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Compare Belize (2001) - Comoros (2002)

Compare Belize (2001) z Comoros (2002)

 Belize (2001)Comoros (2002)
 BelizeComoros
Administrative divisions 6 districts; Belize, Cayo, Corozal, Orange Walk, Stann Creek, Toledo 3 islands; Grande Comore (Njazidja), Anjouan (Nzwani), and Moheli (Mwali); note - there are also four municipalities named Domoni, Fomboni, Moroni, and Moutsamoudou
Age structure 0-14 years:
42.04% (male 54,876; female 52,780)

15-64 years:
54.43% (male 70,534; female 68,837)

65 years and over:
3.53% (male 4,403; female 4,632) (2001 est.)
0-14 years: 42.9% (male 132,013; female 131,282)


15-64 years: 54.2% (male 164,245; female 168,793)


65 years and over: 2.9% (male 8,588; female 9,461) (2002 est.)
Agriculture - products bananas, coca, citrus, sugarcane; lumber; fish, cultured shrimp vanilla, cloves, perfume essences, copra, coconuts, bananas, cassava (tapioca)
Airports 44 (2000 est.) 4 (2001)
Airports - with paved runways total:
4

1,524 to 2,437 m:
1

914 to 1,523 m:
1

under 914 m:
2 (2000 est.)
total: 4


2,438 to 3,047 m: 1


914 to 1,523 m: 3 (2002)
Airports - with unpaved runways total:
40

2,438 to 3,047 m:
1

914 to 1,523 m:
10

under 914 m:
29 (2000 est.)
-
Area total:
22,966 sq km

land:
22,806 sq km

water:
160 sq km
total: 2,170 sq km


land: 2,170 sq km


water: 0 sq km
Area - comparative slightly smaller than Massachusetts slightly more than 12 times the size of Washington, DC
Background Territorial disputes between the UK and Guatemala delayed the independence of Belize (formerly British Honduras) until 1981. Guatemala refused to recognize the new nation until 1992. Tourism has become the mainstay of the economy. The country remains plagued by high unemployment, growing involvement in the South American drug trade, and increased urban crime. Unstable Comoros has endured 19 coups or attempted coups since gaining independence from France in 1975. In 1997, the islands of Anjouan and Moheli declared their independence from Comoros. In 1999, military chief Col. AZALI seized power. He has pledged to resolve the secessionist crisis through a confederal arrangement named the 2000 Fomboni Accord. In December 2001, voters approved a new constitution and presidential elections took place in the spring of 2002.
Birth rate 31.69 births/1,000 population (2001 est.) 39.01 births/1,000 population (2002 est.)
Budget revenues:
$157 million

expenditures:
$279 million, including capital expenditures of $NA (1999 est.)
revenues: $27.6 million


expenditures: $NA, including capital expenditures of $NA (2001 est.)
Capital Belmopan Moroni
Climate tropical; very hot and humid; rainy season (May to November); dry season (February to May) tropical marine; rainy season (November to May)
Coastline 386 km 340 km
Constitution 21 September 1981 23 December 2001


note: a Transitional National Unity Government (GUNT) was formed on 20 January 2002 following the passing of the new constitution; the GUNT governed until the presidential elections on 14 April 2002
Country name conventional long form:
none

conventional short form:
Belize

former:
British Honduras
conventional long form: Union of the Comoros


conventional short form: Comoros


local long form: Union des Comores


local short form: Comores
Currency Belizean dollar (BZD) Comoran franc (KMF)
Death rate 4.7 deaths/1,000 population (2001 est.) 9.1 deaths/1,000 population (2002 est.)
Debt - external $338 million (1998) $225 million
Diplomatic representation from the US chief of mission:
Ambassador Carolyn CURIEL

embassy:
29 Gabourel Lane and Hutson Street, Belize City

mailing address:
P. O. Box 286, Unit 7401, APO AA 34025

telephone:
[501] (2) 77161

FAX:
[501] (2) 30802
the US does not have an embassy in Comoros; the ambassador to Mauritius is accredited to Comoros
Diplomatic representation in the US chief of mission:
Ambassador Lisa M. SHOMAN

chancery:
2535 Massachusetts Avenue NW, Washington, DC 20008

telephone:
[1] (202) 332-9636

FAX:
[1] (202) 332-6888

consulate(s) general:
Los Angeles
chief of mission: Ambassador-designate Ahmed DJABIR (ambassador to the US and Canada and permanent representative to the UN)


chancery: (temporary) care of the Permanent Mission of the Federal and Islamic Republic of the Comoros to the United Nations, 420 East 50th Street, New York, NY 10022


telephone: [1] (212) 972-8010 and 223-2711


FAX: [1] (212) 983-4712 and 715-0699
Disputes - international Guatemala periodically asserts claims to territory in southern Belize; to deter cross-border squatting, both states in 2000 agreed to a "line of adjacency" based on the de facto boundary, which is not recognized by Guatemala claims French-administered Mayotte; the island of Anjouan (Nzwani) has moved to secede from Comoros again after recent military coup
Economic aid - recipient $NA $10 million (2001 est.)
Economy - overview The small, essentially private enterprise economy is based primarily on agriculture, agro-based industry, and merchandising, with tourism and construction assuming greater importance. Sugar, the chief crop, accounts for nearly half of exports, while the banana industry is the country's largest employer. The government's tough austerity program in 1997 resulted in an economic slowdown that continued in 1998. The trade deficit has been growing, mostly as a result of low export prices for sugar and bananas. The tourist and construction sectors strengthened in early 1999, supporting growth of 6% in 1999 and 4% in 2000. Aided by international donors, the government's key short-term objective remains the reduction of poverty. One of the world's poorest countries, Comoros is made up of three islands that have inadequate transportation links, a young and rapidly increasing population, and few natural resources. The low educational level of the labor force contributes to a subsistence level of economic activity, high unemployment, and a heavy dependence on foreign grants and technical assistance. Agriculture, including fishing, hunting, and forestry, contributes 40% to GDP, employs 80% of the labor force, and provides most of the exports. The country is not self-sufficient in food production; rice, the main staple, accounts for the bulk of imports. The government is struggling to upgrade education and technical training, to privatize commercial and industrial enterprises, to improve health services, to diversify exports, to promote tourism, and to reduce the high population growth rate. Increased foreign support is essential if the goal of 4% annual GDP growth is to be met. Remittances from 150,000 Comorans abroad help supplement GDP.
Electricity - consumption 172.1 million kWh (1999) 17.67 million kWh (2000)
Electricity - exports 0 kWh (1999) 0 kWh (2000)
Electricity - imports 0 kWh (1999) 0 kWh (2000)
Electricity - production 185 million kWh (1999) 19 million kWh (2000)
Electricity - production by source fossil fuel:
56.76%

hydro:
43.24%

nuclear:
0%

other:
0% (1999)
fossil fuel: 89%


hydro: 11%


nuclear: 0%


other: 0% (2000)
Elevation extremes lowest point:
Caribbean Sea 0 m

highest point:
Victoria Peak 1,160 m
lowest point: Indian Ocean 0 m


highest point: Le Kartala 2,360 m
Environment - current issues deforestation; water pollution from sewage, industrial effluents, agricultural runoff; solid waste disposal soil degradation and erosion results from crop cultivation on slopes without proper terracing; deforestation
Environment - international agreements party to:
Biodiversity, Climate Change, Desertification, Endangered Species, Hazardous Wastes, Law of the Sea, Ozone Layer Protection, Ship Pollution, Wetlands

signed, but not ratified:
none of the selected agreements
party to: Biodiversity, Climate Change, Desertification, Endangered Species, Hazardous Wastes, Law of the Sea, Ozone Layer Protection, Ship Pollution, Wetlands


signed, but not ratified: none of the selected agreements
Ethnic groups mestizo 43.7%, Creole 29.8%, Maya 10%, Garifuna 6.2%, other 10.3% Antalote, Cafre, Makoa, Oimatsaha, Sakalava
Exchange rates Belizean dollars per US dollar - 2.0000 (fixed rate pegged to the US dollar) Comoran francs per US dollar - 557.09 (January 2002), 549.78 (2001), 533.98 (2000), 461.77 (1999), 442.46 (1998), 437.75 (1997)


note: prior to January 1999, the official rate was pegged to the French franc at 75 Comoran francs per French franc; since 1 January 1999, the Comoran franc is pegged to the euro at a rate of 491.9677 Comoran francs per euro
Executive branch chief of state:
Queen ELIZABETH II (since 6 February 1952), represented by Governor General Sir Colville YOUNG (since 17 November 1993)

head of government:
Prime Minister Said MUSA (since 27 August 1998); Deputy Prime Minister John BRICENO (since 1 September 1998)

cabinet:
Cabinet appointed by the governor general on the advice of the prime minister

elections:
none; the monarch is hereditary; governor general appointed by the monarch; governor general appoints the member of the House of Representatives who is leader of the majority party to be prime minister
chief of state: President AZALI Assoumani (since 26 May 2002); note - AZALI Assoumani became president on 6 May 1999 after a bloodless coup on 30 April 1999; on 16 January 2002, President AZALI resigned his position to run in the 14 April 2002 presidential elections; during that time, Prime Minister Hamada Madi BOLERO served as interim president; AZALI Assoumani sworn in as president on 26 May 2002


head of government: Prime Minister Hamada Madi BOLERO (since NA November 2000); note - on 16 January 2002, President AZALI resigned his position to run in the 14 April 2002 presidential elections; Prime Minister Hamada Madi BOLERO was appointed interim president and Djaffar SALIM interim deputy prime minister


cabinet: Council of Ministers appointed by the president


elections: president elected by popular vote for a five-year term; election last held 14 April 2002 (next to be held NA April 2007); prime minister appointed by the president


election results: President AZALI Assoumani elected president with 75% of the vote
Exports $235.7 million (f.o.b., 2000 est.) $35.3 million f.o.b. (2001 est.)
Exports - commodities sugar, bananas, citrus, clothing, fish products, molasses, wood vanilla, ylang-ylang, cloves, perfume oil, copra
Exports - partners US 42%, UK 33%, EU 12%, Caricom 4.8%, Canada 2%, Mexico 1% (1999) France 46%, US 18%, Singapore 18%, Germany 9% (1999)
Fiscal year 1 April - 31 March calendar year
Flag description blue with a narrow red stripe along the top and the bottom edges; centered is a large white disk bearing the coat of arms; the coat of arms features a shield flanked by two workers in front of a mahogany tree with the related motto SUB UMBRA FLOREO (I Flourish in the Shade) on a scroll at the bottom, all encircled by a green garland four equal horizontal bands of yellow (top), white, red, and blue with a green isosceles triangle based on the hoist; centered within the triangle is a white crescent with the convex side facing the hoist and four white, five-pointed stars placed vertically in a line between the points of the crescent; the horizontal bands and the four stars represent the four main islands of the archipelago - Mwali, Njazidja, Nzwani, and Mayotte (a territorial collectivity of France, but claimed by Comoros); the crescent, stars, and color green are traditional symbols of Islam
GDP purchasing power parity - $790 million (2000 est.) purchasing power parity - $424 million (2001 est.)
GDP - composition by sector agriculture:
18%

industry:
24%

services:
58% (2000 est.)
agriculture: 40%


industry: 4%


services: 56% (2001 est.)
GDP - per capita purchasing power parity - $3,200 (2000 est.) purchasing power parity - $710 (2001 est.)
GDP - real growth rate 4% (2000 est.) 1% (2001 est.)
Geographic coordinates 17 15 N, 88 45 W 12 10 S, 44 15 E
Geography - note only country in Central America without a coastline on the North Pacific Ocean important location at northern end of Mozambique Channel
Highways total:
2,872 km

paved:
488 km

unpaved:
2,384 km (1998 est.)
total: 880 km


paved: 673 km


unpaved: 207 km (1996)
Household income or consumption by percentage share lowest 10%:
NA%

highest 10%:
NA%
lowest 10%: NA%


highest 10%: NA%
Illicit drugs minor transshipment point for cocaine; small-scale illicit producer of cannabis for the international drug trade; minor money-laundering center -
Imports $413 million (c.i.f., 2000 est.) $44.9 million f.o.b. (2001 est.)
Imports - commodities machinery and transportation equipment, manufactured goods; food, beverages, tobacco; fuels, chemicals, pharmaceuticals rice and other foodstuffs, consumer goods; petroleum products, cement, transport equipment
Imports - partners US 58%, Mexico 12%, UK 5% EU 5%, Central America 5%, Caricom 4% (1998) France 34%, South Africa 14%, Kenya 7%, Pakistan 4% (1999)
Independence 21 September 1981 (from UK) 6 July 1975 (from France)
Industrial production growth rate 4.6% (1999) -2% (1999 est.)
Industries garment production, food processing, tourism, construction tourism, perfume distillation
Infant mortality rate 25.14 deaths/1,000 live births (2001 est.) 81.79 deaths/1,000 live births (2002 est.)
Inflation rate (consumer prices) 2% (2000 est.) 3.5% (2001 est.)
International organization participation ACP, C, Caricom, CDB, ECLAC, FAO, G-77, IADB, IBRD, ICAO, ICFTU, ICRM, IDA, IFAD, IFC, IFRCS, ILO, IMF, IMO, Intelsat (nonsignatory user), Interpol, IOC, IOM, ITU, LAES, NAM, OAS, OPANAL, UN, UNCTAD, UNESCO, UNIDO, UPU, WCL, WHO, WIPO, WMO, WTrO ACCT, ACP, AfDB, AFESD, AL, CCC, ECA, FAO, FZ, G-77, IBRD, ICAO, ICRM, IDA, IDB, IFAD, IFC, IFRCS (associate), ILO, IMF, IMO, InOC, Interpol, IOC, ISO (subscriber), ITU, NAM, OAU, OIC, OPCW (signatory), UN, UNCTAD, UNESCO, UNIDO, UPU, WHO, WMO, WTrO (applicant)
Internet Service Providers (ISPs) 2 (2000) 1 (2000)
Irrigated land 20 sq km (1993 est.) NA sq km
Judicial branch Supreme Court (the chief justice is appointed by the governor general on the advice of the prime minister) Supreme Court or Cour Supremes (two members appointed by the president, two members elected by the Federal Assembly, one elected by the Council of each island, and others are former presidents of the republic)
Labor force 71,000

note:
shortage of skilled labor and all types of technical personnel (1997 est.)
144,500 (1996 est.)
Labor force - by occupation agriculture 38%, industry 32%, services 30% (1994) agriculture 80%
Land boundaries total:
516 km

border countries:
Guatemala 266 km, Mexico 250 km
0 km
Land use arable land:
10%

permanent crops:
1%

permanent pastures:
2%

forests and woodland:
84%

other:
3% (2000 est.)
arable land: 34.98%


permanent crops: 17.94%


other: 47.08% (1998 est.)
Languages English (official), Spanish, Mayan, Garifuna (Carib), Creole Arabic (official), French (official), Shikomoro (a blend of Swahili and Arabic)
Legal system English law French and Muslim law in a new consolidated code
Legislative branch bicameral National Assembly consists of the Senate (eight members, five appointed on the advice of the prime minister, two on the advice of the leader of the opposition, and one by the governor general; members are appointed for five-year terms); and the House of Representatives (29 seats; members are elected by direct popular vote to serve five-year terms)

elections:
House of Representatives - last held 27 August 1998 (next to be held by NA August 2003)

election results:
percent of vote by party - PUP 59.2%, UDP 40.8%; seats by party - PUP 26, UDP 3
bicameral legislature consists of the Senate (15 seats - five from each island); members selected by regional councils for six-year terms) and a Federal Assembly or Assemblee Federale (42 seats; members elected by popular vote to serve five-year terms); note - the Federal Assembly was dissolved following the coup of 30 April 1999


elections: Federal Assembly - last held 1 and 8 December 1996 (next to be held NA April 2003)


election results: Federal Assembly - percent of vote by party - NA%; seats by party - RND 39, FNJ 3, independent 1


note: the constitution stipulates that only parties that win six seats in the Federal Assembly (two from each island) are permitted to be in the opposition, but if no party accomplishes that, the second most successful party will be in the opposition; in the elections of December 1996 the FNJ appeared to qualify as opposition
Life expectancy at birth total population:
71.19 years

male:
68.91 years

female:
73.57 years (2001 est.)
total population: 60.79 years


male: 58.56 years


female: 63.09 years (2002 est.)
Literacy definition:
age 15 and over can read and write

total population:
70.3%

male:
70.3%

female:
70.3% (1991 est.)

note:
other sources list the literacy rate as high as 75%
definition: age 15 and over can read and write


total population: 57.3%


male: 64.2%


female: 50.4% (1995 est.)
Location Middle America, bordering the Caribbean Sea, between Guatemala and Mexico Southern Africa, group of islands in the Mozambique Channel, about two-thirds of the way between northern Madagascar and northern Mozambique
Map references Central America and the Caribbean Africa
Maritime claims exclusive economic zone:
200 NM

territorial sea:
12 NM in the north, 3 NM in the south; note - from the mouth of the Sarstoon River to Ranguana Cay, Belize's territorial sea is 3 NM; according to Belize's Maritime Areas Act, 1992, the purpose of this limitation is to provide a framework for the negotiation of a definitive agreement on territorial differences with Guatemala
exclusive economic zone: 200 NM


territorial sea: 12 NM
Merchant marine total:
402 ships (1,000 GRT or over) totaling 1,575,851 GRT/2,241,731 DWT

ships by type:
bulk 27, cargo 265, chemical tanker 6, combination ore/oil 1, container 14, passenger 1, passenger/cargo 2, petroleum tanker 56, refrigerated cargo 18, roll on/roll off 7, short-sea passenger 1, specialized tanker 1, vehicle carrier 3

note:
includes some foreign-owned ships registered here as a flag of convenience: Cuba 1, Singapore 1, US 1 (2000 est.)
total: 6 ships (1,000 GRT or over) totaling 139,779 GRT/205,369 DWT


ships by type: cargo 6


note: includes some foreign-owned ships registered here as a flag of convenience: Malta 1, Pakistan 1, Turkey 1 (2002 est.)
Military branches Belize Defense Force (includes Army, Maritime Wing, Air Wing, and Volunteer Guard) Comoran Security Force
Military expenditures - dollar figure $17 million (FY98/99) $6 million (FY01)
Military expenditures - percent of GDP 2.4% (FY98/99) 3% (FY01)
Military manpower - availability males age 15-49:
62,698 (2001 est.)
males age 15-49: 145,509 (2002 est.)
Military manpower - fit for military service males age 15-49:
37,174 (2001 est.)
males age 15-49: 86,455 (2002 est.)
Military manpower - military age 18 years of age -
Military manpower - reaching military age annually males:
2,847 (2001 est.)
-
National holiday Independence Day, 21 September (1981) Independence Day, 6 July (1975)
Nationality noun:
Belizean(s)

adjective:
Belizean
noun: Comoran(s)


adjective: Comoran
Natural hazards frequent, devastating hurricanes (September to December) and coastal flooding (especially in south) cyclones possible during rainy season (December to April); Le Kartala on Grand Comore is an active volcano
Natural resources arable land potential, timber, fish, hydropower NEGL
Net migration rate 0 migrant(s)/1,000 population (2001 est.) NEGL migrant(s)/1,000 population (2002 est.)
Political parties and leaders People's United Party or PUP [Said MUSA]; United Democratic Party or UDP [Manuel ESQUIVEL, Dean BARROW, Doug SINGH] Front National pour la Justice or FNJ (Islamic party in opposition) [Ahmed Abdallah MOHAMED, Ahmed ABOUBACAR, Soidiki M'BAPANOZA]; Rassemblement National pour le Development or RND (party of the government) [Ali Bazi SELIM]
Political pressure groups and leaders Society for the Promotion of Education and Research or SPEAR [Diane HAYLOCK]; United Worker's Front NA
Population 256,062 (July 2001 est.) 614,382 (July 2002 est.)
Population below poverty line 33% (1999 est.) 60% (2001 est.)
Population growth rate 2.7% (2001 est.) 2.99% (2002 est.)
Ports and harbors Belize City, Big Creek, Corozol, Punta Gorda Fomboni, Moroni, Moutsamoudou
Radio broadcast stations AM 1, FM 12, shortwave 0 (1998) AM 1, FM 4, shortwave 1 (2001)
Radios 133,000 (1997) 90,000 (1997)
Railways 0 km 0 km
Religions Roman Catholic 62%, Protestant 30% (Anglican 12%, Methodist 6%, Mennonite 4%, Seventh-Day Adventist 3%, Pentecostal 2%, Jehovah's Witnesses 1%, other 2%), none 2%, other 6% (1980) Sunni Muslim 98%, Roman Catholic 2%
Sex ratio at birth:
1.05 male(s)/female

under 15 years:
1.04 male(s)/female

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

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

total population:
1.03 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: 0.91 male(s)/female


total population: 0.99 male(s)/female (2002 est.)
Suffrage 18 years of age; universal 18 years of age; universal
Telephone system general assessment:
above-average system

domestic:
trunk network depends primarily on microwave radio relay

international:
satellite earth station - 1 Intelsat (Atlantic Ocean)
general assessment: sparse system of microwave radio relay and HF radiotelephone communication stations


domestic: HF radiotelephone communications and microwave radio relay


international: HF radiotelephone communications to Madagascar and Reunion
Telephones - main lines in use 31,000 (1997) 7,000 (2000)
Telephones - mobile cellular 3,023 (1997) NA
Television broadcast stations 2 (1997) NA
Terrain flat, swampy coastal plain; low mountains in south volcanic islands, interiors vary from steep mountains to low hills
Total fertility rate 4.05 children born/woman (2001 est.) 5.26 children born/woman (2002 est.)
Unemployment rate 12.8% (1999) 20% (1996 est.)
Waterways 825 km (river network used by shallow-draft craft; seasonally navigable) none
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