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Compare Benin (2001) - Puerto Rico (2001)

Compare Benin (2001) z Puerto Rico (2001)

 Benin (2001)Puerto Rico (2001)
 BeninPuerto Rico
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" none (commonwealth associated with the US); there are no first-order administrative divisions as defined by the US Government, but there are 78 municipalities (municipios, singular - municipio) at the second order; Adjuntas, Aguada, Aguadilla, Aguas Buenas, Aibonito, Anasco, Arecibo, Arroyo, Barceloneta, Barranquitas, Bayamon, Cabo Rojo, Caguas, Camuy, Canovanas, Carolina, Catano, Cayey, Ceiba, Ciales, Cidra, Coamo, Comerio, Corozal, Culebra, Dorado, Fajardo, Florida, Guanica, Guayama, Guayanilla, Guaynabo, Gurabo, Hatillo, Hormigueros, Humacao, Isabela, Jayuya, Juana Diaz, Juncos, Lajas, Lares, Las Marias, Las Piedras, Loiza, Luquillo, Manati, Maricao, Maunabo, Mayaguez, Moca, Morovis, Naguabo, Naranjito, Orocovis, Patillas, Penuelas, Ponce, Quebradillas, Rincon, Rio Grande, Sabana Grande, Salinas, San German, San Juan, San Lorenzo, San Sebastian, Santa Isabel, Toa Alta, Toa Baja, Trujillo Alto, Utuado, Vega Alta, Vega Baja, Vieques, Villalba, Yabucoa, Yauco
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:
23.73% (male 478,441; female 455,800)

15-64 years:
65.72% (male 1,242,245; female 1,345,421)

65 years and over:
10.55% (male 177,083; female 238,326) (2001 est.)
Agriculture - products corn, sorghum, cassava (tapioca), yams, beans, rice, cotton, palm oil, peanuts; poultry, livestock sugarcane, coffee, pineapples, plantains, bananas; livestock products, chickens
Airports 5 (2000 est.) 28 (2000 est.)
Airports - with paved runways total:
1

1,524 to 2,437 m:
1 (2000 est.)
total:
19

over 3,047 m:
3

1,524 to 2,437 m:
3

914 to 1,523 m:
7

under 914 m:
6 (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:
9

914 to 1,523 m:
2

under 914 m:
7 (2000 est.)
Area total:
112,620 sq km

land:
110,620 sq km

water:
2,000 sq km
total:
9,104 sq km

land:
8,959 sq km

water:
145 sq km
Area - comparative slightly smaller than Pennsylvania slightly less than three times the size of Rhode Island
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. Discovered by Columbus in 1493, the island was ceded by Spain to the US in 1898 following the Spanish-American War. A popularly elected governor has served since 1948. In plebiscites held in 1967 and 1993, voters chose to retain commonwealth status.
Birth rate 44.23 births/1,000 population (2001 est.) 15.26 births/1,000 population (2001 est.)
Budget revenues:
$299 million

expenditures:
$445 million, including capital expenditures of $14 million (1995 est.)
revenues:
$6.7 billion

expenditures:
$9.6 billion, including capital expenditures of $NA (FY99/00)
Capital Porto-Novo is the official capital; Cotonou is the seat of government San Juan
Climate tropical; hot, humid in south; semiarid in north tropical marine, mild; little seasonal temperature variation
Coastline 121 km 501 km
Constitution December 1990 ratified 3 March 1952; approved by US Congress 3 July 1952; effective 25 July 1952
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:
Commonwealth of Puerto Rico

conventional short form:
Puerto Rico
Currency Communaute Financiere Africaine franc (XOF); note - responsible authority is the Central Bank of the West African States US dollar (USD)
Death rate 14.51 deaths/1,000 population (2001 est.) 7.77 deaths/1,000 population (2001 est.)
Debt - external $1.6 billion (1998 est.) $NA
Dependency status - commonwealth associated with the US
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
none (commonwealth associated with the US)
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
none (commonwealth associated with the US)
Disputes - international none none
Economic aid - recipient $274.6 million (1997) $NA
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. Puerto Rico has one of the most dynamic economies in the Caribbean region. A diverse industrial sector has surpassed agriculture as the primary locus of economic activity and income. Encouraged by duty-free access to the US and by tax incentives, US firms have invested heavily in Puerto Rico since the 1950s. US minimum wage laws apply. Sugar production has lost out to dairy production and other livestock products as the main source of income in the agricultural sector. Tourism has traditionally been an important source of income, with estimated arrivals of nearly 5 million tourists in 1999. Prospects for 2001 are clouded by a probable slowing down in both the construction and tourist sectors and by increasing inflation, particularly in energy and food prices; estimated growth will be 2%.
Electricity - consumption 510.2 million kWh (1999) 15.587 billion 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) 16.76 billion kWh (1999)
Electricity - production by source fossil fuel:
24.78%

hydro:
75.22%

nuclear:
0%

other:
0% (1999)
fossil fuel:
98.45%

hydro:
1.55%

nuclear:
0%

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

highest point:
Mont Sokbaro 658 m
lowest point:
Caribbean Sea 0 m

highest point:
Cerro de Punta 1,338 m
Environment - current issues inadequate supplies of potable water; poaching threatens wildlife populations; deforestation; desertification erosion; occasional drought causing water shortages
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 white (mostly Spanish origin) 80.5%, black 8%, Amerindian 0.4%, Asian 0.2%, mixed and other 10.9%
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 the US dollar is used
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 George W. BUSH of the US (since 20 January 2001); Vice President Richard B. CHENEY (since 20 January 2001)

head of government:
Governor Sila M. CALDERON (since NA January 2001)

cabinet:
appointed by the governor with the consent of the legislature

elections:
US president and vice president elected on the same ticket for four-year terms; governor elected by popular vote for a four-year term; election last held 7 November 2000 (next to be held NA November 2004)

election results:
Sila M. CALDERON (PDP) elected governor; percent of vote - 48.8%
Exports $396 million (f.o.b., 1999) $38.5 billion (f.o.b., 2000)
Exports - commodities cotton, crude oil, palm products, cocoa pharmaceuticals, electronics, apparel, canned tuna, rum, beverage concentrates, medical equipment
Exports - partners Brazil 14%, Libya 5%, Indonesia 4%, Italy 4% (1999) US 88% (2000)
Fiscal year calendar year 1 July - 30 June
Flag description two equal horizontal bands of yellow (top) and red with a vertical green band on the hoist side five equal horizontal bands of red (top and bottom) alternating with white; a blue isosceles triangle based on the hoist side bears a large, white, five-pointed star in the center; design influenced by the US flag, but based on the Cuban flag
GDP purchasing power parity - $6.6 billion (2000 est.) purchasing power parity - $39 billion (2000 est.)
GDP - composition by sector agriculture:
37.9%

industry:
13.5%

services:
48.6% (1999)
agriculture:
1%

industry:
45%

services:
54% (1999 est.)
GDP - per capita purchasing power parity - $1,030 (2000 est.) purchasing power parity - $10,000 (2000 est.)
GDP - real growth rate 5% (2000 est.) 2.8% (2000 est.)
Geographic coordinates 9 30 N, 2 15 E 18 15 N, 66 30 W
Geography - note no natural harbors important location along the Mona Passage - a key shipping lane to the Panama Canal; San Juan is one of the biggest and best natural harbors in the Caribbean; many small rivers and high central mountains ensure land is well watered; south coast relatively dry; fertile coastal plain belt in north
Highways total:
6,787 km

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

unpaved:
5,430 km (1997 est.)
total:
14,400 km

paved:
14,400 km

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

highest 10%:
NA%
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) $27 billion (c.i.f., 2000)
Imports - commodities foodstuffs, tobacco, petroleum products, capital goods chemicals, machinery and equipment, clothing, food, fish, petroleum products
Imports - partners France 38%, China 16%, UK 9%, Cote d'Ivoire 5% (1999) US 60% (2000)
Independence 1 August 1960 (from France) none (commonwealth associated with the US)
Industrial production growth rate 6.9% (2000 est.) NA%
Industries textiles, cigarettes; beverages, food; construction materials, petroleum pharmaceuticals, electronics, apparel, food products; tourism
Infant mortality rate 89.68 deaths/1,000 live births (2001 est.) 9.51 deaths/1,000 live births (2001 est.)
Inflation rate (consumer prices) 3% (2000 est.) 5.7% (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 Caricom (observer), ECLAC (associate), FAO (associate), ICFTU, Interpol (subbureau), IOC, WCL, WFTU, WHO (associate)
Internet Service Providers (ISPs) 1 (2000) 76 (2000)
Irrigated land 100 sq km (1993 est.) 390 sq km (1993 est.)
Judicial branch Constitutional Court or Cour Constitutionnelle; Supreme Court or Cour Supreme; High Court of Justice Supreme Court; Superior Courts; Municipal Courts (justices for all these courts appointed by the governor with the consent of the Senate)
Labor force NA 1.3 million (2000)
Labor force - by occupation - agriculture 3%, industry 20%, services 77% (2000 est.)
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:
5%

permanent pastures:
26%

forests and woodland:
16%

other:
49% (1993 est.)
Languages French (official), Fon and Yoruba (most common vernaculars in south), tribal languages (at least six major ones in north) Spanish, English
Legal system based on French civil law and customary law; has not accepted compulsory ICJ jurisdiction based on Spanish civil code
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
bicameral Legislative Assembly consists of the Senate (28 seats; members are directly elected by popular vote to serve four-year terms) and the House of Representatives (54 seats; members are directly elected by popular vote to serve four-year terms)

elections:
Senate - last held 7 November 2000 (next to be held NA November 2004); House of Representatives - last held 7 November 2000 (next to be held NA November 2004)

election results:
Senate - percent of vote by party - NA%; seats by party - PNP 19, PPD 7, PIP 1, other 1; House of Representatives - percent of vote by party - NA%; seats by party - PNP 30, PPD 20, PIP 1, other 3

note:
Puerto Rico elects one nonvoting representative to the US House of Representatives; elections last held 7 November 2000 (next to be held NA November 2004); results - percent of vote by party - NA; seats by party - PPD 1 (Anibal ACEVEDO-VILA)
Life expectancy at birth total population:
49.94 years

male:
49.02 years

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

male:
71.28 years

female:
80.48 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:
89%

male:
90%

female:
88% (1980 est.)
Location Western Africa, bordering the North Atlantic Ocean, between Nigeria and Togo Caribbean, island between the Caribbean Sea and the North Atlantic Ocean, east of the Dominican Republic
Map references Africa Central America and the Caribbean
Maritime claims territorial sea:
200 NM
exclusive economic zone:
200 NM

territorial sea:
12 NM
Merchant marine none (2000 est.) -
Military - note - defense is the responsibility of the US
Military branches Armed Forces (includes Army, Navy, Air Force), National Gendarmerie paramilitary National Guard, Police Force
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) US Independence Day, 4 July (1776)
Nationality noun:
Beninese (singular and plural)

adjective:
Beninese
noun:
Puerto Rican(s) (US citizens)

adjective:
Puerto Rican
Natural hazards hot, dry, dusty harmattan wind may affect north in winter periodic droughts; hurricanes
Natural resources small offshore oil deposits, limestone, marble, timber some copper and nickel; potential for onshore and offshore oil
Net migration rate 0 migrant(s)/1,000 population (2001 est.) -2.13 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]
National Democratic Party [Celeste BENITEZ]; National Republican Party of Puerto Rico [Luis FERRE]; New Progressive Party or PNP [Pedro ROSSELLO]; Popular Democratic Party or PPD [Hector Luis ACEVEDO]; Puerto Rican Independence Party or PIP [Ruben BERRIOS Martinez]
Political pressure groups and leaders NA Armed Forces for National Liberation or FALN; Armed Forces of Popular Resistance; Boricua Popular Army (also known as the Macheteros); Volunteers of the Puerto Rican Revolution
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.)
3,937,316 (July 2001 est.)
Population below poverty line 37.2% (1999 est.) NA%
Population growth rate 2.97% (2001 est.) 0.54% (2001 est.)
Ports and harbors Cotonou, Porto-Novo Guanica, Guayanilla, Guayama, Playa de Ponce, San Juan
Radio broadcast stations AM 2, FM 9, shortwave 4 (1998) AM 72, FM 17, shortwave 0 (1998)
Radios 620,000 (1997) 2.7 million (1997)
Railways total:
578 km (single track)

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

narrow gauge:
96 km 1.000-m gauge, rural, narrow-gauge system for hauling sugarcane; no passenger service
Religions indigenous beliefs 50%, Christian 30%, Muslim 20% Roman Catholic 85%, Protestant and other 15%
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:
1.06 male(s)/female

under 15 years:
1.05 male(s)/female

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

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

total population:
0.93 male(s)/female (2001 est.)
Suffrage 18 years of age; universal 18 years of age; universal; indigenous inhabitants are US citizens but do not vote in US presidential elections
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:
modern system, integrated with that of the US by high-capacity submarine cable and Intelsat with high-speed data capability

domestic:
digital telephone system; cellular telephone service

international:
satellite earth station - 1 Intelsat; submarine cable to US
Telephones - main lines in use 36,000 (1997) 1.322 million (1997)
Telephones - mobile cellular 4,295 (1997) 169,265 (1996)
Television broadcast stations 2 (one privately-owned) (1997) 18 (plus three stations of the US Armed Forces Radio and Television Service) (1997)
Terrain mostly flat to undulating plain; some hills and low mountains mostly mountains, with coastal plain belt in north; mountains precipitous to sea on west coast; sandy beaches along most coastal areas
Total fertility rate 6.23 children born/woman (2001 est.) 1.9 children born/woman (2001 est.)
Unemployment rate NA% 9.5% (2000)
Waterways streams navigable along small sections, important only locally none
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