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Compare Baker Island (2001) - Benin (2001)

Compare Baker Island (2001) z Benin (2001)

 Baker Island (2001)Benin (2001)
 Baker IslandBenin
Administrative divisions - 6 provinces; Atakora, Atlantique, Borgou, Mono, Oueme, Zou; note - six additional provinces have been reported but not confirmed; they are Alibori, Collines, Couffo, Donga, Littoral, and Plateau; moreover, the term "province" may have been changed to "department"
Age structure - 0-14 years:
47.32% (male 1,574,124; female 1,544,741)

15-64 years:
50.38% (male 1,607,900; female 1,712,360)

65 years and over:
2.3% (male 64,756; female 86,901) (2001 est.)
Agriculture - products - corn, sorghum, cassava (tapioca), yams, beans, rice, cotton, palm oil, peanuts; poultry, livestock
Airports 1 abandoned World War II runway of 1,665 m, completely covered with vegetation and unusable (2000 est.) 5 (2000 est.)
Airports - with paved runways - total:
1

1,524 to 2,437 m:
1 (2000 est.)
Airports - with unpaved runways - total:
4

2,438 to 3,047 m:
1

1,524 to 2,437 m:
1

914 to 1,523 m:
2 (2000 est.)
Area total:
1.4 sq km

land:
1.4 sq km

water:
0 sq km
total:
112,620 sq km

land:
110,620 sq km

water:
2,000 sq km
Area - comparative about 2.5 times the size of The Mall in Washington, DC slightly smaller than Pennsylvania
Background The US took possession of the island in 1857, and its guano deposits were mined by US and British companies during the second half of the 19th century. In 1935, a short-lived attempt at colonization was begun on this island - as well as on nearby Howland Island - but was disrupted by World War II and thereafter abandoned. Presently the island is a National Wildlife Refuge run by the US Department of the Interior; a day beacon is situated near the middle of the west coast. Dahomey gained its independence from France in 1960; the name was changed to Benin in 1975. From 1974 to 1989 the country was a socialist state; free elections were reestablished in 1991.
Birth rate - 44.23 births/1,000 population (2001 est.)
Budget - revenues:
$299 million

expenditures:
$445 million, including capital expenditures of $14 million (1995 est.)
Capital - Porto-Novo is the official capital; Cotonou is the seat of government
Climate equatorial; scant rainfall, constant wind, burning sun tropical; hot, humid in south; semiarid in north
Coastline 4.8 km 121 km
Constitution - December 1990
Country name conventional long form:
none

conventional short form:
Baker Island
conventional long form:
Republic of Benin

conventional short form:
Benin

local long form:
Republique du Benin

local short form:
Benin

former:
Dahomey
Currency - Communaute Financiere Africaine franc (XOF); note - responsible authority is the Central Bank of the West African States
Death rate - 14.51 deaths/1,000 population (2001 est.)
Debt - external - $1.6 billion (1998 est.)
Dependency status unincorporated territory of the US; administered from Washington, DC, by the Fish and Wildlife Service of the US Department of the Interior as part of the National Wildlife Refuge system -
Diplomatic representation from the US - chief of mission:
Ambassador Pamela E. BRIDGEWATER

embassy:
Rue Caporal Bernard Anani, Cotonou

mailing address:
B. P. 2012, Cotonou

telephone:
[229] 30-06-50, 30-05-13, 30-17-92

FAX:
[229] 30-14-39, 30-19-74
Diplomatic representation in the US - chief of mission:
Ambassador Lucien Edgar TONOUKOUIN

chancery:
2737 Cathedral Avenue NW, Washington, DC 20008

telephone:
[1] (202) 232-6656

FAX:
[1] (202) 265-1996
Disputes - international none none
Economic aid - recipient - $274.6 million (1997)
Economy - overview no economic activity The economy of Benin remains underdeveloped and dependent on subsistence agriculture, cotton production, and regional trade. Growth in real output averaged a sound 5% in 1996-99, but a rapid population rise offset much of this growth. Inflation has subsided over the past several years. Commercial and transport activities, which make up a large part of GDP, are vulnerable to developments in Nigeria, particularly fuel shortages. The Paris Club and bilateral creditors have eased the external debt situation in recent years. While high fuel prices constrained growth in 2000, increased cotton production - enabled by a major restructuring program - and an expansion of the Cotonou port, may lead to increased growth in 2001.
Electricity - consumption - 510.2 million kWh (1999)
Electricity - exports - 0 kWh (1999)
Electricity - imports - 300 million kWh (1999)
Electricity - production - 226 million kWh (1999)
Electricity - production by source - fossil fuel:
24.78%

hydro:
75.22%

nuclear:
0%

other:
0% (1999)
Elevation extremes lowest point:
Pacific Ocean 0 m

highest point:
unnamed location 8 m
lowest point:
Atlantic Ocean 0 m

highest point:
Mont Sokbaro 658 m
Environment - current issues no natural fresh water resources inadequate supplies of potable water; poaching threatens wildlife populations; deforestation; desertification
Environment - international agreements - party to:
Biodiversity, Climate Change, Desertification, Endangered Species, Environmental Modification, Hazardous Wastes, Law of the Sea, Nuclear Test Ban, Ozone Layer Protection, Ship Pollution, Wetlands

signed, but not ratified:
none of the selected agreements
Ethnic groups - African 99% (42 ethnic groups, most important being Fon, Adja, Yoruba, Bariba), Europeans 5,500
Exchange rates - Communaute Financiere Africaine francs (XOF) per US dollar - 699.21 (January 2001), 711.98 (2000), 615.70 (1999), 589.95 (1998), 583.67 (1997), 511.55 (1996); note - from 1 January 1999, the XOF is pegged to the euro at a rate of 655.957 XOF per euro
Executive branch - chief of state:
President Mathieu KEREKOU (since 4 April 1996); note - the president is both the chief of state and head of government

head of government:
President Mathieu KEREKOU (since 4 April 1996); note - the president is both the chief of state and head of government

cabinet:
Council of Ministers appointed by the president

elections:
president reelected by popular vote for a five-year term; runoff election held 22 March 2001 (next to be held NA March 2006)

election results:
Mathieu KEREKOU reelected president; percent of vote - Mathieu KEREKOU 84.1%, Bruno AMOUSSOU 15.9%

note:
the four top-ranking contenders following the first round presidential elections were: Mathieu KEREKOU (incumbent) 45.4%, Nicephore SOGOLO (former president) 27.1%, Adrien HOUNGBEDJI (National Assembly Speaker) 12.6%, and Bruno AMOUSSOU (Minister of State) 8.6%; the second round balloting, originally scheduled for 18 March, was postponed four days because both SOGOLO and HOUNGBEDJI withdrew alleging electoral fraud; this left KEREKOU to run against his own Minister of State, AMOUSSOU, in what was termed a "friendly match"
Exports - $396 million (f.o.b., 1999)
Exports - commodities - cotton, crude oil, palm products, cocoa
Exports - partners - Brazil 14%, Libya 5%, Indonesia 4%, Italy 4% (1999)
Fiscal year - calendar year
Flag description the flag of the US is used two equal horizontal bands of yellow (top) and red with a vertical green band on the hoist side
GDP - purchasing power parity - $6.6 billion (2000 est.)
GDP - composition by sector - agriculture:
37.9%

industry:
13.5%

services:
48.6% (1999)
GDP - per capita - purchasing power parity - $1,030 (2000 est.)
GDP - real growth rate - 5% (2000 est.)
Geographic coordinates 0 13 N, 176 31 W 9 30 N, 2 15 E
Geography - note treeless, sparse, and scattered vegetation consisting of grasses, prostrate vines, and low growing shrubs; primarily a nesting, roosting, and foraging habitat for seabirds, shorebirds, and marine wildlife no natural harbors
Highways - total:
6,787 km

paved:
1,357 km (including 10 km of expressways)

unpaved:
5,430 km (1997 est.)
Household income or consumption by percentage share - lowest 10%:
NA%

highest 10%:
NA%
Illicit drugs - transshipment point for narcotics associated with Nigerian trafficking organizations and most commonly destined for Western Europe and the US
Imports - $566 million (c.i.f., 1999)
Imports - commodities - foodstuffs, tobacco, petroleum products, capital goods
Imports - partners - France 38%, China 16%, UK 9%, Cote d'Ivoire 5% (1999)
Independence - 1 August 1960 (from France)
Industrial production growth rate - 6.9% (2000 est.)
Industries - textiles, cigarettes; beverages, food; construction materials, petroleum
Infant mortality rate - 89.68 deaths/1,000 live births (2001 est.)
Inflation rate (consumer prices) - 3% (2000 est.)
International organization participation - ACCT, ACP, AfDB, CCC, ECA, ECOWAS, Entente, FAO, FZ, G-77, IAEA, IBRD, ICAO, ICFTU, ICRM, IDA, IDB, IFAD, IFC, IFRCS, ILO, IMF, IMO, Intelsat, Interpol, IOC, IOM, ISO (subscriber), ITU, MIPONUH, MONUC, NAM, OAU, OIC, OPCW, UN, UNCTAD, UNESCO, UNIDO, UNMEE, UNTAET, UPU, WADB, WADB (regional), WAEMU, WCL, WFTU, WHO, WIPO, WMO, WToO, WTrO
Internet Service Providers (ISPs) - 1 (2000)
Irrigated land 0 sq km (1993) 100 sq km (1993 est.)
Judicial branch - Constitutional Court or Cour Constitutionnelle; Supreme Court or Cour Supreme; High Court of Justice
Labor force - NA
Land boundaries 0 km total:
1,989 km

border countries:
Burkina Faso 306 km, Niger 266 km, Nigeria 773 km, Togo 644 km
Land use arable land:
0%

permanent crops:
0%

permanent pastures:
0%

forests and woodland:
0%

other:
100%
arable land:
13%

permanent crops:
4%

permanent pastures:
4%

forests and woodland:
31%

other:
48% (1993 est.)
Languages - French (official), Fon and Yoruba (most common vernaculars in south), tribal languages (at least six major ones in north)
Legal system the laws of the US, where applicable, apply based on French civil law and customary law; has not accepted compulsory ICJ jurisdiction
Legislative branch - unicameral National Assembly or Assemblee Nationale (83 seats; members are elected by direct popular vote to serve four-year terms)

elections:
last held 30 March 1999 (next to be held NA March 2003)

election results:
percent of vote by party - NA%; seats by party - RB 27, PRD 11, FARD-ALAFIA 10, PSD 9, MADEP 6, E'toile 4, Alliance IPD 4, Car-DUNYA 3, MERCI 2, other 7
Life expectancy at birth - total population:
49.94 years

male:
49.02 years

female:
50.88 years (2001 est.)
Literacy - definition:
age 15 and over can read and write

total population:
37.5%

male:
52.2%

female:
23.6% (2000)
Location Oceania, atoll in the North Pacific Ocean, about one-half of the way from Hawaii to Australia Western Africa, bordering the North Atlantic Ocean, between Nigeria and Togo
Map references Oceania Africa
Maritime claims exclusive economic zone:
200 NM

territorial sea:
12 NM
territorial sea:
200 NM
Merchant marine - none (2000 est.)
Military - note defense is the responsibility of the US; visited annually by the US Coast Guard -
Military branches - Armed Forces (includes Army, Navy, Air Force), National Gendarmerie
Military expenditures - dollar figure - $27 million (FY96)
Military expenditures - percent of GDP - 1.2% (FY96)
Military manpower - availability - males age 15-49:
1,455,433

females age 15-49:
1,489,947

note:
both sexes are liable for military service (2001 est.)
Military manpower - fit for military service - males age 15-49:
743,980

females age 15-49:
755,149 (2001 est.)
Military manpower - military age - 18 years of age
Military manpower - reaching military age annually - males:
70,088

females:
73,618 (2001 est.)
National holiday - National Day, 1 August (1960)
Nationality - noun:
Beninese (singular and plural)

adjective:
Beninese
Natural hazards the narrow fringing reef surrounding the island can be a maritime hazard hot, dry, dusty harmattan wind may affect north in winter
Natural resources guano (deposits worked until 1891), terrestrial and aquatic wildlife small offshore oil deposits, limestone, marble, timber
Net migration rate - 0 migrant(s)/1,000 population (2001 est.)
Political parties and leaders - African Movement for Democracy and Progress or MADEP [Sefou FAGBOHOUN]; Alliance for Democracy and Progress or ADP [Sylvain Adekpedjou AKINDES]; Alliance of the Social Democratic Party or PSD and the National Union for Solidarity and Progress or UNSP [Bruno AMOUSSOU]; Cameleon Alliance or AC [leader NA]; Car-DUNYA [Saka SALEY]; Communist Party of Benin or PCB [Pascal FANTONDJI, first secretary]; Democratic Renewal Party or PRD [Adrien HOUNGBEDJI]; Front for Renewal and Development or FARD-ALAFIA [Jerome Sakia KINA]; Impulse for Progress and Democracy or IPD [Bertin BORNA]; Liberal Democrats' Rally for National Reconstruction-Vivoten or RDL-Vivoten [Severin ADJOVI]; Movement for Citizens' Commitment and Awakening or MERCI [Severin ADJOVI]; New Generation for the Republic or NGR [Paul DOSSOU]; Our Common Cause or NCC [Francois Odjo TANKPINON]; Party Democratique du Benin or PDB [Col. Soule DANKORO]; Rally for Democracy and Pan-Africanism or RDP [Dominique HOYMINOU, Dr. Giles Auguste MINONTIN]; Renaissance Party du Benin or RB [Nicephore SOGLO]; The Star Alliance (Alliance E'toile) [Sacca LAFIA]; Union for National Democracy and Solidarity or UDS [Adamou N'Diaye MAMA]

note:
the Coalition of Democratic Forces is an alliance of parties and organizations supporting President KEREKOU [Gatien HOUNGBEDJI]
Political pressure groups and leaders - NA
Population uninhabited

note:
American civilians evacuated in 1942 after Japanese air and naval attacks during World War II; occupied by US military during World War II, but abandoned after the war; public entry is by special-use permit from US Fish and Wildlife Service only and generally restricted to scientists and educators; a cemetery and remnants of structures from early settlement are located near the middle of the west coast; visited annually by US Fish and Wildlife Service (July 2001 est.)
6,590,782

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 and death rates, lower population and growth rates, and changes in the distribution of population by age and sex than would otherwise be expected (July 2001 est.)
Population below poverty line - 37.2% (1999 est.)
Population growth rate - 2.97% (2001 est.)
Ports and harbors none; offshore anchorage only; note - there is one small boat landing area along the middle of the west coast Cotonou, Porto-Novo
Radio broadcast stations - AM 2, FM 9, shortwave 4 (1998)
Radios - 620,000 (1997)
Railways - total:
578 km (single track)

narrow gauge:
578 km 1.000-m gauge (2000)
Religions - indigenous beliefs 50%, Christian 30%, Muslim 20%
Sex ratio - at birth:
1.03 male(s)/female

under 15 years:
1.02 male(s)/female

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

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

total population:
0.97 male(s)/female (2001 est.)
Suffrage - 18 years of age; universal
Telephone system - general assessment:
NA

domestic:
fair system of open wire, microwave radio relay, and cellular connections

international:
satellite earth station - 1 Intelsat (Atlantic Ocean); submarine cable
Telephones - main lines in use - 36,000 (1997)
Telephones - mobile cellular - 4,295 (1997)
Television broadcast stations - 2 (one privately-owned) (1997)
Terrain low, nearly level coral island surrounded by a narrow fringing reef mostly flat to undulating plain; some hills and low mountains
Total fertility rate - 6.23 children born/woman (2001 est.)
Unemployment rate - NA%
Waterways none streams navigable along small sections, important only locally
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