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Compare Brunei (2003) - Latvia (2002)

Compare Brunei (2003) z Latvia (2002)

 Brunei (2003)Latvia (2002)
 BruneiLatvia
Administrative divisions 4 districts (daerah-daerah, singular - daerah); Belait, Brunei and Muara, Temburong, Tutong 26 counties (singular - rajons) and 7 municipalities*: Aizkraukles Rajons, Aluksnes Rajons, Balvu Rajons, Bauskas Rajons, Cesu Rajons, Daugavpils*, Daugavpils Rajons, Dobeles Rajons, Gulbenes Rajons, Jekabpils Rajons, Jelgava*, Jelgavas Rajons, Jurmala*, Kraslavas Rajons, Kuldigas Rajons, Liepaja*, Liepajas Rajons, Limbazu Rajons, Ludzas Rajons, Madonas Rajons, Ogres Rajons, Preilu Rajons, Rezekne*, Rezeknes Rajons, Riga*, Rigas Rajons, Saldus Rajons, Talsu Rajons, Tukuma Rajons, Valkas Rajons, Valmieras Rajons, Ventspils*, Ventspils Rajons
Age structure 0-14 years: 29.6% (male 54,118; female 51,902)


15-64 years: 67.6% (male 128,421; female 113,480)


65 years and over: 2.8% (male 4,804; female 5,373) (2003 est.)
0-14 years: 15.8% (male 191,116; female 182,692)


15-64 years: 68.6% (male 775,481; female 847,261)


65 years and over: 15.6% (male 120,304; female 249,661) (2002 est.)
Agriculture - products rice, vegetables, fruits, chickens, water buffalo grain, sugar beets, potatoes, vegetables; beef, pork, milk, eggs; fish
Airports 2 (2002) 25 (2001)
Airports - with paved runways total: 1


over 3,047 m: 1 (2002)
total: 13


2,438 to 3,047 m: 7


1,524 to 2,437 m: 1


914 to 1,523 m: 1


under 914 m: 4 (2002)
Airports - with unpaved runways total: 1


914 to 1,523 m: 1 (2002)
total: 12


2,438 to 3,047 m: 1


1,524 to 2,437 m: 2


914 to 1,523 m: 2


under 914 m: 7 (2002)
Area total: 5,770 sq km


land: 5,270 sq km


water: 500 sq km
total: 64,589 sq km


land: 63,589 sq km


water: 1,000 sq km
Area - comparative slightly smaller than Delaware slightly larger than West Virginia
Background The Sultanate of Brunei's influence peaked between the 15th and 17th centuries when its control extended over coastal areas of northwest Borneo and the southern Philippines. Brunei subsequently entered a period of decline brought on by internal strife over royal succession, colonial expansion of European powers, and piracy. In 1888, Brunei became a British protectorate; independence was achieved in 1984. The same family has ruled Brunei for over six centuries. Brunei benefits from extensive petroleum and natural gas fields, the source of one of the highest per capita GDPs in the developing world. After a brief period of independence between the two World Wars, Latvia was annexed by the USSR in 1940. It reestablished its independence in 1991 following the breakup of the Soviet Union. Although the last Russian troops left in 1994, the status of the Russian minority (some 30% of the population) remains of concern to Moscow. Latvia continues to revamp its economy for eventual integration into various Western European political and economic institutions.
Birth rate 19.68 births/1,000 population (2003 est.) 8.27 births/1,000 population (2002 est.)
Budget revenues: $2.5 billion


expenditures: $2.6 billion, including capital expenditures of $1.35 billion (1997 est.)
revenues: $2.4 billion


expenditures: $2.6 billion, including capital expenditures of $NA (2002 est.)
Capital Bandar Seri Begawan Riga
Climate tropical; hot, humid, rainy maritime; wet, moderate winters
Coastline 161 km 531 km
Constitution 29 September 1959 (some provisions suspended under a State of Emergency since December 1962, others since independence on 1 January 1984) the 1991 Constitutional Law which supplements the 1922 constitution, provides for basic rights and freedoms
Country name conventional long form: Negara Brunei Darussalam


conventional short form: Brunei
conventional long form: Republic of Latvia


conventional short form: Latvia


local long form: Latvijas Republika


local short form: Latvija


former: Latvian Soviet Socialist Republic
Currency Bruneian dollar (BND) Latvian lat (LVL)
Death rate 3.39 deaths/1,000 population (2003 est.) 14.74 deaths/1,000 population (2002 est.)
Debt - external $0 $3.4 billion (2000 est.)
Diplomatic representation from the US chief of mission: Ambassador Gene B. CHRISTY


embassy: Third Floor, Teck Guan Plaza, Jalan Sultan, Bandar Seri Begawan


mailing address: PSC 470 (BSB), FPO AP 96507


telephone: [673] (2) 229670


FAX: [673] (2) 225293
chief of mission: Ambassador Brian E. CARLSON


embassy: 7 Raina Boulevard, Riga LV-1510


mailing address: American Embassy Riga, PSC 78, Box Riga, APO AE 09723


telephone: [371] 703-6200


FAX: [371] 781-4088
Diplomatic representation in the US chief of mission: Ambassador Anak Dato Haji PUTEH


chancery: 3520 International Court NW, Washington, DC 20008


telephone: [1] (202) 237-1838


FAX: [1] (202) 885-0560
chief of mission: Ambassador Aivis RONIS


chancery: 4325 17th Street NW, Washington, DC 20011


telephone: [1] (202) 726-8213, 8214


FAX: [1] (202) 726-6785
Disputes - international Involved in dispute over the Spratly Islands with China, Malaysia, Philippines, Taiwan, and Vietnam; Brunei established an exclusive economic fishing zone encompassing Louisa Reef in southern Spratly Islands in 1984 but makes no public territorial claim to the offshore reefs; claimants in November 2002 signed the "Declaration on the Conduct of Parties in the South China Sea", a mechanism to ease tension but which fell short of a legally binding "code of conduct" the Russian Duma refuses to ratify boundary delimitation treaty with Latvia; the Latvian Parliament has not ratified its 1998 maritime boundary treaty with Lithuania, primarily due to concerns over oil exploration rights
Economic aid - recipient $4.3 million (1995) $96.2 million (1995)
Economy - overview This small, wealthy economy encompasses a mixture of foreign and domestic entrepreneurship, government regulation, welfare measures, and village tradition. Crude oil and natural gas production account for nearly half of GDP. Per capita GDP is far above most other Third World countries, and substantial income from overseas investment supplements income from domestic production. The government provides for all medical services and subsidizes rice and housing. Brunei's leaders are concerned that steadily increased integration in the world economy will undermine internal social cohesion, although it became a more prominent player by serving as chairman for the 2000 APEC (Asian Pacific Economic Cooperation) forum. Plans for the future include upgrading the labor force, reducing unemployment, strengthening the banking and tourist sectors, and, in general, further widening the economic base beyond oil and gas. Latvia's transitional economy recovered from the 1998 Russian financial crisis, largely due to the SKELE government's budget stringency and a gradual reorientation of exports toward EU countries, lessening Latvia's trade dependency on Russia. The majority of companies, banks, and real estate have been privatized. Latvia officially joined the World Trade Organization in February 1999. Preparing for EU membership over the next few years continues as a top foreign policy goal. The high current account and internal government deficits remain major concerns.
Electricity - consumption 2.322 billion kWh (2001) 5.16 billion kWh (2000)
Electricity - exports 0 kWh (2001) 500 million kWh (2000)
Electricity - imports 0 kWh (2001) 2.59 billion kWh (2000)
Electricity - production 2.497 billion kWh (2001) 3.301 billion kWh (2000)
Electricity - production by source fossil fuel: 100%


hydro: 0%


nuclear: 0%


other: 0% (2001)
fossil fuel: 33%


hydro: 67%


nuclear: 0%


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


highest point: Bukit Pagon 1,850 m
lowest point: Baltic Sea 0 m


highest point: Gaizinkalns 312 m
Environment - current issues seasonal smoke/haze resulting from forest fires in Indonesia Latvia's environment has benefited from a shift to service industries after the country regained independence; the main environmental priorities are improvement of drinking water quality and sewage system, household and hazardous waste management, and reduction of air pollution; in 2001, Latvia closed the EU accession negotiation chapter on environment committing to full enforcement of EU environmental directives by 2010
Environment - international agreements party to: Endangered Species, Law of the Sea, Ozone Layer Protection, Ship Pollution


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


signed, but not ratified: Air Pollution-Persistent Organic Pollutants, Climate Change-Kyoto Protocol
Ethnic groups Malay 67%, Chinese 15%, indigenous 6%, other 12% Latvian 57.7%, Russian 29.6%, Belarusian 4.1%, Ukrainian 2.7%, Polish 2.5%, Lithuanian 1.4%, other 2%
Exchange rates Bruneian dollars per US dollar - 1.79 (2002), 1.79 (2001), 1.72 (2000), 1.69 (1999), 1.67 (1998) lati per US dollar - 0.6384 (January 2002), 0.628 (2001), 0.607 (2000), 0.585 (1999), 0.590 (1998), 0.581 (1997)
Executive branch chief of state: Sultan and Prime Minister Sir HASSANAL Bolkiah (since 5 October 1967); note - the monarch is both the chief of state and head of government


head of government: Sultan and Prime Minister Sir HASSANAL Bolkiah (since 5 October 1967); note - the monarch is both the chief of state and head of government


cabinet: Council of Cabinet Ministers appointed and presided over by the monarch; deals with executive matters; note - there is also a Religious Council (members appointed by the monarch) that advises on religious matters, a Privy Council (members appointed by the monarch) that deals with constitutional matters, and the Council of Succession (members appointed by the monarch) that determines the succession to the throne if the need arises


elections: none; the monarch is hereditary
chief of state: President Vaira VIKE-FREIBERGA (since 8 July 1999)


head of government: Prime Minister Einars REPSE (since 7 November 2002)


cabinet: Council of Ministers nominated by the prime minister and appointed by the Parliament


elections: president elected by Parliament for a four-year term; election last held 17 June 1999 (next to be held by June 2003); prime minister appointed by the president


election results: Vaira VIKE-FREIBERGA elected as a compromise candidate in second phase of balloting, second round (after five rounds in first phase failed to produce a clear winner); percent of parliamentary vote - Vaira VIKE-FREIBERGA 53%, Valdis BIRKAVS 20%, Ingrida UDRE 9%
Exports NA (2001) $2.3 billion f.o.b. (2002)
Exports - commodities crude oil, natural gas, refined products wood and wood products, machinery and equipment, metals, textiles, foodstuffs
Exports - partners Japan 40.3%, South Korea 12.3%, Thailand 12.1%, Australia 9.2%, US 8.1%, China 6.4%, Singapore 5.7% (2002) Germany 17%, UK 16%, Sweden 10%, Lithuania 8%, Russia 6% (2001 est.)
Fiscal year calendar year calendar year
Flag description yellow with two diagonal bands of white (top, almost double width) and black starting from the upper hoist side; the national emblem in red is superimposed at the center; the emblem includes a swallow-tailed flag on top of a winged column within an upturned crescent above a scroll and flanked by two upraised hands three horizontal bands of maroon (top), white (half-width), and maroon
GDP purchasing power parity - $6.5 billion (2002 est.) purchasing power parity - $20 billion (2002 est.)
GDP - composition by sector agriculture: 5%


industry: 45%


services: 50% (2001 est.)
agriculture: 5%


industry: 26%


services: 70% (2001)
GDP - per capita purchasing power parity - $18,600 (2002 est.) purchasing power parity - $8,300 (2002 est.)
GDP - real growth rate 3% (2002 est.) 4.5% (2002 est.)
Geographic coordinates 4 30 N, 114 40 E 57 00 N, 25 00 E
Geography - note close to vital sea lanes through South China Sea linking Indian and Pacific Oceans; two parts physically separated by Malaysia; almost an enclave of Malaysia most of the country is composed of fertile, low-lying plains, with some hills in the east
Heliports 3 (2002) -
Highways total: 2,525 km


paved: 2,525 km


unpaved: 0 km (2000)
total: 59,178 km


paved: 22,843 km


unpaved: 36,335 km (1998 est.)
Household income or consumption by percentage share lowest 10%: NA%


highest 10%: NA%
lowest 10%: 3%


highest 10%: 26% (1998) (1998)
Illicit drugs drug trafficking and illegally importing controlled substances are serious offenses in Brunei and carry a mandatory death penalty transshipment point for opiates and cannabis from Central and Southwest Asia to Western Europe and Scandinavia and Latin American cocaine and some synthetics from Western Europe to CIS; money laundering remains a concern
Imports NA (2001) $3.9 billion f.o.b. (2002)
Imports - commodities machinery and transport equipment, manufactured goods, food, chemicals machinery and equipment, chemicals, fuels, vehicles
Imports - partners Singapore 30.6%, Japan 21.5%, Malaysia 17.4%, UK 6.1%, Hong Kong 4% (2002) Germany 17%, Russia 9%, Lithuania 8%, Finland 8%, Sweden 7% (2001 est.)
Independence 1 January 1984 (from UK) 21 August 1991 (from Soviet Union)
Industrial production growth rate 5% (2002 est.) 5.7% (2002 est.)
Industries petroleum, petroleum refining, liquefied natural gas, construction buses, vans, street and railroad cars, synthetic fibers, agricultural machinery, fertilizers, washing machines, radios, electronics, pharmaceuticals, processed foods, textiles; note - dependent on imports for energy and raw materials
Infant mortality rate total: 13.5 deaths/1,000 live births


male: 17.09 deaths/1,000 live births


female: 9.71 deaths/1,000 live births (2003 est.)
14.96 deaths/1,000 live births (2002 est.)
Inflation rate (consumer prices) -2% (2002 est.) 2% (2002 est.)
International organization participation APEC, ARF, ASEAN, C, ESCAP, G-77, IBRD, ICAO, ICRM, IDB, IFRCS, IMF, IMO, Interpol, IOC, ISO (correspondent), ITU, NAM, OIC, OPCW, UN, UNCTAD, UPU, WCO, WHO, WIPO, WMO, WTrO BIS, CBSS, CCC, CE, EAPC, EBRD, ECE, EU (applicant), FAO, IAEA, IBRD, ICAO, ICFTU, ICRM, IDA, IFC, IFRCS, ILO, IMF, IMO, Interpol, IOC, IOM, ISO (correspondent), ITU, NSG, OAS (observer), OPCW, OSCE, PCA, PFP, UN, UNCTAD, UNESCO, UPU, WEU (associate partner), WHO, WIPO, WMO, WTrO
Internet Service Providers (ISPs) 2 (2000) 41 (2001)
Irrigated land 10 sq km (1998 est.) 200 sq km


note: land in Latvia is often too wet, and in need of drainage, not irrigation; approximately 16,000 sq km or 85% of agricultural land has been improved by drainage (1998 est.)
Judicial branch Supreme Court (chief justice and judges are sworn in by the monarch for three-year terms) Supreme Court (judges' appointments are confirmed by Parliament)
Labor force 143,400


note: includes foreign workers and military personnel; temporary residents make up about 40% of labor force (1999 est.)
1.1 million (2001 est.)
Labor force - by occupation government 48%, production of oil, natural gas, services, and construction 42%, agriculture, forestry, and fishing 10% (1999 est.) agriculture 15%, industry 25%, services 60% (2000 est.)
Land boundaries total: 381 km


border countries: Malaysia 381 km
total: 1,150 km


border countries: Belarus 141 km, Estonia 339 km, Lithuania 453 km, Russia 217 km
Land use arable land: 0.57%


permanent crops: 0.76%


other: 98.67% (1998 est.)
arable land: 29.01%


permanent crops: 0.48%


other: 70.51% (1998 est.)
Languages Malay (official), English, Chinese Latvian (official), Lithuanian, Russian, other
Legal system based on English common law; for Muslims, Islamic Shari'a law supersedes civil law in a number of areas based on civil law system
Legislative branch unicameral Legislative Council or Majlis Masyuarat Megeri (a privy council that serves only in a consultative capacity; NA seats; members appointed by the monarch)


elections: last held in March 1962


note: in 1970 the Council was changed to an appointive body by decree of the monarch; an elected Legislative Council is being considered as part of constitutional reform, but elections are unlikely for several years
unicameral Parliament or Saeima (100 seats; members are elected by direct, popular vote to serve four-year terms)


elections: last held 5 October 2002 (next to be held NA October 2006)


election results: percent of vote by party - New Era 23.9%, PCTVL 18.9%, People's Party 16.7%, ZZS 9.5%, First Party 7.6%, LNNK 5.4%; seats by party - New Era 26, PCTVL 24, People's Party 21, ZZS 12, First Party 10, LNNK 7
Life expectancy at birth total population: 74.3 years


male: 71.9 years


female: 76.82 years (2003 est.)
total population: 69 years


male: 63.13 years


female: 75.17 years (2002 est.)
Literacy definition: age 15 and over can read and write


total population: 91.8%


male: 94.8%


female: 88.5% (2003 est.)
definition: age 15 and over can read and write


total population: 99.8%


male: NA%


female: NA%
Location Southeastern Asia, bordering the South China Sea and Malaysia Eastern Europe, bordering the Baltic Sea, between Estonia and Lithuania
Map references Southeast Asia Europe
Maritime claims exclusive economic zone: 200 NM or to median line


territorial sea: 12 NM
continental shelf: 200-m depth or to the depth of exploitation


exclusive economic zone: 200 NM


territorial sea: 12 NM
Merchant marine total: 8 ships (1,000 GRT or over) 465,937 GRT/413,393 DWT


ships by type: liquefied gas 8


note: includes some foreign-owned ships registered here as a flag of convenience: UK 7 (2002 est.)
total: 6 ships (1,000 GRT or over) totaling 30,119 GRT/30,572 DWT


ships by type: cargo 1, petroleum tanker 1, refrigerated cargo 4


note: includes some foreign-owned ships registered here as a flag of convenience: Greece 3 (2002 est.)
Military branches Land Forces, Navy, Air Force, Royal Brunei Police Ground Forces, Navy, Air and Air Defense Forces, Border Guard, National Guard
Military expenditures - dollar figure $329.7 million (FY02) $87 million (FY01)
Military expenditures - percent of GDP 5% (FY02) 1.2% (FY01)
Military manpower - availability males age 15-49: 110,888 (2003 est.) males age 15-49: 591,592 (2002 est.)
Military manpower - fit for military service males age 15-49: 63,966 (2003 est.) males age 15-49: 464,843 (2002 est.)
Military manpower - military age 18 years of age (2003 est.) 18 years of age (2002 est.)
Military manpower - reaching military age annually males: 3,277 (2003 est.) males: 19,114 (2002 est.)
National holiday National Day, 23 February (1984); note - 1 January 1984 was the date of independence from the UK, 23 February 1984 was the date of independence from British protection Independence Day, 18 November (1918); note - 18 November 1918 is the date of independence from Soviet Russia, 21 August 1991 is the date of independence from the Soviet Union
Nationality noun: Bruneian(s)


adjective: Bruneian
noun: Latvian(s)


adjective: Latvian
Natural hazards typhoons, earthquakes, and severe flooding are rare NA
Natural resources petroleum, natural gas, timber peat, limestone, dolomite, hydropower, wood, arable land, minimal; amber
Net migration rate 3.75 migrant(s)/1,000 population (2003 est.) -1.23 migrant(s)/1,000 population (2002 est.)
Pipelines gas 665 km; oil 439 km (2003) crude oil 750 km; refined products 780 km; natural gas 560 km (1992)
Political parties and leaders Brunei Solidarity National Party or PPKB in Malay [Haji Mohd HATTA bin Haji Zainal Abidin, president]; note - the PPKB is the only legal political party in Brunei; it was registered in 1985 but became largely inactive after 1988; it was revived in 1995 and again in 1998; it has less than 200 registered party members; other parties include Brunei People's Party or PRB (banned in 1962) and Brunei National Democratic Party (registered in May 1965, deregistered by the Brunei Government in 1988) Alliance of the Greens and Farmers Union or ZZS [Augusts BRIGMANIS (Farmer's Union); Indulis EMSIS (Green Party)]; CENTER Political Alliance [Juris CELMINS]; First Party of Latvia [Eriks JEKABSONS]; For Fatherland and Freedom or LNNK [Maris GRINBLATS]; For Human Rights in a United Latvia or PCTVL [Janis JURKANS], a coalition of the People's Harmony Party or TSP, the Latvian Socialist Party or LSP, and the Equal Rights Movement; Freedom Party [Ziedonis CEVERS]; Land of Mara [Irena SAPROVSKA]; Latvian Rebirth Party [Andris RUBINS]; Latvian Social-Democratic Workers Party (Social Democrats) or LSDSP [Juris BOJARS]; Latvia's Way Union or LC [Andris BERZINS]; Light of Latgale or LG [Rihards EIGIMS]; New Era Party [Einars REPSE]; Our Land Party [Ilmars ANCANS]; Party of Latvians [Aivars GARDA]; People's Party [Andris SKELE]; Progressive Center Party [Inta STAMGUTE]; Russian Party [Mihails GAVRILOVS]; Social Democratic Union or SDS [Egils BALDZENS]; Social Democratic Welfare Party or SLP [Juris ZURAVLOVS]; United Republican Party of Latvia or LARP [Eriks Andrejs SAULUNS, Janis PUKIS, Sarmite JEGERE]
Political pressure groups and leaders NA NA
Population 358,098 (July 2003 est.) 2,366,515 (July 2002 est.)
Population below poverty line NA% NA%
Population growth rate 2% (2003 est.) -0.77% (2002 est.)
Ports and harbors Bandar Seri Begawan, Kuala Belait, Muara, Seria, Tutong Liepaja, Riga, Ventspils
Radio broadcast stations AM 3, FM 10, shortwave 0 (1998) AM 8, FM 56, shortwave 1 (1998)
Radios - 1.76 million (1997)
Railways total: 13 km (private line)


narrow gauge: 13 km 0.610-m gauge (2001 est.)
total: 2,412 km


broad gauge: 2,379 km 1.520-m gauge (271 km electrified)


narrow gauge: 33 km 0.750-m gauge (2001)
Religions Muslim (official) 67%, Buddhist 13%, Christian 10%, indigenous beliefs and other 10% Lutheran, Roman Catholic, Russian Orthodox
Sex ratio at birth: 1.06 male(s)/female


under 15 years: 1.04 male(s)/female


15-64 years: 1.13 male(s)/female


65 years and over: 0.89 male(s)/female


total population: 1.1 male(s)/female (2003 est.)
at birth: 1.05 male(s)/female


under 15 years: 1.05 male(s)/female


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


65 years and over: 0.48 male(s)/female


total population: 0.85 male(s)/female (2002 est.)
Suffrage none 18 years of age; universal for Latvian citizens
Telephone system general assessment: service throughout the country is excellent; international service is good to East Asia, Europe, and the US


domestic: every service available


international: satellite earth stations - 2 Intelsat (1 Indian Ocean and 1 Pacific Ocean); digital submarine cable links to Malaysia, the Philippines, and Singapore (2001)
general assessment: inadequate, but is being modernized to provide an international capability independent of the Moscow international switch; more facilities are being installed for individual use


domestic: expansion underway in intercity trunk line connections, rural exchanges, and mobile systems; still many unsatisfied subscriber applications


international: international connections are now available via cable and a satellite earth station at Riga, enabling direct connections for most calls (1998)
Telephones - main lines in use 79,000 (1996) 734,693 (2000)
Telephones - mobile cellular 43,524 (1996) 401,263 (2000)
Television broadcast stations 2 (1997) 44 (plus 31 repeaters) (1995)
Terrain flat coastal plain rises to mountains in east; hilly lowland in west low plain
Total fertility rate 2.37 children born/woman (2003 est.) 1.18 children born/woman (2002 est.)
Unemployment rate 10% (2001 est.) 7.6% (2001 est.)
Waterways 209 km; navigable by craft drawing less than 1.2 m 300 km (perennially navigable)
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