdered or cast adrift; increased naval patrols in 2009 resulted in significantly reduced numbers of incidents

Military ::Malaysia

Military branches:

Malaysian Armed Forces (Angkatan Tentera Malaysia, ATM): Malaysian Army (Tentera Darat Malaysia), Royal Malaysian Navy (Tentera Laut Diraja Malaysia, TLDM), Royal Malaysian Air Force (Tentera Udara Diraja Malaysia, TUDM) (2009)

Military service age and obligation:

18 years of age for voluntary military service (2005)

Manpower available for military service:

males age 16-49: 6,440,338

females age 16-49: 6,280,826 (2008 est.)

Manpower fit for military service:

males age 16-49: 5,493,946

females age 16-49: 5,409,524 (2009 est.)

Manpower reaching militarily significant age annually:

male: 266,267

female: 252,543 (2009 est.)

Military expenditures:

2.03% of GDP (2005 est.) country comparison to the world: 78

Transnational Issues ::Malaysia

Disputes - international:

Malaysia has asserted sovereignty over the Spratly Islands together with China, Philippines, Taiwan, Vietnam, and possibly Brunei; while the 2002 "Declaration on the Conduct of Parties in the South China Sea" has eased tensions over the Spratly Islands, it is not the legally binding "code of conduct" sought by some parties; Malaysia was not party to the March 2005 joint accord among the national oil companies of China, the Philippines, and Vietnam on conducting marine seismic activities in the Spratly Islands; disputes continue over deliveries of fresh water to Singapore, Singapore's land reclamation, bridge construction, and maritime boundaries in the Johor and Singapore Straits; in November 2007, the ICJ will hold public hearings in response to the memorials and countermemorials filed by the parties in 2003 and 2005 over sovereignty of Pedra Branca Island/Pulau Batu Puteh, Middle Rocks and South Ledge; ICJ awarded Ligitan and Sipadan islands, also claimed by Indonesia and Philippines, to Malaysia but left maritime boundary and sovereignty of Unarang rock in the hydrocarbon-rich Celebes Sea in dispute; separatist violence in Thailand's predominantly Muslim southern provinces prompts measures to close and monitor border with Malaysia to stem terrorist activities; Philippines retains a dormant claim to Malaysia's Sabah State in northern Borneo; Brunei and Malaysia agreed in September 2008 to resolve their offshore and deepwater seabed dispute, resume hydrocarbon exploration and renounce any territorial claims on land; piracy remains a problem in the Malacca Strait

Refugees and internally displaced persons:

refugees (country of origin): 15,174 (Indonesia); 21,544 (Burma) (2007)

Trafficking in persons:

current situation: Malaysia is a destination and, to a lesser extent, a source and transit country for women and children trafficked for the purpose of commercial sexual exploitation, and men, women, and children for forced labor; Malaysia is mainly a destination country for men, women, and children who migrate willingly from South and Southeast Asia to work, some of whom are subjected to conditions of involuntary servitude by Malaysian employers in the domestic, agricultural, construction, plantation, and industrial sectors; to a lesser extent, some Malaysian women, primarily of Chinese ethnicity, are trafficked abroad for commercial sexual exploitation

tier rating: Tier 2 Watch List - Malaysia improved from Tier 3 to the Tier 2 Watch List for 2008 when it enacted comprehensive anti-trafficking legislation in July 2007; however, it did not take action against exploitative employers or labor traffickers in 2007; the government has not ratified the 2000 UN TIP Protocol (2008)

Illicit drugs:

drug trafficking prosecuted vigorously and carries severe penalties; heroin still primary drug of abuse, but synthetic drug demand remains strong; continued ecstasy and methamphetamine producer for domestic users and, to a lesser extent, the regional drug market

page last updated on November 11, 2009

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

@Maldives (South Asia)

Introduction ::Maldives

Background:

The Maldives was long a sultanate, first under Dutch and then under British protection. It became a republic in 1968, three years after independence. President Maumoon Abdul GAYOOM dominated the islands' political scene for 30 years, elected to six successive terms by single-party referendums. Following riots in the capital Male in August 2004, the president and his government pledged to embark upon democratic reforms including a more representative political system and expanded political freedoms. Progress was sluggish, however, and many promised reforms were slow to be realized. Nonetheless, political parties were legalized in 2005. In June 2008, a constituent assembly - termed the "Special Majlis" - finalized a new constitution, which was ratified by the president in August. The first-ever presidential elections under a multi-candidate, multi-party system were held in October 2008. GAYOOM was defeated in a runoff poll by Mohamed NASHEED, a political activist who had been jailed several years earlier by the former regime. Challenges facing the new president include strengthening democracy and combating poverty and drug abuse.

Geography ::Maldives

Location:

Southern Asia, group of atolls in the Indian Ocean, south-southwest of India

Geographic coordinates:

3 15 N, 73 00 E

Map references:

Asia

Area:

total: 298 sq km country comparison to the world: 209 land: 298 sq km

water: 0 sq km

Area - comparative:

about 1.7 times the size of Washington, DC

Land boundaries:

0 km

Coastline:

644 km

Maritime claims:

measured from claimed archipelagic straight baselines

territorial sea: 12 nm

contiguous zone: 24 nm

exclusive economic zone: 200 nm

Climate:

tropical; hot, humid; dry, northeast monsoon (November to March); rainy, southwest monsoon (June to August)

Terrain:

flat, with white sandy beaches

Elevation extremes:

lowest point: Indian Ocean 0 m

highest point: unnamed location on Wilingili island in the Addu Atoll 2.4 m

Natural resources:

fish

Land use:

arable land: 13.33%

permanent crops: 30%

other: 56.67% (2005)

Irrigated land:

NA

Total renewable water resources:

0.03 cu km (1999)

Freshwater withdrawal (domestic/industrial/agricultural):

total: 0.003 cu km/yr (98%/2%/0%)

per capita: 9 cu m/yr (1987)

Natural hazards:

tsunamis; low elevation of islands makes them sensitive to sea level rise

Environment - current issues:

depletion of freshwater aquifers threatens water supplies; global warming and sea level rise; coral reef bleaching

Environment - international agreements:

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

signed, but not ratified: none of the selected agreements

Geography - note:

1,190 coral islands grouped into 26 atolls (200 inhabited islands, plus 80 islands with tourist resorts); archipelago with strategic location astride and along major sea lanes in Indian Ocean

People ::Maldives

Population:

396,334 (July 2009 est.) country comparison to the world: 174

Age structure:

0-14 years: 22.3% (male 45,038/female 43,291)

15-64 years: 73.8% (male 180,874/female 111,703)

65 years and over: 3.9% (male 7,711/female 7,717) (2009 est.)

Median age:

total: 25.7 years

male: 26.5 years

female: 24.3 years (2009 est.)

Population growth rate:

-0.168% (2009 est.) country comparison to the world: 217

Birth rate:

14.55 births/1,000 population (2009 est.) country comparison to the world: 145

Death rate:

3.65 deaths/1,000 population (July 2009 est.) country comparison to the world: 212

Net migration rate:

-12.58 migrant(s)/1,000 population (2009 est.) country comparison to the world: 179

Urbanization:

urban population: 38% of total population (2008)

rate of urbanization: 5.3% annual rate of change (2005-10 est.)

Sex ratio:

at birth: 1.05 male(s)/female

under 15 years: 1.04 male(s)/female

15-64 years: 1.62 male(s)/female

65 years and over: 1 male(s)/female

total population: 1.44 male(s)/female (2009 est.)

Infant mortality rate:

total: 29.53 deaths/1,000 live births country comparison to the world: 77 male: 32.04 deaths/1,000 live births

female: 26.89 deaths/1,000 live births (2009 est.)

Life expectancy at birth:

total population: 73.97 years country comparison to the world: 94 male: 71.78 years

female: 76.28 years (2009 est.)

Total fertility rate:

1.9 children born/woman (2009 est.) country comparison to the world: 144

HIV/AIDS - adult prevalence rate:

0.1% (2001 est.) country comparison to the world: 147

HIV/AIDS - people living with HIV/AIDS:

fewer than 100 (2001 est.) country comparison to the world: 163

HIV/AIDS - deaths:

NA

Nationality:

noun: Maldivian(s)

adjective: Maldivian

Ethnic groups:

South Indians, Sinhalese, Arabs

Religions:

Sunni Muslim

Languages:

Maldivian Dhivehi (dialect of Sinhala, script derived from Arabic), English spoken by most government officials

Literacy:

definition: age 15 and over can read and write

total population: 96.3%

male: 96.2%

female: 96.4% (2000 census)

School life expectancy (primary to tertiary education):

total: 12 years

male: 12 years

female: 12 years (2006)

Education expenditures:

8% of GDP (2006) country comparison to the world: 15

Government ::Maldives

Country name:

conventional long form: Republic of Maldives

conventional short form: Maldives

local long form: Dhivehi Raajjeyge Jumhooriyyaa

local short form: Dhivehi Raajje

Government type:

republic

Capital:

name: Male

geographic coordinates: 4 10 N, 73 30 E

time difference: UTC+5 (10 hours ahead of Washington, DC during Standard Time)

Administrative divisions:

19 atolls (atholhu, singular and plural) and 1 capital city*; Alifu, Baa, Dhaalu, Faafu, Gaafu Alifu, Gaafu Dhaalu, Gnaviyani, Haa Alifu, Haa Dhaalu, Kaafu, Laamu, Lhaviyani, Maale* (Male), Meemu, Noonu, Raa, Seenu, Shaviyani, Thaa, Vaavu

Independence:

26 July 1965 (from the UK)

National holiday:

Independence Day, 26 July (1965)

Constitution:

new constitution ratified 7 August 2008

Legal system:

based on Islamic law with admixtures of English common law primarily in commercial matters; has not accepted compulsory ICJ jurisdiction

Suffrage:

21 years of age; universal

Executive branch:

chief of state: President Mohamed "Anni" NASHEED (since 11 November 2008); Vice President Mohamed WAHEED Hassan Maniku (since 11 November 2008); note - the president is both the chief of state and head of government

head of government: President Mohamed "Anni" NASHEED (since 11 November 2008); Vice President Mohamed WAHEED Hassan Maniku (since 11 November 2008)

cabinet: Cabinet of Ministers appointed by the president

elections: under the new constitution, the president is elected by direct vote; president elected for a five-year term (eligible for a second term); election last held 8 and 28 October 2008 (next to be held in 2013)

election results: Mohamed NASHEED elected president; percent of vote - NASHEED 54.25%, Maumoon Abdul GAYOOM 45.75%

Legislative branch:

unicameral People's Council or People's Majlis (77 seats; members elected by direct vote to serve five-year terms); note - the Majlis in February 2009 passed legislation that incresed the number of seats to 77 from 50

elections: last held 9 May 2009 (next to be held in 2014)

election results: percent of vote - DRP 36.8%, MDP 32.9 %, PA 9.2%, DQP 2.6% AP 1.3%, independents 17.1%; seats by party - DRP 28, MDP 25, PA 7, DQP 2, AP 1, independents 13; note - one seat unfilled

Judicial branch:

Supreme Court; Supreme Court judges are appointed by the president with approval of voting members of the People's Council; High Court; Trial Courts; all lower court judges are appointed by the Judicial Service Commission

Political parties and leaders:

Adhaalath (Justice) Party or AP [Abdul Majeed Abdul BARI]; Dhivehi Quamee Party or DQP [Hassan SAEED]; Dhivehi Rayyithunge Party (Maldivian People's Party) or DRP [Maumoon Abdul GAYOOM]; Islamic Democratic Party or IDP [Omar NASEER]; Maldivian Democratic Party or MDP [Mohamed NASHEED]; People's Alliance or PA [Abdullah YAMEEN]; Republican (Jumhooree) Party [Gasim IBRAHIM]; Social Liberal Party or SLP [Ibrahim ISMAIL]

Political pressure groups and leaders:

other: various unregistered political parties

International organization participation:

ADB, C, CP, FAO, G-77, IBRD, ICAO, IDA, IDB, IFAD, IFC, IMF, IMO, Interpol, IOC, IPU, ITU, MIGA, NAM, OIC, OPCW, SAARC, SACEP, UN, UNCTAD, UNESCO, UNIDO, UNWTO, UPU, WCO, WFTU, WHO, WIPO, WMO, WTO

Diplomatic representation in the US:

chief of mission: Ambassador (vacant); Charge D'Affaires Abdul Ghafoor MOHAMED

chancery: 800 2nd Avenue, Suite 400E, New York, NY 10017

telephone: [1] (212) 599-6195

FAX: [1] (212) 661-6405

Diplomatic representation from the US:

the US does not have an embassy in Maldives; the US Ambassador to Sri Lanka, Ambassador Robert O. BLAKE, Jr., is accredited to Maldives and makes periodic visits

Flag description:

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

Economy ::Maldives

Economy - overview:

Tourism, Maldives' largest industry, accounts for 28% of GDP and more than 60% of foreign exchange receipts. Over 90% of government tax revenue comes from import duties and tourism-related taxes. Fishing is the second leading sector. Agriculture and manufacturing continue to play a lesser role in the economy, constrained by the limited availability of cultivable land and the shortage of domestic labor. Most staple foods must be imported. Industry, which consists mainly of garment production, boat building, and handicrafts, accounts for about 7% of GDP. The Maldivian Government began an economic reform program in 1989 initially by lifting import quotas and opening some exports to the private sector. Subsequently, it has liberalized regulations to allow more foreign investment. Real GDP growth averaged over 7.5% per year for more than a decade. In late December 2004, a major tsunami left more than 100 dead, 12,000 displaced, and property damage exceeding $300 million. As a result of the tsunami, the GDP contracted by about 4.6% in 2005. A rebound in tourism, post-tsunami reconstruction, and development of new resorts helped the economy recover quickly, with GDP growth registering 18% in 2006. Growth slowed in 2007-08, but remained above 5% per year. The trade deficit expanded sharply as a result of high oil prices and imports of construction material. Government spending on social needs, subsidies, and civil servant salaries have created a large budget deficit and inflation has picked up sharply, reaching nearly 13% in October 2008 due to high oil and food prices. Diversifying beyond tourism and fishing, reforming public finance, and increasing employment are the major challenges facing the government. Over the longer term Maldivian authorities worry about the impact of erosion and possible global warming on their low-lying country; 80% of the area is 1 meter or less above sea level.

GDP (purchasing power parity):

$1.723 billion (2008 est.) country comparison to the world: 187 $1.628 billion (2007 est.)

$1.519 billion (2006 est.)

note: data are in 2008 US dollars

GDP (official exchange rate):

$1.261 billion (2008 est.)

GDP - real growth rate:

5.8% (2008 est.) country comparison to the world: 69 7.2% (2007 est.)

18% (2006 est.)

GDP - per capita (PPP):

$4,500 (2008 est.) country comparison to the world: 149 $4,500 (2007 est.)

$4,400 (2006 est.)

note: data are in 2008 US dollars

GDP - composition by sector:

agriculture: 7%

industry: 17%

services: 76% (2006 est.)

Labor force:

136,100 (2007) country comparison to the world: 172

Labor force - by occupation:

agriculture: 22%

industry: 18%

services: 60% (1995)

Unemployment rate:

14.4% (2006 est.) country comparison to the world: 151

Population below poverty line:

21% (2004)

Household income or consumption by percentage share:

lowest 10%: NA%

highest 10%: NA%

Budget:

revenues: $762 million (including foreign grants)

expenditures: $884 million (2008 est.)

Inflation rate (consumer prices):

12.8% (October 2008 est.) country comparison to the world: 178 5% (2007 est.)

Central bank discount rate:

13% (31 December 2008) country comparison to the world: 22 12.5% (31 December 2007)

Commercial bank prime lending rate:

13% (31 December 2008) country comparison to the world: 60 13% (31 December 2007)

Stock of money:

$475.2 million (31 December 2008) country comparison to the world: 96 $344.1 million (31 December 2007)

Stock of quasi money:

$487.8 million (31 December 2008) country comparison to the world: 108 $434.9 million (31 December 2007)

Stock of domestic credit:

$1.548 billion (31 December 2008) country comparison to the world: 97 $1.08 billion (31 December 2007)

Market value of publicly traded shares:

$NA

Agriculture - products:

coconuts, corn, sweet potatoes; fish

Industries:

tourism, fish processing, shipping, boat building, coconut processing, garments, woven mats, rope, handicrafts, coral and sand mining

Industrial production growth rate:

-0.9% (2004 est.) country comparison to the world: 141

Electricity - production:

205 million kWh (2007 est.) country comparison to the world: 176

Electricity - consumption:

190.7 million kWh (2007 est.) country comparison to the world: 178

Electricity - exports:

0 kWh (2008 est.)

Electricity - imports:

0 kWh (2008 est.)

Oil - production:

0 bbl/day (2008 est.) country comparison to the world: 160

Oil - consumption:

6,000 bbl/day (2008 est.) country comparison to the world: 159

Oil - exports:

0 bbl/day (2007 est.) country comparison to the world: 180

Oil - imports:

5,406 bbl/day (2007 est.) country comparison to the world: 154

Oil - proved reserves:

0 bbl (1 January 2009 est.) country comparison to the world: 155

Natural gas - production:

0 cu m (2008 est.) country comparison to the world: 150

Natural gas - consumption:

0 cu m (2008 est.) country comparison to the world: 150

Natural gas - exports:

0 cu m (2008) country comparison to the world: 147

Natural gas - imports:

0 cu m (2008 est.) country comparison to the world: 90

Natural gas - proved reserves:

0 cu m (1 January 2009 est.) country comparison to the world: 157

Current account balance:

-$638 million (2008 est.) country comparison to the world: 109 -$472 million (2007 est.)

Exports:

$113 million (2008 est.) country comparison to the world: 191 $167 million (2006 est.)

Exports - commodities:

fish

Exports - partners:

Thailand 34.4%, UK 13.8%, France 12.2%, Italy 9%, Sri Lanka 8.5% (2008)

Imports:

$1.276 billion (2008 est.) country comparison to the world: 168 $930 million (2006 est.)

Imports - commodities:

petroleum products, ships, foodstuffs, clothing, intermediate and capital goods

Imports - partners:

Singapore 27.2%, UAE 16.9%, Malaysia 9.7%, India 7.7%, Thailand 4.9%, Sri Lanka 4.6%, Germany 4.1% (2008)

Debt - external:

$477 million (2008 est.) country comparison to the world: 166 $482 million (2006 est.)

Exchange rates:

rufiyaa (MVR) per US dollar - 12.8 (2008), 12.8 (2007), 12.8 (2006), 12.8 (2005), 12.8 (2004)

Communications ::Maldives

Telephones - main lines in use:

50,396 (2009) country comparison to the world: 162

Telephones - mobile cellular:

450,500 (2009) country comparison to the world: 158

Telephone system:

general assessment: telephone services have improved; each island now has at least 1 public telephone, and there are mobile cellular networks with a rapidly expanding subscribership that exceeds 100 per 100 persons

domestic: interatoll communication through microwave links; all inhabited islands and resorts are connected with telephone and fax service

international: country code - 960; linked to international submarine cable Fiber-Optic Link Around the Globe (FLAG); satellite earth station - 3 Intelsat (Indian Ocean) (2009)

Radio broadcast stations:

AM 1, FM 1, shortwave 1 (1998)

Television broadcast stations:

1 (2006)

Internet country code:

.mv

Internet hosts:

1,732 (2009) country comparison to the world: 151

Internet users:

71,700 (2008) country comparison to the world: 164

Transportation ::Maldives

Airports:

5 (2009) country comparison to the world: 180

Airports - with paved runways:

total: 3

over 3,047 m: 1

2,438 to 3,047 m: 1

914 to 1,523 m: 1 (2009)

Airports - with unpaved runways:

total: 2

914 to 1,523 m: 2 (2009)

Roadways:

total: 88 km country comparison to the world: 213 paved roads: 88 km - 60 km in Male; 14 km on Addu Atolis; 14 km on Laamu

note: village roads are mainly compacted coral (2006)

Merchant marine:

total: 29 country comparison to the world: 86 by type: bulk carrier 1, cargo 23, petroleum tanker 3, refrigerated cargo 2

foreign-owned: 1 (Greece 1)

registered in other countries: 2 (Panama 1, Tuvalu 1) (2008)

Ports and terminals:

Male

Military ::Maldives

Military branches:

Maldives National Defense Force (MNDF): Rapid Reaction Force, Security Protection Group, Coast Guard (2009)

Military service age and obligation:

18 years of age for voluntary military service; no conscription (2008)

Manpower available for military service:

males age 16-49: 89,505

females age 16-49: 85,745 (2008 est.)

Manpower fit for military service:

males age 16-49: 138,746

females age 16-49: 82,247 (2009 est.)

Manpower reaching militarily significant age annually:

male: 4,576

female: 3,942 (2009 est.)

Military expenditures:

5.5% of GDP (2005 est.) country comparison to the world: 15

Military - note:

the Maldives National Defense Force (MNDF), with its small size and with little serviceable equipment, is inadequate to prevent external aggression and is primarily tasked to reinforce the Maldives Police Service (MPS) and ensure security in the exclusive economic zone (2008)

Transnational Issues ::Maldives

Disputes - international:

none

Refugees and internally displaced persons:

IDPs: 1,000-10,000 (December 2004 tsunami victims) (2007)

page last updated on November 11, 2009

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

@Mali (Africa)

Introduction ::Mali

Background:

The Sudanese Republic and Senegal became independent of France in 1960 as the Mali Federation. When Senegal withdrew after only a few months, what formerly made up the Sudanese Republic was renamed Mali. Rule by dictatorship was brought to a close in 1991 by a military coup - led by the current president Amadou TOURE - enabling Mali's emergence as one of the strongest democracies on the continent. President Alpha KONARE won Mali's first democratic presidential election in 1992 and was reelected in 1997. In keeping with Mali's two-term constitutional limit, KONARE stepped down in 2002 and was succeeded by Amadou TOURE, who was subsequently elected to a second term in 2007. The elections were widely judged to be free and fair.

Geography ::Mali

Location:

Western Africa, southwest of Algeria

Geographic coordinates:

17 00 N, 4 00 W

Map references:

Africa

Area:

total: 1,240,192 sq km country comparison to the world: 24 land: 1,220,190 sq km

water: 20,002 sq km

Area - comparative:

slightly less than twice the size of Texas

Land boundaries:

total: 7,243 km

border countries: Algeria 1,376 km, Burkina Faso 1,000 km, Guinea 858 km, Cote d'Ivoire 532 km, Mauritania 2,237 km, Niger 821 km, Senegal 419 km

Coastline:

0 km (landlocked)

Maritime claims:

none (landlocked)

Climate:

subtropical to arid; hot and dry (February to June); rainy, humid, and mild (June to November); cool and dry (November to February)

Terrain:

mostly flat to rolling northern plains covered by sand; savanna in south, rugged hills in northeast

Elevation extremes:

lowest point: Senegal River 23 m

highest point: Hombori Tondo 1,155 m

Natural resources:

gold, phosphates, kaolin, salt, limestone, uranium, gypsum, granite, hydropower

note: bauxite, iron ore, manganese, tin, and copper deposits are known but not exploited

Land use:

arable land: 3.76%

permanent crops: 0.03%

other: 96.21% (2005)

Irrigated land:

2,360 sq km (2003)

Total renewable water resources:

100 cu km (2001)

Freshwater withdrawal (domestic/industrial/agricultural):

total: 6.55 cu km/yr (9%/1%/90%)

per capita: 484 cu m/yr (2000)

Natural hazards:

hot, dust-laden harmattan haze common during dry seasons; recurring droughts; occasional Niger River flooding

Environment - current issues:

deforestation; soil erosion; desertification; inadequate supplies of potable water; poaching

Environment - international agreements:

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

signed, but not ratified: none of the selected agreements

Geography - note:

landlocked; divided into three natural zones: the southern, cultivated Sudanese; the central, semiarid Sahelian; and the northern, arid Saharan

People ::Mali

Population:

12,666,987 (July 2009 est.) country comparison to the world: 70

Age structure:

0-14 years: 48.3% (male 3,089,406/female 3,023,341)

15-64 years: 48.7% (male 3,065,167/female 3,101,914)

65 years and over: 3.1% (male 151,718/female 235,441) (2009 est.)

Median age:

total: 15.8 years

male: 15.5 years

female: 16.2 years (2009 est.)

Population growth rate:

2.765% (2009 est.) country comparison to the world: 19

Birth rate:

49.15 births/1,000 population (2009 est.) country comparison to the world: 2

Death rate:

15.82 deaths/1,000 population (July 2009 est.) country comparison to the world: 17

Net migration rate:

-5.67 migrant(s)/1,000 population (2009 est.) country comparison to the world: 166

Urbanization:

urban population: 32% of total population (2008)

rate of urbanization: 4.8% annual rate of change (2005-10 est.)

Sex ratio:

at birth: 1.03 male(s)/female

under 15 years: 1.02 male(s)/female

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

65 years and over: 0.64 male(s)/female

total population: 0.99 male(s)/female (2009 est.)

Infant mortality rate:

total: 102.05 deaths/1,000 live births country comparison to the world: 8 male: 111.56 deaths/1,000 live births

female: 92.26 deaths/1,000 live births (2009 est.)

Life expectancy at birth:

total population: 50.35 years country comparison to the world: 207 male: 48.38 years

female: 52.38 years (2009 est.)

Total fertility rate:

7.29 children born/woman (2009 est.) country comparison to the world: 2

HIV/AIDS - adult prevalence rate:

1.5% (2007 est.) country comparison to the world: 42

HIV/AIDS - people living with HIV/AIDS:

100,000 (2007 est.) country comparison to the world: 46

HIV/AIDS - deaths:

5,800 (2007 est.) country comparison to the world: 42

Major infectious diseases:

degree of risk: very high

food or waterborne diseases: bacterial and protozoal diarrhea, hepatitis A, and typhoid fever

vectorborne disease: malaria

water contact disease: schistosomiasis

respiratory disease: meningococcal meningitis (2009)

Nationality:

noun: Malian(s)

adjective: Malian

Ethnic groups:

Mande 50% (Bambara, Malinke, Soninke), Peul 17%, Voltaic 12%, Songhai 6%, Tuareg and Moor 10%, other 5%

Religions:

Muslim 90%, Christian 1%, indigenous beliefs 9%

Languages:

French (official), Bambara 80%, numerous African languages

Literacy:

definition: age 15 and over can read and write

total population: 46.4%

male: 53.5%

female: 39.6% (2003 est.)

School life expectancy (primary to tertiary education):

total: 7 years

male: 8 years

female: 5 years (2005)

Education expenditures:

4.5% of GDP (2006) country comparison to the world: 87

Government ::Mali

Country name:

conventional long form: Republic of Mali

conventional short form: Mali

local long form: Republique de Mali

local short form: Mali

former: French Sudan and Sudanese Republic

Government type:

republic

Capital:

name: Bamako

geographic coordinates: 12 39 N, 8 00 W

time difference: UTC 0 (5 hours ahead of Washington, DC during Standard Time)

Administrative divisions:

8 regions (regions, singular - region); Gao, Kayes, Kidal, Koulikoro, Mopti, Segou, Sikasso, Tombouctou

Independence:

22 September 1960 (from France)

National holiday:

Independence Day, 22 September (1960)

Constitution:

adopted 12 January 1992

Legal system:

based on French civil law system and customary law; judicial review of legislative acts in Constitutional Court; has not accepted compulsory ICJ jurisdiction

Suffrage:

18 years of age; universal

Executive branch:

chief of state: President Amadou Toumani TOURE (since 8 June 2002)

head of government: Prime Minister Modibo SIDIBE (since 28 September 2007)

cabinet: Council of Ministers appointed by the prime minister

elections: president elected by popular vote for a five-year term (eligible for a second term); election last held on 29 April 2007 (next to be held in April 2012); prime minister appointed by the president

election results: Amadou Toumani TOURE reelected president; percent of vote - Amadou Toumani TOURE 71.2%, Ibrahim Boubacar KEITA 19.2%, other 9.6%

Legislative branch:

unicameral National Assembly or Assemblee Nationale (147 seats; members elected by popular vote to serve five-year terms)

elections: last held on 1 and 22 July 2007 (next to be held in July 2012)

election results: percent of vote by party - NA; seats by party - ADP coalition 113 (including ADEMA 51, URD 34, MPR 8, CNID 7, UDD 3, and other 10), FDR coalition 15 (including RPM 11, PARENA 4), SADI 4, independent 15

Judicial branch:

Supreme Court or Cour Supreme

Political parties and leaders:

Alliance for Democratic Change (political group comprised mainly of Tuareg from Mali's northern region); African Solidarity for Democracy and Independence or SADI [Oumar MARIKO, secretary general]; Alliance for Democracy and Progress or ADP (a coalition of political parties including ADEMA and URD formed in December 2006 to support the presidential candidacy of Amadou TOURE); Alliance for Democracy or ADEMA [Diounconda TRAORE]; Convergence 2007 [Soumeylou Boubeye MAIGA]; Front for Democracy and the Republic or FDR (a coalition of political parties including RPM and PARENA formed to oppose the presidential candidacy of Amadou TOURE); National Congress for Democratic Initiative or CNID [Mountaga TALL]; Party for Democracy and Progress or PDP [Mady KONATE]; Party for National Renewal or PARENA [Tiebile DRAME]; Patriotic Movement for Renewal or MPR [Choguel MAIGA]; Rally for Democracy and Labor or RDT [Amadou Ali NIANGADOU]; Rally for Mali or RPM [Ibrahim Boubacar KEITA]; Sudanese Union/African Democratic Rally or US/RDA [Mamadou Basir GOLOGO]; Union for Democracy and Development or UDD [Moussa Balla COULIBALY]; Union for Republic and Democracy or URD [Soumaila CISSE]

Political pressure groups and leaders:

other: the army; Islamic authorities; rebels in the northern region; state-run cotton company CMDT; tuaregs

International organization participation:

ACP, AfDB, AU, ECOWAS, FAO, FZ, G-77, IAEA, IBRD, ICAO, ICCt, ICRM, IDA, IDB, IFAD, IFC, IFRCS, ILO, IMF, Interpol, IOC, IOM, IPU, ITSO, ITU, ITUC, MIGA, MINURCAT, MONUC, NAM, OIC, OIF, OPCW, UN, UNAMID, UNCTAD, UNESCO, UNIDO, UNMIL, UNMIS, UNWTO, UPU, WADB (regional), WAEMU, WCO, WFTU, WHO, WIPO, WMO, WTO

Diplomatic representation in the US:

chief of mission: Ambassador Abdoulaye DIOP

chancery: 2130 R Street NW, Washington, DC 20008

telephone: [1] (202) 332-2249, 939-8950

FAX: [1] (202) 332-6603

Diplomatic representation from the US:

chief of mission: Ambassador Gillian A. MILOVANOVIC

embassy: located just off the Roi Bin Fahad Aziz Bridge just west of the Bamako central district

mailing address: ACI 2000, Rue 243, Porte 297, Bamako

telephone: [223] 270-2300

FAX: [223] 270-2479

Flag description:

three equal vertical bands of green (hoist side), yellow, and red; uses the popular pan-African colors of Ethiopia

Economy ::Mali

Economy - overview:

Mali is among the 25 poorest countries in the world, with 65% of its land area desert or semidesert and with a highly unequal distribution of income. Economic activity is largely confined to the riverine area irrigated by the Niger. About 10% of the population is nomadic and some 80% of the labor force is engaged in farming and fishing. Industrial activity is concentrated on processing farm commodities. Mali is heavily dependent on foreign aid and vulnerable to fluctuations in world prices for gold and cotton, its main exports. The government has continued its successful implementation of an IMF-recommended structural adjustment program that is helping the economy grow, diversify, and attract foreign investment. Mali has invested in tourism and a tractor assembly factory. Mali's adherence to economic reform and the 50% devaluation of the CFA franc in January 1994 have pushed up economic growth to a 5% average in 1996-2008. Worker remittances and external trade routes for the landlocked country have been jeopardized by continued unrest in neighboring Cote d'Ivoire, however, Mali is building a road network that will connect it to all adjacent countries and it has a railway line to Senegal.

GDP (purchasing power parity):

$14.75 billion (2008 est.) country comparison to the world: 134 $14.04 billion (2007 est.)

$13.65 billion (2006 est.)

note: data are in 2008 US dollars

GDP (official exchange rate):

$8.774 billion (2008 est.)

GDP - real growth rate:

5.1% (2008 est.) country comparison to the world: 86 2.8% (2007 est.)

5.3% (2006 est.)

GDP - per capita (PPP):

$1,100 (2008 est.) country comparison to the world: 209 $1,100 (2007 est.)

$1,100 (2006 est.)

note: data are in 2008 US dollars

GDP - composition by sector:

agriculture: 45%

industry: 17%

services: 38% (2001 est.)

Labor force:

3.241 million (2007 est.) country comparison to the world: 98

Labor force - by occupation:

agriculture: 80%

industry and services: 20% (2005 est.)

Unemployment rate:

30% (2004 est.) country comparison to the world: 179

Population below poverty line:

36.1% (2005 est.)

Household income or consumption by percentage share:

lowest 10%: 2.7%

highest 10%: 30.5% (2006)

Distribution of family income - Gini index:

40.1 (2001) country comparison to the world: 60 50.5 (1994)

Budget:

revenues: $1.5 billion

expenditures: $1.8 billion (2006 est.)

Inflation rate (consumer prices):

2.5% (2007 est.) country comparison to the world: 25

Central bank discount rate:

4.75% (31 December 2008) country comparison to the world: 122 4.25% (31 December 2007)

Commercial bank prime lending rate:

NA%

Stock of money:

$NA (31 December 2008)

$1.58 billion (31 December 2007)

Stock of quasi money:

$NA (31 December 2008)

$697.1 million (31 December 2007)

Stock of domestic credit:

$NA (31 December 2008)

$1.099 billion (31 December 2007)

Market value of publicly traded shares:

$NA

Agriculture - products:

cotton, millet, rice, corn, vegetables, peanuts; cattle, sheep, goats

Industries:

food processing; construction; phosphate and gold mining

Industrial production growth rate:

NA%

Electricity - production:

515 million kWh (2007 est.) country comparison to the world: 158

Electricity - consumption:

479 million kWh (2007 est.) country comparison to the world: 163

Electricity - exports:

0 kWh; note - recent hydropower developments may be providing electricity to Senegal and Mauritania (2008 est.)

Electricity - imports:

0 kWh (2008 est.)

Oil - production:

0 bbl/day (2008 est.) country comparison to the world: 163

Oil - consumption:

5,000 bbl/day (2008 est.) country comparison to the world: 167

Oil - exports:

0 bbl/day (2007 est.) country comparison to the world: 183

Oil - imports:

4,402 bbl/day (2007 est.) country comparison to the world: 162

Oil - proved reserves:

0 bbl (1 January 2009 est.) country comparison to the world: 158

Natural gas - production:

0 cu m (2008 est.) country comparison to the world: 157

Natural gas - consumption:

0 cu m (2008 est.) country comparison to the world: 158

Natural gas - exports:

0 cu m (2008) country comparison to the world: 152

Natural gas - imports:

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

Natural gas - proved reserves:

0 cu m (1 January 2009 est.) country comparison to the world: 109

Current account balance:

-$446 million (2007 est.) country comparison to the world: 104

Exports:

$294 million (2006) country comparison to the world: 175

Exports - commodities:

cotton, gold, livestock

Exports - partners:

China 26.7%, Thailand 10.7%, Denmark 6.4%, Pakistan 5.2%, Morocco 5% (2008)

Imports:

$2.358 billion (2006) country comparison to the world: 146

Imports - commodities:

petroleum, machinery and equipment, construction materials, foodstuffs, textiles

Imports - partners:

Senegal 13.1%, France 11.4%, Cote d'Ivoire 11.2%, China 5.9% (2008)

Debt - external:

$2.8 billion (2002) country comparison to the world: 129

Exchange rates:

Communaute Financiere Africaine francs (XOF) per US dollar - 447.81 (2008 est.), 493.51 (2007), 522.59 (2006), 527.47 (2005), 528.29 (2004)

note: since 1 January 1999, the West African CFA franc (XOF) has been pegged to the euro at a rate of 655.957 CFA francs per euro; West African CFA franc (XOF) coins and banknotes are not accepted in countries using Central African CFA francs (XAF), and vice versa, even though the two currencies trade at par

Communications ::Mali

Telephones - main lines in use:

82,800 (2008) country comparison to the world: 148

Telephones - mobile cellular:

3.267 million (2008) country comparison to the world: 103

Telephone system:

general assessment: domestic system unreliable but improving; provides only minimal service

domestic: fixed-line subscribership remains less than 1 per 100 persons; increasing use of local radio loops to extend network coverage to remote areas; mobile-cellular subscribership has increased sharply to about 25 per 100 persons

international: country code - 223; satellite earth stations - 2 Intelsat (1 Atlantic Ocean, 1 Indian Ocean) (2008)

Radio broadcast stations:

AM 1, FM 230 (27 regional and government stations, and 203 private stations), shortwave 1 (2001)

Television broadcast stations:

2 (plus repeaters) (2007)

Internet country code:

.ml

Internet hosts:

519 (2009) country comparison to the world: 171

Internet users:

200,000 (2008) country comparison to the world: 136

Transportation ::Mali

Airports:

22 (2009) country comparison to the world: 134

Airports - with paved runways:

total: 8

2,438 to 3,047 m: 4

1,524 to 2,437 m: 3

914 to 1,523 m: 1 (2009)

Airports - with unpaved runways:

total: 14

1,524 to 2,437 m: 5

914 to 1,523 m: 6

under 914 m: 3 (2009)

Railways:

total: 593 km country comparison to the world: 112 narrow gauge: 593 km 1.000-m gauge (2008)

Roadways:

total: 18,709 km country comparison to the world: 114 paved: 3,368 km

unpaved: 15,341 km (2004)

Waterways:

1,800 km (2008) country comparison to the world: 46

Ports and terminals:

Koulikoro

Military ::Mali

Military branches:

Malian Armed Forces: Army, Republic of Mali Air Force (Force Aerienne de la Republique du Mali, FARM), National Guard (2008)

Military service age and obligation:

18 years of age for compulsory and voluntary military service; conscript service obligation - 2 years (2008)

Manpower available for military service:

males age 16-49: 2,603,700

females age 16-49: 2,441,776 (2008 est.)

Manpower fit for military service:

males age 16-49: 1,649,772

females age 16-49: 1,579,601 (2009 est.)

Manpower reaching militarily significant age annually:

male: 147,846

female: 140,543 (2009 est.)

Military expenditures:

1.9% of GDP (2006) country comparison to the world: 87

Transnational Issues ::Mali

Disputes - international:

none

Refugees and internally displaced persons:

refugees (country of origin): 6,300 (Mauritania) (2007)

page last updated on November 11, 2009

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

@Malta (Europe)

Introduction ::Malta

Background:

Great Britain formally acquired possession of Malta in 1814. The island staunchly supported the UK through both World Wars and remained in the Commonwealth when it became independent in 1964. A decade later Malta became a republic. Since about the mid-1980s, the island has transformed itself into a freight transshipment point, a financial center, and a tourist destination. Malta became an EU member in May 2004 and began using the euro as currency in 2008.

Geography ::Malta

Location:

Southern Europe, islands in the Mediterranean Sea, south of Sicily (Italy)

Geographic coordinates:

35 50 N, 14 35 E

Map references:

Europe

Area:

total: 316 sq km country comparison to the world: 207 land: 316 sq km

water: 0 sq km

Area - comparative:

slightly less than twice the size of Washington, DC

Land boundaries:

0 km

Coastline:

196.8 km (excludes 56.01 km for the island of Gozo)

Maritime claims:

territorial sea: 12 nm

contiguous zone: 24 nm

continental shelf: 200 m depth or to the depth of exploitation

exclusive fishing zone: 25 nm

Climate:

Mediterranean; mild, rainy winters; hot, dry summers

Terrain:

mostly low, rocky, flat to dissected plains; many coastal cliffs

Elevation extremes:

lowest point: Mediterranean Sea 0 m

highest point: Ta'Dmejrek 253 m (near Dingli)

Natural resources:

limestone, salt, arable land

Land use:

arable land: 31.25%

permanent crops: 3.13%

other: 65.62% (2005)

Irrigated land:

20 sq km (2003)

Total renewable water resources:

0.07 cu km (2005)

Freshwater withdrawal (domestic/industrial/agricultural):

total: 0.02 cu km/yr (74%/1%/25%)

per capita: 50 cu m/yr (2000)

Natural hazards:

NA

Environment - current issues:

limited natural fresh water resources; increasing reliance on desalination

Environment - international agreements:

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

signed, but not ratified: none of the selected agreements

Geography - note:

the country comprises an archipelago, with only the three largest islands (Malta, Ghawdex or Gozo, and Kemmuna or Comino) being inhabited; numerous bays provide good harbors; Malta and Tunisia are discussing the commercial exploitation of the continental shelf between their countries, particularly for oil exploration

People ::Malta

Population:

405,165 (July 2009 est.) country comparison to the world: 173

Age structure:

0-14 years: 16.1% (male 33,526/female 31,780)

15-64 years: 69.4% (male 142,491/female 138,769)

65 years and over: 14.5% (male 25,406/female 33,193) (2009 est.)

Median age:

total: 39.5 years

male: 38.1 years

female: 40.9 years (2009 est.)

Population growth rate:

0.4% (2009 est.) country comparison to the world: 163

Birth rate:

10.36 births/1,000 population (2009 est.) country comparison to the world: 189

Death rate:

8.38 deaths/1,000 population (July 2009 est.) country comparison to the world: 100

Net migration rate:

2.02 migrant(s)/1,000 population (2009 est.) country comparison to the world: 44

Urbanization:

urban population: 94% of total population (2008)

rate of urbanization: 0.6% annual rate of change (2005-10 est.)

Sex ratio:

at birth: 1.06 male(s)/female

under 15 years: 1.06 male(s)/female

15-64 years: 1.03 male(s)/female

65 years and over: 0.76 male(s)/female

total population: 0.99 male(s)/female (2009 est.)

Infant mortality rate:

total: 3.75 deaths/1,000 live births country comparison to the world: 213 male: 4.2 deaths/1,000 live births

female: 3.27 deaths/1,000 live births (2009 est.)

Life expectancy at birth:

total population: 79.44 years country comparison to the world: 29 male: 77.21 years

female: 81.8 years (2009 est.)

Total fertility rate:

1.51 children born/woman (2009 est.) country comparison to the world: 186

HIV/AIDS - adult prevalence rate:

0.1% (2007 est.) country comparison to the world: 131

HIV/AIDS - people living with HIV/AIDS:

fewer than 500 (2007 est.) country comparison to the world: 150

HIV/AIDS - deaths:

fewer than 100 (2003 est.) country comparison to the world: 136

Nationality:

noun: Maltese (singular and plural)

adjective: Maltese

Ethnic groups:

Maltese (descendants of ancient Carthaginians and Phoenicians with strong elements of Italian and other Mediterranean stock)

Religions:

Roman Catholic 98%

Languages:

Maltese (official) 90.2%, English (official) 6%, multilingual 3%, other 0.8% (2005 census)

Literacy:

definition: age 10 and over can read and write

total population: 92.8%

male: 92%

female: 93.6% (2003 est.)

School life expectancy (primary to tertiary education):

total: 15 years

male: 15 years

female: 15 years (2005)

Education expenditures:

5.1% of GDP (2004) country comparison to the world: 65

Government ::Malta

Country name:

conventional long form: Republic of Malta

conventional short form: Malta

local long form: Repubblika ta' Malta

local short form: Malta

Government type:

republic

Capital:

name: Valletta

geographic coordinates: 35 53 N, 14 30 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 (administered directly from Valletta); note - local councils carry out administrative orders

Independence:

21 September 1964 (from the UK)

National holiday:

Independence Day, 21 September (1964)

Constitution:

1964; amended many times

Legal system:

based on English common law and Roman civil law; accepts compulsory ICJ jurisdiction with reservations

Suffrage:

18 years of age; universal

Executive branch:

chief of state: President George ABELA (since 4 April 2009)

head of government: Prime Minister Lawrence GONZI (since 23 March 2004)

cabinet: Cabinet appointed by the president on the advice of the prime minister

elections: president elected by the House of Representatives for a five-year term (eligible for a second term); election last held on 12 January 2009 (next to be held by April 2014); following legislative elections, the leader of the majority party or leader of a majority coalition is usually appointed prime minister by the president for a five-year term; the deputy prime minister is appointed by the president on the advice of the prime minister

election results: George ABELA elected president by the House of Representatives

Legislative branch:

unicameral House of Representatives (normally 65 seats; members are elected by popular vote on the basis of proportional representation to serve five-year terms; note - the current Parliament is composed of 69 seats; when the political party winning the plurality of votes does not win a majority of seats, the constitution provides that a sufficient number of seats will be added to Parliament to ensure that the party that won the elections has a majority in Parliament)

elections: last held on 8 March 2008 (next to be held by March 2013)

election results: percent of vote by party - PN 49.3%, MLP 48.9%, other 1.8%; seats by party - PN 35, MLP 34

Judicial branch:

Constitutional Court; Court of Appeal; judges for both courts are appointed by the president on the advice of the prime minister

Political parties and leaders:

Alternativa Demokratika/Alliance for Social Justice or AD [Arnold CASSOLA]; Azzjoni Nazzjonaili or AN [Josi MUSCAT]; Malta Labor Party or MLP [Joseph MUSCAT]; Nationalist Party or PN [Lawrence GONZI]

Political pressure groups and leaders:

Alleanza Liberal-Demokratika Maltra or ALDM (for divorce, abortion, gay marriage, the rights existent in other EU member states); Alleanza Nazzionali Repubblikana or ANR (for traditional values, anti-immigration); Alternattiva Demokratika (pro-environment); Azzjoni Nazzjonali or AN (freedom to participate in democratic government); Flimkien Ghal-Ambjent Ahjar (pro-environment); Ghazdatal-Konsumaturi (consumer rights)

other: environmentalists

International organization participation:

Australia Group, C, CE, EAPC, EBRD, EIB, EMU, EU, FAO, IAEA, IBRD, ICAO, ICCt, ICRM, IFAD, IFC, IFRCS, ILO, IMF, IMO, IMSO, Interpol, IOC, IOM, IPU, ISO, ITSO, ITU, ITUC, MIGA, NSG, OPCW, OSCE, PCA, PFP, Schengen Convention, UN, UNCTAD, UNESCO, UNIDO, UNWTO, UPU, WCL, WCO, WFTU, WHO, WIPO, WMO, WTO

Diplomatic representation in the US:

chief of mission: Ambassador Mark MICELI-FARRUGIA

chancery: 2017 Connecticut Avenue NW, Washington, DC 20008

telephone: [1] (202) 462-3611 through 3612

FAX: [1] (202) 387-5470

consulate(s): New York

Diplomatic representation from the US:

chief of mission: Ambassador (vacant); Charge d'Affaires Jason DAVIS

embassy: 3rd Floor, Development House, Saint Anne Street, Floriana, VLT 01

mailing address: P. O. Box 535, Valletta, CMR01

telephone: [356] 2561 4000

FAX: [356] 21 243229

Flag description:

two equal vertical bands of white (hoist side) and red; in the upper hoist-side corner is a representation of the George Cross, edged in red

Economy ::Malta

Economy - overview:

Malta produces only about 20% of its food needs, has limited fresh water supplies, and has few domestic energy sources. Malta's geographic position between the EU and Africa makes it a recipient of illegal immigration, which has strained Malta's political and economic resources. The financial services industry has grown in recent years, but is not fully modernized. Malta's economy is dependent on foreign trade, manufacturing - especially electronics and pharmaceuticals - and tourism all of which have been negatively affected by the global economic downturn. Malta adopted the euro on 1 January 2008. The Maltese government in 2009 will be challenged to contain the budget deficit, which ballooned in 2008 to about 4.1% of GDP, placing it above the euro zone's 3% maximum.

GDP (purchasing power parity):

$9.933 billion (2008 est.) country comparison to the world: 149 $9.707 billion (2007 est.)

$9.317 billion (2006 est.)

note: data are in 2008 US dollars

GDP (official exchange rate):

$8.37 billion (2008 est.)

GDP - real growth rate:

2.3% (2008 est.) country comparison to the world: 152 4.2% (2007 est.)

3.5% (2006 est.)

GDP - per capita (PPP):

$24,600 (2008 est.) country comparison to the world: 52 $24,200 (2007 est.)

$23,300 (2006 est.)

note: data are in 2008 US dollars

GDP - composition by sector:

agriculture: 1.4%

industry: 18%

services: 80.6% (2007 est.)

Labor force:

173,000 (2008) country comparison to the world: 170

Labor force - by occupation:

agriculture: 2.3%

industry: 29.6%

services: 68% (2005 est.)

Unemployment rate:

6% (2008 est.) country comparison to the world: 74

Population below poverty line:

NA%

Household income or consumption by percentage share:

lowest 10%: NA%

highest 10%: NA%

Distribution of family income - Gini index:

26 (2007) country comparison to the world: 127

Investment (gross fixed):

16.2% of GDP (2008 est.) country comparison to the world: 135

Budget:

revenues: $3.378 billion

expenditures: $3.77 billion (2008 est.)

Inflation rate (consumer prices):

4.3% (2008 est.) country comparison to the world: 72 1.3% (2007 est.)

Central bank discount rate:

3% (31 December 2008)

note: this is the European Central Bank's rate on the marginal lending facility, which offers overnight credit to banks in the euro area

Commercial bank prime lending rate:

5.89% (31 December 2008) country comparison to the world: 130 6.24% (31 December 2007)

Stock of money:

$4.639 billion (31 January 2008) country comparison to the world: 56 $4.603 billion (31 December 2007)

note: this figure represents the US dollar value of Maltese liri in circulation prior to Malta joining the Economic and Monetary Union (EMU); see entry for the European Union for money supply in the euro area; the European Central Bank (ECB) controls monetary policy for the 16 members of the EMU; individual members of the EMU do not control the quantity of money and quasi money circulating within their own borders

Stock of quasi money:

$8.771 billion (31 January 2008 est.) country comparison to the world: 56 $7.645 billion (31 December 2007)

Stock of domestic credit:

$16.17 billion (31 December 2008 est.) country comparison to the world: 64 $10.99 billion (31 December 2007)

Market value of publicly traded shares:

$NA (31 December 2008) country comparison to the world: 84 $5.633 billion (31 December 2007)

$4.504 billion (31 December 2006)

Agriculture - products:

potatoes, cauliflower, grapes, wheat, barley, tomatoes, citrus, cut flowers, green peppers; pork, milk, poultry, eggs

Industries:

tourism, electronics, ship building and repair, construction, food and beverages, pharmaceuticals, footwear, clothing, tobacco

Industrial production growth rate:

NA%

Electricity - production:

2.146 billion kWh (2007 est.) country comparison to the world: 133

Electricity - consumption:

1.832 billion kWh (2007 est.) country comparison to the world: 136

Electricity - exports:

0 kWh (2008 est.)

Electricity - imports:

0 kWh (2008 est.)

Oil - production:

0 bbl/day (2008 est.) country comparison to the world: 161

Oil - consumption:

19,000 bbl/day (2008 est.) country comparison to the world: 127

Oil - exports:

0 bbl/day (2007 est.) country comparison to the world: 181

Oil - imports:

17,910 bbl/day (2007 est.) country comparison to the world: 115

Oil - proved reserves:

0 bbl (1 January 2009 est.) country comparison to the world: 156

Natural gas - production:

0 cu m (2008 est.) country comparison to the world: 151

Natural gas - consumption:

0 cu m (2008 est.) country comparison to the world: 155

Natural gas - exports:

0 cu m (2008) country comparison to the world: 148

Natural gas - imports:

0 cu m (2008 est.) country comparison to the world: 91

Natural gas - proved reserves:

0 cu m (1 January 2009 est.) country comparison to the world: 158

Current account balance:

-$445 million (2008 est.) country comparison to the world: 103 -$468 million (2007 est.)

Exports:

$3.06 billion (2008 est.) country comparison to the world: 122 $3.305 billion (2007 est.)

Exports - commodities:

machinery and transport equipment, manufactures

Exports - partners:

Germany 13.5%, Singapore 13%, France 12.2%, US 9.6%, UK 8.2%, Hong Kong 6.7%, Japan 6.4%, Italy 4.7% (2008)

Imports:

$4.792 billion (2008 est.) country comparison to the world: 118 $4.655 billion (2007 est.)

Imports - commodities:

machinery and transport equipment, manufactured and semi-manufactured goods; food, drink, tobacco

Imports - partners:

Italy 28.1%, UK 13.5%, France 8.2%, Germany 7.4%, Singapore 6.4% (2008)

Reserves of foreign exchange and gold:

$373.4 million (31 December 2008 est.) country comparison to the world: 139 $3.798 billion (31 December 2007 est.)

Debt - external:

$188.8 million (2005) country comparison to the world: 181

Stock of direct foreign investment - at home:

$NA

Stock of direct foreign investment - abroad:

$NA

Exchange rates:

euros (EUR) per US dollar - 0.6827 (2008 est.), Maltese liri per US dollar - 0.3106 (2007), 0.37 (2006), 0.34578 (2005), 0.34466 (2004), 0.37723 (2003)