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Compare Albania (2008) - New Caledonia (2008)

Compare Albania (2008) z New Caledonia (2008)

 Albania (2008)New Caledonia (2008)
 AlbaniaNew Caledonia
Administrative divisions 12 counties (qarqe, singular - qark); Berat, Diber, Durres, Elbasan, Fier, Gjirokaster, Korce, Kukes, Lezhe, Shkoder, Tirane, Vlore none (overseas territory of France); there are no first-order administrative divisions as defined by the US Government, but there are 3 provinces named Province des Iles, Province Nord, and Province Sud
Age structure 0-14 years: 24.1% (male 454,622/female 413,698)


15-64 years: 66.6% (male 1,228,497/female 1,170,489)


65 years and over: 9.3% (male 154,352/female 178,865) (2007 est.)
0-14 years: 27.9% (male 31,578/female 30,270)


15-64 years: 65.3% (male 72,821/female 72,109)


65 years and over: 6.8% (male 7,047/female 8,118) (2007 est.)
Agriculture - products wheat, corn, potatoes, vegetables, fruits, sugar beets, grapes; meat, dairy products vegetables; beef, deer, other livestock products; fish
Airports 11 (2007) 25 (2007)
Airports - with paved runways total: 3


2,438 to 3,047 m: 3 (2007)
total: 12


over 3,047 m: 1


914 to 1,523 m: 9


under 914 m: 2 (2007)
Airports - with unpaved runways total: 8


over 3,047 m: 1


1,524 to 2,437 m: 2


914 to 1,523 m: 1


under 914 m: 4 (2007)
total: 13


914 to 1,523 m: 7


under 914 m: 6 (2007)
Area total: 28,748 sq km


land: 27,398 sq km


water: 1,350 sq km
total: 19,060 sq km


land: 18,575 sq km


water: 485 sq km
Area - comparative slightly smaller than Maryland slightly smaller than New Jersey
Background Albania declared its independence from the Ottoman Empire in 1912, but was conquered by Italy in 1939. Communist partizans took over the country in 1944. Albania allied itself first with the USSR (until 1960), and then with China (to 1978). In the early 1990s, Albania ended 46 years of xenophobic Communist rule and established a multiparty democracy. The transition has proven challenging as successive governments have tried to deal with high unemployment, widespread corruption, a dilapidated physical infrastructure, powerful organized crime networks, and combative political opponents. Albania has made progress in its democratic development since first holding multiparty elections in 1991, but deficiencies remain. International observers judged elections to be largely free and fair since the restoration of political stability following the collapse of pyramid schemes in 1997. In the 2005 general elections, the Democratic Party and its allies won a decisive victory on pledges of reducing crime and corruption, promoting economic growth, and decreasing the size of government. The election, and particularly the orderly transition of power, was considered an important step forward. Although Albania's economy continues to grow, the country is still one of the poorest in Europe, hampered by a large informal economy and an inadequate energy and transportation infrastructure. Albania has played a largely helpful role in managing inter-ethnic tensions in southeastern Europe, and is continuing to work toward joining NATO and the EU. Albania, with troops in Iraq and Afghanistan, has been a strong supporter of the global war on terrorism. Settled by both Britain and France during the first half of the 19th century, the island was made a French possession in 1853. It served as a penal colony for four decades after 1864. Agitation for independence during the 1980s and early 1990s ended in the 1998 Noumea Accord, which over a period of 15 to 20 years will transfer an increasing amount of governing responsibility from France to New Caledonia. The agreement also commits France to conduct as many as three referenda between 2013 and 2018, to decide whether New Caledonia should assume full sovereignty and independence.
Birth rate 15.16 births/1,000 population (2007 est.) 17.75 births/1,000 population (2007 est.)
Budget revenues: $2.752 billion


expenditures: $3.129 billion (2007 est.)
revenues: $996 million


expenditures: $1.072 billion (2001 est.)
Capital name: Tirana (Tirane)


geographic coordinates: 41 19 N, 19 49 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
name: Noumea


geographic coordinates: 22 16 S, 166 27 E


time difference: UTC+11 (16 hours ahead of Washington, DC during Standard Time)
Climate mild temperate; cool, cloudy, wet winters; hot, clear, dry summers; interior is cooler and wetter tropical; modified by southeast trade winds; hot, humid
Coastline 362 km 2,254 km
Constitution adopted by popular referendum on 22 November 1998; promulgated 28 November 1998 4 October 1958 (French Constitution)
Country name conventional long form: Republic of Albania


conventional short form: Albania


local long form: Republika e Shqiperise


local short form: Shqiperia


former: People's Socialist Republic of Albania
conventional long form: Territory of New Caledonia and Dependencies


conventional short form: New Caledonia


local long form: Territoire des Nouvelle-Caledonie et Dependances


local short form: Nouvelle-Caledonie
Death rate 5.33 deaths/1,000 population (2007 est.) 5.72 deaths/1,000 population (2007 est.)
Debt - external $1.55 billion (2004) $79 million (1998 est.)
Dependency status - territorial collectivity of France since 1998
Diplomatic representation from the US chief of mission: Ambassador Dr. John L. WITHERS, II


embassy: Rruga e Elbasanit, Labinoti #103, Tirana


mailing address: US Department of State, 9510 Tirana Place, Dulles, VA 20189-9510


telephone: [355] (4) 247285


FAX: [355] (4) 232222
none (overseas territory of France)
Diplomatic representation in the US chief of mission: Ambassador Aleksander SALLABANDA


chancery: 2100 S Street NW, Washington, DC 20008


telephone: [1] (202) 223-4942


FAX: [1] (202) 628-7342
none (overseas territory of France)
Disputes - international the Albanian Government calls for the protection of the rights of ethnic Albanians in neighboring countries, and the peaceful resolution of interethnic disputes; some ethnic Albanian groups in neighboring countries advocate for a "greater Albania," but the idea has little appeal among Albanian nationals; the mass emigration of unemployed Albanians remains a problem for developed countries, chiefly Greece and Italy Matthew and Hunter Islands east of New Caledonia claimed by France and Vanuatu
Economic aid - recipient ODA: $318.7 million


note: top donors were Italy, EU, Germany (2005 est.)
$524.3 million annual subsidy from France (2004)
Economy - overview Lagging behind its Balkan neighbors, Albania is making the difficult transition to a more modern open-market economy. The government has taken measures to curb violent crime, and recently adopted a fiscal reform package aimed at reducing the large gray economy and attracting foreign investment. The economy is bolstered by annual remittances from abroad of $600-$800 million, mostly from Albanians residing in Greece and Italy; this helps offset the towering trade deficit. Agriculture, which accounts for more than one-fifth of GDP, is held back because of lack of modern equipment, unclear property rights, and the prevalence of small, inefficient plots of land. Energy shortages and antiquated and inadequate infrastructure contribute to Albania's poor business environment, which make it difficult to attract and sustain foreign investment. The completion of a new thermal power plant near Vlore and improved transmission line between Albania and Montenegro will help relieve the energy shortages. Also, the government is moving slowly to improve the poor national road and rail network, a long-standing barrier to sustained economic growth. On the positive side, macroeconomic growth was strong in 2003-07 and inflation is low and stable. New Caledonia has about 25% of the world's known nickel resources. Only a small amount of the land is suitable for cultivation, and food accounts for about 20% of imports. In addition to nickel, substantial financial support from France - equal to more than 15% of GDP - and tourism are keys to the health of the economy. Substantial new investment in the nickel industry, combined with the recovery of global nickel prices, brightens the economic outlook for the next several years.
Electricity - consumption 3.323 billion kWh (2005) 1.403 billion kWh (2005)
Electricity - exports 300 million kWh (2005) 0 kWh (2005)
Electricity - imports 371 million kWh (2005) 0 kWh (2005)
Electricity - production 5.385 billion kWh (2005) 1.508 billion kWh (2005)
Elevation extremes lowest point: Adriatic Sea 0 m


highest point: Maja e Korabit (Golem Korab) 2,764 m
lowest point: Pacific Ocean 0 m


highest point: Mont Panie 1,628 m
Environment - current issues deforestation; soil erosion; water pollution from industrial and domestic effluents erosion caused by mining exploitation and forest fires
Environment - international agreements party to: Biodiversity, Climate Change, Climate Change-Kyoto Protocol, Desertification, Endangered Species, Hazardous Wastes, Law of the Sea, Ozone Layer Protection, Wetlands


signed, but not ratified: none of the selected agreements
-
Ethnic groups Albanian 95%, Greek 3%, other 2% (Vlach, Roma (Gypsy), Serb, Macedonian, Bulgarian) (1989 est.)


note: in 1989, other estimates of the Greek population ranged from 1% (official Albanian statistics) to 12% (from a Greek organization)
Melanesian 42.5%, European 37.1%, Wallisian 8.4%, Polynesian 3.8%, Indonesian 3.6%, Vietnamese 1.6%, other 3%
Exchange rates leke per US dollar - 92.668 (2007), 98.384 (2006), 102.649 (2005), 102.78 (2004), 121.863 (2003) Comptoirs Francais du Pacifique francs (XPF) per US dollar - NA (2007), 95.025 (2006), 95.89 (2005), 96.04 (2004), 105.66 (2003)
Executive branch chief of state: President of the Republic Bamir TOPI (since 24 July 2007)


head of government: Prime Minister Sali BERISHA (since 10 September 2005)


cabinet: Council of Ministers proposed by the prime minister, nominated by the president, and approved by parliament


elections: president elected by the People's Assembly for a five-year term (eligible for a second term); four election rounds held between 8 and 20 July 2007 (next election to be held in 2012); prime minister appointed by the president


election results: Bamir TOPI elected president; People's Assembly vote, fourth round (three-fifths majority (84 votes) required): Bamir TOPI 85 votes, Neritan CEKA 5 votes
chief of state: President Nicolas SARKOZY (since 16 May 2007); represented by High Commissioner Yves DASSONVILLE (since 9 November 2007)


head of government: President of the Government Harold MARTIN (since 7 August 2007)


cabinet: Cabinet consisting of 11 members elected from and by the Territorial Congress


elections: French president elected by popular vote for a five-year term; high commissioner appointed by the French president on the advice of the French Ministry of Interior; president of the government elected by the members of the Territorial Congress for a five-year term (no term limits); note - last election held 7 August 2007 when Harold MARTIN was elected following the resignation of Marie-Noelle THEMEREAU as president on 24 July 2007 (next to be held in 2012)
Exports 1,240 bbl/day (2004 est.) 605.7 bbl/day (2004)
Exports - commodities textiles and footwear; asphalt, metals and metallic ores, crude oil; vegetables, fruits, tobacco ferronickels, nickel ore, fish
Exports - partners Italy 67.7%, Serbia and Montenegro 5.8%, Greece 5.4% (2006) Japan 17.4%, France 15.9%, Taiwan 14.5%, China 10.8%, Spain 9.4%, Belgium 7.3%, Italy 6%, Australia 4.6% (2006)
Fiscal year calendar year calendar year
Flag description red with a black two-headed eagle in the center the flag of France is used
GDP - composition by sector agriculture: 21.7%


industry: 20.3%


services: 58% (2007 est.)
agriculture: 15%


industry: 8.8%


services: 76.2% (2003)
GDP - real growth rate 5% (2007 est.) NA%
Geographic coordinates 41 00 N, 20 00 E 21 30 S, 165 30 E
Geography - note strategic location along Strait of Otranto (links Adriatic Sea to Ionian Sea and Mediterranean Sea) consists of the main island of New Caledonia (one of the largest in the Pacific Ocean), the archipelago of Iles Loyaute, and numerous small, sparsely populated islands and atolls
Heliports 1 (2007) 6 (2007)
Household income or consumption by percentage share lowest 10%: 3.4%


highest 10%: 24.4% (2004)
lowest 10%: NA%


highest 10%: NA%
Illicit drugs increasingly active transshipment point for Southwest Asian opiates, hashish, and cannabis transiting the Balkan route and - to a lesser extent - cocaine from South America destined for Western Europe; limited opium and growing cannabis production; ethnic Albanian narcotrafficking organizations active and expanding in Europe; vulnerable to money laundering associated with regional trafficking in narcotics, arms, contraband, and illegal aliens -
Imports 21,600 bbl/day (2005 est.) 11,980 bbl/day (2004)
Imports - commodities machinery and equipment, foodstuffs, textiles, chemicals machinery and equipment, fuels, chemicals, foodstuffs
Imports - partners Italy 32%, Greece 17.7%, Turkey 8.1%, Germany 5.7% (2006) France 39.4%, Singapore 15.1%, Australia 11.3%, NZ 4.8% (2006)
Independence 28 November 1912 (from the Ottoman Empire) none (overseas territory of France); note - a referendum on independence was held in 1998 but did not pass; a new referendum is scheduled for 2014
Industrial production growth rate 2% (2007 est.) -0.6% (1996)
Industries food processing, textiles and clothing; lumber, oil, cement, chemicals, mining, basic metals, hydropower nickel mining and smelting
Infant mortality rate total: 20.02 deaths/1,000 live births


male: 20.46 deaths/1,000 live births


female: 19.54 deaths/1,000 live births (2007 est.)
total: 7.42 deaths/1,000 live births


male: 8.12 deaths/1,000 live births


female: 6.69 deaths/1,000 live births (2007 est.)
Inflation rate (consumer prices) 3% (2007 est.) 1.4% (2000 est.)
International organization participation BSEC, CE, CEI, EAPC, EBRD, FAO, IAEA, IBRD, ICAO, ICCt, ICRM, IDA, IDB, IFAD, IFC, IFRCS, ILO, IMF, IMO, Interpol, IOC, IOM, IPU, ISO (correspondent), ITU, ITUC, MIGA, OIC, OIF, OPCW, OSCE, PFP, SECI, UN, UNCTAD, UNESCO, UNIDO, UNOMIG, UNWTO, UPU, WCO, WFTU, WHO, WIPO, WMO, WTO ITUC, PIF (associate member), SPC, UPU, WFTU, WMO
Irrigated land 3,530 sq km (2003) 100 sq km (2003)
Judicial branch Constitutional Court, Supreme Court (chairman is elected by the People's Assembly for a four-year term), and multiple appeals and district courts Court of Appeal or Cour d'Appel; County Courts; Joint Commerce Tribunal Court; Children's Court
Labor force 1.09 million (not including 352,000 emigrant workers) (September 2006 est.) 78,990 (2004)
Labor force - by occupation agriculture: 58%


industry: 15%


services: 27% (September 2006 est.)
agriculture: 20%


industry: 20%


services: 60% (2002)
Land boundaries total: 720 km


border countries: Greece 282 km, Macedonia 151 km, Montenegro 172 km, Serbia 115 km
0 km
Land use arable land: 20.1%


permanent crops: 4.21%


other: 75.69% (2005)
arable land: 0.32%


permanent crops: 0.22%


other: 99.46% (2005)
Languages Albanian (official - derived from Tosk dialect), Greek, Vlach, Romani, Slavic dialects French (official), 33 Melanesian-Polynesian dialects
Legal system has a civil law system; has not accepted compulsory ICJ jurisdiction; has accepted jurisdiction of the International Criminal Court for its citizens based on French civil law; the 1988 Matignon Accords grant substantial autonomy to the islands
Legislative branch unicameral Assembly or Kuvendi (140 seats; 100 members are elected by direct popular vote and 40 by proportional vote to serve four-year terms)


elections: last held 3 July 2005 (next to be held in 2009)


election results: percent of vote by party - NA; seats by party - PD 56, PS 42, PR 11, PSD 7, LSI 5, other 19
unicameral Territorial Congress or Congres du territoire (54 seats; members belong to the three Provincial Assemblies or Assemblees Provinciales elected by popular vote to serve five-year terms)


elections: last held 9 May 2004 (next to be held in 2009)


election results: percent of vote by party - NA; seats by party - RPCR-UMP 16, AE 16, UNI-FLNKS 8, UC 7, FN 4, others 3


note: New Caledonia currently holds one seat in the French Senate; by 2010, New Caledonia will gain a second seat in the French Senate; elections last held 24 September 2001 (next to be held not later than September 2007); results - percent of vote by party - NA; seats by party - UMP 1; New Caledonia also elects two seats to the French National Assembly; elections last held 10 and 17 June 2007 (next to be held on June 2012); results - percent of vote by party - NA; seats by party - UMP 2
Life expectancy at birth total population: 77.6 years


male: 74.95 years


female: 80.53 years (2007 est.)
total population: 74.5 years


male: 71.52 years


female: 77.63 years (2007 est.)
Literacy definition: age 9 and over can read and write


total population: 98.7%


male: 99.2%


female: 98.3% (2001 census)
definition: age 15 and over can read and write


total population: 96.2%


male: 96.8%


female: 95.5% (1996 census)
Location Southeastern Europe, bordering the Adriatic Sea and Ionian Sea, between Greece in the south and Montenegro and Serbia to the north Oceania, islands in the South Pacific Ocean, east of Australia
Map references Europe Oceania
Maritime claims territorial sea: 12 nm


continental shelf: 200-m depth or to the depth of exploitation
territorial sea: 12 nm


exclusive economic zone: 200 nm
Merchant marine total: 24 ships (1000 GRT or over) 56,550 GRT/85,521 DWT


by type: cargo 23, roll on/roll off 1


foreign-owned: 1 (Turkey 1)


registered in other countries: 3 (Georgia 2, Panama 1) (2007)
total: 2 ships (1000 GRT or over) 3,566 GRT/2,543 DWT


by type: cargo 1, passenger/cargo 1 (2007)
Military - note - defense is the responsibility of France
Military branches Land Forces Command (Army), Naval Forces Command, Air Defense Command, General Staff Headquarters (includes Logistics Command, Training and Doctrine Command) (2007) no regular indigenous military forces; French Armed Forces (includes Army, Navy, Air Force, Gendarmerie); Police Force
Military expenditures - percent of GDP 1.49% (2005 est.) NA
National holiday Independence Day, 28 November (1912) Bastille Day, 14 July (1789)
Nationality noun: Albanian(s)


adjective: Albanian
noun: New Caledonian(s)


adjective: New Caledonian
Natural hazards destructive earthquakes; tsunamis occur along southwestern coast; floods; drought cyclones, most frequent from November to March
Natural resources petroleum, natural gas, coal, bauxite, chromite, copper, iron ore, nickel, salt, timber, hydropower nickel, chrome, iron, cobalt, manganese, silver, gold, lead, copper
Net migration rate -4.54 migrant(s)/1,000 population (2007 est.) 0 migrant(s)/1,000 population


note: there has been steady emigration from Wallis and Futuna to New Caledonia (2007 est.)
Pipelines gas 339 km; oil 207 km (2007) -
Political parties and leaders Agrarian Environmentalist Party or PAA [Lufter XHUVELI]; Christian Democratic Party or PDK [Nard NDOKA]; Communist Party of Albania or PKSH [Hysni MILLOSHI]; Democratic Alliance Party or AD [Neritan CEKA]; Democratic Party or PD [Sali BERISHA]; Legality Movement Party or PLL [Ekrem SPAHIA]; Liberal Union Party or BLD [Arjan STAROVA]; Movement for National Development or LZhK [Dashamir SHEHI]; National Front Party (Balli Kombetar) or PBK [Adriatik ALIMADHI]; New Democratic Party or PDR [Genc POLLO]; Party of National Unity or PUK [Idajet BEQIRI]; Republican Party or PR [Fatmir MEDIU]; Social Democracy Party of Albania or PDSSh [Paskal MILO]; Social Democratic Party or PSD [Skender GJINUSHI]; Socialist Movement for Integration or LSI [Ilir META]; Socialist Party or PS [Edi RAMA]; Union for Human Rights Party or PBDNj [Vangjel DULE] Alliance pour la Caledonie or APLC [Didier LE ROUX]; Caledonian Union or UC; Federation des Comites de Coordination des Independantistes or FCCI [Francois BURCK]; Front National or FN [Guy GEORGE]; Front Uni de Liberation Kanak or FULK [Ernest UNE]; Kanak Socialist Front for National Liberation or FLNKS (includes PALIKA, UNI, UC, and UPM); Parti de Liberation Kanak or PALIKA [Paul NEAOUTYINE and Elie POIGOUNE]; Rally for Caledonia in the Republic (anti independence) or RPCR-UMP [Jacques LAFLEUR]; The Future Together or AE [Harold MARTIN]; Union Nationale pour l'Independance or UNI [Paul NEAOUTYINE]; note - may no longer exist, but Paul NEAOUTYINE has since become a president of Parti de Liberation Kanak or PALIKA; Union Progressiste Melanesienne or UPM [Victor TUTUGORO]
Political pressure groups and leaders Citizens Advocacy Office [Kreshnik SPAHIU]; Confederation of Trade Unions of Albania or KSSH [Kastriot MUCO]; Front for Albanian National Unification or FBKSH [Gafur ADILI]; Mjaft Movement; Omonia [Jani JANI]; Union of Independent Trade Unions of Albania or BSPSH [Gezim KALAJA] NA
Population 3,600,523 (July 2007 est.) 221,943 (July 2007 est.)
Population below poverty line 25% (2004 est.) NA%
Population growth rate 0.529% (2007 est.) 1.203% (2007 est.)
Radio broadcast stations AM 13, FM 46, shortwave 1 (2005) AM 1, FM 5, shortwave 0 (1998)
Railways total: 447 km


standard gauge: 447 km 1.435-m gauge (2006)
-
Religions Muslim 70%, Albanian Orthodox 20%, Roman Catholic 10%


note: percentages are estimates; there are no available current statistics on religious affiliation; all mosques and churches were closed in 1967 and religious observances prohibited; in November 1990, Albania began allowing private religious practice
Roman Catholic 60%, Protestant 30%, other 10%
Sex ratio at birth: 1.1 male(s)/female


under 15 years: 1.099 male(s)/female


15-64 years: 1.05 male(s)/female


65 years and over: 0.863 male(s)/female


total population: 1.042 male(s)/female (2007 est.)
at birth: 1.05 male(s)/female


under 15 years: 1.043 male(s)/female


15-64 years: 1.01 male(s)/female


65 years and over: 0.868 male(s)/female


total population: 1.009 male(s)/female (2007 est.)
Suffrage 18 years of age; universal 18 years of age; universal
Telephone system general assessment: despite new investment in fixed lines, the density of main lines remains low with roughly 10 lines per 100 people; however, cellular telephone use is widespread and generally effective; combined fixed line and mobile telephone density is approximately 60 telephones per 100 persons


domestic: offsetting the shortage of fixed line capacity, mobile phone service has been available since 1996; by 2003 two companies were providing mobile services at a greater density than some of Albania's Balkan neighbors; Internet broadband services initiated in 2005; internet cafes are popular in Tirana and have started to spread outside the capital


international: country code - 355; submarine cable provides connectivity to Italy, Croatia, and Greece; the Trans-Balkan Line, a combination submarine cable and land fiber optic system, provides additional connectivity to Bulgaria, Macedonia, and Turkey; international traffic carried by fiber-optic cable and, when necessary, by microwave radio relay from the Tirana exchange to Italy and Greece (2007)
general assessment: NA


domestic: a submarine cable network connection between New Caledonia and Australia, scheduled for completion in 2008, will improve high-speed connectivity and access to international networks


international: country code - 687; satellite earth station - 1 Intelsat (Pacific Ocean)
Telephones - main lines in use 353,600 (2005) 55,300 (2005)
Telephones - mobile cellular 1.53 million (2005) 134,300 (2005)
Television broadcast stations 65 (3 national, 62 local); 2 cable networks (2005) 6 (plus 25 repeaters) (1997)
Terrain mostly mountains and hills; small plains along coast coastal plains with interior mountains
Total fertility rate 2.03 children born/woman (2007 est.) 2.25 children born/woman (2007 est.)
Unemployment rate 13% official rate, but may exceed 30% due to preponderance of near-subsistence farming (2007 est.) 17.1% (2004)
Waterways 43 km (2007) -
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