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Compare Christmas Island (2003) - Comoros (2002)

Compare Christmas Island (2003) z Comoros (2002)

 Christmas Island (2003)Comoros (2002)
 Christmas IslandComoros
Administrative divisions none (territory of Australia) 3 islands; Grande Comore (Njazidja), Anjouan (Nzwani), and Moheli (Mwali); note - there are also four municipalities named Domoni, Fomboni, Moroni, and Moutsamoudou
Age structure 0-14 years: NA%


15-64 years: NA%


65 years and over: NA% (2003 est.)
0-14 years: 42.9% (male 132,013; female 131,282)


15-64 years: 54.2% (male 164,245; female 168,793)


65 years and over: 2.9% (male 8,588; female 9,461) (2002 est.)
Agriculture - products NA vanilla, cloves, perfume essences, copra, coconuts, bananas, cassava (tapioca)
Airports 1 (2002) 4 (2001)
Airports - with paved runways total: 1


1,524 to 2,437 m: 1 (2002)
total: 4


2,438 to 3,047 m: 1


914 to 1,523 m: 3 (2002)
Area total: 135 sq km


land: 135 sq km


water: 0 sq km
total: 2,170 sq km


land: 2,170 sq km


water: 0 sq km
Area - comparative about 0.7 times the size of Washington, DC slightly more than 12 times the size of Washington, DC
Background Named in 1643 for the day of its discovery, the island was annexed and settlement was begun by the UK in 1888. Phosphate mining began in the 1890s. The UK transferred sovereignty to Australia in 1958. Almost two-thirds of the island has been declared a national park. Unstable Comoros has endured 19 coups or attempted coups since gaining independence from France in 1975. In 1997, the islands of Anjouan and Moheli declared their independence from Comoros. In 1999, military chief Col. AZALI seized power. He has pledged to resolve the secessionist crisis through a confederal arrangement named the 2000 Fomboni Accord. In December 2001, voters approved a new constitution and presidential elections took place in the spring of 2002.
Birth rate NA births/1,000 population (2003 est.) 39.01 births/1,000 population (2002 est.)
Budget revenues: $NA


expenditures: $NA, including capital expenditures of $NA
revenues: $27.6 million


expenditures: $NA, including capital expenditures of $NA (2001 est.)
Capital The Settlement Moroni
Climate tropical; heat and humidity moderated by trade winds tropical marine; rainy season (November to May)
Coastline 80 km 340 km
Constitution NA 23 December 2001


note: a Transitional National Unity Government (GUNT) was formed on 20 January 2002 following the passing of the new constitution; the GUNT governed until the presidential elections on 14 April 2002
Country name conventional long form: Territory of Christmas Island


conventional short form: Christmas Island
conventional long form: Union of the Comoros


conventional short form: Comoros


local long form: Union des Comores


local short form: Comores
Currency Australian dollar (AUD) Comoran franc (KMF)
Death rate NA deaths/1,000 population (2003 est.) 9.1 deaths/1,000 population (2002 est.)
Debt - external $NA $225 million
Dependency status territory of Australia; administered by the Australian Department of Transport and Regional Services -
Diplomatic representation from the US none (territory of Australia) the US does not have an embassy in Comoros; the ambassador to Mauritius is accredited to Comoros
Diplomatic representation in the US none (territory of Australia) chief of mission: Ambassador-designate Ahmed DJABIR (ambassador to the US and Canada and permanent representative to the UN)


chancery: (temporary) care of the Permanent Mission of the Federal and Islamic Republic of the Comoros to the United Nations, 420 East 50th Street, New York, NY 10022


telephone: [1] (212) 972-8010 and 223-2711


FAX: [1] (212) 983-4712 and 715-0699
Disputes - international none claims French-administered Mayotte; the island of Anjouan (Nzwani) has moved to secede from Comoros again after recent military coup
Economic aid - recipient $NA $10 million (2001 est.)
Economy - overview Phosphate mining had been the only significant economic activity, but in December 1987 the Australian Government closed the mine. In 1991, the mine was reopened. With the support of the government, a $34 million casino opened in 1993. The casino closed in 1998. The Australian Government in 2001 agreed to support the creation of a commercial space-launching site on the island, slated to begin operation in 2003. One of the world's poorest countries, Comoros is made up of three islands that have inadequate transportation links, a young and rapidly increasing population, and few natural resources. The low educational level of the labor force contributes to a subsistence level of economic activity, high unemployment, and a heavy dependence on foreign grants and technical assistance. Agriculture, including fishing, hunting, and forestry, contributes 40% to GDP, employs 80% of the labor force, and provides most of the exports. The country is not self-sufficient in food production; rice, the main staple, accounts for the bulk of imports. The government is struggling to upgrade education and technical training, to privatize commercial and industrial enterprises, to improve health services, to diversify exports, to promote tourism, and to reduce the high population growth rate. Increased foreign support is essential if the goal of 4% annual GDP growth is to be met. Remittances from 150,000 Comorans abroad help supplement GDP.
Electricity - consumption NA kWh 17.67 million kWh (2000)
Electricity - exports - 0 kWh (2000)
Electricity - imports - 0 kWh (2000)
Electricity - production NA kWh 19 million kWh (2000)
Electricity - production by source fossil fuel: NA%


hydro: NA%


nuclear: NA%


other: NA%
fossil fuel: 89%


hydro: 11%


nuclear: 0%


other: 0% (2000)
Elevation extremes lowest point: Indian Ocean 0 m


highest point: Murray Hill 361 m
lowest point: Indian Ocean 0 m


highest point: Le Kartala 2,360 m
Environment - current issues NA soil degradation and erosion results from crop cultivation on slopes without proper terracing; deforestation
Environment - international 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 Chinese 70%, European 20%, Malay 10%


note: no indigenous population (2001)
Antalote, Cafre, Makoa, Oimatsaha, Sakalava
Exchange rates Australian dollars per US dollar - 1.9354 (2002), 1.9320 (2001), 1.7173(2000), 1.5497 (1999), 1.5888 (1998) Comoran francs per US dollar - 557.09 (January 2002), 549.78 (2001), 533.98 (2000), 461.77 (1999), 442.46 (1998), 437.75 (1997)


note: prior to January 1999, the official rate was pegged to the French franc at 75 Comoran francs per French franc; since 1 January 1999, the Comoran franc is pegged to the euro at a rate of 491.9677 Comoran francs per euro
Executive branch chief of state: Queen ELIZABETH II (since 6 February 1952), represented by the Australian governor general


head of government: Administrator William Leonard TAYLOR (since 4 February 1999)


elections: none; the monarch is hereditary; administrator appointed by the governor general of Australia and represents the monarch and Australia
chief of state: President AZALI Assoumani (since 26 May 2002); note - AZALI Assoumani became president on 6 May 1999 after a bloodless coup on 30 April 1999; on 16 January 2002, President AZALI resigned his position to run in the 14 April 2002 presidential elections; during that time, Prime Minister Hamada Madi BOLERO served as interim president; AZALI Assoumani sworn in as president on 26 May 2002


head of government: Prime Minister Hamada Madi BOLERO (since NA November 2000); note - on 16 January 2002, President AZALI resigned his position to run in the 14 April 2002 presidential elections; Prime Minister Hamada Madi BOLERO was appointed interim president and Djaffar SALIM interim deputy prime minister


cabinet: Council of Ministers appointed by the president


elections: president elected by popular vote for a five-year term; election last held 14 April 2002 (next to be held NA April 2007); prime minister appointed by the president


election results: President AZALI Assoumani elected president with 75% of the vote
Exports $NA $35.3 million f.o.b. (2001 est.)
Exports - commodities phosphate vanilla, ylang-ylang, cloves, perfume oil, copra
Exports - partners Australia, NZ France 46%, US 18%, Singapore 18%, Germany 9% (1999)
Fiscal year 1 July - 30 June calendar year
Flag description the flag of Australia is used; note - in early 1986, the Christmas Island Assembly held a design competition for an island flag, however, the winning design has never been formally adopted as the official flag of the territory four equal horizontal bands of yellow (top), white, red, and blue with a green isosceles triangle based on the hoist; centered within the triangle is a white crescent with the convex side facing the hoist and four white, five-pointed stars placed vertically in a line between the points of the crescent; the horizontal bands and the four stars represent the four main islands of the archipelago - Mwali, Njazidja, Nzwani, and Mayotte (a territorial collectivity of France, but claimed by Comoros); the crescent, stars, and color green are traditional symbols of Islam
GDP purchasing power parity - $NA purchasing power parity - $424 million (2001 est.)
GDP - composition by sector agriculture: NA%


industry: NA%


services: NA%
agriculture: 40%


industry: 4%


services: 56% (2001 est.)
GDP - per capita purchasing power parity - $NA purchasing power parity - $710 (2001 est.)
GDP - real growth rate NA% 1% (2001 est.)
Geographic coordinates 10 30 S, 105 40 E 12 10 S, 44 15 E
Geography - note located along major sea lanes of Indian Ocean important location at northern end of Mozambique Channel
Highways total: 240 km


paved: 30 km


unpaved: 210 km (2000)
total: 880 km


paved: 673 km


unpaved: 207 km (1996)
Household income or consumption by percentage share lowest 10%: NA%


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


highest 10%: NA%
Imports $NA $44.9 million f.o.b. (2001 est.)
Imports - commodities consumer goods rice and other foodstuffs, consumer goods; petroleum products, cement, transport equipment
Imports - partners principally Australia France 34%, South Africa 14%, Kenya 7%, Pakistan 4% (1999)
Independence none (territory of Australia) 6 July 1975 (from France)
Industrial production growth rate NA% -2% (1999 est.)
Industries tourism, phosphate extraction (near depletion) tourism, perfume distillation
Infant mortality rate total: NA%


male: NA%


female: NA%
81.79 deaths/1,000 live births (2002 est.)
Inflation rate (consumer prices) NA% 3.5% (2001 est.)
International organization participation none ACCT, ACP, AfDB, AFESD, AL, CCC, ECA, FAO, FZ, G-77, IBRD, ICAO, ICRM, IDA, IDB, IFAD, IFC, IFRCS (associate), ILO, IMF, IMO, InOC, Interpol, IOC, ISO (subscriber), ITU, NAM, OAU, OIC, OPCW (signatory), UN, UNCTAD, UNESCO, UNIDO, UPU, WHO, WMO, WTrO (applicant)
Internet Service Providers (ISPs) 2 (2000) 1 (2000)
Irrigated land NA sq km NA sq km
Judicial branch Supreme Court; District Court; Magistrate's Court Supreme Court or Cour Supremes (two members appointed by the president, two members elected by the Federal Assembly, one elected by the Council of each island, and others are former presidents of the republic)
Labor force NA 144,500 (1996 est.)
Labor force - by occupation tourism 400 people, mining 100 people (1995) agriculture 80%
Land boundaries 0 km 0 km
Land use arable land: 0%


permanent crops: 0%


other: 100%


note: mainly tropical rainforest; 63% of the island is a national park (1998 est.)
arable land: 34.98%


permanent crops: 17.94%


other: 47.08% (1998 est.)
Languages English (official), Chinese, Malay Arabic (official), French (official), Shikomoro (a blend of Swahili and Arabic)
Legal system under the authority of the governor general of Australia and Australian law French and Muslim law in a new consolidated code
Legislative branch unicameral Christmas Island Shire Council (9 seats; members elected by popular vote to serve one-year terms)


elections: last held NA December 2002 (next to be held NA December 2003)


election results: percent of vote - NA%; seats - independents 9
bicameral legislature consists of the Senate (15 seats - five from each island); members selected by regional councils for six-year terms) and a Federal Assembly or Assemblee Federale (42 seats; members elected by popular vote to serve five-year terms); note - the Federal Assembly was dissolved following the coup of 30 April 1999


elections: Federal Assembly - last held 1 and 8 December 1996 (next to be held NA April 2003)


election results: Federal Assembly - percent of vote by party - NA%; seats by party - RND 39, FNJ 3, independent 1


note: the constitution stipulates that only parties that win six seats in the Federal Assembly (two from each island) are permitted to be in the opposition, but if no party accomplishes that, the second most successful party will be in the opposition; in the elections of December 1996 the FNJ appeared to qualify as opposition
Life expectancy at birth total population: NA years


male: NA years


female: NA years (2003 est.)
total population: 60.79 years


male: 58.56 years


female: 63.09 years (2002 est.)
Literacy NA definition: age 15 and over can read and write


total population: 57.3%


male: 64.2%


female: 50.4% (1995 est.)
Location Southeastern Asia, island in the Indian Ocean, south of Indonesia Southern Africa, group of islands in the Mozambique Channel, about two-thirds of the way between northern Madagascar and northern Mozambique
Map references Southeast Asia Africa
Maritime claims contiguous zone: 12 NM


exclusive fishing zone: 200 NM


territorial sea: 12 NM
exclusive economic zone: 200 NM


territorial sea: 12 NM
Merchant marine none (2002 est.) total: 6 ships (1,000 GRT or over) totaling 139,779 GRT/205,369 DWT


ships by type: cargo 6


note: includes some foreign-owned ships registered here as a flag of convenience: Malta 1, Pakistan 1, Turkey 1 (2002 est.)
Military - note defense is the responsibility of Australia -
Military branches - Comoran Security Force
Military expenditures - dollar figure - $6 million (FY01)
Military expenditures - percent of GDP - 3% (FY01)
Military manpower - availability - males age 15-49: 145,509 (2002 est.)
Military manpower - fit for military service - males age 15-49: 86,455 (2002 est.)
National holiday NA Independence Day, 6 July (1975)
Nationality noun: Christmas Islander(s)


adjective: Christmas Island
noun: Comoran(s)


adjective: Comoran
Natural hazards the narrow fringing reef surrounding the island can be a maritime hazard cyclones possible during rainy season (December to April); Le Kartala on Grand Comore is an active volcano
Natural resources phosphate, beaches NEGL
Net migration rate NA migrant(s)/1,000 population (2003 est.) NEGL migrant(s)/1,000 population (2002 est.)
Political parties and leaders none Front National pour la Justice or FNJ (Islamic party in opposition) [Ahmed Abdallah MOHAMED, Ahmed ABOUBACAR, Soidiki M'BAPANOZA]; Rassemblement National pour le Development or RND (party of the government) [Ali Bazi SELIM]
Political pressure groups and leaders none NA
Population 433 (July 2003 est.) 614,382 (July 2002 est.)
Population below poverty line NA% 60% (2001 est.)
Population growth rate -9% (2003 est.) 2.99% (2002 est.)
Ports and harbors Flying Fish Cove Fomboni, Moroni, Moutsamoudou
Radio broadcast stations AM 1, FM 1, shortwave 0 (1998) AM 1, FM 4, shortwave 1 (2001)
Radios - 90,000 (1997)
Railways 24 km to serve phosphate mines 0 km
Religions Buddhist 36%, Muslim 25%, Christian 18%, other 21% (1997) Sunni Muslim 98%, Roman Catholic 2%
Sex ratio NA (2003 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: 0.91 male(s)/female


total population: 0.99 male(s)/female (2002 est.)
Suffrage - 18 years of age; universal
Telephone system general assessment: service provided by the Australian network


domestic: only analog mobile telephone service is available


international: satellite earth stations - one Intelsat earth station provides telephone and telex service (2000)
general assessment: sparse system of microwave radio relay and HF radiotelephone communication stations


domestic: HF radiotelephone communications and microwave radio relay


international: HF radiotelephone communications to Madagascar and Reunion
Telephones - main lines in use NA 7,000 (2000)
Telephones - mobile cellular NA NA
Television broadcast stations NA NA
Terrain steep cliffs along coast rise abruptly to central plateau volcanic islands, interiors vary from steep mountains to low hills
Total fertility rate NA children born/woman (2003 est.) 5.26 children born/woman (2002 est.)
Unemployment rate NA% 20% (1996 est.)
Waterways none none
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