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Compare Burkina Faso (2004) - Costa Rica (2003)

Compare Burkina Faso (2004) z Costa Rica (2003)

 Burkina Faso (2004)Costa Rica (2003)
 Burkina FasoCosta Rica
Administrative divisions 45 provinces; Bale, Bam, Banwa, Bazega, Bougouriba, Boulgou, Boulkiemde, Comoe, Ganzourgou, Gnagna, Gourma, Houet, Ioba, Kadiogo, Kenedougou, Komondjari, Kompienga, Kossi, Koulpelogo, Kouritenga, Kourweogo, Leraba, Loroum, Mouhoun, Namentenga, Nahouri, Nayala, Noumbiel, Oubritenga, Oudalan, Passore, Poni, Sanguie, Sanmatenga, Seno, Sissili, Soum, Sourou, Tapoa, Tuy, Yagha, Yatenga, Ziro, Zondoma, Zoundweogo 7 provinces (provincias, singular - provincia); Alajuela, Cartago, Guanacaste, Heredia, Limon, Puntarenas, San Jose
Age structure 0-14 years: 46% (male 3,135,098; female 3,114,354)


15-64 years: 51.1% (male 3,391,848; female 3,545,115)


65 years and over: 2.9% (male 163,137; female 225,268) (2004 est.)
0-14 years: 30.1% (male 600,812; female 573,375)


15-64 years: 64.4% (male 1,269,667; female 1,241,097)


65 years and over: 5.4% (male 98,156; female 112,985) (2003 est.)
Agriculture - products cotton, peanuts, shea nuts, sesame, sorghum, millet, corn, rice; livestock coffee, pineapples, bananas, sugar, corn, rice, beans, potatoes; beef; timber
Airports 33 (2003 est.) 151 (2002)
Airports - with paved runways total: 2


over 3,047 m: 1


2,438 to 3,047 m: 1 (2004 est.)
total: 30


2,438 to 3,047 m: 2


1,524 to 2,437 m: 1


914 to 1,523 m: 19


under 914 m: 8 (2002)
Airports - with unpaved runways total: 31


1,524 to 2,437 m: 3


914 to 1,523 m: 11


under 914 m: 17 (2004 est.)
total: 121


914 to 1,523 m: 28


under 914 m: 93 (2002)
Area total: 274,200 sq km


land: 273,800 sq km


water: 400 sq km
total: 51,100 sq km


land: 50,660 sq km


water: 440 sq km


note: includes Isla del Coco
Area - comparative slightly larger than Colorado slightly smaller than West Virginia
Background Burkina Faso (formerly Upper Volta) achieved independence from France in 1960. Repeated military coups during the 1970s and 1980s were followed by multiparty elections in the early 1990s. Burkina Faso's high population density and limited natural resources result in poor economic prospects for the majority of its citizens. Recent unrest in Cote d'Ivoire and northern Ghana has hindered the ability of several hundred thousand seasonal Burkinabe farm workers to find employment in neighboring countries. Costa Rica is a Central American success story: since the late 19th century, only two brief periods of violence have marred its democratic development. Although still a largely agricultural country, it has expanded its economy to include strong technology and tourism sectors. The standard of living is relatively high. Land ownership is widespread.
Birth rate 44.46 births/1,000 population (2004 est.) 19.4 births/1,000 population (2003 est.)
Budget revenues: $599.8 million


expenditures: $748.8 million NA, including capital expenditures of NA (2003)
revenues: $1.91 billion


expenditures: $2.35 billion, including capital expenditures of $NA (2000 est.)
Capital Ouagadougou San Jose
Climate tropical; warm, dry winters; hot, wet summers tropical and subtropical; dry season (December to April); rainy season (May to November); cooler in highlands
Coastline 0 km (landlocked) 1,290 km
Constitution 2 June 1991 approved by referendum; 11 June 1991 formally adopted; ammended April 2000 7 November 1949
Country name conventional long form: none


conventional short form: Burkina Faso


former: Upper Volta, Republic of Upper Volta
conventional long form: Republic of Costa Rica


conventional short form: Costa Rica


local long form: Republica de Costa Rica


local short form: Costa Rica
Currency Communaute Financiere Africaine franc (XOF); note - responsible authority is the Central Bank of the West African States Costa Rican colon (CRC)
Death rate 18.79 deaths/1,000 population (2004 est.) 4.31 deaths/1,000 population (2003 est.)
Debt - external $1.3 billion (2000) $4.8 billion (2002 est.)
Diplomatic representation from the US chief of mission: Ambassador Anthony HOLMES


embassy: 602 Avenue Raoul Follereau, Koulouba, Secteur 4


mailing address: 01 B. P. 35, Ouagadougou 01; pouch mail - U. S. Department of State, 2440 Ouagadougou Place, Washington, DC 20521-2440


telephone: [226] 306723


FAX: [226] 303890
chief of mission: Ambassador John J. DANILOVICH


embassy: Calle 120 Avenida O, Pavas, San Jose


mailing address: APO AA 34020


telephone: [506] 220-3939


FAX: [506] 220-2305
Diplomatic representation in the US chief of mission: Ambassador Tertius ZONGO


chancery: 2340 Massachusetts Avenue NW, Washington, DC 20008


telephone: [1] (202) 332-5577


FAX: [1] (202) 667-1882
chief of mission: Ambassador Jaime DAREMBLUM Rosenstein


chancery: 2114 S Street NW, Washington, DC 20008


telephone: [1] (202) 234-2945


FAX: [1] (202) 265-4795


consulate(s) general: Atlanta, Chicago, Denver, Durham (North Carolina), Houston, Los Angeles, Miami, New Orleans, New York, Phoenix, San Antonio, San Francisco, St. Paul, and Tampa


consulate(s): Austin
Disputes - international two villages are in dispute along the border with Benin; Benin accuses Burkina Faso of moving boundary pillars; Burkina Faso border regions have become a staging area for Liberia and Cote d'Ivoire rebels and an asylum for refugees caught in regional fighting; the Ivoirian Government accuses Burkina Faso of supporting Ivoirian rebels legal dispute over navigational rights of Rio San Juan on border with Nicaragua
Economic aid - recipient $484.1 million (1995) -
Economy - overview One of the poorest countries in the world, landlocked Burkina Faso has few natural resources, a fragile soil, and a highly unequal distribution of income. About 90% of the population is engaged in (mainly subsistence) agriculture, which is vulnerable to variations in rainfall. Cotton is the key crop. Industry remains dominated by unprofitable government-controlled corporations. Following the African franc currency devaluation in January 1994 the government updated its development program in conjunction with international agencies, and exports and economic growth have increased. Maintenance of macroeconomic progress depends on continued low inflation, reduction in the trade deficit, and reforms designed to encourage private investment. The internal crisis in neighboring Cote d'Ivoire continues to hurt trade and industrial prospects and deepens the need for international assistance. Costa Rica's basically stable economy depends on tourism, agriculture, and electronics exports. Poverty has been substantially reduced over the past 15 years, and a strong social safety net has been put into place. At the same time, distribution of income remains severely unequal. Foreign investors remain attracted by the country's political stability and high education levels, and tourism continues to bring in foreign exchange. However, traditional export sectors have not kept pace. Low coffee prices and an overabundance of bananas have hurt the agricultural sector. The government continues to grapple with its large deficit and massive internal debt, with the need to modernize the state-owned electricity and telecommunications sector, and with the problem of bringing down inflation.
Electricity - consumption 259.6 million kWh (2001) 6.109 billion kWh (2001)
Electricity - exports 0 kWh (2001) 379 million kWh (2001)
Electricity - imports 0 kWh (2001) 128 million kWh (2001)
Electricity - production 279.2 million kWh (2001) 6.839 billion kWh (2001)
Electricity - production by source - fossil fuel: 1.5%


hydro: 81.9%


nuclear: 0%


other: 16.6% (2001)
Elevation extremes lowest point: Mouhoun (Black Volta) River 200 m


highest point: Tena Kourou 749 m
lowest point: Pacific Ocean 0 m


highest point: Cerro Chirripo 3,810 m
Environment - current issues recent droughts and desertification severely affecting agricultural activities, population distribution, and the economy; overgrazing; soil degradation; deforestation deforestation and land use change, largely a result of the clearing of land for cattle ranching and agriculture; soil erosion; coastal marine pollution; fisheries protection; solid waste management; air pollution
Environment - international agreements party to: Biodiversity, Climate Change, Desertification, Endangered Species, Hazardous Wastes, Marine Life Conservation, Ozone Layer Protection, Wetlands


signed, but not ratified: Law of the Sea
party to: Biodiversity, Climate Change, Desertification, Endangered Species, Environmental Modification, Hazardous Wastes, Law of the Sea, Marine Dumping, Nuclear Test Ban, Ozone Layer Protection, Wetlands, Whaling


signed, but not ratified: Climate Change-Kyoto Protocol, Marine Life Conservation
Ethnic groups Mossi over 40%, Gurunsi, Senufo, Lobi, Bobo, Mande, Fulani white (including mestizo) 94%, black 3%, Amerindian 1%, Chinese 1%, other 1%
Exchange rates Communaute Financiere Africaine francs (XOF) per US dollar - 581.2 (2003), 696.988 (2002), 733.039 (2001), 711.976 (2000), 615.699 (1999) Costa Rican colones per US dollar - 359.82 (2002), 328.87 (2001), 308.19 (2000), 285.69 (1999), 257.23 (1998)
Executive branch chief of state: President Blaise COMPAORE (since 15 October 1987)


head of government: Prime Minister Ernest Paramanga YONLI (since 6 November 2000)


cabinet: Council of Ministers appointed by the president on the recommendation of the prime minister


elections: president elected by popular vote for a five-year term; election last held 15 November 1998 (next to be held NA 2005); in April 2000, the constitution was amended reducing the presidential term from seven to five years, enforceable as of 2005, and allowing the president to be reelected only once; it is unclear whether this amendment will be applied retroactively or not; prime minister appointed by the president with the consent of the legislature


election results: Blaise COMPAORE reelected president with 87.5% percent of the vote
chief of state: President Abel PACHECO (since 8 May 2002); First Vice President Lineth SABORIO (since NA May 2002); Second Vice President Luis FISHMAN (since NA May 2002); note - the president is both the chief of state and head of government


head of government: President Abel PACHECO (since 8 May 2002); First Vice President Lineth SABORIO (since NA May 2002); Second Vice President Luis FISHMAN (since NA May 2002); note - the president is both the chief of state and head of government


cabinet: Cabinet selected by the president


elections: president and vice presidents elected on the same ticket by popular vote for four-year terms; election last held 3 February 2002; run-off election held 7 April 2002 (next to be held NA February 2006)


election results: Abel PACHECO elected president; percent of vote - Abel PACHECO (PUSC) 58%; Rolando ARAYA (PLN) 42%
Exports NA (2001) NA (2001)
Exports - commodities cotton, livestock, gold coffee, bananas, sugar; pineapples; textiles, electronic components, medical equipment
Exports - partners Singapore 12.8%, China 11.6%, Thailand 8%, Italy 6.4%, India 6%, Colombia 5.2%, Ghana 5.2%, France 4.8%, Niger 4% (2003) US 31.5%, Netherlands 8.9%, UK 4.5% (2002)
Fiscal year calendar year calendar year
Flag description two equal horizontal bands of red (top) and green with a yellow five-pointed star in the center; uses the popular pan-African colors of Ethiopia five horizontal bands of blue (top), white, red (double width), white, and blue, with the coat of arms in a white elliptical disk on the hoist side of the red band; above the coat of arms a light blue ribbon contains the words, AMERICA CENTRAL, and just below it near the top of the coat of arms is a white ribbon with the words, REPUBLICA COSTA RICA
GDP purchasing power parity - $14.55 billion (2003 est.) purchasing power parity - $32 billion (2002 est.)
GDP - composition by sector agriculture: 39.8%


industry: 19.6%


services: 40.5% (2003)
agriculture: 9%


industry: 30%


services: 61% (2002 est.)
GDP - per capita purchasing power parity - $1,100 (2003 est.) purchasing power parity - $8,300 (2002 est.)
GDP - real growth rate 5.2% (2003 est.) 2.8% (2002 est.)
Geographic coordinates 13 00 N, 2 00 W 10 00 N, 84 00 W
Geography - note landlocked savanna cut by the three principal rivers of the Black, Red, and White Voltas four volcanoes, two of them active, rise near the capital of San Jose in the center of the country; one of the volcanoes, Irazu, erupted destructively in 1963-65
Highways total: 12,506 km


paved: 2,001 km


unpaved: 10,505 km (1999)
total: 35,892 km


paved: 7,896 km


unpaved: 27,996 km (2000)
Household income or consumption by percentage share lowest 10%: 2%


highest 10%: 46.8% (1994)
lowest 10%: 1.7%


highest 10%: 34.6% (2001)
Illicit drugs - transshipment country for cocaine and heroin from South America; illicit production of cannabis on small, scattered plots; domestic cocaine consumption is rising, particularly crack cocaine
Imports NA (2001) NA (2001)
Imports - commodities capital goods, foodstuffs, petroleum raw materials, consumer goods, capital equipment, petroleum
Imports - partners France 31.2%, Cote d'Ivoire 14.6%, Togo 9%, Belgium 5% (2003) US 36.7%, Japan 4.4%, Mexico 4.2% (2002)
Independence 5 August 1960 (from France) 15 September 1821 (from Spain)
Industrial production growth rate 14% (2001 est.) 2.9% (2002 est.)
Industries cotton lint, beverages, agricultural processing, soap, cigarettes, textiles, gold microprocessors, food processing, textiles and clothing, construction materials, fertilizer, plastic products
Infant mortality rate total: 98.67 deaths/1,000 live births


male: 106.7 deaths/1,000 live births


female: 90.39 deaths/1,000 live births (2004 est.)
total: 10.56 deaths/1,000 live births


male: 11.49 deaths/1,000 live births


female: 9.59 deaths/1,000 live births (2003 est.)
Inflation rate (consumer prices) 1.9% (2003 est.) 9.1% (2002 est.)
International organization participation ACCT, ACP, AfDB, AU, ECOWAS, Entente, FAO, FZ, G-77, IAEA, IBRD, ICAO, ICC, ICCt, ICFTU, ICRM, IDA, IDB, IFAD, IFC, IFRCS, ILO, IMF, Interpol, IOC, IOM, ITU, MIGA, MONUC, NAM, OIC, ONUB, OPCW, PCA, UN, UNCTAD, UNESCO, UNIDO, UNOCI, UPU, WADB (regional), WAEMU, WCL, WCO, WFTU, WHO, WIPO, WMO, WToO, WTO BCIE, CACM, ECLAC, FAO, G-77, IADB, IAEA, IBRD, ICAO, ICC, ICCt, ICFTU, ICRM, IDA, IFAD, IFC, IFRCS, ILO, IMF, IMO, Interpol, IOC, IOM, ISO, ITU, LAES, LAIA (observer), NAM (observer), OAS, OPANAL, OPCW, PCA, RG, UN, UNCTAD, UNESCO, UNIDO, UNU, UPU, WCL, WCO, WFTU, WHO, WIPO, WMO, WToO, WTrO
Internet Service Providers (ISPs) - 3 (of which only one is legal) (2000)
Irrigated land 250 sq km (1998 est.) 1,260 sq km (1998 est.)
Judicial branch Supreme Court; Appeals Court Supreme Court or Corte Suprema (22 justices are elected for eight-year terms by the Legislative Assembly)
Labor force 5 million


note: a large part of the male labor force migrates annually to neighboring countries for seasonal employment (2003)
1.9 million (1999)
Labor force - by occupation agriculture 90% (2000 est.) agriculture 20%, industry 22%, services 58% (1999 est.)
Land boundaries total: 3,193 km


border countries: Benin 306 km, Cote d'Ivoire 584 km, Ghana 549 km, Mali 1,000 km, Niger 628 km, Togo 126 km
total: 639 km


border countries: Nicaragua 309 km, Panama 330 km
Land use arable land: 14.43%


permanent crops: 0.19%


other: 85.38% (2001)
arable land: 4.41%


permanent crops: 5.48%


other: 90.11% (1998 est.)
Languages French (official), native African languages belonging to Sudanic family spoken by 90% of the population Spanish (official), English
Legal system based on French civil law system and customary law based on Spanish civil law system; judicial review of legislative acts in the Supreme Court; has accepted compulsory ICJ jurisdiction
Legislative branch unicameral National Assembly or Assemblee Nationale (111 seats; members are elected by popular vote to serve five-year terms)


elections: National Assembly election last held 5 May 2002 (next to be held NA May 2007)


election results: percent of vote by party - NA; seats by party - CDP 57, RDA-ADF 17, PDP/PS 10, CFD 5, PAI 5, others 17
unicameral Legislative Assembly or Asamblea Legislativa (57 seats; members are elected by direct, popular vote to serve four-year terms)


elections: last held 3 February 2002 (next to be held 3 February 2006)


election results: percent of vote by party - NA; seats by party - PUSC 19, PLN 17, PAC 14, PML 6, PRC 1
Life expectancy at birth total population: 44.2 years


male: 42.62 years


female: 45.83 years (2004 est.)
total population: 76.43 years


male: 73.87 years


female: 79.11 years (2003 est.)
Literacy definition: age 15 and over can read and write


total population: 26.6%


male: 36.9%


female: 16.6% (2003 est.)
definition: age 15 and over can read and write


total population: 96%


male: 95.9%


female: 96.1% (2003 est.)
Location Western Africa, north of Ghana Middle America, bordering both the Caribbean Sea and the North Pacific Ocean, between Nicaragua and Panama
Map references Africa Central America and the Caribbean
Maritime claims none (landlocked) continental shelf: 200 NM


exclusive economic zone: 200 NM


territorial sea: 12 NM
Merchant marine - total: 1 ships (1,000 GRT or over) 1,716 GRT/ DWT


ships by type: passenger 1 (2002 est.)
Military branches Army, Air Force no regular indigenous military forces; Air Section, Ministry of Public Forces (Fuerza Publica)
Military expenditures - dollar figure $52.7 million (2003) $69 million (FY99)
Military expenditures - percent of GDP 1.6% (2003) 1.6% (FY99)
Military manpower - availability males age 15-49: 3,047,306 (2004 est.) males age 15-49: 1,080,254 (2003 est.)
Military manpower - fit for military service males age 15-49: 1,552,212 (2004 est.) males age 15-49: 722,043 (2003 est.)
Military manpower - military age - 18 years of age (2003 est.)
Military manpower - reaching military age annually - males: 41,453 (2003 est.)
National holiday Republic Day, 11 December (1958) Independence Day, 15 September (1821)
Nationality noun: Burkinabe (singular and plural)


adjective: Burkinabe
noun: Costa Rican(s)


adjective: Costa Rican
Natural hazards recurring droughts occasional earthquakes, hurricanes along Atlantic coast; frequent flooding of lowlands at onset of rainy season and landslides; active volcanoes
Natural resources manganese, limestone, marble; small deposits of gold, antimony, copper, nickel, bauxite, lead, phosphates, zinc, silver hydropower
Net migration rate 0 migrant(s)/1,000 population (2004 est.) 0.51 migrant(s)/1,000 population (2003 est.)
Pipelines - refined products 421 km (2003)
Political parties and leaders African Democratic Rally-Alliance for Democracy and Federation or RDA-ADF [Herman YAMEOGO]; Confederation for Federation and Democracy or CFD [Amadou Diemdioda DICKO]; Congress for Democracy and Progress or CDP [Roch Marc-Christian KABORE]; Movement for Tolerance and Progress or MTP [Nayabtigungou Congo KABORE]; Party for African Independence or PAI [Philippe OUEDRAOGO]; Party for Democracy and Progress or PDP [Joseph KI-ZERBO]; Union of Greens for the Development of Burkina Faso or UVDB [Ram OVEDRAGO] Agricultural Labor Action or PALA [Carlos Alberto SOLIS Blanco]; Citizen Action Party or PAC [Otton SOLIS]; Costa Rican Renovation Party or PRC [Justo OROZCO]; Democratic Force Party or PFD [Jose M. NUNEZ]; Libertarian Movement Party or PML [Otto GUEVARA Guth]; National Christian Alliance Party or ANC [Alejandro MADRIGAL]; National Independent Party or PNI [Jorge GONZALEZ Marten]; National Integration Party or PIN [Walter MUNOZ Cespedes]; National Liberation Party or PLN [Sonia PICADO]; Social Christian Unity Party or PUSC [Luis Manuel CHACON]


note: mainly a two-party system - PUSC and PLN - until the 3 February 2002 election in which the PAC captured a significant percentage, forcing a run-off in April 2002
Political pressure groups and leaders Burkinabe General Confederation of Labor or CGTB; Burkinabe Movement for Human Rights or MBDHP; Group of 14 February; National Confederation of Burkinabe Workers or CNTB; National Organization of Free Unions or ONSL; watchdog/political action groups throughout the country in both organizations and communities Authentic Confederation of Democratic Workers or CATD (Communist Party affiliate); Chamber of Coffee Growers; Confederated Union of Workers or CUT (Communist Party affiliate); Costa Rican Confederation of Democratic Workers or CCTD (Liberation Party affiliate); Federation of Public Service Workers or FTSP; National Association for Economic Development or ANFE; National Association of Educators or ANDE; Rerum Novarum or CTRN (PLN affiliate) [Gilbert Brown]
Population 13,574,820


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 2004 est.)
3,896,092 (July 2003 est.)
Population below poverty line 45% (2003 est.) 20.6% (1999 est.)
Population growth rate 2.57% (2004 est.) 1.56% (2003 est.)
Ports and harbors none Caldera, Golfito, Moin, Puerto Limon, Puerto Quepos, Puntarenas
Radio broadcast stations AM 3, FM 17, shortwave 3 (2002) AM 50, FM 43, shortwave 19 (1998)
Railways total: 622 km


narrow gauge: 622 km 1.000-m gauge


note:: another 660 km of this railway extends into Cote D'Ivoire (2003)
total: 950 km


narrow gauge: 950 km 1.067-m gauge (260 km electrified) (2002)
Religions indigenous beliefs 40%, Muslim 50%, Christian (mainly Roman Catholic) 10% Roman Catholic 76.3%, Evangelical 13.7%, Jehovah's Witnesses 1.3%, other Protestant 0.7%, other 4.8%, none 3.2%
Sex ratio at birth: 1.03 male(s)/female


under 15 years: 1.01 male(s)/female


15-64 years: 0.96 male(s)/female


65 years and over: 0.72 male(s)/female


total population: 0.97 male(s)/female (2004 est.)
at birth: 1.05 male(s)/female


under 15 years: 1.05 male(s)/female


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


65 years and over: 0.87 male(s)/female


total population: 1.02 male(s)/female (2003 est.)
Suffrage universal 18 years of age; universal and compulsory
Telephone system general assessment: all services only fair


domestic: microwave radio relay, open-wire, and radiotelephone communication stations


international: country code - 226; satellite earth station - 1 Intelsat (Atlantic Ocean)
general assessment: very good domestic telephone service


domestic: point-to-point and point-to-multi-point microwave, fiber-optic, and coaxial cable link rural areas; Internet service is available


international: connected to Central American Microwave System; satellite earth stations - 2 Intelsat (Atlantic Ocean); two submarine cables (1999)
Telephones - main lines in use 65,400 (2003) 450,000 (1998)


note: 584,000 installed in 1997, but only about 450,000 were in use in 1998
Telephones - mobile cellular 227,000 (2003) 143,000 (2000)
Television broadcast stations 1 (2002) 6 (plus 11 repeaters) (1997)
Terrain mostly flat to dissected, undulating plains; hills in west and southeast coastal plains separated by rugged mountains including over 100 volcanic cones, of which several are major volcanoes
Total fertility rate 6.28 children born/woman (2004 est.) 2.38 children born/woman (2003 est.)
Unemployment rate NA 6.3% (2002 est.)
Waterways - 730 km (seasonally navigable)
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