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Compare Benin (2001) - Madagascar (2001)

Compare Benin (2001) z Madagascar (2001)

 Benin (2001)Madagascar (2001)
 BeninMadagascar
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" 6 provinces (faritany); Antananarivo, Antsiranana, Fianarantsoa, Mahajanga, Toamasina, Toliara
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.)
0-14 years:
45.02% (male 3,607,803; female 3,587,532)

15-64 years:
51.77% (male 4,093,720; female 4,180,430)

65 years and over:
3.21% (male 239,839; female 273,239) (2001 est.)
Agriculture - products corn, sorghum, cassava (tapioca), yams, beans, rice, cotton, palm oil, peanuts; poultry, livestock coffee, vanilla, sugarcane, cloves, cocoa, rice, cassava (tapioca), beans, bananas, peanuts; livestock products
Airports 5 (2000 est.) 130 (2000 est.)
Airports - with paved runways total:
1

1,524 to 2,437 m:
1 (2000 est.)
total:
29

over 3,047 m:
1

2,438 to 3,047 m:
2

1,524 to 2,437 m:
5

914 to 1,523 m:
19

under 914 m:
2 (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.)
total:
101

1,524 to 2,437 m:
2

914 to 1,523 m:
56

under 914 m:
43 (2000 est.)
Area total:
112,620 sq km

land:
110,620 sq km

water:
2,000 sq km
total:
587,040 sq km

land:
581,540 sq km

water:
5,500 sq km
Area - comparative slightly smaller than Pennsylvania slightly less than twice the size of Arizona
Background 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. Formerly an independent kingdom, Madagascar became a French colony in 1886, but regained its independence in 1960. During 1992-93, free presidential and National Assembly elections were held, ending 17 years of single-party rule. In 1997 in the second presidential race, Didier RATSIRAKA, the leader during the 1970s and 1980s, was returned to the presidency.
Birth rate 44.23 births/1,000 population (2001 est.) 42.66 births/1,000 population (2001 est.)
Budget revenues:
$299 million

expenditures:
$445 million, including capital expenditures of $14 million (1995 est.)
revenues:
$553 million

expenditures:
$735 million, including capital expenditures of $NA (1998 est.)
Capital Porto-Novo is the official capital; Cotonou is the seat of government Antananarivo
Climate tropical; hot, humid in south; semiarid in north tropical along coast, temperate inland, arid in south
Coastline 121 km 4,828 km
Constitution December 1990 19 August 1992 by national referendum
Country name conventional long form:
Republic of Benin

conventional short form:
Benin

local long form:
Republique du Benin

local short form:
Benin

former:
Dahomey
conventional long form:
Republic of Madagascar

conventional short form:
Madagascar

local long form:
Republique de Madagascar

local short form:
Madagascar

former:
Malagasy Republic
Currency Communaute Financiere Africaine franc (XOF); note - responsible authority is the Central Bank of the West African States Malagasy franc (MGF)
Death rate 14.51 deaths/1,000 population (2001 est.) 12.42 deaths/1,000 population (2001 est.)
Debt - external $1.6 billion (1998 est.) $4.4 billion (1999)
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
chief of mission:
Ambassador Shirley E. BARNES

embassy:
14-16 Rue Rainitovo, Antsahavola, Antananarivo

mailing address:
B. P. 620, Antsahavola, Antananarivo

telephone:
[261] (20) 22-212-57

FAX:
[261] (20) 22-345-39
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
chief of mission:
Ambassador Zina ANDRIANARIVELO-RAZAFY

chancery:
2374 Massachusetts Avenue NW, Washington, DC 20008

telephone:
[1] (202) 265-5525, 5526

consulate(s) general:
New York
Disputes - international none claims Bassas da India, Europa Island, Glorioso Islands, Juan de Nova Island, and Tromelin Island (all administered by France)
Economic aid - recipient $274.6 million (1997) $838 million (1997)
Economy - overview 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. Madagascar faces problems of chronic malnutrition, underfunded health and education facilities, a roughly 3% annual population growth rate, and severe loss of forest cover, accompanied by erosion. Agriculture, including fishing and forestry, is the mainstay of the economy, accounting for 30% of GDP and contributing more than 70% to export earnings. Industry features textile manufacturing and the processing of agricultural products. Growth in output in 1992-97 averaged less than the growth rate of the population. Growth has been held back by antigovernment strikes and demonstrations, a decline in world coffee prices, and the erratic commitment of the government to economic reform. The extent of government reforms, outside financial aid, and foreign investment will be key determinants of future growth. For 2001, growth should again be about 5%.
Electricity - consumption 510.2 million kWh (1999) 753.3 million kWh (1999)
Electricity - exports 0 kWh (1999) 0 kWh (1999)
Electricity - imports 300 million kWh (1999) 0 kWh (1999)
Electricity - production 226 million kWh (1999) 810 million kWh (1999)
Electricity - production by source fossil fuel:
24.78%

hydro:
75.22%

nuclear:
0%

other:
0% (1999)
fossil fuel:
37.04%

hydro:
62.96%

nuclear:
0%

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

highest point:
Mont Sokbaro 658 m
lowest point:
Indian Ocean 0 m

highest point:
Maromokotro 2,876 m
Environment - current issues inadequate supplies of potable water; poaching threatens wildlife populations; deforestation; desertification soil erosion results from deforestation and overgrazing; desertification; surface water contaminated with raw sewage and other organic wastes; several species of flora and fauna unique to the island are endangered
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
party to:
Biodiversity, Climate Change, Desertification, Endangered Species, Hazardous Wastes, Marine Life Conservation, Nuclear Test Ban, Ozone Layer Protection, Wetlands

signed, but not ratified:
Law of the Sea
Ethnic groups African 99% (42 ethnic groups, most important being Fon, Adja, Yoruba, Bariba), Europeans 5,500 Malayo-Indonesian (Merina and related Betsileo), Cotiers (mixed African, Malayo-Indonesian, and Arab ancestry - Betsimisaraka, Tsimihety, Antaisaka, Sakalava), French, Indian, Creole, Comoran
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 Malagasy francs per US dollar - 6,656.3 (November 2000), 6,283.8 (1999), 5,441.4 (1998), 5,090.9 (1997), 4,061.3 (1996)
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"
chief of state:
President Didier RATSIRAKA (since 10 February 1997)

head of government:
Prime Minister Tantely Rene Gabriot ANDRIANARIVO (since NA 1998)

cabinet:
Council of Ministers appointed by the prime minister

elections:
president elected by popular vote for a five-year term; election last held 29 December 1996 (next to be held NA November 2001); prime minister appointed by the president from a list of candidates nominated by the National Assembly

election results:
Didier RATSIRAKA elected president; percent of vote - Didier RATSIRAKA (AREMA) 50.7%, Albert ZAFY (AFFA) 49.3%
Exports $396 million (f.o.b., 1999) $538 million (f.o.b., 1998)
Exports - commodities cotton, crude oil, palm products, cocoa coffee, vanilla, shellfish, sugar; cotton cloth, chromite, petroleum products
Exports - partners Brazil 14%, Libya 5%, Indonesia 4%, Italy 4% (1999) France 41%, US 19%, Germany 13%, UK 8%, Japan 6% (1999)
Fiscal year calendar year calendar year
Flag description two equal horizontal bands of yellow (top) and red with a vertical green band on the hoist side two equal horizontal bands of red (top) and green with a vertical white band of the same width on hoist side
GDP purchasing power parity - $6.6 billion (2000 est.) purchasing power parity - $12.3 billion (2000 est.)
GDP - composition by sector agriculture:
37.9%

industry:
13.5%

services:
48.6% (1999)
agriculture:
30%

industry:
14%

services:
56% (1999 est.)
GDP - per capita purchasing power parity - $1,030 (2000 est.) purchasing power parity - $800 (2000 est.)
GDP - real growth rate 5% (2000 est.) 4.8% (2000 est.)
Geographic coordinates 9 30 N, 2 15 E 20 00 S, 47 00 E
Geography - note no natural harbors world's fourth-largest island; strategic location along Mozambique Channel
Highways total:
6,787 km

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

unpaved:
5,430 km (1997 est.)
total:
49,837 km

paved:
5,781 km

unpaved:
44,056 km (1996)
Household income or consumption by percentage share lowest 10%:
NA%

highest 10%:
NA%
lowest 10%:
1.9%

highest 10%:
36.7% (1993)
Illicit drugs transshipment point for narcotics associated with Nigerian trafficking organizations and most commonly destined for Western Europe and the US illicit producer of cannabis (cultivated and wild varieties) used mostly for domestic consumption; transshipment point for heroin
Imports $566 million (c.i.f., 1999) $693 million (f.o.b., 1998)
Imports - commodities foodstuffs, tobacco, petroleum products, capital goods intermediate manufactures, capital goods, petroleum, consumer goods, food
Imports - partners France 38%, China 16%, UK 9%, Cote d'Ivoire 5% (1999) France 34%, Hong Kong 6%, China 6%, Japan 5%, Singapore 4% (1999)
Independence 1 August 1960 (from France) 26 June 1960 (from France)
Industrial production growth rate 6.9% (2000 est.) 3% (2000 est.)
Industries textiles, cigarettes; beverages, food; construction materials, petroleum meat processing, soap, breweries, tanneries, sugar, textiles, glassware, cement, automobile assembly plant, paper, petroleum, tourism
Infant mortality rate 89.68 deaths/1,000 live births (2001 est.) 83.58 deaths/1,000 live births (2001 est.)
Inflation rate (consumer prices) 3% (2000 est.) 10% (1999 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 ACCT, ACP, AfDB, CCC, ECA, FAO, G-77, IAEA, IBRD, ICAO, ICC, ICFTU, ICRM, IDA, IFAD, IFC, IFRCS, ILO, IMF, IMO, InOC, Intelsat, Interpol, IOC, IOM (observer), ISO (correspondent), ITU, NAM, OAU, OPCW, UN, UNCTAD, UNESCO, UNHCR, UNIDO, UPU, WCL, WFTU, WHO, WIPO, WMO, WToO, WTrO
Internet Service Providers (ISPs) 1 (2000) 2 (2000)
Irrigated land 100 sq km (1993 est.) 10,870 sq km (1993 est.)
Judicial branch Constitutional Court or Cour Constitutionnelle; Supreme Court or Cour Supreme; High Court of Justice Supreme Court or Cour Supreme; High Constitutional Court or Haute Cour Constitutionnelle
Labor force NA 7 million (1999)
Land boundaries total:
1,989 km

border countries:
Burkina Faso 306 km, Niger 266 km, Nigeria 773 km, Togo 644 km
0 km
Land use arable land:
13%

permanent crops:
4%

permanent pastures:
4%

forests and woodland:
31%

other:
48% (1993 est.)
arable land:
4%

permanent crops:
1%

permanent pastures:
41%

forests and woodland:
40%

other:
14% (1993 est.)
Languages French (official), Fon and Yoruba (most common vernaculars in south), tribal languages (at least six major ones in north) French (official), Malagasy (official)
Legal system based on French civil law and customary law; has not accepted compulsory ICJ jurisdiction based on French civil law system and traditional Malagasy 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
unicameral National Assembly or Assemblee Nationale (150 seats; members are directly elected by popular vote to serve four-year terms); note - the legislature is scheduled to become a bicameral Parliament with the establishment of a Senate; two-thirds of the seats of this Senate will be filled by regional assemblies whose members will be elected by popular vote; the remaining one-third of the seats will be appointed by the president; the total number of seats will be determined by the National Assembly; all members will serve four-year terms

elections:
National Assembly - last held 17 May 1998 (next to be held NA 2002)

election results:
National Assembly - percent of vote by party - NA%; seats by party - AREMA 63, LEADER/Fanilo 16, AVI 14, RPSD 11, AFFA 6, MFM 3, AKFM/Fanavaozana 3, GRAD/Iloafo 1, Fihaonana 1, independents 32
Life expectancy at birth total population:
49.94 years

male:
49.02 years

female:
50.88 years (2001 est.)
total population:
55.35 years

male:
53.08 years

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

total population:
37.5%

male:
52.2%

female:
23.6% (2000)
definition:
age 15 and over can read and write

total population:
80%

male:
88%

female:
73% (1990 est.)
Location Western Africa, bordering the North Atlantic Ocean, between Nigeria and Togo Southern Africa, island in the Indian Ocean, east of Mozambique
Map references Africa Africa
Maritime claims territorial sea:
200 NM
contiguous zone:
24 NM

continental shelf:
200 NM or 100 NM from the 2,500-m deep isobath

exclusive economic zone:
200 NM

territorial sea:
12 NM
Merchant marine none (2000 est.) total:
13 ships (1,000 GRT or over) totaling 24,819 GRT/34,173 DWT

ships by type:
cargo 7, chemical tanker 1, liquefied gas 1, petroleum tanker 2, roll on/roll off 2 (2000 est.)
Military branches Armed Forces (includes Army, Navy, Air Force), National Gendarmerie Popular Armed Forces (includes Intervention Forces, Development Forces, Aeronaval Forces - includes Navy and Air Force), Gendarmerie, Presidential Security Regiment
Military expenditures - dollar figure $27 million (FY96) $29 million (FY94)
Military expenditures - percent of GDP 1.2% (FY96) 1% (FY94)
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.)
males age 15-49:
3,640,554 (2001 est.)
Military manpower - fit for military service males age 15-49:
743,980

females age 15-49:
755,149 (2001 est.)
males age 15-49:
2,159,767 (2001 est.)
Military manpower - military age 18 years of age 20 years of age
Military manpower - reaching military age annually males:
70,088

females:
73,618 (2001 est.)
males:
153,856 (2001 est.)
National holiday National Day, 1 August (1960) Independence Day, 26 June (1960)
Nationality noun:
Beninese (singular and plural)

adjective:
Beninese
noun:
Malagasy (singular and plural)

adjective:
Malagasy
Natural hazards hot, dry, dusty harmattan wind may affect north in winter periodic cyclones
Natural resources small offshore oil deposits, limestone, marble, timber graphite, chromite, coal, bauxite, salt, quartz, tar sands, semiprecious stones, mica, fish, hydropower
Net migration rate 0 migrant(s)/1,000 population (2001 est.) 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]
Action, Truth, Development, and Harmony or AFFA [Professor Albert ZAFY]; Association for the Rebirth of Madagascar or AREMA [leader vacant]; Congress Party for Malagasy Independence or AKFM/Fanavaozana; Economic Liberalism and Democratic Action for National Recovery or LEADER/Fanilo [Herizo RAZAFIMAHALEO]; Fihaonana Rally or Fihaonana [Guy RAZANAMASY]; Group of Reflection and Action for the Development of Madagascar or GRAD/Iloafo; Judged by Your Work or AVI [Norbert RATSIRAHONANA]; Movement for the Progress of Madagascar or MFM [Manandafy RAKOTONIRINA]; Renewal of the Social Democratic Party or RPSD [Evariste MARSON]; Tranobe (Big House) [Ny Hasina ANDRIAMANJATO]
Political pressure groups and leaders NA Federalist Movement; National Council of Christian Churches or FFKM
Population 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.)
15,982,563 (July 2001 est.)
Population below poverty line 37.2% (1999 est.) 70% (1994 est.)
Population growth rate 2.97% (2001 est.) 3.02% (2001 est.)
Ports and harbors Cotonou, Porto-Novo Antsiranana, Antsohimbondrona, Mahajanga, Toamasina, Toliara
Radio broadcast stations AM 2, FM 9, shortwave 4 (1998) AM 2 (plus 8 repeater stations), FM 7, shortwave 5 (1998)
Radios 620,000 (1997) 3.05 million (1997)
Railways total:
578 km (single track)

narrow gauge:
578 km 1.000-m gauge (2000)
total:
883 km

narrow gauge:
883 km 1.000-m gauge (1994)
Religions indigenous beliefs 50%, Christian 30%, Muslim 20% indigenous beliefs 52%, Christian 41%, Muslim 7%
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.)
at birth:
1.03 male(s)/female

under 15 years:
1.01 male(s)/female

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

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

total population:
0.99 male(s)/female (2001 est.)
Suffrage 18 years of age; universal 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
general assessment:
system is above average for the region

domestic:
open-wire lines, coaxial cables, microwave radio relay, and tropospheric scatter links

international:
submarine cable to Bahrain; satellite earth stations - 1 Intelsat (Indian Ocean) and 1 Intersputnik (Atlantic Ocean region)
Telephones - main lines in use 36,000 (1997) 43,000 (1997)
Telephones - mobile cellular 4,295 (1997) 4,000 (1997)
Television broadcast stations 2 (one privately-owned) (1997) 1 (plus 36 repeaters) (1997)
Terrain mostly flat to undulating plain; some hills and low mountains narrow coastal plain, high plateau and mountains in center
Total fertility rate 6.23 children born/woman (2001 est.) 5.8 children born/woman (2001 est.)
Unemployment rate NA% NA%
Waterways streams navigable along small sections, important only locally note:
of local importance only
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