Country Guide

Maldives Facts

Geography People and Society Government Economy Communications Transportation Military Transnational Issues

Geography

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 kmcountry comparison to the world: 210
land:298 sq km
water:0 sq km


Area - comparative:
about 1.7 times the size of Washington, DC


Land boundaries:
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 Viligili in the Addu Atholhu 2.4 m


    Natural resources:
fish


Land use:
arable land:10%
permanent crops:10%
other:80% (2011)


Irrigated land:
0 sq km NA (2003)


Total renewable water resources:
0.03 cu km (2011)


Freshwater withdrawal (domestic/industrial/agricultural):
0.03 cu km (2011)

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

People and Society

Nationality:
noun: Maldivian(s)
adjective:Maldivian


Ethnic groups:
South Indians, Sinhalese, Arabs


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


Religions:
Sunni Muslim (official)


Population:
393,595 (July 2014 est.)country comparison to the world: 177


Age structure:
0-14 years:21% (male 42,154/female 40,490)
15-24 years:23.4% (male 53,760/female 38,385)
25-54 years:46.5% (male 107,703/female 75,360)
55-64 years:4.8% (male 9,782/female 9,180)
65 years and over:4.2% (male 7,974/female 8,807) (2014 est.)


Dependency ratios:
total dependency ratio:50 %
youth dependency ratio:42.7 %
elderly dependency ratio:7.4 %
potential support ratio:13.6 (2014 est.)


Median age:
total:27.1 years
male:27.3 years
female:26.7 years (2014 est.)


Population growth rate:
-0.09% (2014 est.)country comparison to the world: 202


Birth rate:
15.59 births/1,000 population (2014 est.)country comparison to the world: 127


Death rate:
3.84 deaths/1,000 population (2014 est.)country comparison to the world: 211


Net migration rate:
-12.67 migrant(s)/1,000 population (2014 est.)country comparison to the world: 217


Urbanization:
urban population:41.2% of total population (2011)
rate of urbanization:3.91% annual rate of change (2010-15 est.)


Major urban areas - population:
MALE (capital) 132,000 (2011)


Sex ratio:
at birth:1.05 male(s)/female
0-14 years:1.04 male(s)/female
15-24 years:1.4 male(s)/female
25-54 years:1.43 male(s)/female
55-64 years:1.29 male(s)/female
65 years and over:0.94 male(s)/female
total population:1.34 male(s)/female (2014 est.)


Mother's mean age at first birth:
23.9


Maternal mortality rate:
60 deaths/100,000 live births (2010)


Infant mortality rate:
total:24.59 deaths/1,000 live birthscountry comparison to the world: 73
male:27.01 deaths/1,000 live births
female:22.04 deaths/1,000 live births (2014 est.)


    Life expectancy at birth:
total population:75.15 yearscountry comparison to the world: 99
male:72.86 years
female:77.55 years (2014 est.)


Total fertility rate:
1.76 children born/woman (2014 est.)country comparison to the world: 164


Contraceptive prevalence rate:
34.7% (2009)


Health expenditures:
8.5% of GDP (2011)


Physicians density:
1.6 physicians/1,000 population (2007)


Hospital bed density:
4.3 beds/1,000 population (2009)


Drinking water source:
improved:
urban: 99.5% of population
rural: 97.9% of population
total: 98.6% of population
unimproved:
urban: 0.5% of population
rural: 2.1% of population
total: 1.4% of population (2012 est.)


Sanitation facility access:
improved:
urban: 97.5% of population
rural: 99.6% of population
total: 98.7% of population
unimproved:
urban: 2.5% of population
rural: 0.4% of population
total: 1.3% of population (2012 est.)


HIV/AIDS - adult prevalence rate:
0.1% (2012 est.)country comparison to the world: 159


HIV/AIDS - people living with HIV/AIDS:
NA


HIV/AIDS - deaths:
fewer than 100 (2009 est.)country comparison to the world: 142


Obesity - adult prevalence rate:
12.9% (2008)country comparison to the world: 126


Children under the age of 5 years underweight:
17.8% (2009)country comparison to the world: 38


Education expenditures:
6.8% of GDP (2011)country comparison to the world: 26

Literacy:
definition:age 15 and over can read and write
total population:98.4%
male:98.4%
female:98.4% (2006 est.)


School life expectancy (primary to tertiary education):
total:13 years
male:13 years
female:13 years (2003)


Unemployment, youth ages 15-24:
total:22.2%country comparison to the world: 51
male:15.5%
female:30.5% (2006)

Government

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:
7 provinces and 1 municipality*; Dhekunu (South), Maale*, Mathi Dhekunu (Upper South), Mathi Uthuru (Upper North), Medhu (Central), Medhu Dhekunu (South Central), Medhu Uthuru (North Central), Uthuru (North)


Independence:
26 July 1965 (from the UK)


National holiday:
Independence Day, 26 July (1965)


Constitution:
many previous; latest ratified 7 August 2008 (2010)


Legal system:
Islamic religious legal system with English common law influences, primarily in commercial matters


International law organization participation:
has not submitted an ICJ jurisdiction declaration; non-party state to the ICCt


Suffrage:
18 years of age; universal


Executive branch:
chief of state:President Abdulla YAMEEN Abdul Gayoom (since 17 November 2013); Vice President Mohamed JAMEEL Ahmed (since 17 November 2013); note - the president is both chief of state and head of government
head of government:President Abdulla YAMEEN Abdul Gayoom (since 17 November 2013); Vice President Mohamed JAMEEL Ahmed (since 17 November 2013)
cabinet:Cabinet of Ministers is appointed by the president
elections:president elected by direct vote for a five-year term (eligible for a second term); the election held on 7 September 2013 was annulled by the Supreme Court; rerun of first round held on 9 November 2013 and runoff held on 16 November (next election to be held in 2018)
election results:first round (9 November 2013); percent of vote - Mohamed NASHEED 46.9%, Abdulla YAMEEN Abdul Gayoom 29.7%, Qasim IBRAHIM 23.3%; runoff (postponed to 16 November 2013); percent of vote - Abdulla YAMEEN Abdul Gayoom elected president 51.4%, Mohamed NASHEED 48.6%


    Legislative branch:
unicameral Parliament or People's Majlis (85 seats; members elected by direct vote to serve 5-year terms); note - the Elections Commission in December 2013 increased the number of seats to 85 from 77
elections:last held on 22 March 2014 (next to be held in 2019)
election results:percent of vote - PPM 40%, MDP 28.2%, JP 18.8%, MDA 5.9%, other 1.2%, independents 5.9%; seats by party - PPM 33, MDP 26, JP 15, MDA 5, other 1, independents 5


Judicial branch:
highest court(s):Supreme Court (consists of the chief justice and 6 judges)
judge selection and term of office:Supreme Court judges appointed by the president in consultation with the Judicial Service Commission - a separate 10-member body of selected high government officials and the public - and upon confirmation by voting members of the People's Majlis; judges serve until mandatory retirement at age 70
subordinate courts:High Court; Criminal, Civil, Family, Juvenile, and Drug Courts; Magistrate Courts (on each of the inhabited islands)


Political parties and leaders:
ADB, AOSIS, C, CP, FAO, G-77, IBRD, ICAO, ICC (NGOs), IDA, IDB, IFAD, IFC, IFRCS, ILO, IMF, IMO, Interpol, IOC, IOM, IPU, ITU, MIGA, NAM, OIC, OPCW, SAARC, SACEP, UN, UNCTAD, UNESCO, UNIDO, UNWTO, UPU, WCO, WHO, WIPO, WMO, WTO

Diplomatic representation in the US:
chief of mission:Ambassador Ahmed SAREER (since 11 January 2013)
chancery:800 2nd Avenue, Suite 400E, New York, NY 10017
telephone:[1] (212) 599-6194
FAX:[1] (212) 599-6195


Diplomatic representation from the US:
name:'Gaumee Salaam' (National Salute)

lyrics/music:Mohamed Jameel DIDI/Wannakuwattawaduge DON AMARADEVA
note:lyrics adopted 1948, music adopted 1972; between 1948 and 1972, the lyrics were sung to the tune of 'Auld Lang Syne'

Economy

Economy - overview:
Tourism, Maldives' largest economic activity, accounts for nearly 30% of GDP and more than 60% of foreign exchange receipts. Fishing is the second leading sector, but the fish catch has dropped sharply in recent years. 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. Lower than expected tourist arrivals and fish exports, combined with high government spending on social needs, subsidies, and civil servant salaries contributed to a balance of payments crisis, which was temporarily eased with a $79.3 million IMF Stand-By agreement. However, after the first two disbursements, the IMF withheld subsequent disbursements due to concerns over Maldives' growing budget deficit, and the government has been seeking other sources of budgetary support ever since. A new Goods and Services Tax (GST) on tourism introduced in January 2011, on general goods and services in October 2011, and a new Business Profit Tax introduced in July 2011 have provided a boost to revenue. In recent years, gross foreign reserves have hovered around $300 million, sufficient to finance about two to three months of imports. Diversifying the economy beyond tourism and fishing, reforming public finance, increasing employment opportunities, and combating corruption, cronyism, and a growing drug problem are other near-term 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):
$3.073 billion (2013 est.)
country comparison to the world: 183
$2.97 billion (2012 est.)
$2.945 billion (2011 est.)
note:data are in 2013 US dollars


GDP (official exchange rate):
$2.27 billion (2013 est.)


GDP - real growth rate:
3.5% (2013 est.)
country comparison to the world: 96
0.9% (2012 est.)
6.5% (2011 est.)


GDP - per capita (PPP):
$9,100 (2013 est.)
country comparison to the world: 125
$9,000 (2012 est.)
$9,000 (2011 est.)
note:data are in 2013 US dollars


GDP - composition, by sector of origin:
agriculture:3%
industry:17%
services:80% (2012 est.)


Agriculture - products:
coconuts, corn, sweet potatoes; fish


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


Industrial production growth rate:
14% (2012 est.)
country comparison to the world: 3

Labor force:
159,700 (2012)
country comparison to the world: 177


Labor force - by occupation:
agriculture:15%
industry:15%
services:70% (2010 est.)


Unemployment rate:
28% (2012 est.)
country comparison to the world: 178
14.5% (2010 est.)


Population below poverty line:
16% (2008)


Household income or consumption by percentage share:
lowest 10%:1.2%
highest 10%:33.3% (FY09/10)


    Distribution of family income - Gini index:
37.4 (2004)
country comparison to the world: 79

Budget:
revenues:$638 million
expenditures:$917 million (2012 est.)


Taxes and other revenues:
28.1% of GDP (2012 est.)
country comparison to the world: 104

Budget surplus (+) or deficit (-):
-12.3% of GDP (2012 est.)
country comparison to the world: 210


Fiscal year:
calendar year


Inflation rate (consumer prices):
5.1% (2012 est.)
country comparison to the world: 157
16.7% (2011 est.)


Central bank discount rate:
7% (31 December 2012 est.)
country comparison to the world: 44
6.96% (31 December 2011 est.)


Commercial bank prime lending rate:
10.5% (31 December 2012 est.)
country comparison to the world: 81
10.2% (31 December 2011 est.)


Stock of narrow money:
$547.1 million (31 December 2012 est.)
country comparison to the world: 159
$531.4 million (31 December 2011 est.)


Stock of broad money:
$1.298 billion (31 December 2012 est.)
country comparison to the world: 163
$1.237 billion (31 December 2011 est.)


Stock of domestic credit:
$1.559 billion (31 December 2012 est.)
country comparison to the world: 141
$1.601 billion (31 December 2011 est.)


Market value of publicly traded shares:
$555 million (31 December 2011 est.)


Current account balance:
-$600 million (2012 est.)
country comparison to the world: 106
$437 million (2011 est.)


Exports:
$283 million (2012 est.)
country comparison to the world: 181
$316 million (2011 est.)


Exports - commodities:
fish


Exports - partners:
France 18.9%, Thailand 15.8%, UK 11.4%, US 9.4%, Sri Lanka 8.6%, Italy 8.1%, Germany 6.4% (2012)


Imports:
$1.406 billion (2012 est.)
country comparison to the world: 173
$1.314 billion (2011 est.)


Imports - commodities:
petroleum products, clothing, intermediate and capital goods


Imports - partners:
Singapore 21.7%, UAE 20.9%, India 9.6%, Malaysia 7.6%, China 6%, Thailand 5.6%, Sri Lanka 4% (2012)


Reserves of foreign exchange and gold:
$356 million (30 November 2012 est.)
country comparison to the world: 154
$326 million (30 November 2011 est.)


Debt - external:
$890.8 million (2012 est.)
country comparison to the world: 162
$684.2 million (2011 est.)


Exchange rates:
rufiyaa (MVR) per US dollar -
15.365 (2011)
14.602 (2011)
12.8 (2008)
12.8 (2007)

Energy

Electricity - production:
301.1 million kWh (2010 est.)
country comparison to the world: 172


Electricity - consumption:
280 million kWh (2010 est.)
country comparison to the world: 178


Electricity - exports:
0 kWh (2012 est.)
country comparison to the world: 172


Electricity - imports:
0 kWh (2012 est.)
country comparison to the world: 175


Electricity - installed generating capacity:
62,080 kW (2010 est.)
country comparison to the world: 181


Electricity - from fossil fuels:
99.9% of total installed capacity (2010 est.)
country comparison to the world: 44


Electricity - from nuclear fuels:
0% of total installed capacity (2010 est.)
country comparison to the world: 144


Electricity - from hydroelectric plants:
0% of total installed capacity (2010 est.)
country comparison to the world: 186


Electricity - from other renewable sources:
0.1% of total installed capacity (2010 est.)
country comparison to the world: 101


Crude oil - production:
0 bbl/day (2012 est.)
country comparison to the world: 199


Crude oil - exports:
0 bbl/day (2012 est.)
country comparison to the world: 157


Crude oil - imports:
0 bbl/day (2012 est.)
country comparison to the world: 97


    Crude oil - proved reserves:
0 bbl (1 January 2013 est.)
country comparison to the world: 167


Refined petroleum products - production:
0 bbl/day (2012 est.)
country comparison to the world: 177


Refined petroleum products - consumption:
6,875 bbl/day (2011 est.)
country comparison to the world: 162


Refined petroleum products - exports:
0 bbl/day (2009 est.)
country comparison to the world: 201


Refined petroleum products - imports:
6,088 bbl/day (2012 est.)
country comparison to the world: 141


Natural gas - production:
0 cu m (2012 est.)
country comparison to the world: 170


Natural gas - consumption:
0 cu m (2012 est.)
country comparison to the world: 175


Natural gas - exports:
0 cu m (2012 est.)
country comparison to the world: 152


Natural gas - imports:
0 cu m (2012 est.)
country comparison to the world: 99


Natural gas - proved reserves:
0 cu m (1 January 2013 est.)
country comparison to the world: 173


Carbon dioxide emissions from consumption of energy:
1.071 million Mt (2011 est.)

Communications

Telephones - main lines in use:
23,140 (2012)
country comparison to the world: 183


Telephones - mobile cellular:
560,000 (2012)
country comparison to the world: 166


Telephone system:
general assessment:telephone services have improved; inter-atoll communication through microwave links; all inhabited islands and resorts are connected with telephone and fax service
domestic:each island now has at least 1 public telephone, and there are mobile-cellular networks with a rapidly expanding subscribership that has reached 135 per 100 persons
international:country code - 960; linked to international submarine cable Fiber-Optic Link Around the Globe (FLAG); satellite earth station - 3 Intelsat (Indian Ocean) (2011)



    Broadcast media:
state-owned radio and TV monopoly until recently; state-owned TV operates 2 channels; 3 privately owned TV stations; state owns Voice of Maldives and operates both an entertainment and a music-based station; 5 privately owned radio stations (2012)


Internet country code:
.mv


Internet hosts:
3,296 (2012)
country comparison to the world: 153


Internet users:
86,400 (2009)
country comparison to the world: 164

Transportation

Airports
9 (2013)
country comparison to the world: 159


Airports - with paved runways
total:7
over 3,047 m:1
2,438 to 3,047 m:1
1,524 to 2,437 m:1
914 to 1,523 m:4 (2013)


Airports - with unpaved runways
total:2
914 to 1,523 m:2 (2013)


Roadways
total:88 kmcountry comparison to the world: 215
paved roads:88 km - 60 km in Male; 14 km on Addu Atolis; 14 km on Laamu
note:island roads are mainly compacted coral (2013)


    Merchant marine
total:18country comparison to the world: 97
by type:bulk carrier 1, cargo 14, petroleum tanker 1, refrigerated cargo 2
foreign-owned:4 (Singapore 4)
registered in other countries:4 (Panama 2, Tuvalu 1, unknown 1) (2010)



Ports and terminals
major seaport(s):Male

Military

Military branches
Maldives National Defense Force (MNDF): Marine Corps, Security Protection Group, Coast Guard (2010)


Military service age and obligation
18-28 years of age for voluntary service; no conscription; 10th grade or equivalent education required; must not be a member of a political party (2012)


Manpower available for military service
males age 16-49:156,319
females age 16-49:98,815 (2010 est.)


Manpower fit for military service
males age 16-49:135,374
females age 16-49:85,181 (2010 est.)


    Manpower reaching militarily significant age annually
male:4,167
female:3,595 (2010 est.)


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

Disputes - international
none


    Trafficking in persons

 Information/ Data by CIA - The World Factbook

LookForAttorney.com | Country Guide of Taiwan

Country Guide

Taiwan Facts

Geography People and Society Government Economy Communications Transportation Military Transnational Issues

Geography

Location:
Eastern Asia, islands bordering the East China Sea, Philippine Sea, South China Sea, and Taiwan Strait, north of the Philippines, off the southeastern coast of China


Geographic coordinates:
23 30 N, 121 00 E


Map references:
Southeast Asia


Area:
total:35,980 sq kmcountry comparison to the world: 139
land:32,260 sq km
water:3,720 sq km
note:includes the Pescadores, Matsu, and Quemoy islands


Area - comparative:
slightly smaller than Maryland and Delaware combined


Land boundaries:
territorial sea:12 nm
exclusive economic zone:200 nm


Climate:
tropical; marine; rainy season during southwest monsoon (June to August); cloudiness is persistent and extensive all year


Terrain:
eastern two-thirds mostly rugged mountains; flat to gently rolling plains in west


    Elevation extremes:
lowest point:South China Sea 0 m
highest point:Yu Shan 3,952 m


Natural resources:
small deposits of coal, natural gas, limestone, marble, and asbestos


Land use:
arable land:24%
permanent crops:1%
other:75% (2011)


Irrigated land:
NA


Total renewable water resources:
67 cu km (2011)


Natural hazards:
earthquakes; typhoons


Environment - current issues:
air pollution; water pollution from industrial emissions, raw sewage; contamination of drinking water supplies; trade in endangered species; low-level radioactive waste disposal


Environment - international agreements:
party to:none of the selected agreements because of Taiwan's international status

Geography - note:
strategic location adjacent to both the Taiwan Strait and the Luzon Strait

People and Society

Nationality:
noun: Taiwan (singular and plural)
note:example - he or she is from Taiwan; they are from Taiwan
adjective:Taiwan (or Taiwanese)


Ethnic groups:
Taiwanese (including Hakka) 84%, mainland Chinese 14%, indigenous 2%


Languages:
Mandarin Chinese (official), Taiwanese (Min), Hakka dialects


Religions:
mixture of Buddhist and Taoist 93%, Christian 4.5%, other 2.5%


Population:
23,359,928 (July 2014 est.)country comparison to the world: 52


Age structure:
0-14 years:14% (male 1,683,381/female 1,575,789)
15-24 years:13.4% (male 1,613,197/female 1,526,344)
25-54 years:47.4% (male 5,539,606/female 5,539,654)
55-64 years:13.2% (male 1,506,657/female 1,571,208)
65 years and over:11.6% (male 1,301,420/female 1,502,672) (2014 est.)


Median age:
total:39.2 years
male:38.5 years
female:39.9 years (2014 est.)


Population growth rate:
0.25% (2014 est.)country comparison to the world: 177


Birth rate:
8.55 births/1,000 population (2014 est.)country comparison to the world: 216


Death rate:
6.97 deaths/1,000 population (2014 est.)country comparison to the world: 134


Net migration rate:
0.9 migrant(s)/1,000 population (2014 est.)country comparison to the world: 62


Sex ratio:
at birth:1.07 male(s)/female
0-14 years:1.07 male(s)/female
15-24 years:1.06 male(s)/female
25-54 years:1 male(s)/female
55-64 years:0.99 male(s)/female
65 years and over:0.89 male(s)/female
total population:1 male(s)/female (2014 est.)


    Infant mortality rate:
total:4.49 deaths/1,000 live birthscountry comparison to the world: 186
male:4.9 deaths/1,000 live births
female:4.06 deaths/1,000 live births (2014 est.)


Life expectancy at birth:
total population:79.84 yearscountry comparison to the world: 38
male:76.72 years
female:83.2 years (2014 est.)


Total fertility rate:
1.11 children born/woman (2014 est.)country comparison to the world: 222


HIV/AIDS - adult prevalence rate:
NA


HIV/AIDS - people living with HIV/AIDS:
NA


HIV/AIDS - deaths:
NA


Literacy:
definition:age 15 and over can read and write
total population:96.1%
male:NA
female:NA (2003)

Government

Country name:
conventional long form: none
conventional short form:Taiwan
local long form:none
local short form:Taiwan
former:Formosa


Government type:
multiparty democracy


Capital:
name:Taipei
geographic coordinates:25 02 N, 121 31 E
time difference:UTC+8 (13 hours ahead of Washington, DC, during Standard Time)


Administrative divisions:
includes main island of Taiwan plus smaller islands nearby and off coast of China's Fujian Province; Taiwan is divided into 14 counties (hsien, singular and plural), 3 municipalities (shih, singular and plural), and 5 special municipalities (chih-hsia-shih, singular and plural)


National holiday:
Republic Day (Anniversary of the Chinese Revolution), 10 October (1911)


Constitution:
previous 1912, 1931; latest adopted 25 December 1946, promulgated 1 January 1947, effective 25 December 1947; revised several times, last in 2005 (2013)


Legal system:
civil law system


International law organization participation:
has not submitted an ICJ jurisdiction declaration; non-party state to the ICCt


Suffrage:
20 years of age; universal


Executive branch:
chief of state:President MA Ying-jeou (since 20 May 2008); Vice President WU Den-yih (since 20 May 2012)
head of government:Premier JIANG Yi-huah (President of the Executive Yuan) (since 18 February 2013); Vice Premier MAO Chi-kuo (Vice President of the Executive Yuan) (since 18 February 2013)
cabinet:Executive Yuan - ministers appointed by president on recommendation of premier
elections:president and vice president elected on the same ticket by popular vote for four-year terms (eligible for a second term); election last held on 14 January 2012 (next to be held in January 2016); premier appointed by the president; vice premiers appointed by the president on the recommendation of the premier
election results:MA Ying-jeou elected president; percent of vote - MA Ying-jeou 51.6%, TSAI Ing-wen 45.6%, James SOONG Chu-ye 2.8%


Legislative branch:
unicameral Legislative Yuan (113 seats - 73 district members elected by popular vote, 34 at-large members elected on basis of proportion of islandwide votes received by participating political parties, 6 elected by popular vote among aboriginal populations; members to serve four-year terms); parties must receive 5% of vote to qualify for at-large seats
elections:Legislative Yuan - last held on 14 January 2012 (next to be held in January 2016)
election results:Legislative Yuan - percent of vote by party - KMT 44.6%, DPP 34.6%, TSU 9.0%, PFP 5.5%, others 6.3%; seats by party - KMT 64, DPP 40, PFP 3, TSU 3, NPSU 2, independent 1


Judicial branch:
highest court(s):Supreme Court (consists of the court president, vice president, and approximately 100 judges organized into 8 civil and 12 criminal divisions, each with a division chief justice and 4 associate justices); Constitutional Court (consists of the court president, vice president, and 13 justices)
judge selection and term of office:both Supreme Court and Constitutional Court justices appointed by the president of the republic with the approval of the Legislative Yuan; Supreme Court justices appointed for life; Constitutional Court president, vice-president, and 8 grand justices serve 4-year terms and remaining justices serve 8-year terms
subordinate courts:high courts; district courts; hierarchy of administrative courts


    Political parties and leaders:
Democratic Progressive Party or DPP [SU Tseng-chang]
Kuomintang or KMT (Nationalist Party) [MA Ying-jeou]
New Party [YOK Mu-ming]
Non-Partisan Solidarity Union or NPSU [LIN Pin-kuan]
People First Party or PFP [James SOONG Chu-ye]
Taiwan Solidarity Union or TSU [HUANG Kun-huei]


Political pressure groups and leaders:
environmental groups


International organization participation:
ADB, APEC, BCIE, ICC (national committees), IOC, ITUC (NGOs), WTO


Diplomatic representation in the US:
representative:SHEN Lyu-shin (since 1 April 2014)
office:4201 Wisconsin Avenue NW, Washington, DC 20016
telephone:[1] 202 895-1800
Taipei Economic and Cultural Offices (branch offices):Atlanta, Boston, Chicago, Guam, Houston, Honolulu, Kansas City, Los Angeles, Miami, New York, San Francisco, Seattle


Diplomatic representation from the US:
director:Christopher J. MARUT
office:#7 Lane 134, Hsin Yi Road, Section 3, Taipei 106, Taiwan
telephone:[1] [886] (02) 2162-2000
FAX:[1] [886] (02) 2162-2251
other offices:Kaohsiung


Flag description:
red field with a dark blue rectangle in the upper hoist-side corner bearing a white sun with 12 triangular rays; the blue and white design of the canton (symbolizing the sun of progress) dates to 1895; it was later adopted as the flag of the Kuomintang Party; blue signifies liberty, justice, and democracy; red stands for fraternity, sacrifice, and nationalism, white represents equality, frankness, and the people's livelihood; the 12 rays of the sun are those of the months and the twelve traditional Chinese hours (each ray equals two hours)


National symbol(s):
white, 12-rayed sun on blue field


National anthem:
name:'Zhonghua Minguo guoge' (National Anthem of the Republic of China)
lyrics/music:HU Han-min, TAI Chi-t'ao, and LIAO Chung-k'ai/CHENG Mao-Yun
note:adopted 1930; the anthem is also the song of the Kuomintang Party; it is informally known as 'San Min Chu I' or 'San Min Zhu Yi' (Three Principles of the People); because of political pressure from China, 'Guo Qi Ge' (National Banner Song) is used at international events rather than the official anthem of Taiwan; the 'National Banner Song' has gained popularity in Taiwan and is commonly used during flag raisings

Economy

Economy - overview:
Taiwan has a dynamic capitalist economy with gradually decreasing government guidance of investment and foreign trade. Exports, led by electronics, machinery, and petrochemicals have provided the primary impetus for economic development. This heavy dependence on exports exposes the economy to fluctuations in world demand. Taiwan's diplomatic isolation, low birth rate, and rapidly aging population are other major long-term challenges. Free trade agreements have proliferated in East Asia over the past several years, and following the landmark Economic Cooperation Framework Agreement (ECFA) signed with China in June 2010, Taiwan in July 2013 signed a free trade deal with New Zealand—Taipei’s first-ever with a country with which it does not maintain diplomatic relations—and in November inked a trade pact with Singapore. Negotiations continue on follow-on components of ECFA regarding trade in goods and a dispute resolution mechanism; a trade in services agreement is under review in the legislature. Taiwan's Total Fertility rate of just over one child per woman is among the lowest in the world, raising the prospect of future labor shortages, falling domestic demand, and declining tax revenues. Taiwan's population is aging quickly, with the number of people over 65 accounting for 11.2% of the island's total population as of 2012. The island runs a large overall trade surplus largely because of its surplus with China, and its foreign reserves are the world's sixth largest, behind China, Japan, Saudi Arabia, Russia, and Switzerland. In 2006 China overtook the US to become Taiwan's second-largest source of imports after Japan. China is also the island's number one destination for foreign direct investment. Taiwan since 2009 has gradually loosened rules governing Chinese investment on the island, and has also secured greater market access for its investors in the mainland. In August 2012, Taiwan Central Bank signed a memorandum of understanding on cross-Strait currency settlement with its Chinese counterpart. The MOU allows for the direct settlement of Chinese RMB and the New Taiwan dollar across the Strait, which could help develop Taiwan into a local RMB hub. Closer economic links with the mainland bring greater opportunities for the Taiwan economy, but also poses new challenges as the island becomes more economically dependent on China while political differences remain unresolved.


GDP (purchasing power parity):
$926.4 billion (2013 est.)
country comparison to the world: 21
$906.6 billion (2012 est.)
$894.7 billion (2011 est.)
note:data are in 2013 US dollars


GDP (official exchange rate):
$484.7 billion (2013 est.)


GDP - real growth rate:
2.2% (2013 est.)
country comparison to the world: 138
1.3% (2012 est.)
4.1% (2011 est.)


GDP - per capita (PPP):
$39,600 (2013 est.)
country comparison to the world: 28
$38,900 (2012 est.)
$38,500 (2011 est.)
note:data are in 2013 US dollars


Gross national saving:
31.3% of GDP (2013 est.)
country comparison to the world: 25
30.3% of GDP (2012 est.)
29.6% of GDP (2011 est.)


GDP - composition, by end use:
household consumption:59.5%
government consumption:12.2%
investment in fixed capital:19.4%
investment in inventories:0.3%
exports of goods and services:73.1%
imports of goods and services:-64.5%
(2013 est.)


GDP - composition, by sector of origin:
agriculture:2%
industry:29.4%
services:68.6% (2013 est.)


Agriculture - products:
rice, vegetables, fruit, tea, flowers; pigs, poultry; fish


Industries:
electronics, communications and information technology products, petroleum refining, chemicals, textiles, iron and steel, machinery, cement, food processing, vehicles, consumer products, pharmaceuticals


Industrial production growth rate:
1.8% (2013 est.)
country comparison to the world: 129

Labor force:
11.55 million (2013 est.)
country comparison to the world: 47


Labor force - by occupation:
agriculture:5%
industry:36.2%
services:58.8% (2012 est.)


Unemployment rate:
4.1% (2013 est.)
country comparison to the world: 33
4.2% (2012 est.)


    Population below poverty line:
1.5% (2012 est.)


Household income or consumption by percentage share:
lowest 10%:6.4%
highest 10%:40.3% (2010)


Distribution of family income - Gini index:
34.2 (2011)
country comparison to the world: 94
32.6 (2000)


Budget:
revenues:$78.24 billion
expenditures:$90.38 billion (2013 est.)


Taxes and other revenues:
16.1% of GDP (2013 est.)
country comparison to the world: 189

Budget surplus (+) or deficit (-):
-2.5% of GDP (2013 est.)
country comparison to the world: 107


Public debt:
38.9% of GDP (2013 est.)
country comparison to the world: 94
35.8% of GDP (2012 est.)
note:data for central government


Fiscal year:
calendar year


Inflation rate (consumer prices):
1.1% (2013 est.)
country comparison to the world: 27
1.9% (2012 est.)


Central bank discount rate:
1.88% (31 December 2012)
country comparison to the world: 113
1.88% (31 December 2011)


Commercial bank prime lending rate:
2.9% (31 December 2013 est.)
country comparison to the world: 170
2.88% (31 December 2012 est.)


Stock of narrow money:
$450.1 billion (31 December 2013 est.)
country comparison to the world: 14
$426.2 billion (31 December 2012 est.)


Stock of broad money:
$1.189 trillion (31 December 2013 est.)
country comparison to the world: 16
$1.152 trillion (31 December 2012 est.)


Stock of domestic credit:
$753.5 billion (31 December 2013 est.)
country comparison to the world: 20
$743.1 billion (31 December 2012 est.)


Market value of publicly traded shares:
$831.9 billion (31 December 2012)


Current account balance:
$56.66 billion (2013 est.)
country comparison to the world: 9
$49.92 billion (2012 est.)


Exports:
$305.8 billion (2013 est.)
country comparison to the world: 20
$299.8 billion (2012 est.)


Exports - commodities:
electronics, flat panels, machinery; metals; textiles, plastics, chemicals; optical, photographic, measuring, and medical instruments


Exports - partners:
China 27.1%, Hong Kong 13.2%, US 10.3%, Japan 6.4%, Singapore 4.4% (2012 est.)


Imports:
$268.5 billion (2013 est.)
country comparison to the world: 19
$268.8 billion (2012 est.)


Imports - commodities:
electronics, machinery, crude petroleum, precision instruments, organic chemicals, metals


Imports - partners:
Japan 17.6%, China 16.1%, US 9.5% (2012 est.)


Reserves of foreign exchange and gold:
$414.5 billion (31 December 2013 est.)
country comparison to the world: 7
$408.5 billion (31 December 2012 est.)


Debt - external:
$146.8 billion (31 December 2013 est.)
country comparison to the world: 38
$130.8 billion (31 December 2012 est.)


Stock of direct foreign investment - at home:
$62.94 billion (31 December 2013 est.)
country comparison to the world: 51
$59.36 billion (31 December 2012 est.)


Stock of direct foreign investment - abroad:
$240.3 billion (31 December 2013 est.)
country comparison to the world: 22
$226.1 billion (31 December 2012 est.)


Exchange rates:
New Taiwan dollars (TWD) per US dollar -
29.77 (2013 est.)
29.616 (2012 est.)
31.648 (2010 est.)
33.061 (2009)
31.53 (2008)

Energy

Electricity - production:
252.2 billion kWh (2011 est.)
country comparison to the world: 17


Electricity - consumption:
242.2 billion kWh (2011 est.)
country comparison to the world: 15


Electricity - exports:
0 kWh (2011 est.)
country comparison to the world: 206


Electricity - imports:
0 kWh (2011 est.)
country comparison to the world: 209


Electricity - installed generating capacity:
48.75 million kW (2011 est.)
country comparison to the world: 21


Electricity - from fossil fuels:
77.2% of total installed capacity (2011 est.)
country comparison to the world: 95


Electricity - from nuclear fuels:
10.6% of total installed capacity (2011 est.)
country comparison to the world: 17


Electricity - from hydroelectric plants:
5.3% of total installed capacity (2011 est.)
country comparison to the world: 124


Electricity - from other renewable sources:
6.9% of total installed capacity (2011 est.)
country comparison to the world: 36


Crude oil - production:
21,680 bbl/day (2012 est.)
country comparison to the world: 76


Crude oil - exports:
0 bbl/day (2011 est.)
country comparison to the world: 194


Crude oil - imports:
885,900 bbl/day (2010 est.)
country comparison to the world: 13


    Crude oil - proved reserves:
2.38 million bbl (1 January 2013 est.)
country comparison to the world: 95


Refined petroleum products - production:
920,200 bbl/day (2011 est.)
country comparison to the world: 21


Refined petroleum products - consumption:
786,100 bbl/day (2011 est.)
country comparison to the world: 24


Refined petroleum products - exports:
255,000 bbl/day (2011 est.)
country comparison to the world: 24


Refined petroleum products - imports:
304,700 bbl/day (2011 est.)
country comparison to the world: 20


Natural gas - production:
330.2 million cu m (2011 est.)
country comparison to the world: 75


Natural gas - consumption:
16.37 billion cu m (2011 est.)
country comparison to the world: 38


Natural gas - exports:
0 cu m (2011 est.)
country comparison to the world: 196


Natural gas - imports:
15.9 billion cu m (2011 est.)
country comparison to the world: 24


Natural gas - proved reserves:
6.229 billion cu m (1 January 2013 est.)
country comparison to the world: 88


Carbon dioxide emissions from consumption of energy:
293.3 million Mt (2011 est.)

Communications

Telephones - main lines in use:
15.998 million (2012)
country comparison to the world: 17


Telephones - mobile cellular:
29.455 million (2012)
country comparison to the world: 35


Telephone system:
general assessment:provides telecommunications service for every business and private need
domestic:thoroughly modern; completely digitalized
international:country code - 886; roughly 15 submarine fiber cables provide links throughout Asia, Australia, the Middle East, Europe, and the US; satellite earth stations - 2 (2011)



    Broadcast media:
5 nationwide television networks operating roughly 75 TV stations; about 85% of households utilize multi-channel cable TV; national and regional radio networks with about 170 radio stations (2008)


Internet country code:
.tw


Internet hosts:
6.272 million (2012)
country comparison to the world: 18


Internet users:
16.147 million (2009)
country comparison to the world: 24

Transportation

Airports
37 (2013)
country comparison to the world: 107


Airports - with paved runways
total:35
over 3,047 m:8
2,438 to 3,047 m:7
1,524 to 2,437 m:10
914 to 1,523 m:8
under 914 m:2 (2013)


Airports - with unpaved runways
total:2
1,524 to 2,437 m:1
under 914 m:
1 (2013)


Heliports
31 (2013)


Pipelines
condensate 25 km; gas 802 km; oil 241 km (2013)


Railways
total:1,580 kmcountry comparison to the world: 79
standard gauge:345 km 1.435-m gauge (345 km electrified)
narrow gauge:1,085 km 1.067-m gauge (685 km electrified); 150 km 0.762-m gauge
note:the 0.762 gauge track belongs to three entities, the Forestry Bureau, Taiwan Cement, and TaiPower (2009)


    Roadways
total:41,475 kmcountry comparison to the world: 86
paved:41,033 km (includes 720 km of expressways)
unpaved:442 km (2009)


Merchant marine
total:112country comparison to the world: 47
by type:bulk carrier 35, cargo 20, chemical tanker 1, container 31, passenger/cargo 4, petroleum tanker 12, refrigerated cargo 7, roll on/roll off 2
foreign-owned:3 (France 2, Vietnam 1)
registered in other countries:579 (Argentina 2, Cambodia 1, Honduras 1, Hong Kong 25, Indonesia 1, Italy 10, Kiribati 2, Liberia 94, Marshall Islands 8, Panama 328, Philippines 1, Sierra Leone 7, Singapore 77, South Korea 1, Thailand 1, UK 11, Vanuatu 1, unknown 8) (2010)



Ports and terminals
major seaport(s):Chilung (Keelung), Kaohsiung, Hualian, Taichung
container port(s) (TEUs):Chilung (Keelung) (1,749,388), Kaohsiung (9,363,289), Taichung (1,383,578)

Military

Military branches
Army, Navy (includes Marine Corps), Air Force, Coast Guard Administration, Armed Forces Reserve Command, Combined Service Forces Command, Armed Forces Police Command


Military service age and obligation
18-35 years of age for compulsory and voluntary military service; service obligation is 2 years; women may enlist; women in Air Force service are restricted to noncombat roles; reserve obligation to age 30 (Army); the Ministry of Defense is in the process of implementing a voluntary enlistment system over the period 2010-2015, although nonvolunteers will still be required to perform alternative service or go through 4 months of military training (2012)


Manpower available for military service
males age 16-49:6,183,567
females age 16-49:6,006,676 (2010 est.)


    Manpower fit for military service
males age 16-49:5,074,173
females age 16-49:4,951,088 (2010 est.)


Manpower reaching militarily significant age annually
male:166,190
female:155,306 (2010 est.)

Transnational Issues

Disputes - international
involved in complex dispute with Brunei, China, Malaysia, the Philippines, and Vietnam over the Spratly Islands, and with China and the Philippines over Scarborough Reef; the 2002 'Declaration on the Conduct of Parties in the South China Sea' has eased tensions but falls short of a legally binding 'code of conduct' desired by several of the disputants; Paracel Islands are occupied by China, but claimed by Taiwan and Vietnam; in 2003, China and Taiwan became more vocal in rejecting both Japan's claims to the uninhabited islands of the Senkaku-shoto (Diaoyu Tai) and Japan's unilaterally declared exclusive economic zone in the East China Sea where all parties engage in hydrocarbon prospecting


    Illicit drugs
regional transit point for heroin, methamphetamine, and precursor chemicals; transshipment point for drugs to Japan; major problem with domestic consumption of methamphetamine and heroin; rising problems with use of ketamine and club drugs
 Information/ Data by CIA - The World Factbook