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Compare Bangladesh (2001) - Laos (2002)

Compare Bangladesh (2001) z Laos (2002)

 Bangladesh (2001)Laos (2002)
 BangladeshLaos
Administrative divisions 5 divisions; Barisal, Chittagong, Dhaka, Khulna, Rajshahi; note - there may be one additional division named Sylhet 16 provinces (khoueng, singular and plural), 1 municipality* (kampheng nakhon, singular and plural), and 1 special zone** (khetphiset, singular and plural); Attapu, Bokeo, Bolikhamxai, Champasak, Houaphan, Khammouan, Louangnamtha, Louangphabang, Oudomxai, Phongsali, Salavan, Savannakhet, Viangchan*, Viangchan, Xaignabouli, Xaisomboun**, Xekong, Xiangkhoang
Age structure 0-14 years:
35.04% (male 23,550,607; female 22,451,006)

15-64 years:
61.6% (male 41,432,123; female 39,434,633)

65 years and over:
3.36% (male 2,389,639; female 2,011,852) (2001 est.)
0-14 years: 42.5% (male 1,233,659; female 1,219,872)


15-64 years: 54.2% (male 1,543,246; female 1,591,419)


65 years and over: 3.3% (male 86,375; female 102,609) (2002 est.)
Agriculture - products rice, jute, tea, wheat, sugarcane, potatoes, tobacco, pulses, oilseeds, spices, fruit; beef, milk, poultry sweet potatoes, vegetables, corn, coffee, sugarcane, tobacco, cotton; tea, peanuts, rice; water buffalo, pigs, cattle, poultry
Airports 18 (2000 est.) 51 (2001)
Airports - with paved runways total:
15

over 3,047 m:
2

2,438 to 3,047 m:
3

1,524 to 2,437 m:
4

914 to 1,523 m:
1

under 914 m:
5 (2000 est.)
total: 9


2,438 to 3,047 m: 1


1,524 to 2,437 m: 5


914 to 1,523 m: 3 (2002)
Airports - with unpaved runways total:
3

1,524 to 2,437 m:
1

under 914 m:
2 (2000 est.)
total: 42


1,524 to 2,437 m: 1


914 to 1,523 m: 15


under 914 m: 26 (2002)
Area total:
144,000 sq km

land:
133,910 sq km

water:
10,090 sq km
total: 236,800 sq km


land: 230,800 sq km


water: 6,000 sq km
Area - comparative slightly smaller than Wisconsin slightly larger than Utah
Background Bangladesh came into existence in 1971 when Bengali East Pakistan seceded from its union with West Pakistan. About a third of this extremely poor country annually floods during the monsoon rainy season, hampering economic development. In 1975, the Communist Pathet Lao took control of the government, ending a six-century-old monarchy. Initial closer ties to Vietnam and socialization were replaced with a gradual return to private enterprise, an easing of foreign investment laws, and the admission into ASEAN in 1997.
Birth rate 25.3 births/1,000 population (2001 est.) 37.39 births/1,000 population (2002 est.)
Budget revenues:
$4.9 billion

expenditures:
$6.8 billion, including capital expenditures of $NA (FY99/00 est.)
revenues: $211 million


expenditures: $462 million, including capital expenditures of $NA (FY98/99 est.)
Capital Dhaka Vientiane
Climate tropical; mild winter (October to March); hot, humid summer (March to June); humid, warm rainy monsoon (June to October) tropical monsoon; rainy season (May to November); dry season (December to April)
Coastline 580 km 0 km (landlocked)
Constitution 4 November 1972, effective 16 December 1972, suspended following coup of 24 March 1982, restored 10 November 1986, amended many times promulgated 14 August 1991
Country name conventional long form:
People's Republic of Bangladesh

conventional short form:
Bangladesh

former:
East Pakistan
conventional long form: Lao People's Democratic Republic


conventional short form: Laos


local long form: Sathalanalat Paxathipatai Paxaxon Lao


local short form: none
Currency taka (BDT) kip (LAK)
Death rate 8.6 deaths/1,000 population (2001 est.) 12.71 deaths/1,000 population (2002 est.)
Debt - external $17 billion (2000) $2.53 billion (1999)
Diplomatic representation from the US chief of mission:
Ambassador Mary Ann PETERS

embassy:
Road 27, House 110, Banani, Dhaka

mailing address:
G. P. O. Box 323, Dhaka 1000

telephone:
[880] (2) 8824700 through 8824722

FAX:
[880] (2) 8823744
chief of mission: Ambassador Douglas A. HARTWICK


embassy: 19 Rue Bartholonie, B. P. 114, Vientiane


mailing address: American Embassy, Box V, APO AP 96546


telephone: [856] (21) 212581, 212582, 212585


FAX: [856] (21) 212584
Diplomatic representation in the US chief of mission:
Ambassador-designate A. Tariq KARIM

chancery:
3510 International Drive NW, Washington, DC 20008

telephone:
[1] (202) 244-0183

consulate(s) general:
Los Angeles and New York
chief of mission: Ambassador PHANTHONG Phommahaxay


chancery: 2222 S Street NW, Washington, DC 20008


telephone: [1] (202) 332-6416


FAX: [1] (202) 332-4923
Disputes - international a portion of the boundary with India is indefinite; exchange of 151 enclaves along border with India subject to ratification by Indian parliament; dispute with India over South Talpatty/New Moore Island demarcation of boundaries with Cambodia, Thailand, and Vietnam is nearing completion, but with Thailand, several areas including Mekong River islets, remain in dispute; ongoing disputes with Thailand and Vietnam over squatters
Economic aid - recipient $1.575 billion (2000 est.) $345 million (1999 est.)
Economy - overview Despite sustained domestic and international efforts to improve economic and demographic prospects, Bangladesh remains one of the world's poorest, most densely populated, and least developed nations. Although more than half of GDP is generated through the service sector, nearly two-thirds of Bangladeshis are employed in the agriculture sector, with rice as the single most important product. Major impediments to growth include frequent cyclones and floods, inefficient state-owned enterprises, inadequate port facilities, a rapidly growing labor force that cannot be absorbed by agriculture, delays in exploiting energy resources (natural gas), insufficient power supplies, and slow implementation of economic reforms. Reform is stalled in many instances by political infighting and corruption at all levels of government. Even so, Prime Minister Sheikh HASINA's Awami League government has made some headway improving the climate for foreign investors and liberalizing the capital markets. Progress on other economic reforms has been halting because of opposition from the bureaucracy, public sector unions, and other vested interest groups. The government of Laos - one of the few remaining official Communist states - began decentralizing control and encouraging private enterprise in 1986. The results, starting from an extremely low base, were striking - growth averaged 7% in 1988-2001 except during the short-lived drop caused by the Asian financial crisis beginning in 1997. Despite this high growth rate, Laos remains a country with a primitive infrastructure; it has no railroads, a rudimentary road system, and limited external and internal telecommunications. Electricity is available in only a few urban areas. Subsistence agriculture accounts for half of GDP and provides 80% of total employment. The economy will continue to benefit from aid from the IMF and other international sources and from new foreign investment in food-processing and mining.
Electricity - consumption 11.216 billion kWh (1999) 690.6 million kWh (2000)
Electricity - exports 0 kWh (1999) 400 million kWh (2000)
Electricity - imports 0 kWh (1999) 142 million kWh (2000)
Electricity - production 12.06 billion kWh (1999) 1.02 billion kWh (2000)
Electricity - production by source fossil fuel:
93.7%

hydro:
6.3%

nuclear:
0%

other:
0% (1999)
fossil fuel: 2%


hydro: 98%


nuclear: 0%


other: 0% (2000)
Elevation extremes lowest point:
Indian Ocean 0 m

highest point:
Keokradong 1,230 m
lowest point: Mekong River 70 m


highest point: Phou Bia 2,817 m
Environment - current issues many people are landless and forced to live on and cultivate flood-prone land; water-borne diseases prevalent in surface water; water pollution, especially of fishing areas, results from the use of commercial pesticides; ground water contaminated by naturally-occurring arsenic; intermittent water shortages because of falling water tables in the northern and central parts of the country; soil degradation and erosion; deforestation; severe overpopulation unexploded ordnance; deforestation; soil erosion; a majority of the population does not have access to potable water
Environment - international agreements party to:
Biodiversity, Climate Change, Desertification, Endangered Species, Environmental Modification, Hazardous Wastes, Nuclear Test Ban, Ozone Layer Protection, Wetlands

signed, but not ratified:
Law of the Sea
party to: Biodiversity, Climate Change, Desertification, Environmental Modification, Law of the Sea, Nuclear Test Ban, Ozone Layer Protection


signed, but not ratified: none of the selected agreements
Ethnic groups Bengali 98%, tribal groups, non-Bengali Muslims (1998) Lao Loum (lowland) 68%, Lao Theung (upland) 22%, Lao Soung (highland) including the Hmong ("Meo") and the Yao (Mien) 9%, ethnic Vietnamese/Chinese 1%
Exchange rates taka per US dollar - 54.000 (January 2001), 52.142 (2000), 49.085 (1999), 46.906 (1998), 43.892 (1997), 41.794 (1996) kips per US dollar - 9,467.00 (December 2001), 8,954.58 (2001), 7,887.64 (2000), 7,102.03 (1999), 3,298.33 (1998), 1,259.98 (1997)
Executive branch chief of state:
President Shahabuddin AHMED (since 9 October 1996); note - the president's duties are normally ceremonial, but with the 13th amendment to the constitution ("Caretaker Government Amendment"), the president's role becomes significant at times when Parliament is dissolved and a caretaker government is installed - at presidential direction - to supervise the elections

head of government:
Prime Minister Sheikh HASINA (since 13 July 1996)

cabinet:
Cabinet selected by the prime minister and appointed by the president

elections:
president elected by National Parliament for a five-year term; election last held 24 July 1996 (next to be held by NA October 2001); following legislative elections, the leader of the party that wins the most seats is usually appointed prime minister by the president

election results:
Shahabuddin AHMED elected president without opposition; percent of National Parliament vote - NA%
chief of state: President Gen. KHAMTAI Siphandon (since 26 February 1998) and Vice President Lt. Gen. CHOUMMALI Saignason (since 27 March 2001)


head of government: Prime Minister BOUNGNANG Volachit (since 27 March 2001); First Deputy Prime Minister Maj. Gen. ASANG Laoli (since NA May 2002), Deputy Prime Minister THONGLOUN Sisolit (since 27 March 2001), and Deputy Prime Minister SOMSAVAT Lengsavat (since 26 February 1998)


cabinet: Council of Ministers appointed by the president, approved by the National Assembly


elections: president elected by the National Assembly for a five-year term; election last held 24 February 2002 (next to be held NA 2007); prime minister appointed by the president with the approval of the National Assembly for a five-year term


election results: KHAMTAI Siphandon elected president; percent of National Assembly vote - NA%
Exports $5.9 billion (2000) $325 million (2001 est.)
Exports - commodities garments, jute and jute goods, leather, frozen fish and seafood wood products, garments, electricity, coffee, tin
Exports - partners US 31.2%, Germany 9.95%, UK 8.06%, France 5.82%, Italy 4.42% (1999) Thailand 20%, France 7.5%, Germany 5.9%, UK 4.1%, Belgium 4% (2000)
Fiscal year 1 July - 30 June 1 October - 30 September
Flag description green with a large red disk slightly to the hoist side of center; the red sun of freedom represents the blood shed to achieve independence; the green field symbolizes the lush countryside, and secondarily, the traditional color of Islam three horizontal bands of red (top), blue (double width), and red with a large white disk centered in the blue band
GDP purchasing power parity - $203 billion (2000 est.) purchasing power parity - $9.2 billion (2001 est.)
GDP - composition by sector agriculture:
30%

industry:
18%

services:
52% (2000 est.)
agriculture: 53%


industry: 22%


services: 25% (2000 est.)
GDP - per capita purchasing power parity - $1,570 (2000 est.) purchasing power parity - $1,630 (2001 est.)
GDP - real growth rate 5.3% (2000 est.) 5% (2001 est.)
Geographic coordinates 24 00 N, 90 00 E 18 00 N, 105 00 E
Geography - note - landlocked; most of the country is mountainous and thickly forested; the Mekong forms a large part of the western boundary with Thailand
Highways total:
201,182 km

paved:
19,112 km

unpaved:
182,070 km (1997)
total: 14,000 km


paved: 3,360 km


unpaved: 10,640 km (1991)
Household income or consumption by percentage share lowest 10%:
3.9%

highest 10%:
28.6% (1995-96 est.)
lowest 10%: 3%


highest 10%: 31% (1997)
Illicit drugs transit country for illegal drugs produced in neighboring countries world's third-largest illicit opium producer (estimated cultivation in 2002 - 23,200 hectares, a 5% increase over 2001; estimated potential production in 2002 - 180 metric tons, a 10% decrease from 2001); potential heroin producer; transshipment point for heroin and methamphetamine produced in Burma; illicit producer of cannabis; growing methamphetamine abuse problem
Imports $8.1 billion (2000) $540 million f.o.b. (2000 est.)
Imports - commodities machinery and equipment, chemicals, iron and steel, textiles, raw cotton, food, crude oil and petroleum products, cement machinery and equipment, vehicles, fuel
Imports - partners India 12.2%, Singapore 7.8%, Japan 6.7%, China 6.4%, US 5.3% (1999) Thailand 52%, Singapore 3.9%, Japan 1.6%, Hong Kong 1.5%, China 0.8% (2000)
Independence 16 December 1971 (from West Pakistan); note - 26 March 1971 is the date of independence from West Pakistan, 16 December 1971 is known as Victory Day and commemorates the official creation of the state of Bangladesh 19 July 1949 (from France)
Industrial production growth rate 6.1% (2000 est.) 7.5% (1999 est.)
Industries cotton textiles, jute, garments, tea processing, paper newsprint, cement, chemical fertilizer, light engineering, sugar tin and gypsum mining, timber, electric power, agricultural processing, construction, garments, tourism
Infant mortality rate 69.85 deaths/1,000 live births (2001 est.) 90.98 deaths/1,000 live births (2002 est.)
Inflation rate (consumer prices) 5.8% (2000 est.) 10% (2001 est.)
International organization participation AsDB, C, CCC, CP, ESCAP, FAO, G-77, IAEA, IBRD, ICAO, ICC, ICFTU, ICRM, IDA, IDB, IFAD, IFC, IFRCS, IHO (pending member), ILO, IMF, IMO, Inmarsat, Intelsat, Interpol, IOC, IOM, ISO, ITU, MINURSO, MONUC, NAM, OIC, OPCW, SAARC, UN, UN Security Council (temporary), UNCTAD, UNESCO, UNHCR, UNIDO, UNIKOM, UNMEE, UNMIBH, UNMIK, UNMOP, UNMOT, UNOMIG, UNTAET, UNU, UPU, WCL, WFTU, WHO, WIPO, WMO, WToO, WTrO ACCT, ARF, AsDB, ASEAN, CP, ESCAP, FAO, G-77, IBRD, ICAO, ICRM, IDA, IFAD, IFC, IFRCS, ILO, IMF, Interpol, IOC, ITU, NAM, OPCW, PCA, UN, UNCTAD, UNESCO, UNIDO, UPU, WFTU, WHO, WIPO, WMO, WToO, WTrO (observer)
Internet Service Providers (ISPs) 10 (2000) 1 (2000)
Irrigated land 31,000 sq km (1993 est.) 1,640 sq km


note: rainy season irrigation - 2,169 sq km; dry season irrigation - 750 sq km (1998 est.)
Judicial branch Supreme Court (the chief justices and other judges are appointed by the president) People's Supreme Court (the president of the People's Supreme Court is elected by the National Assembly on the recommendation of the National Assembly Standing Committee; the vice president of the People's Supreme Court and the judges are appointed by the National Assembly Standing Committee)
Labor force 64.1 million (1998)

note:
extensive export of labor to Saudi Arabia, Kuwait, UAE, Oman, Qatar, and Malaysia; workers' remittances estimated at $1.71 billion in 1998-99
2.4 million (1999)
Labor force - by occupation agriculture 63%, services 26%, industry 11% (FY95/96) agriculture 80% (1997 est.)
Land boundaries total:
4,246 km

border countries:
Burma 193 km, India 4,053 km
total: 5,083 km


border countries: Burma 235 km, Cambodia 541 km, China 423 km, Thailand 1,754 km, Vietnam 2,130 km
Land use arable land:
73%

permanent crops:
2%

permanent pastures:
5%

forests and woodland:
15%

other:
5% (1993 est.)
arable land: 3.47%


permanent crops: 0.23%


other: 96.3% (1998 est.)
Languages Bangla (official, also known as Bengali), English Lao (official), French, English, and various ethnic languages
Legal system based on English common law based on traditional customs, French legal norms and procedures, and Socialist practice
Legislative branch unicameral National Parliament or Jatiya Sangsad (330 seats; 300 elected by popular vote from single territorial constituencies, 30 seats reserved for women; members serve five-year terms)

elections:
last held 12 June 1996 (next to be held before 13 October 2001)

election results:
percent of vote by party - AL 33.87%, BNP 30.87%; seats by party - AL 178, BNP 113, JP 33, JI 3, other 3; note - the elections of 12 June 1996 brought to power an Awami League government for the first time in twenty-one years; held under a neutral, caretaker administration, the elections were characterized by a peaceful, orderly process and massive voter turnout, ending a bitter two-year impasse between the former BNP and opposition parties that had paralyzed National Parliament and led to widespread street violence
unicameral National Assembly (109 seats; members elected by popular vote to serve five-year terms; note - total number of seats increased from 99 to 109 for the 2002 election)


elections: last held 24 February 2002 (next to be held NA 2007)


election results: percent of vote by party - NA%; seats by party - LPRP or LPRP-approved (independent, non-party members) 109
Life expectancy at birth total population:
60.54 years

male:
60.74 years

female:
60.33 years (2001 est.)
total population: 53.88 years


male: 51.95 years


female: 55.87 years (2002 est.)
Literacy definition:
age 15 and over can read and write

total population:
56%

male:
63%

female:
49% (2000 est.)
definition: age 15 and over can read and write


total population: 57%


male: 70%


female: 44% (1999 est.)
Location Southern Asia, bordering the Bay of Bengal, between Burma and India Southeastern Asia, northeast of Thailand, west of Vietnam
Map references Asia Southeast Asia
Maritime claims contiguous zone:
18 NM

continental shelf:
up to the outer limits of the continental margin

exclusive economic zone:
200 NM

territorial sea:
12 NM
none (landlocked)
Merchant marine total:
35 ships (1,000 GRT or over) totaling 268,566 GRT/375,110 DWT

ships by type:
bulk 2, cargo 25, container 3, petroleum tanker 2, refrigerated cargo 1, roll on/roll off 2 (2000 est.)
total: 1 ship (1,000 GRT or over) totaling 2,370 GRT/3,110 DWT


ships by type: cargo 1 (2002 est.)
Military branches Army, Navy, Coast Guard, Air Force, paramilitary forces (includes Bangladesh Rifles, Bangladesh Ansars, Village Defense Parties, National Cadet Corps), Armed Police battalions Lao People's Army (LPA; including Riverine Force), Air Force, National Police Department
Military expenditures - dollar figure $559 million (FY96/97) $55 million (FY98)
Military expenditures - percent of GDP 1.8% (FY96/97) 4.2% (FY96/97)
Military manpower - availability males age 15-49:
36,005,553 (2001 est.)
males age 15-49: 1,365,027 (2002 est.)
Military manpower - fit for military service males age 15-49:
21,362,279 (2001 est.)
males age 15-49: 734,945 (2002 est.)
Military manpower - military age - 18 years of age (2002 est.)
Military manpower - reaching military age annually - males: 64,437 (2002 est.)
National holiday Independence Day, 26 March (1971); note - 26 March 1971 is the date of independence from West Pakistan, 16 December 1971 is Victory Day and commemorates the official creation of the state of Bangladesh Republic Day, 2 December (1975)
Nationality noun:
Bangladeshi(s)

adjective:
Bangladeshi
noun: Lao(s) or Laotian(s)


adjective: Lao or Laotian
Natural hazards droughts, cyclones; much of the country routinely inundated during the summer monsoon season floods, droughts
Natural resources natural gas, arable land, timber, coal timber, hydropower, gypsum, tin, gold, gemstones
Net migration rate -0.76 migrant(s)/1,000 population (2001 est.) 0 migrant(s)/1,000 population (2002 est.)
Pipelines natural gas 1,250 km petroleum products 136 km
Political parties and leaders Awami League or AL [Sheikh HASINA]; Bangladesh Communist Party or BCP [Saifuddin Ahmed MANIK]; Bangladesh Nationalist Party or BNP [Khaleda ZIAur Rahman]; Islami Oikya Jote or IOJ [Azizol HAQ]; Jamaat-E-Islami or JI [Motiur Rahman NIZAMI]; Jatiya Party or JP [Hussain Mohammad ERSHAD] Lao People's Revolutionary Party or LPRP [KHAMTAI Siphandon, party president]; other parties proscribed
Political pressure groups and leaders NA noncommunist political groups proscribed; most opposition leaders fled the country in 1975
Population 131,269,860 (July 2001 est.) 5,777,180 (July 2002 est.)
Population below poverty line 35.6% (FY95/96 est.) 40% (2001 est.)
Population growth rate 1.59% (2001 est.) 2.47% (2002 est.)
Ports and harbors Chittagong, Dhaka, Mongla Port, Narayanganj (2001) none
Radio broadcast stations AM 12, FM 12, shortwave 2 (1999) AM 12, FM 1, shortwave 4 (1998)
Radios 6.15 million (1997) 730,000 (1997)
Railways total:
2,745 km

broad gauge:
923 km 1.676-m gauge

narrow gauge:
1,822 km 1.000-m gauge (2000)
0 km (2001)
Religions Muslim 83%, Hindu 16%, other 1% (1998) Buddhist 60%, animist and other 40% (including various Christian denominations 1.5%)
Sex ratio at birth:
1.06 male(s)/female

under 15 years:
1.05 male(s)/female

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

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

total population:
1.05 male(s)/female (2001 est.)
at birth: 1.03 male(s)/female


under 15 years: 1.01 male(s)/female


15-64 years: 0.97 male(s)/female


65 years and over: 0.84 male(s)/female


total population: 0.98 male(s)/female (2002 est.)
Suffrage 18 years of age; universal 18 years of age; universal
Telephone system general assessment:
totally inadequate for a modern country

domestic:
modernizing; introducing digital systems; trunk systems include VHF and UHF microwave radio relay links, and some fiber-optic cable in cities

international:
satellite earth stations - 2 Intelsat (Indian Ocean); international radiotelephone communications and landline service to neighboring countries (2000)
general assessment: service to general public is poor but improving, with over 20,000 telephones currently in service and an additional 48,000 expected by 2001; the government relies on a radiotelephone network to communicate with remote areas


domestic: radiotelephone communications


international: satellite earth station - 1 Intersputnik (Indian Ocean region)
Telephones - main lines in use 500,000 (2000) 25,000 (1997)
Telephones - mobile cellular 283,000 (2000) 4,915 (1997)
Television broadcast stations 15 (1999) 4 (1999)
Terrain mostly flat alluvial plain; hilly in southeast mostly rugged mountains; some plains and plateaus
Total fertility rate 2.78 children born/woman (2001 est.) 5.03 children born/woman (2002 est.)
Unemployment rate 35.2% (1996) 5.7% (1997 est.)
Waterways up to 8,046 km depending on season

note:
includes 3,058 km main cargo routes
4,587 km approximately


note: primarily Mekong and tributaries; 2,897 additional km are intermittently navigable by craft drawing less than 0.5 m
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