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Compare Cape Verde (2004) - Laos (2003)

Compare Cape Verde (2004) z Laos (2003)

 Cape Verde (2004)Laos (2003)
 Cape VerdeLaos
Administrative divisions 17 municipalities (concelhos, singular - concelho); Boa Vista, Brava, Maio, Mosteiros, Paul, Praia, Porto Novo, Ribeira Grande, Sal, Santa Catarina, Santa Cruz, Sao Domingos, Sao Filipe, Sao Miguel, Sao Nicolau, Sao Vicente, Tarrafal 16 provinces (khoueng, singular and plural), 1 municipality* (kampheng nakhon, singular and plural), and 1 special zone** (khetphiset, singular and plural); Attapu, Bokeo, Bolikhamxai, Champasak, Houaphan, Khammouan, Louangnamtha, Louangphabang, Oudomxai, Phongsali, Salavan, Savannakhet, Viangchan*, Viangchan, Xaignabouli, Xaisomboun**, Xekong, Xiangkhoang
Age structure 0-14 years: 40% (male 83,835; female 82,318)


15-64 years: 53.3% (male 106,846; female 114,312)


65 years and over: 6.7% (male 10,580; female 17,403) (2004 est.)
0-14 years: 42.2% (male 1,255,172; female 1,242,823)


15-64 years: 54.6% (male 1,592,697; female 1,639,431)


65 years and over: 3.2% (male 87,192; female 104,230) (2003 est.)
Agriculture - products bananas, corn, beans, sweet potatoes, sugarcane, coffee, peanuts; fish sweet potatoes, vegetables, corn, coffee, sugarcane, tobacco, cotton; tea, peanuts, rice; water buffalo, pigs, cattle, poultry
Airports 7


note: 3 airports are reported to be nonoperational (2003 est.)
51 (2002)
Airports - with paved runways total: 6


over 3,047 m: 1


914 to 1,523 m: 5 (2004 est.)
total: 9


2,438 to 3,047 m: 1


1,524 to 2,437 m: 5


914 to 1,523 m: 3 (2002)
Airports - with unpaved runways total: 1


under 914 m: 1 (2004 est.)
total: 42


1,524 to 2,437 m: 1


914 to 1,523 m: 15


under 914 m: 26 (2002)
Area total: 4,033 sq km


land: 4,033 sq km


water: 0 sq km
total: 236,800 sq km


land: 230,800 sq km


water: 6,000 sq km
Area - comparative slightly larger than Rhode Island slightly larger than Utah
Background The uninhabited islands were discovered and colonized by the Portuguese in the 15th century; Cape Verde subsequently became a trading center for African slaves and later an important coaling and resupply stop for whaling and transatlantic shipping. Following independence in 1975, and a tentative interest in unification with Guinea-Bissau, a one-party system was established and maintained until multi-party elections were held in 1990. Cape Verde continues to exhibit one of Africa's most stable democratic governments. Repeated droughts during the second half of the 20th century caused significant hardship and prompted heavy emigration. As a result, Cape Verde's expatriate population is greater than its domestic one. Most Cape Verdeans have both African and Portuguese antecedents. In 1975, the Communist Pathet Lao took control of the government, ending a six-century-old monarchy. Initial closer ties to Vietnam and socialization were replaced with a gradual return to private enterprise, a liberalization of foreign investment laws, and the admission into ASEAN in 1997.
Birth rate 26.13 births/1,000 population (2004 est.) 36.93 births/1,000 population (2003 est.)
Budget revenues: $252.9 million


expenditures: $269.9 million, including capital expenditures of NA (2003)
revenues: $211 million


expenditures: $462 million, including capital expenditures of $NA (FY98/99 est. est.)
Capital Praia Vientiane
Climate temperate; warm, dry summer; precipitation meager and very erratic tropical monsoon; rainy season (May to November); dry season (December to April)
Coastline 965 km 0 km (landlocked)
Constitution new constitution came into force 25 September 1992; underwent a major revision on 23 November 1995, substantially increasing the powers of the president, and a further revision in 1999, to create the position of national ombudsman (Provedor de Justica) promulgated 14 August 1991
Country name conventional long form: Republic of Cape Verde


conventional short form: Cape Verde


local long form: Republica de Cabo Verde


local short form: Cabo Verde
conventional long form: Lao People's Democratic Republic


conventional short form: Laos


local long form: Sathalanalat Paxathipatai Paxaxon Lao


local short form: none
Currency Cape Verdean escudo (CVE) kip (LAK)
Death rate 6.72 deaths/1,000 population (2004 est.) 12.39 deaths/1,000 population (2003 est.)
Debt - external $325 million (2002) $2.53 billion (1999)
Diplomatic representation from the US chief of mission: Ambassador Donald C. JOHNSON


embassy: Rua Abilio m. Macedo 81, Praia


mailing address: C. P. 201, Praia


telephone: [238] 61 56 16, 61 56 17


FAX: [238] 61 13 55
chief of mission: Ambassador Douglas A. HARTWICK


embassy: 19 Rue Bartholonie, B. P. 114, Vientiane


mailing address: American Embassy, Box V, APO AP 96546


telephone: [856] (21) 212581, 212582, 212585


FAX: [856] (21) 212584
Diplomatic representation in the US chief of mission: Ambassador Jose BRITO


chancery: 3415 Massachusetts Avenue NW, Washington, DC 20007


telephone: [1] (202) 965-6820


FAX: [1] (202) 965-1207


consulate(s) general: Boston
chief of mission: Ambassador PHANTHONG Phommahaxay


chancery: 2222 S Street NW, Washington, DC 20008


telephone: [1] (202) 332-6416


FAX: [1] (202) 332-4923
Disputes - international none demarcation of boundaries with Cambodia, Thailand, and Vietnam is nearing completion, but with Thailand several areas including Mekong River islets remain in dispute; ongoing disputes with Thailand and Vietnam over squatters
Economic aid - recipient $136 million (1999) $345 million (1999 est.)
Economy - overview This island economy suffers from a poor natural resource base, including serious water shortages exacerbated by cycles of long-term drought. The economy is service-oriented, with commerce, transport, tourism, and public services accounting for 72% of GDP. Although nearly 70% of the population lives in rural areas, the share of agriculture in GDP in 2001 was only 11%, of which fishing accounted for 1.5%. About 82% of food must be imported. The fishing potential, mostly lobster and tuna, is not fully exploited. Cape Verde annually runs a high trade deficit, financed by foreign aid and remittances from emigrants; remittances supplement GDP by more than 20%. Economic reforms are aimed at developing the private sector and attracting foreign investment to diversify the economy. Prospects for 2004 depend heavily on the maintenance of aid flows, tourism, remittances, and the momentum of the government's development program. The government of Laos - one of the few remaining official Communist states - began decentralizing control and encouraging private enterprise in 1986. The results, starting from an extremely low base, were striking - growth averaged 7% in 1988-2001 except during the short-lived drop caused by the Asian financial crisis beginning in 1997. Despite this high growth rate, Laos remains a country with a primitive infrastructure; it has no railroads, a rudimentary road system, and limited external and internal telecommunications. Electricity is available in only a few urban areas. Subsistence agriculture accounts for half of GDP and provides 80% of total employment. The economy will continue to benefit from aid from the IMF and other international sources and from new foreign investment in food processing and mining.
Electricity - consumption 39.08 million kWh (2001) 824.7 million kWh (2001)
Electricity - exports 0 kWh (2001) 400 million kWh (2001)
Electricity - imports 0 kWh (2001) 0 kWh (2001)
Electricity - production 42.03 million kWh (2001) 1.317 billion kWh (2001)
Electricity - production by source - fossil fuel: 1.4%


hydro: 98.6%


nuclear: 0%


other: 0% (2001)
Elevation extremes lowest point: Atlantic Ocean 0 m


highest point: Mt. Fogo 2,829 m (a volcano on Fogo Island)
lowest point: Mekong River 70 m


highest point: Phou Bia 2,817 m
Environment - current issues soil erosion; demand for wood used as fuel has resulted in deforestation; desertification; environmental damage has threatened several species of birds and reptiles; illegal beach sand extraction; overfishing unexploded ordnance; deforestation; soil erosion; a majority of the population does not have access to potable water
Environment - international agreements party to: Biodiversity, Climate Change, Desertification, Environmental Modification, Hazardous Wastes, Law of the Sea, Marine Dumping, Ozone Layer Protection


signed, but not ratified: none of the selected agreements
party to: Biodiversity, Climate Change, Desertification, Environmental Modification, Law of the Sea, Nuclear Test Ban, Ozone Layer Protection


signed, but not ratified: none of the selected agreements
Ethnic groups Creole (mulatto) 71%, African 28%, European 1% Lao Loum (lowland) 68%, Lao Theung (upland) 22%, Lao Soung (highland) including the Hmong ("Meo") and the Yao (Mien) 9%, ethnic Vietnamese/Chinese 1%
Exchange rates Cape Verdean escudos (CVE) per US dollar - 97.703 (2003), 117.168 (2002), 123.228 (2001), 115.877 (2000), 102.7 (1999) kips per US dollar - 7,562 (2002), 8,954.58 (2001), 7,887.64 (2000), 7,102.02 (1999), 3,298.33 (1998)
Executive branch chief of state: President Pedro PIRES (since 22 March 2001)


head of government: Prime Minister Jose Maria Pereira NEVES (since 1 February 2001)


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 11 and 25 February 2001 (next to be held NA February 2006); prime minister nominated by the National Assembly and appointed by the president


election results: Pedro PIRES elected president; percent of vote - Pedro PIRES (PAICV) 49.43%, Carlos VIEGA (MPD) 49.42%; note - the election was won by only twelve votes
chief of state: President Gen. KHAMTAI Siphandon (since 26 February 1998) and Vice President Lt. Gen. CHOUMMALI Saignason (since 27 March 2001)


head of government: Prime Minister BOUNGNANG Volachit (since 27 March 2001); First Deputy Prime Minister Maj. Gen. ASANG Laoli (since NA May 2002), Deputy Prime Minister THONGLOUN Sisolit (since 27 March 2001), and Deputy Prime Minister SOMSAVAT Lengsavat (since 26 February 1998)


cabinet: Council of Ministers appointed by the president, approved by the National Assembly


elections: president elected by the National Assembly for a five-year term; election last held 24 February 2002 (next to be held NA 2007); prime minister appointed by the president with the approval of the National Assembly for a five-year term


election results: KHAMTAI Siphandon elected president; percent of National Assembly vote - NA%
Exports NA (2001) NA (2001)
Exports - commodities fuel, shoes, garments, fish, hides wood products, garments, electricity, coffee, tin
Exports - partners Portugal 31%, France 27.6%, UK 17.2%, US 17.2% (2003) Vietnam 25.7%, Thailand 19%, France 7.5%, Germany 5.3% (2002)
Fiscal year calendar year 1 October - 30 September
Flag description three horizontal bands of light blue (top, double width), white (with a horizontal red stripe in the middle third), and light blue; a circle of 10 yellow five-pointed stars is centered on the hoist end of the red stripe and extends into the upper and lower blue bands three horizontal bands of red (top), blue (double width), and red with a large white disk centered in the blue band
GDP purchasing power parity - $600 million (2002 est.) purchasing power parity - $10.4 billion (2002 est.)
GDP - composition by sector agriculture: 10%


industry: 16.5%


services: 62.8% (2003)
agriculture: 53%


industry: 23%


services: 24% (2001 est.)
GDP - per capita purchasing power parity - $1,400 (2002 est.) purchasing power parity - $1,800 (2002 est.)
GDP - real growth rate 4% (2002 est.) 5.7% (2002 est.)
Geographic coordinates 16 00 N, 24 00 W 18 00 N, 105 00 E
Geography - note strategic location 500 km from west coast of Africa near major north-south sea routes; important communications station; important sea and air refueling site landlocked; most of the country is mountainous and thickly forested; the Mekong forms a large part of the western boundary with Thailand
Highways total: 1,100 km


paved: 858 km


unpaved: 242 km (1999 est.)
total: 21,716 km


paved: 9,664 km


unpaved: 12,052 km (1999 est.)
Household income or consumption by percentage share lowest 10%: NA


highest 10%: NA
lowest 10%: 3.2%


highest 10%: 30.6% (1997)
Illicit drugs used as a transshipment point for illicit drugs moving from Latin America and Asia destined for Western Europe; the lack of a well-developed financial system limits the country's utility as a money-laundering center world's third-largest illicit opium producer (estimated cultivation in 2002 - 23,200 hectares, a 5% increase over 2001; estimated potential production in 2002 - 180 metric tons, a 10% decrease from 2001); potential heroin producer; transshipment point for heroin and methamphetamine produced in Burma; illicit producer of cannabis; growing methamphetamine abuse problem
Imports NA (2001) NA (2001)
Imports - commodities foodstuffs, industrial products, transport equipment, fuels machinery and equipment, vehicles, fuel, consumer goods
Imports - partners Portugal 46.7%, Netherlands 9.1%, Belgium 3.8% (2003) Thailand 58.9%, Vietnam 12.3%, China 7.9% (2002)
Independence 5 July 1975 (from Portugal) 19 July 1949 (from France)
Industrial production growth rate NA 7.5% (1999 est.)
Industries food and beverages, fish processing, shoes and garments, salt mining, ship repair tin and gypsum mining, timber, electric power, agricultural processing, construction, garments, tourism
Infant mortality rate total: 49.14 deaths/1,000 live births


male: 54.39 deaths/1,000 live births


female: 43.73 deaths/1,000 live births (2004 est.)
total: 88.94 deaths/1,000 live births


male: 99.1 deaths/1,000 live births


female: 78.41 deaths/1,000 live births (2003 est.)
Inflation rate (consumer prices) 3% (2003) 10% (2002 est.)
International organization participation ACCT, ACP, AfDB, AU, ECOWAS, FAO, G-77, IBRD, ICAO, ICCt (signatory), ICFTU, ICRM, IDA, IFAD, IFC, IFRCS, ILO, IMF, IMO, Interpol, IOC, IOM, ITU, MIGA, NAM, OPCW, UN, UNCTAD, UNESCO, UNIDO, UPU, WCO, WHO, WIPO, WMO, WToO, WTrO (observer) ACCT, ARF, AsDB, ASEAN, CP, ESCAP, FAO, G-77, IBRD, ICAO, ICRM, IDA, IFAD, IFC, IFRCS, ILO, IMF, Interpol, IOC, ITU, NAM, OPCW, PCA, UN, UNCTAD, UNESCO, UNIDO, UPU, WFTU, WHO, WIPO, WMO, WToO, WTrO (observer)
Internet Service Providers (ISPs) - 1 (2000)
Irrigated land 30 sq km (1998 est.) 1,640 sq km


note: rainy season irrigation - 2,169 sq km; dry season irrigation - 750 sq km (1998 est.)
Judicial branch Supreme Tribunal of Justice or Supremo Tribunal de Justia People's Supreme Court (the president of the People's Supreme Court is elected by the National Assembly on the recommendation of the National Assembly Standing Committee; the vice president of the People's Supreme Court and the judges are appointed by the National Assembly Standing Committee)
Labor force NA (1980) 2.4 million (1999)
Labor force - by occupation - agriculture 80% (1997 est.)
Land boundaries 0 km total: 5,083 km


border countries: Burma 235 km, Cambodia 541 km, China 423 km, Thailand 1,754 km, Vietnam 2,130 km
Land use arable land: 9.68%


permanent crops: 0.5%


other: 89.82% (2001)
arable land: 3.47%


permanent crops: 0.23%


other: 96.3% (1998 est.)
Languages Portuguese, Crioulo (a blend of Portuguese and West African words) Lao (official), French, English, and various ethnic languages
Legal system derived from the legal system of Portugal based on traditional customs, French legal norms and procedures, and socialist practice
Legislative branch unicameral National Assembly or Assembleia Nacional (72 seats; members are elected by popular vote to serve five-year terms)


elections: last held 14 January 2001 (next to be held NA December 2005)


election results: percent of vote by party - PAICV 47.3%, MPD 39.8%, ADM 6%, other 6.9%; seats by party - PAICV 40, MPD 30, ADM 2
unicameral National Assembly (109 seats; members elected by popular vote to serve five-year terms; note - total number of seats increased from 99 to 109 for the 2002 election)


elections: last held 24 February 2002 (next to be held NA 2007)


election results: percent of vote by party - NA%; seats by party - LPRP or LPRP-approved (independent, non-party members) 109
Life expectancy at birth total population: 70.14 years


male: 66.83 years


female: 73.54 years (2004 est.)
total population: 54.3 years


male: 52.34 years


female: 56.33 years (2003 est.)
Literacy definition: age 15 and over can read and write


total population: 76.6%


male: 85.8%


female: 69.2% (2003 est.)
definition: age 15 and over can read and write


total population: 52.8%


male: 67.5%


female: 38.1% (2003 est.)
Location Western Africa, group of islands in the North Atlantic Ocean, west of Senegal Southeastern Asia, northeast of Thailand, west of Vietnam
Map references Political Map of the World Southeast Asia
Maritime claims measured from claimed archipelagic baselines


territorial sea: 12 nm


contiguous zone: 24 nm


exclusive economic zone: 200 nm
none (landlocked)
Merchant marine total: 4 ships (1,000 GRT or over) 5,395 GRT/6,614 DWT


by type: cargo 2, chemical tanker 1, passenger/cargo 1


foreign-owned: United Kingdom 1 (2004 est.)
total: 1 ships (1,000 GRT or over) 2,370 GRT/3,110 DWT


ships by type: cargo 1 (2002 est.)
Military branches Army, Coast Guard Lao People's Army (LPA; including Riverine Force), Air Force, National Police Department
Military expenditures - dollar figure $12.3 million (2003) $55 million (FY98)
Military expenditures - percent of GDP 1.5% (2003) 4.2% (FY96)
Military manpower - availability males age 15-49: 98,394 (2004 est.) males age 15-49: 1,411,042 (2003 est.)
Military manpower - fit for military service males age 15-49: 55,477 (2004 est.) males age 15-49: 759,499 (2003 est.)
Military manpower - military age - 18 years of age (2003 est.)
Military manpower - reaching military age annually - males: 67,260 (2003 est.)
National holiday Independence Day, 5 July (1975) Republic Day, 2 December (1975)
Nationality noun: Cape Verdean(s)


adjective: Cape Verdean
noun: Lao(s) or Laotian(s)


adjective: Lao or Laotian
Natural hazards prolonged droughts; seasonal harmattan wind produces obscuring dust; volcanically and seismically active floods, droughts
Natural resources salt, basalt rock, limestone, kaolin, fish timber, hydropower, gypsum, tin, gold, gemstones
Net migration rate -12.07 migrant(s)/1,000 population (2004 est.) 0 migrant(s)/1,000 population (2003 est.)
Pipelines - refined products 540 km (2003)
Political parties and leaders African Party for Independence of Cape Verde or PAICV [Jose Maria Pereira NEVES, chairman]; Democratic Alliance for Change or ADM [Dr. Eurico MONTEIRO] (a coalition of PCD, PTS, and UCID); Democratic Christian Party or PDC [Manuel RODRIGUES, chairman]; Democratic Renovation Party or PRD [Jacinto SANTOS, president]; Movement for Democracy or MPD [Agostinho LOPES, president]; Party for Democratic Convergence or PCD [Dr. Eurico MONTEIRO, president]; Party of Work and Solidarity or PTS [Isaias RODRIGUES, president]; Social Democratic Party or PSD [Joao ALEM, president] Lao People's Revolutionary Party or LPRP [KHAMTAI Siphandon, party president]; other parties proscribed
Political pressure groups and leaders NA noncommunist political groups proscribed; most opposition leaders fled the country in 1975
Population 415,294 (July 2004 est.) 5,921,545 (July 2003 est.)
Population below poverty line 30% (2000) 40% (2002 est.)
Population growth rate 0.73% (2004 est.) 2.45% (2003 est.)
Ports and harbors Mindelo, Praia, Tarrafal none
Radio broadcast stations AM 0, FM 15 (and 17 repeaters), shortwave 0 (2002) AM 12, FM 1, shortwave 4 (1998)
Railways - 0 km
Religions Roman Catholic (infused with indigenous beliefs); Protestant (mostly Church of the Nazarene) Buddhist 60%, animist and other 40% (including various Christian denominations 1.5%)
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: 0.61 male(s)/female


total population: 0.94 male(s)/female (2004 est.)
at birth: 1.04 male(s)/female


under 15 years: 1.01 male(s)/female


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


65 years and over: 0.84 male(s)/female


total population: 0.98 male(s)/female (2003 est.)
Suffrage 18 years of age; universal 18 years of age; universal
Telephone system general assessment: effective system, being improved


domestic: interisland microwave radio relay system with both analog and digital exchanges; work is in progress on a submarine fiber-optic cable system which is scheduled for completion in 2003


international: country code - 238; 2 coaxial submarine cables; HF radiotelephone to Senegal and Guinea-Bissau; satellite earth station - 1 Intelsat (Atlantic Ocean)
general assessment: service to general public is poor but improving with over 20,000 telephones currently in service and an additional 48,000 expected by 2001; the government relies on a radiotelephone network to communicate with remote areas


domestic: radiotelephone communications


international: satellite earth station - 1 Intersputnik (Indian Ocean region)
Telephones - main lines in use 71,700 (2003) 25,000 (1997)
Telephones - mobile cellular 53,300 (2003) 4,915 (1997)
Television broadcast stations 1 (and 7 repeaters) (2002) 4 (1999)
Terrain steep, rugged, rocky, volcanic mostly rugged mountains; some plains and plateaus
Total fertility rate 3.62 children born/woman (2004 est.) 4.94 children born/woman (2003 est.)
Unemployment rate 21% (2000 est.) 5.7% (1997 est.)
Waterways - 4,587 km approximately


note: primarily Mekong and tributaries; 2,897 additional km are intermittently navigable by craft drawing less than 0.5 m
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