Chapter M: Major infectious diseases (48)
HIV/AIDS - deaths:
NA
Nationality:
noun: Chinese
adjective: Chinese
Ethnic groups:
Chinese 94.3%, other 5.7% (includes Macanese - mixed Portuguese and Asian ancestry) (2006 census)
Religions:
Buddhist 50%, Roman Catholic 15%, none or other 35% (1997 est.)
Languages:
Cantonese 85.7%, Hokkien 4%, Mandarin 3.2%, other Chinese dialects 2.7%, English 1.5%, Tagalog 1.3%, other 1.6% (2001 census)
Literacy:
definition: age 15 and over can read and write
total population: 91.3%
male: 95.3%
female: 87.8% (2001 census)
School life expectancy (primary to tertiary education):
total: 14 years
male: 15 years
female: 14 years (2008)
Education expenditures:
2.2% of GDP (2008) country comparison to the world: 166
Government ::Macau
Country name:
conventional long form: Macau Special Administrative Region
conventional short form: Macau
local long form: Aomen Tebie Xingzhengqu (Chinese); Regiao Administrativa Especial de Macau (Portuguese)
local short form: Aomen (Chinese); Macau (Portuguese)
Dependency status:
special administrative region of China
Government type:
limited democracy
Administrative divisions:
none (special administrative region of the People's Republic of China)
Independence:
none (special administrative region of China)
National holiday:
National Day (Anniversary of the Founding of the People's Republic of China), 1 October (1949); note - 20 December 1999 is celebrated as Macau Special Administrative Region Establishment Day
Constitution:
Basic Law, approved on 31 March 1993 by China's National People's Congress, is Macau's charter
Legal system:
based on Portuguese civil law system
Suffrage:
direct election 18 years of age for some non-executive positions, universal for permanent residents living in Macau for the past seven years; indirect election limited to organizations registered as "corporate voters" (257 are currently registered) and a 300-member Election Committee drawn from broad regional groupings, municipal organizations, and central government bodies
Executive branch:
chief of state: President of China HU Jintao (since 15 March 2003)
head of government: Chief Executive Fernando CHUI Sai-on (since 20 December 2009)
cabinet: Executive Council consists of 1 government secretary, 3 legislators, 4 businessmen, 1 pro-Beijing unionist, and 1 pro-Beijing educator (For more information visit the World Leaders website ) elections: chief executive chosen by a 300-member Election Committee for a five-year term (eligible for a second term); election last held on 26 July 2009 (next to be held in July 2014)
election results: Fernando CHUI Sai-on elected in 2009 with 282 votes, took office on 20 December 2009
Legislative branch:
unicameral Legislative Assembly (29 seats; 12 members elected by popular vote, 10 by indirect vote, and 7 appointed by the chief executive; members to serve four-year terms)
elections: last held on 20 September 2009 (next to be held in September 2013)
election results: percent of vote - UPD 14.9%, ACUM 12%, APMD 11.6%, NUDM 9.9%, UPP 9.9%, ANMD 7.8%, UMG 7.3%, MUDAR 5.5%, others 21.1%; seats by political group - UPD 2, ACUM 2, APMD 2, NUMD 1, UPP 1, ANMD 1, UMG 1, MUDAR 1; 10 seats filled by professional and business groups; 7 members appointed by the chief executive
Judicial branch:
Court of Final Appeal in Macau Special Administrative Region
Political parties and leaders:
Alliance for Change or MUDAR; Macau Development Alliance or NUDM [Angela LEONG On-kei]; Macau-Guangdong Union or UNG; Macau United Citizens' Association or ACUM [CHAN Meng-kam]; New Democratic Macau Association or APMD [Antonio NG Kuok-cheong]; New Hope or NE [Jose Maria Pereira COUTINHO]; Union for Promoting Progress or UPP [LEONG Heng-teng]
note: there is no political party ordinance, so there are no registered political parties; politically active groups register as societies or companies
Political pressure groups and leaders:
Civic Power [Agnes LAM Lok-fong]; Macau New Chinese Youth Association [LEONG Sin-man]; Macau Society of Tourism and Entertainment or STDM [Stanley HO]; Macau Worker's Union [HO Heng-kuok]; Union for Democracy Development [Antonio NG Kuok-cheong]
International organization participation:
IHO, IMF, IMO (associate), Interpol (subbureau), ISO (correspondent), UNESCO (associate), UNWTO (associate), UPU, WCO, WTO
Diplomatic representation in the US:
none (special administrative region of China)
Diplomatic representation from the US:
the US has no offices in Macau; US Consulate General in Hong Kong is accredited to Macau
Flag description:
green with a lotus flower above a stylized bridge and water in white, beneath an arc of five gold, five-pointed stars: one large in the center of the arc and two smaller on either side; the lotus is the floral emblem of Macau, the three petals represent the peninsula and two islands that make up Macau; the five stars echo those on the flag of China
National anthem:
note: as a Special Administrative Region of China, "Yiyonggjun Jinxingqu" is official (see China)
Economy ::Macau
Economy - overview:
Macau's economy slowed dramatically in 2009 as a result of the global economic slowdown, but strong growth resumed in 2010, largely on the back of strong tourism and gaming sectors. After opening up its locally-controlled casino industry to foreign competition in 2001, the territory attracted tens of billions of dollars in foreign investment, transforming Macau into one of the world's largest gaming center. Macau's gaming and tourism businesses were fueled by China's decision to relax travel restrictions on Chinese citizens wishing to visit Macau. By 2006, Macau's gaming revenue surpassed that of the Las Vegas strip, and gaming-related taxes accounted for more than 70% of total government revenue. In 2008, Macau introduced measures to cool the rapidly developing sector. This city of nearly 570,000 hosted more than 21 million visitors in 2009. Almost 51% came from mainland China. Macau's traditional manufacturing industry has virtually disappeared since the termination of the Multi-Fiber Agreement in 2005. In 2009, total exports were less than US$1 billion, while gaming receipts were almost US$15 billion. By October 2010, gross gaming revenue had already reached US$19 billion for the year. The Macau government plans to tighten control over the opening of new casinos and strengthen supervision of local casino operations in 2011 and has introduced measures to diversify the economy. The Closer Economic Partnership Agreement (CEPA) between Macau and mainland China that came into effect on 1 January 2004 offers Macau-made products tariff-free access to the mainland; nevertheless, China remains Macau's third largest goods export market, behind Hong Kong and the United States. Macau's currency, the Pataca, is closely tied to the Hong Kong dollar, which is also freely accepted in the territory.
GDP (purchasing power parity):
$18.47 billion (2009 est.) country comparison to the world: 129 $18.14 billion (2008 est.)
$14.4 billion (2006)
note: data are in 2010 US dollars
GDP (official exchange rate):
$22.1 billion (2009 est.)
GDP - real growth rate:
1% (2009 est.) country comparison to the world: 181 12.9% (2008)
26% (2007)
GDP - per capita (PPP):
$33,000 (2009) country comparison to the world: 41 $31,800 (2008)
$28,400 (2006)
GDP - composition by sector:
agriculture: 0.1%
industry: 2.8%
services: 97.1% (2009 est.)
Labor force:
322,000 (2009 est.) country comparison to the world: 163
Labor force - by occupation:
manufacturing: 4.9%
construction: 9.3%
transport and communications: 5.2%
wholesale and retail trade: 12.6%
restaurants and hotels: 13.6%
gambling: 14.2%
public sector: 6.6%
financial services: 2.1%
other services and agriculture: 31.5% (2009 est.)
Unemployment rate:
3.6% (2009) country comparison to the world: 30 3% (2008)
Population below poverty line:
NA%
Household income or consumption by percentage share:
lowest 10%: NA%
highest 10%: NA%
Inflation rate (consumer prices):
1.2% (December 2009) country comparison to the world: 26 8.6% (2008)
Commercial bank prime lending rate:
5.25% (31 December 2009 est.) country comparison to the world: 145 5.43% (31 December 2008 est.)
Stock of narrow money:
$3.831 billion (31 December 2009) country comparison to the world: 101 $3.099 billion (31 December 2008)
Stock of broad money:
$26.56 billion (31 December 2009 est.) country comparison to the world: 75 $23.78 billion (31 December 2008)
Stock of domestic credit:
$1.717 billion (31 December 2008 est.) country comparison to the world: 130 $847 million (31 December 2007 est.)
Market value of publicly traded shares:
$2.3 billion (31 December 2008 est.)
$NA (31 December 2007)
$413.1 million (2004 est.)
Agriculture - products:
only 2% of land area is cultivated, mainly by vegetable growers; fishing, mostly for crustaceans, is important; some of the catch is exported to Hong Kong
Industries:
tourism, gambling, clothing, textiles, electronics, footwear, toys
Industrial production growth rate:
NA%
Electricity - production:
1.424 billion kWh (2009 est.) country comparison to the world: 141
Electricity - consumption:
3.474 billion kWh (2009 est.) country comparison to the world: 119
Electricity - exports:
0 kWh (2009 est.)
Electricity - imports:
2.215 billion kWh (2009 est.)
Oil - production:
0 bbl/day (2009 est.) country comparison to the world: 168
Oil - consumption:
16,000 bbl/day (2009 est.) country comparison to the world: 136
Oil - exports:
0 bbl/day (2009 est.) country comparison to the world: 184
Oil - imports:
9,294 bbl/day (2009 est.) country comparison to the world: 140
Oil - proved reserves:
0 bbl (1 January 2010 est.) country comparison to the world: 144
Natural gas - production:
0 cu m (2009 est.) country comparison to the world: 161
Natural gas - consumption:
91.3 million cu m (2009) country comparison to the world: 103
Natural gas - exports:
0 cu m (2009 est.) country comparison to the world: 158
Natural gas - imports:
97.8 million cu m (2009 est.) country comparison to the world: 66
Natural gas - proved reserves:
300,000 cu m (1 January 2008 est.) country comparison to the world: 103
Current account balance:
$NA
Exports:
$950 million (2009 est.) country comparison to the world: 153 $2 billion (2008); note - includes reexports
Exports - commodities:
clothing, textiles, footwear, toys, electronics, machinery and parts
Exports - partners:
Hong Kong 38.7%, US 17.9%, China 14.4%, Germany 4% (2009)
Imports:
$4.5 billion (2009 est.) country comparison to the world: 123 $5.4 billion (2008 est.)
Imports - commodities:
raw materials and semi-manufactured goods, consumer goods (foodstuffs, beverages, tobacco), capital goods, mineral fuels and oils
Imports - partners:
China 31.1%, Hong Kong 10.8%, Japan 8.1%, France 8%, US 6.2% (2009)
Reserves of foreign exchange and gold:
$NA
Debt - external:
$0 (2009) country comparison to the world: 198
Stock of direct foreign investment - at home:
$13.6 billion (2008 est.) country comparison to the world: 77 $11.1 billion (#REF! est.)
Stock of direct foreign investment - abroad:
$980 million (2009 est.) country comparison to the world: 74 $1 billion (2008 est.)
Exchange rates:
patacas (MOP) per US dollar - 7.985 (2009), 7.983 (2008), 8.011 (2007), 8.0015 (2006)
Communications ::Macau
Telephones - main lines in use:
168,903 (2010) country comparison to the world: 131
Telephones - mobile cellular:
1.109 million (2010) country comparison to the world: 144
Telephone system:
general assessment: fairly modern communication facilities maintained for domestic and international services
domestic: termination of monopoly over mobile-cellular telephone services in 2001 spurred sharp increase in subscriptions with mobile-cellular teledensity approaching 200 per 100 persons in 2010; fixed-line subscribership appears to have peaked and is now in decline
international: country code - 853; landing point for the SEA-ME-WE-3 submarine cable network that provides links to Asia, the Middle East, and Europe; HF radiotelephone communication facility; satellite earth station - 1 Intelsat (Indian Ocean) (2010)
Broadcast media:
local government dominates broadcast media; 2 television stations operated by the government with one broadcasting in Portuguese and the other in Cantonese and Mandarin; cable and satellite TV services are available; 3 radio stations broadcasting, of which 2 are government-operated (2008)
Internet country code:
.mo
Internet hosts:
252 (2010) country comparison to the world: 189
Internet users:
270,200 (2009) country comparison to the world: 134
Transportation ::Macau
Airports:
1 (2010) country comparison to the world: 218
Airports - with paved runways:
total: 1
over 3,047 m: 1 (2010)
Heliports:
2 (2010)
Roadways:
total: 413 km country comparison to the world: 198 paved: 413 km (2009)
Ports and terminals:
Macau
Military ::Macau
Military branches:
no regular military forces
Manpower available for military service:
males age 16-49: 150,712 (2010 est.)
Manpower fit for military service:
males age 16-49: 124,074
females age 16-49: 149,799 (2010 est.)
Manpower reaching militarily significant age annually:
male: 4,488
female: 3,900 (2010 est.)
Military - note:
defense is the responsibility of China
Transnational Issues ::Macau
Disputes - international:
none
Illicit drugs:
transshipment point for drugs going into mainland China; consumer of opiates and amphetamines
page last updated on January 20, 2011
======================================================================
@Macedonia (Europe)
Introduction ::Macedonia
Background:
Macedonia gained its independence peacefully from Yugoslavia in 1991. Greece's objection to the new state's use of what it considered a Hellenic name and symbols delayed international recognition, which occurred under the provisional designation of "the Former Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia." In 1995, Greece lifted a 20-month trade embargo and the two countries agreed to normalize relations. The United States began referring to Macedonia by its constitutional name, Republic of Macedonia, in 2004 and negotiations continue between Greece and Macedonia to resolve the name issue. Some ethnic Albanians, angered by perceived political and economic inequities, launched an insurgency in 2001 that eventually won the support of the majority of Macedonia's Albanian population and led to the internationally-brokered Ohrid Framework Agreement, which ended the fighting by establishing a set of new laws enhancing the rights of minorities. Fully implementing the Framework Agreement and stimulating economic growth and development continue to be challenges for Macedonia, although progress has been made on both fronts over the past several years.
Geography ::Macedonia
Location:
Southeastern Europe, north of Greece
Geographic coordinates:
41 50 N, 22 00 E
Map references:
Europe
Area:
total: 25,713 sq km country comparison to the world: 149 land: 25,433 sq km
water: 280 sq km
Area - comparative:
slightly larger than Vermont
Land boundaries:
total: 766 km
border countries: Albania 151 km, Bulgaria 148 km, Greece 246 km, Kosovo 159 km, Serbia 62 km
Coastline:
0 km (landlocked)
Maritime claims:
none (landlocked)
Climate:
warm, dry summers and autumns; relatively cold winters with heavy snowfall
Terrain:
mountainous territory covered with deep basins and valleys; three large lakes, each divided by a frontier line; country bisected by the Vardar River
Elevation extremes:
lowest point: Vardar River 50 m
highest point: Golem Korab (Maja e Korabit) 2,764 m
Natural resources:
low-grade iron ore, copper, lead, zinc, chromite, manganese, nickel, tungsten, gold, silver, asbestos, gypsum, timber, arable land
Land use:
arable land: 22.01%
permanent crops: 1.79%
other: 76.2% (2005)
Irrigated land:
550 sq km (2003)
Total renewable water resources:
6.4 cu km (2001)
Freshwater withdrawal (domestic/industrial/agricultural):
total: 2.27
per capita: 1,118 cu m/yr (2000)
Natural hazards:
high seismic risks
Environment - current issues:
air pollution from metallurgical plants
Environment - international agreements:
party to: Air Pollution, Biodiversity, Climate Change, Climate Change-Kyoto Protocol, Desertification, Endangered Species, Hazardous Wastes, Law of the Sea, Ozone Layer Protection, Wetlands
signed, but not ratified: none of the selected agreements
Geography - note:
landlocked; major transportation corridor from Western and Central Europe to Aegean Sea and Southern Europe to Western Europe
People ::Macedonia
Population:
2,072,086 (July 2010 est.) country comparison to the world: 143
Age structure:
0-14 years: 19.2% (male 206,054/female 191,354)
15-64 years: 69.4% (male 722,823/female 710,830)
65 years and over: 11.4% (male 102,231/female 133,426) (2010 est.)
Median age:
total: 35.4 years
male: 34.4 years
female: 36.5 years (2010 est.)
Population growth rate:
0.257% (2010 est.) country comparison to the world: 177
Birth rate:
11.92 births/1,000 population (2010 est.) country comparison to the world: 165
Death rate:
8.87 deaths/1,000 population (July 2010 est.) country comparison to the world: 76
Net migration rate:
-0.48 migrant(s)/1,000 population (2010 est.) country comparison to the world: 142
Urbanization:
urban population: 67% of total population (2008)
rate of urbanization: 0.8% annual rate of change (2005-10 est.)
Sex ratio:
at birth: 1.077 male(s)/female
under 15 years: 1.08 male(s)/female
15-64 years: 1.02 male(s)/female
65 years and over: 0.76 male(s)/female
total population: 1 male(s)/female (2010 est.)
Infant mortality rate:
total: 8.76 deaths/1,000 live births country comparison to the world: 158 male: 8.98 deaths/1,000 live births
female: 8.53 deaths/1,000 live births (2010 est.)
Life expectancy at birth:
total population: 74.92 years country comparison to the world: 89 male: 72.4 years
female: 77.64 years (2010 est.)
Total fertility rate:
1.58 children born/woman (2010 est.) country comparison to the world: 180
HIV/AIDS - adult prevalence rate:
less than 0.1% (2007 est.) country comparison to the world: 146
HIV/AIDS - people living with HIV/AIDS:
fewer than 200 (2007 est.) country comparison to the world: 159
HIV/AIDS - deaths:
fewer than 100 (2003 est.) country comparison to the world: 138
Nationality:
noun: Macedonian(s)
adjective: Macedonian
Ethnic groups:
Macedonian 64.2%, Albanian 25.2%, Turkish 3.9%, Roma (Gypsy) 2.7%, Serb 1.8%, other 2.2% (2002 census)
Religions:
Macedonian Orthodox 64.7%, Muslim 33.3%, other Christian 0.37%, other and unspecified 1.63% (2002 census)
Languages:
Macedonian (official) 66.5%, Albanian (official) 25.1%, Turkish 3.5%, Roma 1.9%, Serbian 1.2%, other 1.8% (2002 census)
Literacy:
definition: age 15 and over can read and write
total population: 96.1%
male: 98.2%
female: 94.1% (2002 census)
School life expectancy (primary to tertiary education):
total: 12 years
male: 12 years
female: 12 years (2007)
Education expenditures:
3.5% of GDP (2002) country comparison to the world: 133
Government ::Macedonia
Country name:
conventional long form: Republic of Macedonia
conventional short form: Macedonia
local long form: Republika Makedonija
local short form: Makedonija
note: the provisional designation used by the UN, EU, and NATO is the "former Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia" (FYROM)
former: People's Republic of Macedonia, Socialist Republic of Macedonia
Government type:
parliamentary democracy
Capital:
name: Skopje
geographic coordinates: 42 00 N, 21 26 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:
84 municipalities (opstini, singular - opstina); Aerodrom (Skopje), Aracinovo, Berovo, Bitola, Bogdanci, Bogovinje, Bosilovo, Brvenica, Butel (Skopje), Cair (Skopje), Caska, Centar (Skopje), Centar Zupa, Cesinovo, Cucer Sandevo, Debar, Debarca, Delcevo, Demir Hisar, Demir Kapija, Dojran, Dolneni, Dorce Petrov (Gjorce Petrov) (Skopje), Drugovo, Gazi Baba (Skopje), Gevgelija, Gostivar, Gradsko, Ilinden, Jegunovce, Karbinci, Karpos (Skopje), Kavadarci, Kicevo, Kisela Voda (Skopje), Kocani, Konce, Kratovo, Kriva Palanka, Krivogastani, Krusevo, Kumanovo, Lipkovo, Lozovo, Makedonska Kamenica, Makedonski Brod, Mavrovo i Rostusa, Mogila, Negotino, Novaci, Novo Selo, Ohrid, Oslomej, Pehcevo, Petrovec, Plasnica, Prilep, Probistip, Radovis, Rankovce, Resen, Rosoman, Saraj (Skopje), Sopiste, Staro Nagoricane, Stip, Struga, Strumica, Studenicani, Suto Orizari (Skopje), Sveti Nikole, Tearce, Tetovo, Valandovo, Vasilevo, Veles, Vevcani, Vinica, Vranestica, Vrapciste, Zajas, Zelenikovo, Zelino, Zrnovci
note: the 10 municipalities followed by Skopje in parentheses collectively constitute the larger Skopje Municipality
Independence:
8 September 1991 (referendum by registered voters endorsed independence from Yugoslavia)
National holiday:
Independence Day, 8 September (1991); also known as National Day
Constitution:
adopted 17 November 1991, effective 20 November 1991; amended November 2001, 2005 and in 2009
note: amended November 2001 by a series of new constitutional amendments strengthening minority rights, in 2005 with amendments related to the judiciary, and in 2009 with amendments related to the threshold required to elect the president
Legal system:
based on civil law system; judicial review of legislative acts; has not accepted compulsory ICJ jurisdiction
Suffrage:
18 years of age; universal
Executive branch:
chief of state: President Gjorge IVANOV (since 12 May 2009)
head of government: Prime Minister Nikola GRUEVSKI (since 26 August 2006)
cabinet: Council of Ministers elected by the majority vote of all the deputies in the Assembly; note - current cabinet formed by the government coalition parties VMRO/DPMNE, BDI/DUI, and several small parties (For more information visit the World Leaders website ) elections: president elected by popular vote for a five-year term (eligible for a second term); two-round election: first round held on 22 March 2009, second round held on 5 April 2009 (next to be held in March 2014); prime minister elected by the Assembly following legislative elections
election results: Gjorge IVANOV elected president on second-round ballot; percent of vote - Gjorge IVANOV 63.1%, Ljubomir FRCKOSKI 36.9%
Legislative branch:
unicameral Assembly or Sobranie (120 seats; members elected by popular vote from party lists based on the percentage of the overall vote the parties gain in each of six electoral districts; members serve four-year terms)
elections: last held on 1 June and 15 June 2008 (next to be held by July 2012)
election results: percent of vote by party - VMRO-DPMNE-led block 49%, SDSM-led block 24%, BDI/DUI 13%, PDSh/DPA 8%, other 6%; seats by party - VMRO-DPMNE-led block 63, SDSM-led block 27, BDI/DUI 18, PDSh/DPA 11, PEI 1
Judicial branch:
Supreme Court; Constitutional Court; Republican Judicial Council
note: the Assembly appoints the judges
Political parties and leaders:
Democratic Alliance or DS [Pavle TRAJANOV]; Democratic Party of Serbs in Macedonia [Ivan STOILJKOVIC]; Democratic Party of the Albanians or PDSh/DPA [Menduh THACI]; Democratic Party of Turks in Macedonia [Kenan HASIPI]; Democratic Union for Integration or BDI/DUI [Ali AHMETI]; Internal Macedonian Revolutionary Organization--Democratic Party for Macedonian National Unity (VMRO-DPMNE) [Nikola GRUEVSKI]; Liberal Democratic Party or LDP [Jovan MANSIJEVSKI]; Liberal Party [Borce STOJANOVSKI]; Movement for Reconstruction of Macedonia or DOM [Liljana POPOVSKA]; New Alternative [Gjorgji OROVCANEC]; New Democracy or DR [Imer SELMANI]; New Social-Democratic Party or NSDP [Tito PETKOVSKI]; Party for Democratic Action in Macedonia or SDAM [Avdija PEPIC]; Party for European Future or PEI [Fijat CANOSKI]; Social-Democratic Union of Macedonia or SDSM [Branko CRVENKOVSKI]; Socialist Party or SP [Ljubisav IVANOV-ZINGO]; Union of Roma of Macedonia [Amdi BAJRAM]; United for Macedonia or OM [Ljube BOSKOVSKI]; VMRO-Macedonian [Borislav STOJMENOV]
Political pressure groups and leaders:
Federation of Free Trade Unions [Svetlana PETROVIC]; Federation of Trade Unions [Vanco MURATOVSKI]; Trade Union of Education, Science and Culture [Dojcin CVETANOSKI]
International organization participation:
BIS, CE, CEI, EAPC, EBRD, EU (applicant), FAO, IAEA, IBRD, ICAO, ICCt, ICRM, IDA, IFAD, IFC, IFRCS, ILO, IMF, IMO, Interpol, IOC, IOM (observer), IPU, ISO, ITU, ITUC, MIGA, OIF, OPCW, OSCE, PCA, PFP, SECI, UN, UNCTAD, UNESCO, UNHCR, UNIDO, UNIFIL, UNWTO, UPU, WCO, WHO, WIPO, WMO, WTO
Diplomatic representation in the US:
chief of mission: Ambassador Zoran JOLEVSKI
chancery: 2129 Wyoming Avenue NW, Washington, DC 20008
telephone: [1] (202) 667-0501
FAX: [1] (202) 667-2131
consulate(s) general: Southfield (Michigan), Chicago
Diplomatic representation from the US:
chief of mission: Ambassador Philip T. REEKER
embassy: Str. Samolilova, Nr. 21, 1000 Skopje
mailing address: American Embassy Skopje, US Department of State, 7120 Skopje Place, Washington, DC 20521-7120 (pouch)
telephone: [389] 2 310-2000
FAX: [389] 2 310-2499
Flag description:
a yellow sun (the Sun of Liberty) with eight broadening rays extending to the edges of the red field; the red and yellow colors have long been associated with Macedonia
National anthem:
name: "Denes Nad Makedonija" (Today Over Macedonia)
lyrics/music: Vlado MALESKI/Todor SKALOVSKI
note: adopted 1991; the song, written in 1943, previously served as the anthem of the Socialist Republic of Macedonia while part of Yugoslavia
Economy ::Macedonia
Economy - overview:
Having a small, open economy makes Macedonia vulnerable to economic developments in Europe and dependent on regional integration and progress toward EU membership for continued economic growth. At independence in September 1991, Macedonia was the least developed of the Yugoslav republics, producing a mere 5% of the total federal output of goods and services. The collapse of Yugoslavia ended transfer payments from the central government and eliminated advantages from inclusion in a de facto free trade area. An absence of infrastructure, UN sanctions on the downsized Yugoslavia, and a Greek economic embargo over a dispute about the country's constitutional name and flag hindered economic growth until 1996. Since then, Macedonia has maintained macroeconomic stability with low inflation, but it has so far lagged the region in attracting foreign investment and creating jobs, despite making extensive fiscal and business sector reforms. Official unemployment remains high at 33%, but may be overstated based on the existence of an extensive gray market, estimated to be more than 20% of GDP, that is not captured by official statistics. In the wake of the global economic downturn, Macedonia has experienced decreased foreign direct investment, lowered credit, and a large trade deficit, but the financial system remained sound. Macroeconomic stability was maintained by a prudent monetary policy, which kept the domestic currency at the pegged level against the euro, at the expense of raising interest rates. As a result, GDP fell in 2009. but returned to positive in 2010.
GDP (purchasing power parity):
$19.46 billion (2010 est.) country comparison to the world: 127 $19.18 billion (2009 est.)
$19.31 billion (2008 est.)
note: data are in 2010 US dollars; Macedonia has a large informal sector
GDP (official exchange rate):
$9.58 billion (2010 est.)
GDP - real growth rate:
1.5% (2010 est.) country comparison to the world: 169 -0.7% (2009 est.)
4.8% (2008 est.)
GDP - per capita (PPP):
$9,400 (2010 est.) country comparison to the world: 114 $9,300 (2009 est.)
$9,400 (2008 est.)
note: data are in 2010 US dollars
GDP - composition by sector:
agriculture: 12.1%
industry: 29.6%
services: 58.3% (2010 est.)
Labor force:
942,000 (2010 est.) country comparison to the world: 143
Labor force - by occupation:
agriculture: 18.6%
industry: 29.5%
services: 51.9% (September 2009)
Unemployment rate:
33.1% (2010 est.) country comparison to the world: 182 32.2% (2009 est.)
Population below poverty line:
28.7% (2008)
Household income or consumption by percentage share:
lowest 10%: 2.4%
highest 10%: 29.6% (2003)
Distribution of family income - Gini index:
39 (2003) country comparison to the world: 68
Investment (gross fixed):
22.3% of GDP (2010 est.) country comparison to the world: 63
Public debt:
25.7% of GDP (2010 est.) country comparison to the world: 96 32.4% of GDP (2009 est.)
Inflation rate (consumer prices):
1.5% (2010 est.) country comparison to the world: 41 -0.8% (2009 est.)
Central bank discount rate:
6.5% (31 December 2009) country comparison to the world: 62 6.5% (31 December 2008)
Commercial bank prime lending rate:
10.07% (31 December 2009 est.) country comparison to the world: 95 9.68% (31 December 2008 est.)
Stock of narrow money:
$1.146 billion (31 December 2010 est) country comparison to the world: 137 $1.184 billion (31 December 2009 est)
Stock of broad money:
$4.134 billion (31 December 2010 est.) country comparison to the world: 126 $4.217 billion (31 December 2009 est.)
Stock of domestic credit:
$4.001 billion (31 December 2010 est.) country comparison to the world: 114 $4.055 billion (31 December 2009 est.)
Market value of publicly traded shares:
$2.859 billion (31 December 2009) country comparison to the world: 100 $823.5 million (31 December 2008)
$2.715 billion (31 December 2007)
Agriculture - products:
grapes, tobacco, vegetables, fruits; milk, eggs
Industries:
food processing, beverages, textiles, chemicals, iron, steel, cement, energy, pharmaceuticals
Industrial production growth rate:
1.3% (2010 est.) country comparison to the world: 143
Electricity - production:
6.162 billion kWh (2009 est.) country comparison to the world: 106
Electricity - consumption:
7.797 billion kWh (2009 est.) country comparison to the world: 95
Electricity - exports:
0 kWh (2009 est.)
Electricity - imports:
1.635 billion kWh (2009 est.)
Oil - production:
0 bbl/day (2009 est.) country comparison to the world: 167
Oil - consumption:
20,000 bbl/day (2009 est.) country comparison to the world: 125
Oil - exports:
4,672 bbl/day (2009 est.) country comparison to the world: 107
Oil - imports:
20,000 bbl/day (2009 est.) country comparison to the world: 112
Oil - proved reserves:
0 bbl (1 January 2010 est.) country comparison to the world: 143
Natural gas - production:
0 cu m (2009 est.) country comparison to the world: 160
Natural gas - consumption:
80 million cu m (2009 est.) country comparison to the world: 105
Natural gas - exports:
0 cu m (2009 est.) country comparison to the world: 157
Natural gas - imports:
82 million cu m (2009 est.) country comparison to the world: 67
Natural gas - proved reserves:
0 cu m (1 January 2010 est.) country comparison to the world: 164
Current account balance:
-$328 million (2010 est.) country comparison to the world: 100 -$645.6 million (2009 est.)
Exports:
$3.171 billion (2010 est.) country comparison to the world: 122 $2.686 billion (2009 est.)
Exports - commodities:
food, beverages, tobacco; textiles, miscellaneous manufactures, iron and steel
Exports - partners:
Germany 20.31%, Greece 13.09%, Italy 11.08%, Bulgaria 10.61%, Croatia 7.74% (2009)
Imports:
$5.113 billion (2010 est.) country comparison to the world: 113 $4.842 billion (2009 est.)
Imports - commodities:
machinery and equipment, automobiles, chemicals, fuels, food products
Imports - partners:
Germany 15.11%, Greece 14.88%, Bulgaria 9.08%, Italy 7.68%, Turkey 7.59%, Slovenia 6.26%, Hungary 4.31% (2009)
Reserves of foreign exchange and gold:
$2.127 billion (31 December 2010 est.) country comparison to the world: 96 $2.292 billion (31 December 2009 est.)
Debt - external:
$5.52 billion (31 December 2010 est.) country comparison to the world: 102 $5.5 billion (31 December 2009 est.)
Stock of direct foreign investment - at home:
$3.528 billion (31 October 2009 est.) country comparison to the world: 84 $3.357 billion (2007 est.)
Stock of direct foreign investment - abroad:
$NA
Exchange rates:
Macedonian denars (MKD) per US dollar - 47.601 (2010), 44.1 (2009), 41.414 (2008), 44.732 (2007), 48.978 (2006)
Communications ::Macedonia
Telephones - main lines in use:
442,200 (2009) country comparison to the world: 100
Telephones - mobile cellular:
1.943 million (2009) country comparison to the world: 135
Telephone system:
general assessment: competition from the mobile-cellular segment of the telecommunications market has led to a drop in fixed-line telephone subscriptions
domestic: combined fixed-line and mobile-cellular telephone subscribership about 115 per 100 persons
international: country code - 389 (2009)
Broadcast media:
public television broadcaster operates 3 national channels and a satellite network; 5 privately-owned TV channels broadcast nationally; roughly 50 local commercial TV stations broadcasting; large number of cable operators offering domestic and international programming; public radio broadcaster operates over multiple stations; 3 privately-owned radio stations broadcast nationally; roughly 65 local commercial radio stations functioning (2007)
Internet country code:
.mk
Internet hosts:
60,533 (2010) country comparison to the world: 84
Internet users:
1.057 million (2009) country comparison to the world: 97
Transportation ::Macedonia
Airports:
14 (2010) country comparison to the world: 149
Airports - with paved runways:
total: 10
2,438 to 3,047 m: 2
under 914 m: 8 (2010)
Airports - with unpaved runways:
total: 4
914 to 1,523 m: 1
under 914 m: 3 (2010)
Pipelines:
gas 268 km; oil 120 km (2009)
Railways:
total: 699 km country comparison to the world: 104 standard gauge: 699 km 1.435-m gauge (234 km electrified) (2009)
Roadways:
total: 13,736 km (includes 216 km of expressways) (2009) country comparison to the world: 126
Military ::Macedonia
Military branches:
Army of the Republic of Macedonia (ARM): Joint Operational Command, with subordinate Air Wing (Makedonsko Voeno Vozduhoplovstvo, MVV); Special Operations Regiment; Logistic Support Command; Training Command (2010)
Military service age and obligation:
18 years of age for voluntary military service; no conscription (2010)
Manpower available for military service:
males age 16-49: 530,966
females age 16-49: 511,534 (2010 est.)
Manpower fit for military service:
males age 16-49: 442,953
females age 16-49: 425,981 (2010 est.)
Manpower reaching militarily significant age annually:
male: 15,338
female: 14,445 (2010 est.)
Military expenditures:
6% of GDP (2005 est.) country comparison to the world: 9
Transnational Issues ::Macedonia
Disputes - international:
Kosovo and Macedonia completed demarcation of their boundary in September 2008; Greece continues to reject the use of the name Macedonia or Republic of Macedonia
Refugees and internally displaced persons:
IDPs: fewer than 1,000 (ethnic conflict in 2001) (2007)
Illicit drugs:
major transshipment point for Southwest Asian heroin and hashish; minor transit point for South American cocaine destined for Europe; although not a financial center and most criminal activity is thought to be domestic, money laundering is a problem due to a mostly cash-based economy and weak enforcement
page last updated on January 12, 2011
======================================================================
@Madagascar (Africa)
Introduction ::Madagascar
Background:
Formerly an independent kingdom, Madagascar became a French colony in 1896 but regained independence in 1960. During 1992-93, free presidential and National Assembly elections were held ending 17 years of single-party rule. In 1997, in the second presidential race, Didier RATSIRAKA, the leader during the 1970s and 1980s, was returned to the presidency. The 2001 presidential election was contested between the followers of Didier RATSIRAKA and Marc RAVALOMANANA, nearly causing secession of half of the country. In April 2002, the High Constitutional Court announced RAVALOMANANA the winner. RAVALOMANANA achieved a second term following a landslide victory in the generally free and fair presidential elections of 2006. In early 2009, protests over increasing restrictions on opposition press and activities resulted in RAVALOMANANA stepping down and the presidency was conferred to the mayor of Antananarivo, Andry RAJOELINA. Following negotiations in July and August of 2009, a power-sharing agreement with a 15-month transitional period was established, but has not yet been implemented.
Geography ::Madagascar
Location:
Southern Africa, island in the Indian Ocean, east of Mozambique
Geographic coordinates:
20 00 S, 47 00 E
Map references:
Africa
Area:
total: 587,041 sq km country comparison to the world: 46 land: 581,540 sq km
water: 5,501 sq km
Area - comparative:
slightly less than twice the size of Arizona
Land boundaries:
0 km
Coastline:
4,828 km
Maritime claims:
territorial sea: 12 nm
contiguous zone: 24 nm
exclusive economic zone: 200 nm
continental shelf: 200 nm or 100 nm from the 2,500-m isobath
Climate:
tropical along coast, temperate inland, arid in south
Terrain:
narrow coastal plain, high plateau and mountains in center
Elevation extremes:
lowest point: Indian Ocean 0 m
highest point: Maromokotro 2,876 m
Natural resources:
graphite, chromite, coal, bauxite, rare earth elements, salt, quartz, tar sands, semiprecious stones, mica, fish, hydropower
Land use:
arable land: 5.03%
permanent crops: 1.02%
other: 93.95% (2005)
Irrigated land:
10,860 sq km (2003)
Total renewable water resources:
337 cu km (1984)
Freshwater withdrawal (domestic/industrial/agricultural):
total: 14.96 cu km/yr (3%/2%/96%)
per capita: 804 cu m/yr (2000)
Natural hazards:
periodic cyclones; drought; and locust infestation
volcanism: Madagascar's volcanoes have not erupted in historical times
Environment - current issues:
soil erosion results from deforestation and overgrazing; desertification; surface water contaminated with raw sewage and other organic wastes; several endangered species of flora and fauna unique to the island
Environment - international agreements:
party to: Biodiversity, Climate Change, Climate Change-Kyoto Protocol, Desertification, Endangered Species, Hazardous Wastes, Law of the Sea, Marine Life Conservation, Ozone Layer Protection, Ship Pollution, Wetlands
signed, but not ratified: none of the selected agreements
Geography - note:
world's fourth-largest island; strategic location along Mozambique Channel
People ::Madagascar
Population:
21,281,844 (July 2010 est.) country comparison to the world: 56
Age structure:
0-14 years: 43.5% (male 4,523,033/female 4,460,473)
15-64 years: 53.5% (male 5,483,684/female 5,557,098)
65 years and over: 3% (male 280,677/female 348,591) (2010 est.)
Median age:
total: 18.1 years
male: 17.8 years
female: 18.3 years (2010 est.)
Population growth rate:
2.993% (2010 est.) country comparison to the world: 13
Birth rate:
37.89 births/1,000 population (2010 est.) country comparison to the world: 20
Death rate:
7.97 deaths/1,000 population (July 2010 est.) country comparison to the world: 107
Net migration rate:
0 migrant(s)/1,000 population country comparison to the world: 92
Urbanization:
urban population: 29% of total population (2008)
rate of urbanization: 3.8% annual rate of change (2005-10 est.)
Sex ratio:
at birth: 1.03 male(s)/female
under 15 years: 1.01 male(s)/female
15-64 years: 0.99 male(s)/female
65 years and over: 0.8 male(s)/female
total population: 0.99 male(s)/female (2010 est.)
Infant mortality rate:
total: 52.84 deaths/1,000 live births country comparison to the world: 47 male: 57.69 deaths/1,000 live births
female: 47.84 deaths/1,000 live births (2010 est.)
Life expectancy at birth:
total population: 63.26 years country comparison to the world: 175 male: 61.27 years
female: 65.3 years (2010 est.)
Total fertility rate:
5.09 children born/woman (2010 est.) country comparison to the world: 21
HIV/AIDS - adult prevalence rate:
0.1% (2007 est.) country comparison to the world: 117
HIV/AIDS - people living with HIV/AIDS:
14,000 (2007 est.) country comparison to the world: 88
HIV/AIDS - deaths:
fewer than 1,000 (2007 est.) country comparison to the world: 79
Major infectious diseases:
degree of risk: very high
food or waterborne diseases: bacterial and protozoal diarrhea, hepatitis A, and typhoid fever
vectorborne diseases: chikungunya, malaria, and plague
water contact disease: schistosomiasis (2009)
Nationality:
noun: Malagasy (singular and plural)
adjective: Malagasy
Ethnic groups:
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), English
Literacy:
definition: age 15 and over can read and write
total population: 68.9%
male: 75.5%
female: 62.5% (2003 est.)
School life expectancy (primary to tertiary education):
total: 10 years
male: 10 years
female: 10 years (2008)
Education expenditures:
2.9% of GDP (2008) country comparison to the world: 152
Government ::Madagascar
Country name:
conventional long form: Republic of Madagascar
conventional short form: Madagascar
local long form: Republique de Madagascar/Repoblikan'i Madagasikara
local short form: Madagascar/Madagasikara
former: Malagasy Republic
Government type:
republic
Capital:
name: Antananarivo
geographic coordinates: 18 55 S, 47 31 E
time difference: UTC+3 (8 hours ahead of Washington, DC during Standard Time)
Administrative divisions:
6 provinces (faritany); Antananarivo, Antsiranana, Fianarantsoa, Mahajanga, Toamasina, Toliara
Independence:
26 June 1960 (from France)
National holiday:
Independence Day, 26 June (1960)
Constitution:
passed by referendum 17 November 2010; promulgated 11 December 2010 (2010)
Legal system:
based on French civil law system and traditional Malagasy law; accepts compulsory ICJ jurisdiction with reservations
Suffrage:
18 years of age; universal
Executive branch:
chief of state: President Andry RAJOELINA (since 18 March 2009)
head of government: Prime Minister Albert Camille VITAL (since 18 December 2009)
cabinet: Council of Ministers appointed by the prime minister (For more information visit the World Leaders website ) elections: president elected by popular vote for a five-year term (eligible for a second term); election last held on 3 December 2006 (next to be held on 4 May 2011); prime minister appointed by the president
election results: percent of vote - Marc RAVALOMANANA 54.8%, Jean LAHINIRIKO 11.7%, Roland RATSIRAKA 10.1%, Herizo RAZAFIMAHALEO 9.1%, Norbert RATSIRAHONANA 4.2%, Ny Hasina ANDRIAMANJATO 4.2%, Elia RAVELOMANANTSOA 2.6%, Pety RAKOTONIAINA 1.7%, other 1.6%; note - RAVALOMANANA stepped down on 17 March 2009
note:: on 17 March 2009, democratically elected President Marc RAVALOMANANA stepped down handing the government over to the military, which in turn conferred the presidency on opposition leader and Antananarivo mayor Andry RAJOELINA, who will head the High Transition Authority; a power-sharing agreement reached in August 2009 established a 15-month transition period, concluding in general elections in 2010; as of December 2009 the agreement had not been fully implemented
Legislative branch:
bicameral legislature consists of a Senate or Senat (100 seats; two-thirds of the members appointed by regional assemblies; the remaining one-third appointed by the president; members to serve four-year terms) and a National Assembly or Assemblee Nationale (127 seats - reduced from 160 seats by an April 2007 national referendum; members elected by popular vote to serve four-year terms)
elections: National Assembly - last held on 23 September 2007 (next to be held on 16 March 2011); note - a power-sharing agreement in the summer of 2009 established a 15-month transition, concluding in general elections
election results: National Assembly - percent of vote by party - NA; seats by party - TIM 106, LEADER/Fanilo 1, independents 20
Judicial branch:
Supreme Court or Cour Supreme; High Constitutional Court or Haute Cour Constitutionnelle
Political parties and leaders:
Association for the Rebirth of Madagascar or AREMA [Pierrot RAJAONARIVELO]; Democratic Party for Union in Madagascar or PSDUM [Jean LAHINIRIKO]; Economic Liberalism and Democratic Action for National Recovery or LEADER/Fanilo [Herizo RAZAFIMAHALEO]; Fihaonana Party or FP [Guy-Willy RAZANAMASY]; I Love Madagascar or TIM [Marc RAVALOMANANA]; Renewal of the Social Democratic Party or RPSD [Evariste MARSON]
Political pressure groups and leaders:
Committee for the Defense of Truth and Justice or KMMR; Committee for National Reconciliation or CRN [Albert Zafy]; National Council of Christian Churches or FFKM
International organization participation:
ACP, AfDB, AU, COMESA, FAO, G-77, IAEA, IBRD, ICAO, ICC, ICCt, ICRM, IDA, IFAD, IFC, IFRCS, ILO, IMF, IMO, InOC, Interpol, IOC, IOM, ISO (correspondent), ITSO, ITU, ITUC, MIGA, NAM, OIF, OPCW, PCA, SADC, UN, UNCTAD, UNESCO, UNHCR, UNIDO, UNWTO, UPU, WCO, WFTU, WHO, WIPO, WMO, WTO
Diplomatic representation in the US:
chief of mission: Ambassador (vacant); Charge d'Affaires Eulalie N. RAVELOSOA
chancery: 2374 Massachusetts Avenue NW, Washington, DC 20008
telephone: [1] (202) 265-5525 through 5526
FAX: [1] (202) 265-3034
consulate(s) general: Los Angeles, New York
Diplomatic representation from the US:
chief of mission: Ambassador R. Niels MARQUARDT
embassy: 14-16 Rue Rainitovo, Antsahavola, Antananarivo 101
mailing address: B. P. 620, Antsahavola, Antananarivo
telephone: [261] (20) 22-212-57, 22-212-73, 22-209-56
FAX: [261] (20) 22-345-39
Flag description:
two equal horizontal bands of red (top) and green with a vertical white band of the same width on hoist side; by tradition, red stands for sovereignty, green for hope, white for purity
National anthem:
name: "Ry Tanindraza nay malala o" (Oh, Our Beloved Fatherland)
lyrics/music: Pasteur RAHAJASON/Norbert RAHARISOA
note: adopted 1959
Economy ::Madagascar
Economy - overview:
After discarding socialist economic policies in the mid-1990s, Madagascar followed a World Bank- and IMF-led policy of privatization and liberalization that has been undermined since the start of the political crisis. This strategy placed the country on a slow and steady growth path from an extremely low level. Agriculture, including fishing and forestry, is a mainstay of the economy, accounting for more than one-fourth of GDP and employing 80% of the population. Exports of apparel have boomed in recent years primarily due to duty-free access to the US. However, Madagascar's failure to comply with the requirements of the African Growth and Opportunity Act (AGOA) led to the termination of the country's duty-free access in January 2010. Deforestation and erosion, aggravated by the use of firewood as the primary source of fuel, are serious concerns. Former President RAVALOMANANA worked aggressively to revive the economy following the 2002 political crisis, which triggered a 12% drop in GDP that year. The current political crisis which began in early 2009 has dealt additional blows to the economy. Tourism dropped more than 50% in 2009, compared with the previous year, and many investors are wary of entering the uncertain investment environment.
GDP (purchasing power parity):
$20.73 billion (2010 est.) country comparison to the world: 123 $20.42 billion (2009 est.)
$20.63 billion (2008 est.)
note: data are in 2010 US dollars
GDP (official exchange rate):
$8.33 billion (2010 est.)
GDP - real growth rate:
1.5% (2010 est.) country comparison to the world: 168 -1% (2009 est.)
7% (2008 est.)
GDP - per capita (PPP):
$1,000 (2010 est.) country comparison to the world: 217 $1,000 (2009 est.)
$1,000 (2008 est.)
note: data are in 2010 US dollars
GDP - composition by sector:
agriculture: 26.5%
industry: 16.7%
services: 56.8% (2010 est.)
Labor force:
9.504 million (2007) country comparison to the world: 51
Population below poverty line:
50% (2004 est.)
Household income or consumption by percentage share:
lowest 10%: 2.6%
highest 10%: 41.5% (2005)
Distribution of family income - Gini index:
47.5 (2001) country comparison to the world: 32 38.1 (1999)
Investment (gross fixed):
34.6% of GDP (2010 est.) country comparison to the world: 9
Inflation rate (consumer prices):
8.1% (2010 est.) country comparison to the world: 189 9% (2009 est.)
Central bank discount rate:
NA%
Commercial bank prime lending rate:
45% (31 December 2009 est.) country comparison to the world: 3 45% (31 December 2008 est.)
Stock of narrow money:
$1.233 billion (31 December 2010 est) country comparison to the world: 133 $1.228 billion (31 December 2009 est)
Stock of broad money:
$2.012 billion (31 December 2010 est.) country comparison to the world: 142 $1.994 billion (31 December 2009 est.)
Stock of domestic credit:
$1.02 billion (31 December 2010 est.) country comparison to the world: 149 $997.6 million (31 December 2009 est.)
Market value of publicly traded shares:
$NA
Agriculture - products:
coffee, vanilla, sugarcane, cloves, cocoa, rice, cassava (tapioca), beans, bananas, peanuts; livestock products
Industries:
meat processing, seafood, soap, breweries, tanneries, sugar, textiles, glassware, cement, automobile assembly plant, paper, petroleum, tourism
Industrial production growth rate:
2% (2010 est.) country comparison to the world: 131
Electricity - production:
1.045 billion kWh (2007 est.) country comparison to the world: 144
Electricity - consumption:
971.4 million kWh (2007 est.) country comparison to the world: 145
Electricity - exports:
0 kWh (2008 est.)
Electricity - imports:
0 kWh (2008 est.)
Oil - production:
0 bbl/day (2009 est.) country comparison to the world: 166
Oil - consumption:
21,000 bbl/day (2009 est.) country comparison to the world: 124
Oil - exports:
365 bbl/day (2007 est.) country comparison to the world: 126
Oil - imports:
16,940 bbl/day (2007 est.) country comparison to the world: 117
Oil - proved reserves:
0 bbl (1 January 2010 est.) country comparison to the world: 142
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: 142
Natural gas - exports:
0 cu m (2008 est.) country comparison to the world: 156
Natural gas - imports:
0 cu m (2008 est.) country comparison to the world: 100
Natural gas - proved reserves:
0 cu m (1 January 2006 est.) country comparison to the world: 163
Current account balance:
-$600 million (2010 est.) country comparison to the world: 123 -$561 million (2009 est.)
Exports:
$1.412 billion (2010 est.) country comparison to the world: 140 $1.309 billion (2009 est.)
Exports - commodities:
coffee, vanilla, shellfish, sugar, cotton cloth, chromite, petroleum products
Exports - partners:
France 28.9%, US 20.49%, Germany 5.89%, China 4.36% (2009)
Imports:
$1.958 billion (2010 est.) country comparison to the world: 152 $1.893 billion (2009 est.)
Imports - commodities:
capital goods, petroleum, consumer goods, food
Imports - partners:
China 12.99%, Thailand 11.93%, Bahrain 7.1%, France 6.89%, US 4.13% (2009)
Reserves of foreign exchange and gold:
$1.038 billion (31 December 2010 est.) country comparison to the world: 108 $1.136 billion (31 December 2009 est.)
Debt - external:
$2.973 billion (31 December 2010 est.) country comparison to the world: 130 $2.261 billion (31 December 2009 est.)
Stock of direct foreign investment - at home:
$NA
Stock of direct foreign investment - abroad:
$NA
Exchange rates:
Malagasy ariary (MGA) per US dollar - 2,062.5 (2010), 1,956.21 (2009), 1,654.78 (2008), 1,880 (2007), 2,161.4 (2006)
Communications ::Madagascar
Telephones - main lines in use:
181,200 (2009) country comparison to the world: 127
Telephones - mobile cellular:
5.997 million (2009) country comparison to the world: 86
Telephone system:
general assessment: system is above average for the region; Antananarivo's main telephone exchange modernized in the late 1990s, but the rest of the analogue-based telephone system is poorly developed; have been adding fixed line connections since 2005
domestic: combined fixed-line and mobile-cellular teledensity about 30 per 100 persons
international: country code - 261; SEACOM undersea fiber-optic cable and the Lion undersea cable connecting to Reunion and Mauritius; satellite earth stations - 2 (1 Intelsat - Indian Ocean, 1 Intersputnik - Atlantic Ocean region) (2009)
Broadcast media:
state-owned Radio Nationale Malagasy (RNM) and Television Malagasy (TVM) have an extensive national network reach; privately-owned radio and TV broadcasters in cities and major towns; state-run radio predominates in rural areas; relays of 2 international broadcasters are available in Antananarivo (2007)
Internet country code:
.mg
Internet hosts:
27,606 (2010) country comparison to the world: 99
Internet users:
319,900 (2009) country comparison to the world: 127
Transportation ::Madagascar
Airports:
84 (2010) country comparison to the world: 67
Airports - with paved runways:
total: 27
over 3,047 m: 1
2,438 to 3,047 m: 2
1,524 to 2,437 m: 6
914 to 1,523 m: 17
under 914 m: 1 (2010)
Airports - with unpaved runways:
total: 57
1,524 to 2,437 m: 2
914 to 1,523 m: 35
under 914 m: 20 (2010)
Railways:
total: 854 km country comparison to the world: 98 narrow gauge: 854 km 1.000-m gauge (2008)
Roadways:
total: 65,663 km country comparison to the world: 70 paved: 7,617 km
unpaved: 58,046 km (2003)
Waterways:
600 km country comparison to the world: 80 note: 432 km navigable (2008)
Merchant marine:
total: 8 country comparison to the world: 124 by type: cargo 4, passenger/cargo 2, petroleum tanker 2 (2010)
Ports and terminals:
Antsiranana (Diego Suarez), Mahajanga, Toamasina, Toliara (Tulear)
Military ::Madagascar
Military branches:
People's Armed Forces: Intervention Force, Development Force, and Aeronaval Force (navy and air); National Gendarmerie
Military service age and obligation:
18-25 years of age for male-only voluntary military service; no conscription; service obligation - 18 months (either military or equivalent civil service); 20-30 years of age for National Gendarmerie recruits (35 years of age for those with military experience) (2010)
Manpower available for military service:
males age 16-49: 4,745,274
females age 16-49: 4,750,188 (2010 est.)
Manpower fit for military service:
males age 16-49: 3,268,291
females age 16-49: 3,541,256 (2010 est.)
Manpower reaching militarily significant age annually:
male: 242,334
female: 241,359 (2010 est.)
Military expenditures:
1% of GDP (2006) country comparison to the world: 134
Transnational Issues ::Madagascar
Disputes - international:
claims Bassas da India, Europa Island, Glorioso Islands, and Juan de Nova Island (all administered by France); the vegetated drying cays of Banc du Geyser, which were claimed by Madagascar in 1976, also fall within the EEZ claims of the Comoros and France (Glorioso Islands, part of the French Southern and Antarctic Lands)
Illicit drugs:
illicit producer of cannabis (cultivated and wild varieties) used mostly for domestic consumption; transshipment point for heroin
page last updated on January 20, 2011
======================================================================
@Malawi (Africa)
Introduction ::Malawi
Background:
Established in 1891, the British protectorate of Nyasaland became the independent nation of Malawi in 1964. After three decades of one-party rule under President Hastings Kamuzu BANDA the country held multiparty elections in 1994, under a provisional constitution that came into full effect the following year. Current President Bingu wa MUTHARIKA, elected in May 2004 after a failed attempt by the previous president to amend the constitution to permit another term, struggled to assert his authority against his predecessor and subsequently started his own party, the Democratic Progressive Party (DPP) in 2005. As president, MUTHARIKA has overseen economic improvement but because of political deadlock in the legislature, his minority party has been unable to pass significant legislation, and anti-corruption measures have stalled. Population growth, increasing pressure on agricultural lands, corruption, and the spread of HIV/AIDS pose major problems for Malawi. MUTHARIKA was reelected to a second term in May 2009.
Geography ::Malawi
Location:
Southern Africa, east of Zambia
Geographic coordinates:
13 30 S, 34 00 E
Map references:
Africa
Area:
total: 118,484 sq km country comparison to the world: 99 land: 94,080 sq km
water: 24,404 sq km
Area - comparative:
slightly smaller 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)
Climate:
sub-tropical; rainy season (November to May); dry season (May to November)
Terrain:
narrow elongated plateau with rolling plains, rounded hills, some mountains
Elevation extremes:
lowest point: junction of the Shire River and international boundary with Mozambique 37 m
highest point: Sapitwa (Mount Mlanje) 3,002 m
Natural resources:
limestone, arable land, hydropower, unexploited deposits of uranium, coal, and bauxite
Land use:
arable land: 20.68%
permanent crops: 1.18%
other: 78.14% (2005)
Irrigated land:
560 sq km (2003)
Total renewable water resources:
17.3 cu km (2001)
Freshwater withdrawal (domestic/industrial/agricultural):
total: 1.01 cu km/yr (15%/5%/80%)
per capita: 78 cu m/yr (2000)
Natural hazards:
NA
Environment - current issues:
deforestation; land degradation; water pollution from agricultural runoff, sewage, industrial wastes; siltation of spawning grounds endangers fish populations
Environment - international agreements:
party to: Biodiversity, Climate Change, Climate Change-Kyoto Protocol, Desertification, Endangered Species, Environmental Modification, Hazardous Wastes, Marine Life Conservation, Ozone Layer Protection, Ship Pollution, Wetlands
signed, but not ratified: Law of the Sea
Geography - note:
landlocked; Lake Nyasa, some 580 km long, is the country's most prominent physical feature
People ::Malawi
Population:
15,447,500 country comparison to the world: 64 note: estimates for this country explicitly take into account the effects of excess mortality due to AIDS; this can result in lower life expectancy, higher infant mortality, higher death rates, lower population growth rates, and changes in the distribution of population by age and sex than would otherwise be expected (July 2010 est.)
Age structure:
0-14 years: 45.4% (male 3,419,711/female 3,404,726)
15-64 years: 51.9% (male 3,889,065/female 3,915,309)
65 years and over: 2.7% (male 172,679/female 227,267) (2010 est.)
Median age:
total: 17.1 years
male: 17 years
female: 17.3 years (2010 est.)
Population growth rate:
2.758% (2010 est.) country comparison to the world: 21
Birth rate:
41.28 births/1,000 population (2010 est.) country comparison to the world: 11
Death rate:
13.69 deaths/1,000 population (July 2010 est.) country comparison to the world: 20
Net migration rate:
0 migrant(s)/1,000 population country comparison to the world: 91
Urbanization:
urban population: 19% of total population (2008)
rate of urbanization: 5.2% annual rate of change (2005-10 est.)
Sex ratio:
at birth: 1.015 male(s)/female
under 15 years: 1 male(s)/female
15-64 years: 1 male(s)/female
65 years and over: 0.76 male(s)/female
total population: 0.99 male(s)/female (2010 est.)
Infant mortality rate:
total: 83.5 deaths/1,000 live births country comparison to the world: 11 male: 87.6 deaths/1,000 live births
female: 79.34 deaths/1,000 live births (2010 est.)
Life expectancy at birth:
total population: 50.92 years country comparison to the world: 211 male: 50.22 years
female: 51.64 years (2010 est.)
Total fertility rate:
5.51 children born/woman (2010 est.) country comparison to the world: 12
HIV/AIDS - adult prevalence rate:
11.9% (2007 est.) country comparison to the world: 9
HIV/AIDS - people living with HIV/AIDS:
930,000 (2007 est.) country comparison to the world: 15
HIV/AIDS - deaths:
68,000 (2007 est.) country comparison to the world: 10
Major infectious diseases:
degree of risk: very high
food or waterborne diseases: bacterial and protozoal diarrhea, hepatitis A, and typhoid fever
vectorborne diseases: malaria and plague
water contact disease: schistosomiasis
animal contact disease: rabies (2009)
Nationality:
noun: Malawian(s)
adjective: Malawian
Ethnic groups:
Chewa, Nyanja, Tumbuka, Yao, Lomwe, Sena, Tonga, Ngoni, Ngonde, Asian, European
Religions:
Christian 79.9%, Muslim 12.8%, other 3%, none 4.3% (1998 census)
Languages:
Chichewa 57.2% (official), Chinyanja 12.8%, Chiyao 10.1%, Chitumbuka 9.5%, Chisena 2.7%, Chilomwe 2.4%, Chitonga 1.7%, other 3.6% (1998 census)
Literacy:
definition: age 15 and over can read and write
total population: 62.7%
male: 76.1%
female: 49.8% (2003 est.)
School life expectancy (primary to tertiary education):
total: 9 years
male: 9 years
female: 9 years (2007)
Education expenditures:
4.2% of GDP (2003) country comparison to the world: 101
Government ::Malawi
Country name:
conventional long form: Republic of Malawi
conventional short form: Malawi
local long form: Dziko la Malawi
local short form: Malawi
former: British Central African Protectorate, Nyasaland Protectorate, Nyasaland
Government type:
multiparty democracy
Capital:
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The 2010 CIA World FactbookChapter M: Major infectious diseases (48)
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