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Compare Christmas Island (2004) - Afghanistan (2001)

Compare Christmas Island (2004) z Afghanistan (2001)

 Christmas Island (2004)Afghanistan (2001)
 Christmas IslandAfghanistan
Administrative divisions none (territory of Australia) 30 provinces (velayat, singular - velayat); Badakhshan, Badghis, Baghlan, Balkh, Bamian, Farah, Faryab, Ghazni, Ghowr, Helmand, Herat, Jowzjan, Kabol, Kandahar, Kapisa, Konar, Kondoz, Laghman, Lowgar, Nangarhar, Nimruz, Oruzgan, Paktia, Paktika, Parvan, Samangan, Sar-e Pol, Takhar, Vardak, Zabol; note - there may be two new provinces of Nurestan (Nuristan) and Khowst
Age structure 0-14 years: NA


15-64 years: NA


65 years and over: NA (2004 est.)
0-14 years:
42.2% (male 5,775,921; female 5,538,836)

15-64 years:
55.01% (male 7,644,242; female 7,106,568)

65 years and over:
2.79% (male 394,444; female 353,046) (2001 est.)
Agriculture - products NA opium poppies, wheat, fruits, nuts; wool, mutton, karakul pelts
Airports 1 (2003 est.) 45 (2000 est.)
Airports - with paved runways total: 1


1,524 to 2,437 m: 1 (2004 est.)
total:
10

over 3,047 m:
3

2,438 to 3,047 m:
4

1,524 to 2,437 m:
2

under 914 m:
1 (2000 est.)
Airports - with unpaved runways - total:
35

2,438 to 3,047 m:
4

1,524 to 2,437 m:
15

914 to 1,523 m:
4

under 914 m:
12 (2000 est.)
Area total: 135 sq km


land: 135 sq km


water: 0 sq km
total:
647,500 sq km

land:
647,500 sq km

water:
0 sq km
Area - comparative about three-quarters the size of Washington, DC slightly smaller than Texas
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. Afghanistan was invaded and occupied by the Soviet Union in 1979. The USSR was forced to withdraw 10 years later by anti-communist mujahidin forces supplied and trained by the US, Saudi Arabia, Pakistan, and others. Fighting subsequently continued among the various mujahidin factions, but the fundamentalist Islamic Taliban movement has been able to seize most of the country. In addition to the continuing civil strife, the country suffers from enormous poverty, a crumbling infrastructure, and widespread land mines.
Birth rate NA births/1,000 population (2004 est.) 41.42 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 The Settlement Kabul
Climate tropical with a wet and dry season; heat and humidity moderated by trade winds; wet season December to April arid to semiarid; cold winters and hot summers
Coastline 80 km 0 km (landlocked)
Constitution NA none
Country name conventional long form: Territory of Christmas Island


conventional short form: Christmas Island
conventional long form:
Islamic State of Afghanistan; note - the self-proclaimed Taliban government refers to the country as Islamic Emirate of Afghanistan

conventional short form:
Afghanistan

local long form:
Dowlat-e Eslami-ye Afghanestan

local short form:
Afghanestan

former:
Republic of Afghanistan
Currency Australian dollar (AUD) afghani (AFA)
Death rate NA deaths/1,000 population (2004 est.) 17.72 deaths/1,000 population (2001 est.)
Debt - external NA $5.5 billion (1996 est.)
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 embassy in Kabul has been closed since January 1989 due to security concerns
Diplomatic representation in the US none (territory of Australia) none; note - embassy operations suspended 21 August 1997

consulate(s) general:
New York
Disputes - international none support to Islamic militants worldwide by some factions; question over which group should hold Afghanistan's seat at the UN
Economic aid - recipient NA US provided about $70 million in humanitarian assistance in 1997; US continues to contribute to multilateral assistance through the UN programs of food aid, immunization, land mine removal, and a wide range of aid to refugees and displaced persons
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, projected to begin operations in mid-2004 Afghanistan is an extremely poor, landlocked country, highly dependent on farming and livestock raising (sheep and goats). Economic considerations have played second fiddle to political and military upheavals during two decades of war, including the nearly 10-year Soviet military occupation (which ended 15 February 1989). During that conflict one-third of the population fled the country, with Pakistan and Iran sheltering a combined peak of more than 6 million refugees. In early 2000, 2 million Afghan refugees remained in Pakistan and about 1.4 million in Iran. Gross domestic product has fallen substantially over the past 20 years because of the loss of labor and capital and the disruption of trade and transport; severe drought added to the nation's difficulties in 1998-2000. The majority of the population continues to suffer from insufficient food, clothing, housing, and medical care. Inflation remains a serious problem throughout the country. International aid can deal with only a fraction of the humanitarian problem, let alone promote economic development. In 1999-2000, internal civil strife continued, hampering both domestic economic policies and international aid efforts. Numerical data are likely to be either unavailable or unreliable. Afghanistan was by far the largest producer of opium poppies in 2000, and narcotics trafficking is a major source of revenue.
Electricity - consumption NA kWh 480.6 million kWh (1999)
Electricity - exports - 0 kWh (1999)
Electricity - imports - 90 million kWh (1999)
Electricity - production NA kWh 420 million kWh (1999)
Electricity - production by source - fossil fuel:
35.71%

hydro:
64.29%

nuclear:
0%

other:
0% (1999)
Elevation extremes lowest point: Indian Ocean 0 m


highest point: Murray Hill 361 m
lowest point:
Amu Darya 258 m

highest point:
Nowshak 7,485 m
Environment - current issues NA soil degradation; overgrazing; deforestation (much of the remaining forests are being cut down for fuel and building materials); desertification
Environment - international agreements - party to:
Desertification, Endangered Species, Environmental Modification, Marine Dumping, Nuclear Test Ban

signed, but not ratified:
Biodiversity, Climate Change, Hazardous Wastes, Law of the Sea, Marine Life Conservation
Ethnic groups Chinese 70%, European 20%, Malay 10%


note: no indigenous population (2001)
Pashtun 38%, Tajik 25%, Hazara 19%, minor ethnic groups (Aimaks, Turkmen, Baloch, and others) 12%, Uzbek 6%
Exchange rates Australian dollars per US dollar - 1.5419 (2003), 1.9354 (2002), 1.9320 (2001), 1.7173(2000), 1.5497 (1999) afghanis per US dollar - 4,700 (January 2000), 4,750 (February 1999), 17,000 (December 1996), 7,000 (January 1995), 1,900 (January 1994), 1,019 (March 1993), 850 (1991); note - these rates reflect the free market exchange rates rather than the official exchange rate, which was fixed at 50.600 afghanis to the dollar until 1996, when it rose to 2,262.65 per dollar, and finally became fixed again at 3,000.00 per dollar in April 1996
Executive branch chief of state: Queen ELIZABETH II (since 6 February 1952), represented by the Australian governor general


head of government: Administrator Evan WILLIAMS (since 1 November 2003)


elections: none; the monarch is hereditary; administrator appointed by the governor general of Australia and represents the monarch and Australia
on 27 September 1996, the ruling members of the Afghan Government were displaced by members of the Islamic Taliban movement; the Islamic State of Afghanistan has no functioning government at this time, and the country remains divided among fighting factions

note:
the Taliban have declared themselves the legitimate government of Afghanistan; however, the UN still recognizes the government of Burhanuddin RABBANI; the Organization of the Islamic Conference has left the Afghan seat vacant until the question of legitimacy can be resolved through negotiations among the warring factions; the country is essentially divided along ethnic lines; the Taliban controls the capital of Kabul and approximately two-thirds of the country including the predominately ethnic Pashtun areas in southern Afghanistan; opposing factions have their stronghold in the ethnically diverse north
Exports NA $80 million (does not include opium) (1996 est.)
Exports - commodities phosphate opium, fruits and nuts, handwoven carpets, wool, cotton, hides and pelts, precious and semi-precious gems
Exports - partners Australia, NZ FSU, Pakistan, Iran, Germany, India, UK, Belgium, Luxembourg, Czech Republic
Fiscal year 1 July - 30 June 21 March - 20 March
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 three equal horizontal bands of green (top), white, and black with a gold emblem centered on the three bands; the emblem features a temple-like structure with Islamic inscriptions above and below, encircled by a wreath on the left and right and by a bolder Islamic inscription above, all of which are encircled by two crossed scimitars

note:
the Taliban uses a plain white flag
GDP purchasing power parity - NA purchasing power parity - $21 billion (2000 est.)
GDP - composition by sector agriculture: NA


industry: NA


services: NA
agriculture:
53%

industry:
28.5%

services:
18.5% (1990)
GDP - per capita purchasing power parity - NA purchasing power parity - $800 (2000 est.)
GDP - real growth rate NA NA%
Geographic coordinates 10 30 S, 105 40 E 33 00 N, 65 00 E
Geography - note located along major sea lanes of Indian Ocean landlocked
Heliports - 3 (2000 est.)
Highways total: 240 km


paved: 30 km


unpaved: 210 km (2000)
total:
21,000 km

paved:
2,793 km

unpaved:
18,207 km (1998 est.)
Household income or consumption by percentage share lowest 10%: NA


highest 10%: NA
lowest 10%:
NA%

highest 10%:
NA%
Illicit drugs - world's largest illicit opium producer, surpassing Burma (potential production in 1999 - 1,670 metric tons; cultivation in 1999 - 51,500 hectares, a 23% increase over 1998); a major source of hashish; increasing number of heroin-processing laboratories being set up in the country; major political factions in the country profit from drug trade
Imports NA $150 million (1996 est.)
Imports - commodities consumer goods capital goods, food and petroleum products; most consumer goods
Imports - partners principally Australia FSU, Pakistan, Iran, Japan, Singapore, India, South Korea, Germany
Independence none (territory of Australia) 19 August 1919 (from UK control over Afghan foreign affairs)
Industrial production growth rate NA -
Industries tourism, phosphate extraction (near depletion) small-scale production of textiles, soap, furniture, shoes, fertilizer, and cement; handwoven carpets; natural gas, oil, coal, copper
Infant mortality rate total: NA


male: NA


female: NA (2004 est.)
147.02 deaths/1,000 live births (2001 est.)
Inflation rate (consumer prices) NA NA%
International organization participation none AsDB, CP, ECO, ESCAP, FAO, G-77, IAEA, IBRD, ICAO, ICRM, IDA, IDB, IFAD, IFC, IFRCS, ILO, IMF, Intelsat, IOC, IOM (observer), ITU, NAM, OIC, OPCW, UN, UNCTAD, UNESCO, UNIDO, UPU, WFTU, WHO, WMO, WToO
Internet Service Providers (ISPs) - 1 (2000)
Irrigated land NA sq km 30,000 sq km (1993 est.)
Judicial branch Supreme Court; District Court; Magistrate's Court upper courts were non-functioning as of March 1995 (local Shari'a or Islamic law courts are functioning throughout the country)
Labor force NA 10 million (2000 est.)
Labor force - by occupation NA agriculture 70%, industry 15%, services 15% (1990 est.)
Land boundaries 0 km total:
5,529 km

border countries:
China 76 km, Iran 936 km, Pakistan 2,430 km, Tajikistan 1,206 km, Turkmenistan 744 km, Uzbekistan 137 km
Land use arable land: 0%


permanent crops: 0%


other: 100%


note: mainly tropical rainforest; 63% of the island is a national park (2001)
arable land:
12%

permanent crops:
0%

permanent pastures:
46%

forests and woodland:
3%

other:
39% (1993 est.)
Languages English (official), Chinese, Malay Pashtu 35%, Afghan Persian (Dari) 50%, Turkic languages (primarily Uzbek and Turkmen) 11%, 30 minor languages (primarily Balochi and Pashai) 4%, much bilingualism
Legal system under the authority of the governor general of Australia and Australian law a new legal system has not been adopted but all factions tacitly agree they will follow Shari'a (Islamic law)
Legislative branch unicameral Christmas Island Shire Council (9 seats; members elected by popular vote to serve four-year terms)


elections: held every two years with half the members standing for election; last held 3 May 2003 (next to be held NA 2005)


election results: percent of vote - NA; seats - independents 9
non-functioning as of June 1993
Life expectancy at birth total population: NA years


male: NA years


female: NA years (2004 est.)
total population:
46.24 years

male:
46.97 years

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

total population:
31.5%

male:
47.2%

female:
15% (1999 est.)
Location Southeastern Asia, island in the Indian Ocean, south of Indonesia Southern Asia, north and west of Pakistan, east of Iran
Map references Southeast Asia Asia
Maritime claims territorial sea: 12 nm


contiguous zone: 12 nm


exclusive fishing zone: 200 nm
none (landlocked)
Military - note defense is the responsibility of Australia -
Military branches - NA; note - the military does not exist on a national basis; some elements of the former Army, Air and Air Defense Forces, National Guard, Border Guard Forces, National Police Force (Sarandoi), and tribal militias still exist but are factionalized among the various groups
Military expenditures - dollar figure - $NA
Military expenditures - percent of GDP - NA%
Military manpower - availability - males age 15-49:
6,645,023 (2001 est.)
Military manpower - fit for military service - males age 15-49:
3,561,957 (2001 est.)
Military manpower - military age - 22 years of age
Military manpower - reaching military age annually - males:
252,869 (2001 est.)
National holiday Australia Day, 26 January (1788) Independence Day, 19 August (1919)
Nationality noun: Christmas Islander(s)


adjective: Christmas Island
noun:
Afghan(s)

adjective:
Afghan
Natural hazards the narrow fringing reef surrounding the island can be a maritime hazard damaging earthquakes occur in Hindu Kush mountains; flooding; droughts
Natural resources phosphate, beaches natural gas, petroleum, coal, copper, chromite, talc, barites, sulfur, lead, zinc, iron ore, salt, precious and semiprecious stones
Net migration rate NA migrant(s)/1,000 population (2004 est.) 11.11 migrant(s)/1,000 population (2001 est.)
People - note The Australian Bureau of Statistics reports a population of 1508 as of the 2001 Census -
Pipelines - petroleum products - Uzbekistan to Bagram and Turkmenistan to Shindand; natural gas 180 km
Political parties and leaders none Taliban (Religious Students Movement) [Mullah Mohammad OMAR]; United National Islamic Front for the Salvation of Afghanistan or UNIFSA [Burhanuddin RABBANI, chairman; Gen. Abdul Rashid DOSTAM, vice chairman; Ahmad Shah MASOOD, military commander; Mohammed Yunis QANUNI, spokesman]; note - made up of 13 parties opposed to the Taliban including Harakat-i-Islami Afghanistan (Islamic Movement of Afghanistan), Hizb-i-Islami (Islamic Party), Hizb-i-Wahdat-i-Islami (Islamic Unity Party), Jumaat-i-Islami Afghanistan (Islamic Afghan Society), Jumbish-i-Milli (National Front), Mahaz-i-Milli-i-Islami (National Islamic Front)
Political pressure groups and leaders none Afghan refugees in Pakistan, Australia, US, and elsewhere have organized politically; Mellat (Social Democratic Party) [leader NA]; Peshawar, Pakistan-based groups such as the Coordination Council for National Unity and Understanding in Afghanistan or CUNUA [Ishaq GAILANI]; tribal elders represent traditional Pashtun leadership; Writers Union of Free Afghanistan or WUFA [A. Rasul AMIN]
Population 396 (July 2004 est.) 26,813,057 (July 2001 est.)
Population below poverty line NA NA%
Population growth rate -9% (2004 est.) 3.48% (2001 est.)

note:
this rate reflects the continued return of refugees from Iran
Ports and harbors Flying Fish Cove Kheyrabad, Shir Khan
Radio broadcast stations AM 1, FM 1, shortwave 0 (2004) AM 7 (6 are inactive; the active station is in Kabul), FM 1, shortwave 1 (broadcasts in Pushtu, Dari, Urdu, and English) (1999)
Radios - 167,000 (1999)
Railways - total:
24.6 km

broad gauge:
9.6 km 1.524-m gauge from Gushgy (Turkmenistan) to Towraghondi; 15 km 1.524-m gauge from Termiz (Uzbekistan) to Kheyrabad transshipment point on south bank of Amu Darya
Religions Buddhist 36%, Muslim 25%, Christian 18%, other 21% (1997) Sunni Muslim 84%, Shi'a Muslim 15%, other 1%
Sex ratio NA (2004 est.) at birth:
1.05 male(s)/female

under 15 years:
1.04 male(s)/female

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

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

total population:
1.06 male(s)/female (2001 est.)
Suffrage - NA; previously males 15-50 years of age
Telephone system general assessment: service provided by the Australian network


domestic: only analog mobile telephone service is available


international: country code - 61-891; satellite earth stations - one Intelsat earth station provides telephone and telex service (2000)
general assessment:
very limited telephone and telegraph service

domestic:
in 1997, telecommunications links were established between Mazar-e Sharif, Herat, Kandahar, Jalalabad, and Kabul through satellite and microwave systems

international:
satellite earth stations - 1 Intelsat (Indian Ocean) linked only to Iran and 1 Intersputnik (Atlantic Ocean region); commercial satellite telephone center in Ghazni
Telephones - main lines in use NA 29,000 (1996)

note:
there were 21,000 main lines in service in Kabul in 1998
Telephones - mobile cellular NA NA
Television broadcast stations NA at least 10 (one government run central television station in Kabul and regional stations in nine of the 30 provinces; the regional stations operate on a reduced schedule; also, in 1997, there was a station in Mazar-e Sharif reaching four northern Afghanistan provinces) (1998)
Terrain steep cliffs along coast rise abruptly to central plateau mostly rugged mountains; plains in north and southwest
Total fertility rate NA children born/woman (2004 est.) 5.79 children born/woman (2001 est.)
Unemployment rate NA NA%
Waterways - 1,200 km

note:
chiefly Amu Darya, which handles vessels with DWT up to about 500 (2001)
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