Compare Ashmore and Cartier Islands (2008) - Kuwait (2001)

Ashmore and Cartier Islands (2008)

Kuwait (2001)

Administrative divisions

-

5 governorates (muhafazat, singular - muhafazah); Al Ahmadi, Al Farwaniyah, Al 'Asimah, Al Jahra', Hawalli

Age structure

-

0-14 years:
28.76% (male 299,080; female 288,125)

15-64 years:
68.82% (male 897,839; female 507,527)

65 years and over:
2.42% (male 31,843; female 17,547) (2001 est.)

Agriculture - products

-

practically no crops; fish

Airports

-

8 (2000 est.)

Airports - with paved runways

-

total:
4

over 3,047 m:
2

2,438 to 3,047 m:
2 (2000 est.)

Airports - with unpaved runways

-

total:
4

1,524 to 2,437 m:
1

under 914 m:
3 (2000 est.)

Area

total: 5 sq km

land: 5 sq km

water: 0 sq km

note: includes Ashmore Reef (West, Middle, and East Islets) and Cartier Island

total:
17,820 sq km

land:
17,820 sq km

water:
0 sq km

Area - comparative

about eight times the size of The Mall in Washington, DC

slightly smaller than New Jersey

Background

These uninhabited islands came under Australian authority in 1931; formal administration began two years later. Ashmore Reef supports a rich and diverse avian and marine habitat; in 1983, it became a National Nature Reserve. Cartier Island, a former bombing range, is now a marine reserve.

Kuwait was attacked and overrun by Iraq on 2 August 1990. Following several weeks of aerial bombardment, a US-led UN coalition began a ground assault on 23 February 1991 that completely liberated Kuwait in four days. Kuwait has spent more than $5 billion to repair oil infrastructure damaged during 1990-91.

Birth rate

-

21.91 births/1,000 population (2001 est.)

Budget

-

revenues:
$11.5 billion

expenditures:
$17.2 billion, including capital expenditures of $NA (FY01/02)

Capital

-

Kuwait

Climate

tropical

dry desert; intensely hot summers; short, cool winters

Coastline

74.1 km

499 km

Constitution

-

approved and promulgated 11 November 1962

Country name

conventional long form: Territory of Ashmore and Cartier Islands

conventional short form: Ashmore and Cartier Islands

conventional long form:
State of Kuwait

conventional short form:
Kuwait

local long form:
Dawlat al Kuwayt

local short form:
Al Kuwayt

Currency

-

Kuwaiti dinar (KWD)

Death rate

-

2.45 deaths/1,000 population (2001 est.)

Debt - external

-

$6.9 billion (2000 est.)

Dependency status

territory of Australia; administered by the Australian Attorney-General's Department

-

Diplomatic representation from the US

none (territory of Australia)

chief of mission:
Ambassador James A. LAROCCO

embassy:
Bayan, near the Bayan palace, Kuwait City

mailing address:
P. O. Box 77 Safat, 13001 Safat, Kuwait Unit 69000, APO AE 09880-9000

telephone:
[965] 539-5307

FAX:
[965] 538-0282

Diplomatic representation in the US

none (territory of Australia)

chief of mission:
Ambassador (vacant)

chancery:
2940 Tilden Street NW, Washington, DC 20008

telephone:
[1] (202) 966-0702

FAX:
[1] (202) 966-0517

Disputes - international

Indonesian groups challenge Australia's claim to these islands; Australia closed parts of the Ashmore and Cartier Reserve to Indonesian traditional fishing and placed restrictions on certain catches

in November 1994, Iraq formally accepted the UN-demarcated border with Kuwait which had been spelled out in Security Council Resolutions 687 (1991), 773 (1993), and 883 (1993); this formally ends earlier claims to Kuwait and to Bubiyan and Warbah islands

Economic aid - recipient

-

$27.6 million (1995)

Economy - overview

no economic activity

Kuwait is a small, relatively open economy with proved crude oil reserves of about 94 billion barrels - 10% of world reserves. Petroleum accounts for nearly half of GDP, 90% of export revenues, and 75% of government income. Kuwait's climate limits agricultural development. Consequently, with the exception of fish, it depends almost wholly on food imports. About 75% of potable water must be distilled or imported. Higher oil prices put the FY99/00 budget into a $2 billion surplus. The FY00/01 budget covers only nine months because of a change in the fiscal year. The budget for FY01/02, which begins 1 April, contains higher expenditures for salaries, construction, and other general categories. Kuwait continues its discussions with foreign oil companies to develop fields in the northern part of the country.

Electricity - consumption

-

29.357 billion kWh (1999)

Electricity - exports

-

0 kWh (1999)

Electricity - imports

-

0 kWh (1999)

Electricity - production

-

31.567 billion kWh (1999)

Electricity - production by source

-

fossil fuel:
100%

hydro:
0%

nuclear:
0%

other:
0% (1999)

Elevation extremes

lowest point: Indian Ocean 0 m

highest point: unnamed location 3 m

lowest point:
Persian Gulf 0 m

highest point:
unnamed location 306 m

Environment - current issues

NA

limited natural fresh water resources; some of world's largest and most sophisticated desalination facilities provide much of the water; air and water pollution; desertification

Environment - international agreements

-

party to:
Climate Change, Desertification, Environmental Modification, Hazardous Wastes, Law of the Sea, Nuclear Test Ban, Ozone Layer Protection

signed, but not ratified:
Biodiversity, Endangered Species, Marine Dumping

Ethnic groups

-

Kuwaiti 45%, other Arab 35%, South Asian 9%, Iranian 4%, other 7%

Exchange rates

-

Kuwaiti dinars per US dollar - 0.3057 (January 2001), 0.3067 (2000), 0.3044 (1999), 0.3047 (1998), 0.3033 (1997), 0.2994 (1996)

Executive branch

-

chief of state:
Amir JABIR al-Ahmad al-Jabir Al Sabah (since 31 December 1977)

head of government:
Prime Minister and Crown Prince SAAD al-Abdallah al-Salim Al Sabah (since 8 February 1978); First Deputy Prime Minister SABAH al-Ahmad al-Jabir Al Sabah (since 17 October 1992); Deputy Prime Ministers JABIR MUBARAK al-Hamud Al Sabah (since NA) and MUHAMMAD KHALID al-Hamed Al Sabah (since NA)

cabinet:
Council of Ministers appointed by the prime minister and approved by the monarch

elections:
none; the monarch is hereditary; prime minister and deputy prime ministers appointed by the monarch

Exports

-

$23.2 billion (f.o.b., 2000 est.)

Exports - commodities

-

oil and refined products, fertilizers

Exports - partners

-

Japan 23%, US 12%, Singapore 8%, Netherlands 7% (1999)

Fiscal year

-

1 April - 31 March

Flag description

the flag of Australia is used

three equal horizontal bands of green (top), white, and red with a black trapezoid based on the hoist side

GDP

-

purchasing power parity - $29.3 billion (2000 est.)

GDP - composition by sector

-

agriculture:
0%

industry:
55%

services:
45% (1996)

GDP - per capita

-

purchasing power parity - $15,000 (2000 est.)

GDP - real growth rate

-

6% (2000 est.)

Geographic coordinates

12 14 S, 123 05 E

29 30 N, 45 45 E

Geography - note

Ashmore Reef National Nature Reserve established in August 1983

strategic location at head of Persian Gulf

Heliports

-

3 (2000 est.)

Highways

-

total:
4,450 km

paved:
3,590 km

unpaved:
860 km (1999 est.)

Household income or consumption by percentage share

-

lowest 10%:
NA%

highest 10%:
NA%

Imports

-

$7.6 billion (f.o.b., 2000 est.)

Imports - commodities

-

food, construction materials, vehicles and parts, clothing

Imports - partners

-

US 15%, Japan 10%, UK 7%, Germany 7% (1999)

Independence

-

19 June 1961 (from UK)

Industrial production growth rate

-

1% (1997 est.)

Industries

-

petroleum, petrochemicals, desalination, food processing, construction materials

Infant mortality rate

-

11.18 deaths/1,000 live births (2001 est.)

Inflation rate (consumer prices)

-

3% (2000)

International organization participation

-

ABEDA, AfDB, AFESD, AL, AMF, BDEAC, CAEU, CCC, ESCWA, FAO, G-77, GCC, IAEA, IBRD, ICAO, ICC, ICRM, IDA, IDB, IFAD, IFC, IFRCS, ILO, IMF, IMO, Inmarsat, Intelsat, Interpol, IOC, ISO, ITU, NAM, OAPEC, OIC, OPCW, OPEC, UN, UNCTAD, UNESCO, UNIDO, UNITAR, UPU, WFTU, WHO, WIPO, WMO, WToO, WTrO

Internet Service Providers (ISPs)

-

3 (2000)

Irrigated land

0 sq km

20 sq km (1993 est.)

Judicial branch

-

High Court of Appeal

Labor force

-

1.3 million (1998 est.)

note:
68% of the population in the 15-64 age group is non-national (July 1998 est.)

Labor force - by occupation

-

agriculture NA%, industry NA%, services NA%

Land boundaries

0 km

total:
464 km

border countries:
Iraq 242 km, Saudi Arabia 222 km

Land use

arable land: 0%

permanent crops: 0%

other: 100% (all grass and sand) (2005)

arable land:
0%

permanent crops:
0%

permanent pastures:
8%

forests and woodland:
0%

other:
92% (1993 est.)

Languages

-

Arabic (official), English widely spoken

Legal system

the laws of the Commonwealth of Australia and the laws of the Northern Territory of Australia, where applicable, apply

civil law system with Islamic law significant in personal matters; has not accepted compulsory ICJ jurisdiction

Legislative branch

-

unicameral National Assembly or Majlis al-Umma (50 seats; members elected by popular vote to serve four-year terms)

elections:
last held 3 July 1999 (next to be held NA 2003)

election results:
percent of vote - NA%; seats - independents 50; note - all cabinet ministers are also ex officio members of the National Assembly

Life expectancy at birth

-

total population:
76.27 years

male:
75.42 years

female:
77.15 years (2001 est.)

Literacy

-

definition:
age 15 and over can read and write

total population:
78.6%

male:
82.2%

female:
74.9% (1995 est.)

Location

Southeastern Asia, islands in the Indian Ocean, midway between northwestern Australia and Timor island

Middle East, bordering the Persian Gulf, between Iraq and Saudi Arabia

Map references

Southeast Asia

Middle East

Maritime claims

territorial sea: 12 nm

contiguous zone: 12 nm

exclusive fishing zone: 200 nm

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

territorial sea:
12 NM

Merchant marine

-

total:
45 ships (1,000 GRT or over) totaling 2,461,072 GRT/3,966,645 DWT

ships by type:
bulk 1, cargo 6, container 6, liquefied gas 7, livestock carrier 5, petroleum tanker 20 (2000 est.)

Military - note

defense is the responsibility of Australia; periodic visits by the Royal Australian Navy and Royal Australian Air Force

-

Military branches

-

Army, Navy, Air Force, National Police Force, National Guard, Coast Guard

Military expenditures - dollar figure

-

$1.9 billion (FY00/01)

Military expenditures - percent of GDP

-

8.7% (FY00/01)

Military manpower - availability

-

males age 15-49:
780,559 (2001 est.)

Military manpower - fit for military service

-

males age 15-49:
466,521 (2001 est.)

Military manpower - military age

-

18 years of age

Military manpower - reaching military age annually

-

males:
18,309 (2001 est.)

National holiday

-

National Day, 25 February (1950)

Nationality

-

noun:
Kuwaiti(s)

adjective:
Kuwaiti

Natural hazards

surrounded by shoals and reefs that can pose maritime hazards

sudden cloudbursts are common from October to April; they bring inordinate amounts of rain which can damage roads and houses; sandstorms and dust storms occur throughout the year, but are most common between March and August

Natural resources

fish

petroleum, fish, shrimp, natural gas

Net migration rate

-

14.31 migrant(s)/1,000 population (2001 est.)

People - note

the landing of illegal immigrants from Indonesia's Rote Island has become an ongoing problem

-

Pipelines

-

crude oil 877 km; petroleum products 40 km; natural gas 165 km

Political parties and leaders

-

none; formation of political parties is illegal

Political pressure groups and leaders

-

several political groups act as de facto parties: Bedouins, merchants, Sunni and Shi'a activists, and secular leftists and nationalists

Population

no indigenous inhabitants

note: Indonesian fishermen are allowed access to the lagoon and fresh water at Ashmore Reef's West Island

2,041,961

note:
includes 1,159,913 non-nationals (July 2001 est.)

Population below poverty line

-

NA%

Population growth rate

-

3.38% (2001 est.)

note:
this rate reflects a return to pre-Gulf crisis immigration of expatriates

Ports and harbors

-

Ash Shu'aybah, Ash Shuwaykh, Kuwait, Mina' 'Abd Allah, Mina' al Ahmadi, Mina' Su'ud

Radio broadcast stations

-

AM 6, FM 11, shortwave 1 (1998)

Radios

-

1.175 million (1997)

Railways

-

0 km

Religions

-

Muslim 85% (Sunni 45%, Shi'a 40%), Christian, Hindu, Parsi, and other 15%

Sex ratio

-

at birth:
1.04 male(s)/female

under 15 years:
1.04 male(s)/female

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

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

total population:
1.51 male(s)/female (2001 est.)

Suffrage

-

adult males who have been naturalized for 30 years or more or have resided in Kuwait since before 1920 and their male descendants at age 21

note:
only 10% of all citizens are eligible to vote; in 1996, naturalized citizens who do not meet the pre-1920 qualification but have been naturalized for 30 years were eligible to vote for the first time

Telephone system

-

general assessment:
the quality of service is excellent

domestic:
new telephone exchanges provide a large capacity for new subscribers; trunk traffic is carried by microwave radio relay, coaxial cable, open wire, and fiber-optic cable; a cellular telephone system operates throughout Kuwait, and the country is well supplied with pay telephones

international:
coaxial cable and microwave radio relay to Saudi Arabia; linked to Bahrain, Qatar, UAE via the Fiber-Optic Gulf (FOG) cable; satellite earth stations - 3 Intelsat (1 Atlantic Ocean, 2 Indian Ocean), 1 Inmarsat (Atlantic Ocean), and 2 Arabsat

Telephones - main lines in use

-

412,000 (1997)

Telephones - mobile cellular

-

210,000 (1997)

Television broadcast stations

-

13 (plus several satellite channels) (1997)

Terrain

low with sand and coral

flat to slightly undulating desert plain