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Compare Central African Republic (2004) - Somalia (2001)

Compare Central African Republic (2004) z Somalia (2001)

 Central African Republic (2004)Somalia (2001)
 Central African RepublicSomalia
Administrative divisions 14 prefectures (prefectures, singular - prefecture), 2 economic prefectures* (prefectures economiques, singular - prefecture economique), and 1 commune**; Bamingui-Bangoran, Bangui**, Basse-Kotto, Haute-Kotto, Haut-Mbomou, Kemo, Lobaye, Mambere-Kadei, Mbomou, Nana-Grebizi*, Nana-Mambere, Ombella-Mpoko, Ouaka, Ouham, Ouham-Pende, Sangha-Mbaere*, Vakaga 18 regions (plural - NA, singular - gobolka); Awdal, Bakool, Banaadir, Bari, Bay, Galguduud, Gedo, Hiiraan, Jubbada Dhexe, Jubbada Hoose, Mudug, Nugaal, Sanaag, Shabeellaha Dhexe, Shabeellaha Hoose, Sool, Togdheer, Woqooyi Galbeed
Age structure 0-14 years: 42.8% (male 806,506; female 795,639)


15-64 years: 53.8% (male 990,522; female 1,021,491)


65 years and over: 3.4% (male 53,860; female 74,464) (2004 est.)
0-14 years:
44.54% (male 1,670,320; female 1,665,329)

15-64 years:
52.69% (male 1,993,750; female 1,952,437)

65 years and over:
2.77% (male 91,511; female 115,426) (2001 est.)
Agriculture - products cotton, coffee, tobacco, manioc (tapioca), yams, millet, corn, bananas; timber cattle, sheep, goats; bananas, sorghum, corn, sugarcane, mangoes, sesame seeds, beans; fish
Airports 50 (2003 est.) 62 (2000 est.)
Airports - with paved runways total: 3


2,438 to 3,047 m: 1


1,524 to 2,437 m: 2 (2004 est.)
total:
5

over 3,047 m:
4

1,524 to 2,437 m:
1 (2000 est.)
Airports - with unpaved runways total: 47


2,438 to 3,047 m: 1


1,524 to 2,437 m: 10


914 to 1,523 m: 23


under 914 m: 13 (2004 est.)
total:
57

2,438 to 3,047 m:
4

1,524 to 2,437 m:
13

914 to 1,523 m:
29

under 914 m:
11 (2000 est.)
Area total: 622,984 sq km


land: 622,984 sq km


water: 0 sq km
total:
637,657 sq km

land:
627,337 sq km

water:
10,320 sq km
Area - comparative slightly smaller than Texas slightly smaller than Texas
Background The former French colony of Ubangi-Shari became the Central African Republic upon independence in 1960. After three tumultuous decades of misrule - mostly by military governments - civilian rule was established in 1993 and lasted for one decade. President Ange-Felix PATASSE's civilian government was plagued by unrest, and in March 2003 he was deposed in a military coup led by General Francois BOZIZE, who has since established a transitional government. Though the government has the tacit support of civil society groups and the main parties, a wide field of affiliated and independent candidates will contest the municipal, legislative, and presidential elections scheduled for February 2005. The government still does not fully control the countryside, where pockets of lawlessness persist. A SIAD BARRE regime was ousted in January 1991; turmoil, factional fighting, and anarchy followed for nine years. In May of 1991, northern clans declared an independent Republic of Somaliland which now includes the administrative regions of Awdal, Woqooyi Galbeed, Togdheer, Sanaag, and Sool. Although not recognized by any government, this entity has maintained a stable existence, aided by the overwhelming dominance of the ruling clan and economic infrastructure left behind by British, Russian, and American military assistance programs. The regions of Bari and Nugaal comprise a neighboring self-declared Republic of Puntland, which has also made strides towards reconstructing legitimate, representative government. Beginning in 1993, a two-year UN humanitarian effort (primarily in the south) was able to alleviate famine conditions, but when the UN withdrew in 1995, having suffered significant casualties, order still had not been restored. A Transitional National Government (TNG) was created in October 2000 in Arta, Djibouti which was attended by a broad representation of Somali clans. The TNG has a three-year mandate to create a permanent national Somali government. The TNG does not recognize Somaliland or Puntland as independent republics but so far has been unable to reunite them with the unstable regions in the south; numerous warlords and factions are still fighting for control of Mogadishu and the other southern regions.
Birth rate 35.55 births/1,000 population (2004 est.) 47.23 births/1,000 population (2001 est.)
Budget revenues: NA


expenditures: NA, including capital expenditures of NA
revenues:
$NA

expenditures:
$NA, including capital expenditures of $NA
Capital Bangui Mogadishu
Climate tropical; hot, dry winters; mild to hot, wet summers principally desert; December to February - northeast monsoon, moderate temperatures in north and very hot in south; May to October - southwest monsoon, torrid in the north and hot in the south, irregular rainfall, hot and humid periods (tangambili) between monsoons
Coastline 0 km (landlocked) 3,025 km
Constitution passed by referendum 5 December 2004 25 August 1979, presidential approval 23 September 1979

note:
the Transitional National Government formed in October 2000 has a mandate to create a new constitution and hold elections within three years
Country name conventional long form: Central African Republic


conventional short form: none


local long form: Republique Centrafricaine


local short form: none


former: Ubangi-Shari, Central African Empire


abbreviation: CAR
conventional long form:
none

conventional short form:
Somalia

former:
Somali Republic, Somali Democratic Republic
Currency Communaute Financiere Africaine franc (XAF); note - responsible authority is the Bank of the Central African States Somali shilling (SOS)
Death rate 19.99 deaths/1,000 population (2004 est.) 18.35 deaths/1,000 population (2001 est.)
Debt - external $881.4 million (2000 est.) $2.6 billion (1999 est.)
Diplomatic representation from the US chief of mission: Ambassador (vacant)


embassy: Avenue David Dacko, Bangui


mailing address: B. P. 924, Bangui


telephone: [236] 61 02 00


FAX: [236] 61 44 94


note: The embassy is currently operating with a minimal staff
the US does not have an embassy in Somalia; US interests are represented by the US Embassy in Nairobi at Moi Avenue and Haile Selassie Avenue; mail address: P. O. Box 30137, Unit 64100, Nairobi; APO AE 09831; telephone: [254] (2) 334141; FAX [254] (2) 340838
Diplomatic representation in the US chief of mission: Ambassador Emmanuel TOUABOY


chancery: 1618 22nd Street NW, Washington, DC 20008


telephone: [1] (202) 483-7800


FAX: [1] (202) 332-9893
Somalia does not have an embassy in the US (ceased operations on 8 May 1991)
Disputes - international internal political instabilities with fighting and violence overlap into Chad and CAR, leaving refugees and rebel groups in both countries; Sudan has pledged to work with CAR to stem violent skirmishes over water and grazing rights among related pastoral populations along the border most of the southern half of the boundary with Ethiopia is a Provisional Administrative Line; territorial dispute with Ethiopia over the Ogaden
Economic aid - recipient ODA $73 million; note - traditional budget subsidies from France (2000 est.) $191.5 million (1995)
Economy - overview Subsistence agriculture, together with forestry, remains the backbone of the economy of the Central African Republic (CAR), with more than 70% of the population living in outlying areas. The agricultural sector generates half of GDP. Timber has accounted for about 16% of export earnings and the diamond industry for 54%. Important constraints to economic development include the CAR's landlocked position, a poor transportation system, a largely unskilled work force, and a legacy of misdirected macroeconomic policies. Factional fighting between the government and its opponents remains a drag on economic revitalization, with GDP likely to contract in 2004. Distribution of income is extraordinarily unequal. Grants from France and the international community can only partially meet humanitarian needs. One of the world's poorest and least developed countries, Somalia has few resources. Moreover, much of the economy has been devastated by the civil war. Agriculture is the most important sector, with livestock accounting for about 40% of GDP and about 65% of export earnings. Nomads and semi-nomads, who are dependent upon livestock for their livelihood, make up a large portion of the population. Livestock and bananas are the principal exports; sugar, sorghum, corn, fish, and qat are products for the domestic market. The small industrial sector, based on the processing of agricultural products, accounts for 10% of GDP; most facilities have been shut down because of the civil strife. Moreover, ongoing civil disturbances in Mogadishu and outlying areas have interfered with any substantial economic advance and with international aid arrangements. Due to the civil strife, economic data is susceptible to an exceptionally wide margin of error.
Electricity - consumption 98.63 million kWh (2001) 241.8 million kWh (1999)
Electricity - exports 0 kWh (2001) 0 kWh (1999)
Electricity - imports 0 kWh (2001) 0 kWh (1999)
Electricity - production 106 million kWh (2001) 260 million kWh (1999)
Electricity - production by source - fossil fuel:
100%

hydro:
0%

nuclear:
0%

other:
0% (1999)
Elevation extremes lowest point: Oubangui River 335 m


highest point: Mont Ngaoui 1,420 m
lowest point:
Indian Ocean 0 m

highest point:
Shimbiris 2,416 m
Environment - current issues tap water is not potable; poaching has diminished the country's reputation as one of the last great wildlife refuges; desertification; deforestation famine; use of contaminated water contributes to human health problems; deforestation; overgrazing; soil erosion; desertification
Environment - international agreements party to: Biodiversity, Climate Change, Desertification, Endangered Species, Ozone Layer Protection, Tropical Timber 94


signed, but not ratified: Law of the Sea
party to:
Endangered Species, Law of the Sea

signed, but not ratified:
Marine Dumping, Nuclear Test Ban
Ethnic groups Baya 33%, Banda 27%, Mandjia 13%, Sara 10%, Mboum 7%, M'Baka 4%, Yakoma 4%, other 2% Somali 85%, Bantu, Arabs 30,000
Exchange rates Communaute Financiere Africaine francs (XAF) per US dollar - 581.2 (2003), 696.988 (2002), 733.039 (2001), 711.976 (2000), 615.699 (1999) Somali shillings per US dollar - 11,000 (November 2000), 2,620 (January 1999), 7,500 (November 1997 est.), 7,000 (January 1996 est.), 5,000 (1 January 1995), 2,616 (1 July 1993)

note:
the Republic of Somaliland, a self-declared independent country not recognized by any foreign government, issues its own currency, the Somaliland shilling
Executive branch chief of state: President Francois BOZIZE (since 15 March 2003 coup) and Vice President Abel GOUMA (since 12 December 2003)


head of government: Prime Minister Celestin GAOMBALET (since 12 December 2003)


cabinet: Council of Ministers


elections: NA; municipal, legislative and presidential elections scheduled for December 2004 or January 2005; prime minister appointed by the president
chief of state:
ABDIKASSIM Salad Hassan (since 26 August 2000); note - Interim President ABDIKASSIM was chosen for a three-year term by a 245-member National Assembly serving as a transitional government; the present political situation is still unstable, particularly in the south, with interclan fighting and random banditry

head of government:
ALI Khalifa Galaydh, appointed by the president 8 October 2000

cabinet:
appointed by the prime minister and sworn in on 20 October 2000

election results:
ABDIKASSIM Salad Hassan was elected president of an interim government at the Djibouti-sponsored Arta Peace Conference on 26 August 2000 by a broad representation of Somali clans that comprised a transitional National Assembly.
Exports NA (2001) $186 million (f.o.b., 1999 est.)
Exports - commodities diamonds, timber, cotton, coffee, tobacco livestock, bananas, hides, fish (1999)
Exports - partners Belgium 41.8%, Italy 10.7%, Spain 9.8%, France 7.4%, Indonesia 6.6% (2003) Saudi Arabia 53%, Yemen 19%, UAE 14%, Italy 5%, Pakistan 2% (1999)
Fiscal year calendar year NA
Flag description four equal horizontal bands of blue (top), white, green, and yellow with a vertical red band in center; there is a yellow five-pointed star on the hoist side of the blue band light blue with a large white five-pointed star in the center; design based on the flag of the UN (Italian Somaliland was a UN trust territory)
GDP purchasing power parity - $4.183 billion (2003 est.) purchasing power parity - $4.3 billion (2000 est.)
GDP - composition by sector agriculture: 55%


industry: 20%


services: 25% (2001 est.)
agriculture:
60%

industry:
10% (largely shut down in 2000)

services:
30% (2000 est.)
GDP - per capita purchasing power parity - $1,100 (2003 est.) purchasing power parity - $600 (2000 est.)
GDP - real growth rate -7% (2003 est.) NA%
Geographic coordinates 7 00 N, 21 00 E 10 00 N, 49 00 E
Geography - note landlocked; almost the precise center of Africa strategic location on Horn of Africa along southern approaches to Bab el Mandeb and route through Red Sea and Suez Canal
Highways total: 23,810 km


paved: 643 km


unpaved: 23,167 km (1999 est.)
total:
22,100 km

paved:
2,608 km

unpaved:
19,492 km (1996)
Household income or consumption by percentage share lowest 10%: 0.7%


highest 10%: 47.7% (1993)
lowest 10%:
NA%

highest 10%:
NA%
Imports NA (2001) $314 million (f.o.b., 1999 est.)
Imports - commodities food, textiles, petroleum products, machinery, electrical equipment, motor vehicles, chemicals, pharmaceuticals manufactures, petroleum products, foodstuffs, construction materials (1995)
Imports - partners France 27%, Cameroon 9.2%, US 5.3% (2003) Djibouti 24%, Kenya 14%, Brazil 13%, Saudi Arabia 10%, India 9% (1999)
Independence 13 August 1960 (from France) 1 July 1960 (from a merger of British Somaliland, which became independent from the UK on 26 June 1960, and Italian Somaliland, which became independent from the Italian-administered UN trusteeship on 1 July 1960, to form the Somali Republic)
Industrial production growth rate 3% (2002) NA%
Industries diamond mining, logging, brewing, textiles, footwear, assembly of bicycles and motorcycles a few small industries, including sugar refining, textiles, petroleum refining (mostly shut down), wireless communication
Infant mortality rate total: 92.15 deaths/1,000 live births


male: 99.09 deaths/1,000 live births


female: 84.99 deaths/1,000 live births (2004 est.)
123.97 deaths/1,000 live births (2001 est.)
Inflation rate (consumer prices) 3.6% (2001 est.) over 100% (businesses print their own money) (2000 est.)
International organization participation ACCT, ACP, AfDB, AU, BDEAC, CEMAC, FAO, FZ, G-77, IAEA, IBRD, ICAO, ICCt, ICFTU, ICRM, IDA, IFAD, IFC, IFRCS, ILO, IMF, Interpol, IOC, ITU, MIGA, NAM, OIC (observer), OPCW (signatory), UN, UNCTAD, UNESCO, UNIDO, UPU, WCL, WCO, WHO, WIPO, WMO, WToO, WTO ACP, AfDB, AFESD, AL, AMF, CAEU, ECA, FAO, G-77, IBRD, ICAO, ICRM, IDA, IDB, IFAD, IFC, IFRCS, ILO, IMF, IMO, Intelsat, Interpol, IOC, IOM (observer), ITU, NAM, OAU, OIC, UN, UNCTAD, UNESCO, UNHCR, UNIDO, UPU, WFTU, WHO, WIPO, WMO, WTrO (observer)
Internet Service Providers (ISPs) - 1 (2000)
Irrigated land NA sq km 1,800 sq km (1993 est.)
Judicial branch Supreme Court or Cour Supreme; Constitutional Court (3 judges appointed by the president, 3 by the president of the National Assembly, and 3 by fellow judges); Court of Appeal; Criminal Courts; Inferior Courts following the breakdown of national government, most regions have reverted to Islamic (Shari'a) law with a provision for appeal of all sentences
Labor force NA (2000 est.) 3.7 million (very few are skilled laborers) (1993 est.)
Labor force - by occupation - agriculture (mostly pastoral nomadism) 71%, industry and services 29%
Land boundaries total: 5,203 km


border countries: Cameroon 797 km, Chad 1,197 km, Democratic Republic of the Congo 1,577 km, Republic of the Congo 467 km, Sudan 1,165 km
total:
2,366 km

border countries:
Djibouti 58 km, Ethiopia 1,626 km, Kenya 682 km
Land use arable land: 3.1%


permanent crops: 0.14%


other: 96.76% (2001)
arable land:
2%

permanent crops:
0%

permanent pastures:
69%

forests and woodland:
26%

other:
3% (1993 est.)
Languages French (official), Sangho (lingua franca and national language), tribal languages Somali (official), Arabic, Italian, English
Legal system based on French law NA
Legislative branch unicameral National Assembly or Assemblee Nationale (109 seats; members are elected by popular vote to serve five-year terms; note - there were 85 seats in the National Assembly before the 1998 election)


elections: last held 22-23 November and 13 December 1998 (next to be held NA 2004)


election results: percent of vote by party - MLPC 43%, RDC 18%, MDD 9%, FPP 6%, PSD 5%, ADP 4%, PUN 3%, FODEM 2%, PLD 2%, UPR 1%, FC 1%, independents 6%; seats by party - MLPC 47, RDC 20, MDD 8, FPP 7, PSD 6, ADP 5, PUN 3, FODEM 2, PLD 2, UPR 1, FC 1, independents 7
unicameral People's Assembly or Golaha Shacbiga

note:
fledgling parliament; a transitional 245-member National Assembly began to meet on 13 August 2000 in the town of Arta, Djibouti and is now based in Mogadishu
Life expectancy at birth total population: 41.36 years


male: 39.7 years


female: 43.08 years (2004 est.)
total population:
46.6 years

male:
44.99 years

female:
48.25 years (2001 est.)
Literacy definition: age 15 and over can read and write


total population: 51%


male: 63.3%


female: 39.9% (2003 est.)
definition:
age 15 and over can read and write

total population:
24%

male:
36%

female:
14% (1990 est.)
Location Central Africa, north of Democratic Republic of the Congo Eastern Africa, bordering the Gulf of Aden and the Indian Ocean, east of Ethiopia
Map references Africa Africa
Maritime claims none (landlocked) territorial sea:
200 NM
Merchant marine - none (2000 est.)
Military branches Central African Armed Forces (FACA): Republican Guard, Ground Forces, Naval Forces, Air Force A Somali National Army is being reformed under the interim government; numerous factions and clans maintain independent militias, and the Somaliland and Puntland regional governments maintain their own security and police forces
Military expenditures - dollar figure $14.5 million (2003) $NA
Military expenditures - percent of GDP 1.1% (2003) NA%
Military manpower - availability males age 15-49: 878,980 (2004 est.) males age 15-49:
1,825,302 (2001 est.)
Military manpower - fit for military service males age 15-49: 460,469 (2004 est.) males age 15-49:
1,011,400 (2001 est.)
National holiday Republic Day, 1 December (1958) Foundation of the Somali Republic, 1 July (1960)
Nationality noun: Central African(s)


adjective: Central African
noun:
Somali(s)

adjective:
Somali
Natural hazards hot, dry, dusty harmattan winds affect northern areas; floods are common recurring droughts; frequent dust storms over eastern plains in summer; floods during rainy season
Natural resources diamonds, uranium, timber, gold, oil, hydropower uranium and largely unexploited reserves of iron ore, tin, gypsum, bauxite, copper, salt
Net migration rate 0 migrant(s)/1,000 population (2004 est.) 5.96 migrant(s)/1,000 population (2001 est.)
Pipelines - crude oil 15 km
Political parties and leaders Alliance for Democracy and Progress or ADP [Jacques MBOLIEDAS]; Central African Democratic Assembly or RDC [Andre KOLINGBA]; Civic Forum or FC [Gen. Timothee MALENDOMA]; Democratic Forum for Modernity or FODEM [Charles MASSI]; Liberal Democratic Party or PLD [Nestor KOMBO-NAGUEMON]; Movement for Democracy and Development or MDD [David DACKO]; Movement for the Liberation of the Central African People or MLPC [the party of deposed president, Ange-Felix PATASSE]; Patriotic Front for Progress or FPP [Abel GOUMBA]; People's Union for the Republic or UPR [Pierre Sammy MAKFOY]; National Unity Party or PUN [Jean-Paul NGOUPANDE]; Social Democratic Party or PSD [Enoch LAKOUE] none
Political pressure groups and leaders NA numerous clan and subclan factions are currently vying for power
Population 3,742,482


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.)
7,488,773

note:
this estimate was derived from an official census taken in 1975 by the Somali Government; population counting in Somalia is complicated by the large number of nomads and by refugee movements in response to famine and clan warfare (July 2001 est.)
Population below poverty line NA (1993) NA%
Population growth rate 1.56% (2004 est.) 3.48% (2001 est.)
Ports and harbors Bangui, Nola, Salo, Nzinga Bender Cassim (Boosaaso), Berbera, Chisimayu (Kismaayo), Merca, Mogadishu
Radio broadcast stations AM 1, FM 5, shortwave 1 (2002) AM 0, FM 0, shortwave 4 (1988)
Radios - 470,000 (1997)
Railways - 0 km
Religions indigenous beliefs 35%, Protestant 25%, Roman Catholic 25%, Muslim 15%


note: animistic beliefs and practices strongly influence the Christian majority
Sunni Muslim
Sex ratio 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: 0.72 male(s)/female


total population: 0.98 male(s)/female (2004 est.)
at birth:
1.03 male(s)/female

under 15 years:
1 male(s)/female

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

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

total population:
1.01 male(s)/female (2001 est.)
Suffrage 21 years of age; universal 18 years of age; universal
Telephone system general assessment: fair system


domestic: network consists principally of microwave radio relay and low-capacity, low-powered radiotelephone communication


international: country code - 236; satellite earth station - 1 Intelsat (Atlantic Ocean)
general assessment:
the public telecommunications system was completely destroyed or dismantled by the civil war factions; all relief organizations depend on their own private systems

domestic:
recently, local cellular telephone systems have been established in Mogadishu and in several other population centers

international:
international connections are available from Mogadishu by satellite
Telephones - main lines in use 9,000 (2002) NA
Telephones - mobile cellular 13,000 (2003) NA
Television broadcast stations 1 (2001) 1 (1997)
Terrain vast, flat to rolling, monotonous plateau; scattered hills in northeast and southwest mostly flat to undulating plateau rising to hills in north
Total fertility rate 4.59 children born/woman (2004 est.) 7.11 children born/woman (2001 est.)
Unemployment rate 8% (23% for Bangui) (2001 est.) NA%
Waterways 2,800 km (primarily on the Oubangui and Sangha rivers) (2004) none
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