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Compare Burkina Faso (2006) - Mauritania (2006)

Compare Burkina Faso (2006) z Mauritania (2006)

 Burkina Faso (2006)Mauritania (2006)
 Burkina FasoMauritania
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, Nahouri, Namentenga, Nayala, Noumbiel, Oubritenga, Oudalan, Passore, Poni, Sanguie, Sanmatenga, Seno, Sissili, Soum, Sourou, Tapoa, Tuy, Yagha, Yatenga, Ziro, Zondoma, Zoundweogo 12 regions (regions, singular - region) and 1 capital district*; Adrar, Assaba, Brakna, Dakhlet Nouadhibou, Gorgol, Guidimaka, Hodh Ech Chargui, Hodh El Gharbi, Inchiri, Nouakchott*, Tagant, Tiris Zemmour, Trarza
Age structure 0-14 years: 46.8% (male 3,267,202/female 3,235,190)


15-64 years: 50.7% (male 3,513,559/female 3,538,623)


65 years and over: 2.5% (male 140,083/female 208,315) (2006 est.)
0-14 years: 45.6% (male 726,376/female 723,013)


15-64 years: 52.2% (male 818,408/female 839,832)


65 years and over: 2.2% (male 28,042/female 41,717) (2006 est.)
Agriculture - products cotton, peanuts, shea nuts, sesame, sorghum, millet, corn, rice; livestock dates, millet, sorghum, rice, corn; cattle, sheep
Airports 34 (2006) 25 (2006)
Airports - with paved runways total: 2


over 3,047 m: 1


2,438 to 3,047 m: 1 (2006)
total: 8


2,438 to 3,047 m: 3


1,524 to 2,437 m: 5 (2006)
Airports - with unpaved runways total: 32


1,524 to 2,437 m: 3


914 to 1,523 m: 11


under 914 m: 18 (2006)
total: 17


1,524 to 2,437 m: 9


914 to 1,523 m: 7


under 914 m: 1 (2006)
Area total: 274,200 sq km


land: 273,800 sq km


water: 400 sq km
total: 1,030,700 sq km


land: 1,030,400 sq km


water: 300 sq km
Area - comparative slightly larger than Colorado slightly larger than three times the size of New Mexico
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. Independent from France in 1960, Mauritania annexed the southern third of the former Spanish Sahara (now Western Sahara) in 1976, but relinquished it after three years of raids by the Polisario guerrilla front seeking independence for the territory. Maaouya Ould Sid Ahmed TAYA seized power in a coup in 1984. Opposition parties were legalized and a new constitution approved in 1991. Two multiparty presidential elections since then were widely seen as flawed, but October 2001 legislative and municipal elections were generally free and open. A bloodless coup in August 2005 deposed President TAYA and ushered in a military council headed by Col. Ely Ould Mohamed VALL, which declared it would remain in power for up to two years while it created conditions for genuine democratic institutions and organized elections. For now, however, Mauritania remains an autocratic state, and the country continues to experience ethnic tensions among its black population and different Moor (Arab-Berber) communities.
Birth rate 45.62 births/1,000 population (2006 est.) 40.99 births/1,000 population (2006 est.)
Budget revenues: $1.033 billion


expenditures: $1.382 billion; including capital expenditures of $NA (2005 est.)
revenues: $421 million


expenditures: $378 million; including capital expenditures of $154 million (2002 est.)
Capital name: Ouagadougou


geographic coordinates: 12 22 N, 1 31 W


time difference: UTC 0 (5 hours ahead of Washington, DC during Standard Time)
name: Nouakchott


geographic coordinates: 18 06 N, 15 57 W


time difference: UTC 0 (5 hours ahead of Washington, DC during Standard Time)
Climate tropical; warm, dry winters; hot, wet summers desert; constantly hot, dry, dusty
Coastline 0 km (landlocked) 754 km
Constitution 2 June 1991 approved by referendum, 11 June 1991 formally adopted; amended April 2000 12 July 1991
Country name conventional long form: none


conventional short form: Burkina Faso


local long form: none


local short form: Burkina Faso


former: Upper Volta, Republic of Upper Volta
conventional long form: Islamic Republic of Mauritania


conventional short form: Mauritania


local long form: Al Jumhuriyah al Islamiyah al Muritaniyah


local short form: Muritaniyah
Death rate 15.6 deaths/1,000 population (2006 est.) 12.16 deaths/1,000 population (2006 est.)
Debt - external $1.85 billion (2003) $2.5 billion (2000)
Diplomatic representation from the US chief of mission: Ambassador Jeanine E. JACKSON


embassy: 602 Avenue Raoul Follereau, Koulouba, Secteur 4


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


telephone: [226] 50-30-67-23


FAX: [226] 50-30-38-90, 50-31-23-68
chief of mission: Ambassador (vacant); Charge d'Affaires Steven KOUTSIS


embassy: 288 Rue Abdallaye (between Presidency building and Spanish Embassy), Nouakchott


mailing address: BP 222, Nouakchott


telephone: [222] 525-2660/525-2663


FAX: [222] 525-1592
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 Tijani Ould Mohamed EL KERIM


chancery: 2129 Leroy Place NW, Washington, DC 20008


telephone: [1] (202) 232-5700, 5701


FAX: [1] (202) 319-2623
Disputes - international two villages are in dispute along the border with Benin; Benin accuses Burkina Faso of moving boundary pillars; Burkina Faso border regions remain a staging area for Liberia and Cote d'Ivoire rebels and an asylum for refugees caught in local fighting; the Ivoirian Government accuses Burkina Faso of sheltering Ivoirian rebels Mauritanian claims to Western Sahara have been dormant in recent years
Economic aid - recipient $468.4 million (2003) $305.7 million (2002)
Economy - overview One of the poorest countries in the world, landlocked Burkina Faso has few natural resources and a weak industrial base. About 90% of the population is engaged in subsistence agriculture, which is vulnerable to harsh climatic conditions. Cotton is the key crop and the government has joined with other cotton producing countries in the region to lobby for improved access to Western markets. GDP growth has largely been driven by increases in world cotton prices. Industry remains dominated by unprofitable government-controlled corporations. Following the CFA franc currency devaluation in January 1994, the government updated its development program in conjunction with international agencies; exports and economic growth have increased. The government devolved macroeconomic policy and inflation targeting to the West African regional central bank (BCEAO), but maintains control over fiscal and microeconomic policies, including implementing reforms to encourage private investment. The bitter internal crisis in neighboring Cote d'Ivoire continues to hurt trade and industrial prospects and deepens the need for international assistance. Half the population still depends on agriculture and livestock for a livelihood, even though many of the nomads and subsistence farmers were forced into the cities by recurrent droughts in the 1970s and 1980s. Mauritania has extensive deposits of iron ore, which account for nearly 40% of total exports. The decline in world demand for this ore, however, has led to cutbacks in production. The nation's coastal waters are among the richest fishing areas in the world, but overexploitation by foreigners threatens this key source of revenue. The country's first deepwater port opened near Nouakchott in 1986. In the past, drought and economic mismanagement resulted in a buildup of foreign debt which now stands at more than three times the level of annual exports. In February 2000, Mauritania qualified for debt relief under the Heavily Indebted Poor Countries (HIPC) initiative and in December 2001 received strong support from donor and lending countries at a triennial Consultative Group review. A new investment code approved in December 2001 improved the opportunities for direct foreign investment. Ongoing negotiations with the IMF involve problems of economic reforms and fiscal discipline. In 2001, exploratory oil wells in tracts 80 km offshore indicated potential extraction at current world oil prices. Mauritania has an estimated 1 billion barrels of proved reserves. Substantial oil production and exports are scheduled to begin in early 2006 and may average 75,000 barrels per day for that year. Meantime the government emphasizes reduction of poverty, improvement of health and education, and promoting privatization of the economy.
Electricity - consumption 349.3 million kWh (2003) 172.6 million kWh (2003)
Electricity - exports 0 kWh (2003) 0 kWh (2003)
Electricity - imports 0 kWh (2003) 0 kWh (2003)
Electricity - production 375.6 million kWh (2003) 185.6 million kWh (2003)
Elevation extremes lowest point: Mouhoun (Black Volta) River 200 m


highest point: Tena Kourou 749 m
lowest point: Sebkhet Te-n-Dghamcha -5 m


highest point: Kediet Ijill 915 m
Environment - current issues recent droughts and desertification severely affecting agricultural activities, population distribution, and the economy; overgrazing; soil degradation; deforestation overgrazing, deforestation, and soil erosion aggravated by drought are contributing to desertification; very limited natural fresh water resources away from the Senegal, which is the only perennial river; locust infestation
Environment - international agreements party to: Biodiversity, Climate Change, Desertification, Endangered Species, Hazardous Wastes, Law of the Sea, Marine Life Conservation, Ozone Layer Protection, Wetlands


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


signed, but not ratified: none of the selected agreements
Ethnic groups Mossi over 40%, Gurunsi, Senufo, Lobi, Bobo, Mande, Fulani mixed Maur/black 40%, Moor 30%, black 30%
Exchange rates Communaute Financiere Africaine francs (XOF) per US dollar - 527.47 (2005), 528.29 (2004), 581.2 (2003), 696.99 (2002), 733.04 (2001) ouguiyas per US dollar - NA (2005), NA (2004), 263.03 (2003), 271.74 (2002), 255.63 (2001)
Executive branch chief of state: President Blaise COMPAORE (since 15 October 1987)


head of government: Prime Minister Paramanga Ernest 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 (eligible for a second term); election last held 13 November 2005 (next to be held in 2010); in April 2000, the constitution was amended reducing the presidential term from seven to five years, enforceable as of 2005; prime minister appointed by the president with the consent of the legislature


election results: Blaise COMPAORE reelected president; percent of popular vote - Blaise COMPAORE 80.3%, Benewende Stanislas SANKARA 4.9%
chief of state: Col. Ely Ould Mohamed VALL, whose Military Council for Justice and Democracy deposed longtime President Maaouya Ould Sid Ahmed TAYA in a coup on 3 August 2005


head of government: Prime Minister Sidi Mohamed Ould BOUBAKAR (since 8 August 2005)


cabinet: Council of Ministers


elections: president elected by popular vote for a five-year term (eligible for a second consecutive term); note - passage of a constitutional reform referendum in July 2006 limits president to two five-year terms; election last held 7 November 2003 (next to be held 11 March 2007); prime minister appointed by the president


election results: President Maaouya Ould Sid Ahmed TAYA reelected for a third term with 60.8% of the vote
Exports NA bbl/day NA bbl/day
Exports - commodities cotton, livestock, gold iron ore, fish and fish products, gold
Exports - partners China 38.3%, Singapore 12.6%, Thailand 5.7%, Ghana 5.2%, Taiwan 4.4% (2005) Italy 14.9%, Japan 12.3%, France 11.8%, Belgium 8.5%, Germany 8.3%, Cote d'Ivoire 7.2%, Spain 6.5%, Russia 5%, Netherlands 4.4% (2005)
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 green with a yellow five-pointed star above a yellow, horizontal crescent; the closed side of the crescent is down; the crescent, star, and color green are traditional symbols of Islam
GDP - composition by sector agriculture: 32.2%


industry: 19.6%


services: 48.2% (2004 est.)
agriculture: 25%


industry: 29%


services: 46% (2001 est.)
GDP - real growth rate 3.5% (2005 est.) 5.5% (2005 est.)
Geographic coordinates 13 00 N, 2 00 W 20 00 N, 12 00 W
Geography - note landlocked savanna cut by the three principal rivers of the Black, Red, and White Voltas most of the population concentrated in the cities of Nouakchott and Nouadhibou and along the Senegal River in the southern part of the country
Household income or consumption by percentage share lowest 10%: 2%


highest 10%: 46.8% (1994)
lowest 10%: 2.5%


highest 10%: 30.2% (2000)
Imports NA bbl/day NA bbl/day
Imports - commodities capital goods, foodstuffs, petroleum machinery and equipment, petroleum products, capital goods, foodstuffs, consumer goods
Imports - partners France 24.2%, Cote d'Ivoire 23.7%, Togo 6.8% (2005) France 18.5%, UK 7.2%, US 7%, China 6%, Spain 5%, Belgium 4.3% (2005)
Independence 5 August 1960 (from France) 28 November 1960 (from France)
Industrial production growth rate 14% (2001 est.) 2% (2000 est.)
Industries cotton lint, beverages, agricultural processing, soap, cigarettes, textiles, gold fish processing, mining of iron ore and gypsum
Infant mortality rate total: 91.35 deaths/1,000 live births


male: 99.17 deaths/1,000 live births


female: 83.3 deaths/1,000 live births (2006 est.)
total: 69.48 deaths/1,000 live births


male: 72.44 deaths/1,000 live births


female: 66.43 deaths/1,000 live births (2006 est.)
Inflation rate (consumer prices) 6.4% (2005 est.) 7% (2003 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, IPU, ISO (correspondent), ITU, MIGA, MONUC, NAM, OIC, OIF, ONUB, OPCW, PCA, UN, UNCTAD, UNESCO, UNIDO, UNOCI, UPU, WADB (regional), WAEMU, WCL, WCO, WFTU, WHO, WIPO, WMO, WToO, WTO ABEDA, ACCT, ACP, AfDB, AFESD, AMF, AMU, AU, CAEU, FAO, G-77, IAEA, IBRD, ICAO, ICFTU, ICRM, IDA, IDB, IFAD, IFC, IFRCS, ILO, IMF, IMO, Interpol, IOC, IOM, ITU, LAS, MIGA, NAM, OIC, OIF, OPCW, UN, UNCTAD, UNESCO, UNIDO, UPU, WCL, WCO, WHO, WIPO, WMO, WToO, WTO
Irrigated land 250 sq km (2003) 490 sq km (2002)
Judicial branch Supreme Court; Appeals Court Supreme Court or Cour Supreme; Court of Appeals; lower courts
Labor force 5 million


note: a large part of the male labor force migrates annually to neighboring countries for seasonal employment (2003)
786,000 (2001)
Labor force - by occupation agriculture: 90%


industry and services: 10% (2000 est.)
agriculture: 50%


industry: 10%


services: 40% (2001 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: 5,074 km


border countries: Algeria 463 km, Mali 2,237 km, Senegal 813 km, Western Sahara 1,561 km
Land use arable land: 17.66%


permanent crops: 0.22%


other: 82.12% (2005)
arable land: 0.2%


permanent crops: 0.01%


other: 99.79% (2005)
Languages French (official), native African languages belonging to Sudanic family spoken by 90% of the population Arabic (official), Pulaar, Soninke, French, Hassaniya, Wolof
Legal system based on French civil law system and customary law a combination of Shari'a (Islamic law) and French civil law
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 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, other 17
bicameral legislature consists of the Senate or Majlis al-Shuyukh (56 seats; a portion of seats up for election every two years; members elected by municipal leaders to serve six-year terms) and the National Assembly or Majlis al-Watani (95 seats; members elected by popular vote to serve five-year terms)


elections: Senate - last held 9 and 16 April 2004 (next to be held 21 January 2007); National Assembly - last held 19 November and 3 December 2006


election results: Senate - percent of vote by party - NA; seats by party - NA; National Assembly - percent of vote by party - NA; seats by party - NA
Life expectancy at birth total population: 48.85 years


male: 47.33 years


female: 50.42 years (2006 est.)
total population: 53.12 years


male: 50.88 years


female: 55.42 years (2006 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: 41.7%


male: 51.8%


female: 31.9% (2003 est.)
Location Western Africa, north of Ghana Northern Africa, bordering the North Atlantic Ocean, between Senegal and Western Sahara
Map references Africa Africa
Maritime claims none (landlocked) territorial sea: 12 nm


contiguous zone: 24 nm


exclusive economic zone: 200 nm


continental shelf: 200 nm or to the edge of the continental margin
Military branches Army, Air Force of Burkina Faso (Force Aerienne de Burkina Faso), National Gendarmerie (2006) Mauritanian Armed Forces: Army, Navy (Marine Mauritanienne; includes naval infantry), Air Force (Force Aerienne Islamique de Mauritanie, FAIM) (2005)
Military expenditures - dollar figure $74.83 million (2005 est.) $19.32 million (2005 est.)
Military expenditures - percent of GDP 1.3% (2005 est.) 1.4% (2005 est.)
National holiday Republic Day, 11 December (1958) Independence Day, 28 November (1960)
Nationality noun: Burkinabe (singular and plural)


adjective: Burkinabe
noun: Mauritanian(s)


adjective: Mauritanian
Natural hazards recurring droughts hot, dry, dust/sand-laden sirocco wind blows primarily in March and April; periodic droughts
Natural resources manganese, limestone, marble; small deposits of gold, phosphates, pumice, salt iron ore, gypsum, copper, phosphate, diamonds, gold, oil, fish
Net migration rate 0 migrant(s)/1,000 population (2006 est.) 0 migrant(s)/1,000 population (2006 est.)
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]; Socialist Party or PS; Union of Greens for the Development of Burkina Faso or UVDB [Ram OVEDRAGO] Action for Change or AC (no longer active) [Messoud Ould BOULKHEIR]; Alliance for Justice and Democracy or AJD [Cisse Amadou CHEIKHOU]; National Union for Democracy and Development or UNDD [Tidjane KOITA]; Party for Liberty, Equality, and Justice or PLEJ [Ba Mamdou ALASSANE]; Party of Democratic Convergence or PCD [Cheikh Ould HORMA]; Popular Front or FP [Ch'bih Ould CHEIKH MALAININE]; Popular Progressive Alliance or APP [Messoud Ould BOULKHEIR]; Progress Force Union or UFP (no longer active) [Mohamed Ould MAOULOUD]; Rally of Democratic Forces or RFD [Ahmed Ould DADDAH]; Rally for Democracy and Unity or RDU [Ahmed Ould SIDI BABA]; Republican Party for Democracy and Renewal or PRDR (formerly ruling Democratic and Social Republican Party or PRDS) [Boullah Ould MOGUEYA]; Right Way or SAWAB [Cheikh Ould Sidi Ould HANANA]; Union for Democracy and Progress or UDP [Naha Mint MOUKNASS]; Union of Forces of Progress or UFP [Mohamed Ould MAOULOUD]


note: the Party of Democratic Convergence was banned in October 2005 because it was regarded as Islamist and therefore in breach of Mauritanian law
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 Arab nationalists; Ba'thists; General Confederation of Mauritanian Workers or CGTM [Abdallahi Ould MOHAMED, secretary general]; Independent Confederation of Mauritanian Workers or CLTM [Samory Ould BEYE]; Islamists; Mauritanian Workers Union or UTM [Mohamed Ely Ould BRAHIM, secretary general]
Population 13,902,972


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 2006 est.)
3,177,388 (July 2006 est.)
Population below poverty line 45% (2003 est.) 40% (2004 est.)
Population growth rate 3% (2006 est.) 2.88% (2006 est.)
Radio broadcast stations AM 3, FM 17, shortwave 3 (2002) AM 1, FM 14, shortwave 1 (2001)
Railways total: 622 km


narrow gauge: 622 km 1.000-m gauge


note:: another 660 km of this railway extends into Cote D'Ivoire (2005)
717 km


standard gauge: 717 km 1.435-m gauge (2005)
Religions Muslim 50%, indigenous beliefs 40%, Christian (mainly Roman Catholic) 10% Muslim 100%
Sex ratio at birth: 1.03 male(s)/female


under 15 years: 1.01 male(s)/female


15-64 years: 0.99 male(s)/female


65 years and over: 0.67 male(s)/female


total population: 0.99 male(s)/female (2006 est.)
at birth: 1.03 male(s)/female


under 15 years: 1.01 male(s)/female


15-64 years: 0.97 male(s)/female


65 years and over: 0.67 male(s)/female


total population: 0.98 male(s)/female (2006 est.)
Suffrage universal 18 years of age; universal
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: limited system of cable and open-wire lines, minor microwave radio relay links, and radiotelephone communications stations (improvements being made)


domestic: mostly cable and open-wire lines; a recently completed domestic satellite telecommunications system links Nouakchott with regional capitals


international: country code - 222; satellite earth stations - 1 Intelsat (Atlantic Ocean) and 2 Arabsat
Telephones - main lines in use 97,400 (2005) 41,000 (2005)
Telephones - mobile cellular 572,200 (2005) 745,600 (2005)
Television broadcast stations 1 (2002) 1 (2002)
Terrain mostly flat to dissected, undulating plains; hills in west and southeast mostly barren, flat plains of the Sahara; some central hills
Total fertility rate 6.47 children born/woman (2006 est.) 5.86 children born/woman (2006 est.)
Unemployment rate NA% 20% (2004 est.)
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