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Compare Christmas Island (2004) - Sierra Leone (2002)

Compare Christmas Island (2004) z Sierra Leone (2002)

 Christmas Island (2004)Sierra Leone (2002)
 Christmas IslandSierra Leone
Administrative divisions none (territory of Australia) 3 provinces and 1 area*; Eastern, Northern, Southern, Western*
Age structure 0-14 years: NA


15-64 years: NA


65 years and over: NA (2004 est.)
0-14 years: 44.7% (male 1,230,530; female 1,280,084)


15-64 years: 52.1% (male 1,397,070; female 1,528,986)


65 years and over: 3.2% (male 87,256; female 90,817) (2002 est.)
Agriculture - products NA rice, coffee, cocoa, palm kernels, palm oil, peanuts; poultry, cattle, sheep, pigs; fish
Airports 1 (2003 est.) 10 (2001)
Airports - with paved runways total: 1


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


over 3,047 m: 1 (2002)
Airports - with unpaved runways - total: 9


914 to 1,523 m: 7


under 914 m: 2 (2002)
Area total: 135 sq km


land: 135 sq km


water: 0 sq km
total: 71,740 sq km


land: 71,620 sq km


water: 120 sq km
Area - comparative about three-quarters the size of Washington, DC slightly smaller than South Carolina
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. Since 1991, civil war between the government and the Revolutionary United Front (RUF) has resulted in tens of thousands of deaths and the displacement of more than 2 million people (well over one-third of the population) many of whom are now refugees in neighboring countries. After several setbacks, the end to the eleven-year conflict in Sierra Leone may finally be near at hand. With the support of the UN peacekeeping force and contributions from the World Bank and international community, demobilization and disarmament of the RUF and Civil Defense Forces (CDF) combatants has been completed. Reestablishment of government authority throughout the country is slowly proceeding and national elections took place in May 2002.
Birth rate NA births/1,000 population (2004 est.) 44.58 births/1,000 population (2002 est.)
Budget revenues: NA


expenditures: NA, including capital expenditures of NA
revenues: $96 million


expenditures: $351 million, including capital expenditures of $NA (2000 est.) (2000 est.)
Capital The Settlement Freetown
Climate tropical with a wet and dry season; heat and humidity moderated by trade winds; wet season December to April tropical; hot, humid; summer rainy season (May to December); winter dry season (December to April)
Coastline 80 km 402 km
Constitution NA 1 October 1991; subsequently amended several times
Country name conventional long form: Territory of Christmas Island


conventional short form: Christmas Island
conventional long form: Republic of Sierra Leone


conventional short form: Sierra Leone
Currency Australian dollar (AUD) leone (SLL)
Death rate NA deaths/1,000 population (2004 est.) 18.83 deaths/1,000 population (2002 est.)
Debt - external NA $1.3 billion (2000)
Dependency status territory of Australia; administered by the Australian Department of Transport and Regional Services -
Diplomatic representation from the US none (territory of Australia) chief of mission: Ambassador Peter Russell CHAVEAS


embassy: Corner of Walpole and Siaka Stevens Streets, Freetown


mailing address: use embassy street address


telephone: [232] (22) 226481 through 226485


FAX: [232] (22) 225471
Diplomatic representation in the US none (territory of Australia) chief of mission: Ambassador Ibrahim M. KAMARA


chancery: 1701 19th Street NW, Washington, DC 20009


telephone: [1] (202) 939-9261 through 9263


FAX: [1] (202) 483-1793
Disputes - international none ongoing conflict in Sierra Leone has engendered refugee movements into neighboring Guinea and Liberia
Economic aid - recipient NA $103 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, projected to begin operations in mid-2004 Sierra Leone is an extremely poor African nation with tremendous inequality in income distribution. It does have substantial mineral, agricultural, and fishery resources. However, the economic and social infrastructure is not well developed, and serious social disorders continue to hamper economic development, following a 10-year civil war. About two-thirds of the working-age population engages in subsistence agriculture. Manufacturing consists mainly of the processing of raw materials and of light manufacturing for the domestic market. There are plans to reopen bauxite and rutile mines shut down during the conflict. The major source of hard currency consists of the mining of diamonds. The fate of the economy depends upon the maintenance of domestic peace and the continued receipt of substantial aid from abroad.
Electricity - consumption NA kWh 227.85 million kWh (2000)
Electricity - exports - 0 kWh (2000)
Electricity - imports - 0 kWh (2000)
Electricity - production NA kWh 245 million kWh (2000)
Electricity - production by source - fossil fuel: 100%


hydro: 0%


nuclear: 0%


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


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


highest point: Loma Mansa (Bintimani) 1,948 m
Environment - current issues NA rapid population growth pressuring the environment; overharvesting of timber, expansion of cattle grazing, and slash-and-burn agriculture have resulted in deforestation and soil exhaustion; civil war depleting natural resources; overfishing
Environment - international agreements - party to: Biodiversity, Climate Change, Desertification, Endangered Species, Law of the Sea, Marine Life Conservation, Nuclear Test Ban, Ozone Layer Protection, Ship Pollution, Wetlands


signed, but not ratified: Environmental Modification
Ethnic groups Chinese 70%, European 20%, Malay 10%


note: no indigenous population (2001)
20 native African tribes 90% (Temne 30%, Mende 30%, other 30%), Creole (Krio) 10% (descendants of freed Jamaican slaves who were settled in the Freetown area in the late-18th century), refugees from Liberia's recent civil war, small numbers of Europeans, Lebanese, Pakistanis, and Indians
Exchange rates Australian dollars per US dollar - 1.5419 (2003), 1.9354 (2002), 1.9320 (2001), 1.7173(2000), 1.5497 (1999) leones per US dollar - 2,212.47 (January 2002), 1,985.89 (2001), 2,092.13 (2000), 1,804.20 (1999), 1,563.62 (1998), 981.48 (1997)
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
chief of state: President Ahmad Tejan KABBAH (since 29 March 1996, reinstated 10 March 1998); note - the president is both the chief of state and head of government


head of government: President Ahmad Tejan KABBAH (since 29 March 1996, reinstated 10 March 1998); note - the president is both the chief of state and head of government


cabinet: Ministers of State appointed by the president with the approval of the House of Representatives; the cabinet is responsible to the president


elections: president elected by popular vote for a five-year term; election last held 14 May 2002 (next to be held NA May 2007); note - president's tenure of office is limited to two five-year terms


election results: Ahmad Tejan KABBAH reelected president; percent of vote - Ahmad Tejan KABBAH (SLPP) 70.6%, Ernest KOROMA 22.4%
Exports NA $65 million f.o.b. (2000 est.)
Exports - commodities phosphate diamonds, rutile, cocoa, coffee, fish
Exports - partners Australia, NZ NZ 33.7%, Belgium 32.6%, US 7.4%, France 5.1% (2000)
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 three equal horizontal bands of light green (top), white, and light blue
GDP purchasing power parity - NA purchasing power parity - $2.7 billion (2001 est.)
GDP - composition by sector agriculture: NA


industry: NA


services: NA
agriculture: 43%


industry: 27%


services: 30% (2000)
GDP - per capita purchasing power parity - NA purchasing power parity - $500 (2001 est.)
GDP - real growth rate NA 3% (2001 est.)
Geographic coordinates 10 30 S, 105 40 E 8 30 N, 11 30 W
Geography - note located along major sea lanes of Indian Ocean rainfall along the coast can reach 495 cm (195 inches) a year, making it one of the wettest places along coastal, western Africa
Heliports - 2 (2002)
Highways total: 240 km


paved: 30 km


unpaved: 210 km (2000)
total: 11,700 km


paved: 936 km


unpaved: 10,764 km (2002)
Household income or consumption by percentage share lowest 10%: NA


highest 10%: NA
lowest 10%: 1%


highest 10%: 44% (1989) (1989)
Imports NA $145 million f.o.b. (2000 est.)
Imports - commodities consumer goods foodstuffs, machinery and equipment, fuels and lubricants, chemicals
Imports - partners principally Australia Czech Republic 26.7%, UK 26.6%, US 5.1%, Netherlands 4.6% (2000)
Independence none (territory of Australia) 27 April 1961 (from UK)
Industrial production growth rate NA NA%
Industries tourism, phosphate extraction (near depletion) mining (diamonds); small-scale manufacturing (beverages, textiles, cigarettes, footwear); petroleum refining
Infant mortality rate total: NA


male: NA


female: NA (2004 est.)
144.38 deaths/1,000 live births (2002 est.)
Inflation rate (consumer prices) NA 15% (2000 est.)
International organization participation none ACP, AfDB, C, CCC, ECA, ECOWAS, FAO, G-77, IAEA, IBRD, ICAO, ICFTU, ICRM, IDA, IDB, IFAD, IFC, IFRCS, ILO, IMF, IMO, Interpol, IOC, IOM, ITU, NAM, OAU, OIC, OPCW (signatory), UN, UNCTAD, UNESCO, UNIDO, UPU, WCL, WFTU, WHO, WIPO, WMO, WToO, WTrO
Internet Service Providers (ISPs) - 1 (2001)
Irrigated land NA sq km 290 sq km (1998 est.)
Judicial branch Supreme Court; District Court; Magistrate's Court Supreme Court; Appeals Court; High Court
Labor force NA 1.369 million


note: only about 65,000 wage earners (1985) (1981 est.)
Labor force - by occupation NA agriculture NA%, industry NA%, services NA%
Land boundaries 0 km total: 958 km


border countries: Guinea 652 km, Liberia 306 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: 6.76%


permanent crops: 0.78%


other: 92.46% (1998 est.)
Languages English (official), Chinese, Malay English (official, regular use limited to literate minority), Mende (principal vernacular in the south), Temne (principal vernacular in the north), Krio (English-based Creole, spoken by the descendants of freed Jamaican slaves who were settled in the Freetown area, a lingua franca and a first language for 10% of the population but understood by 95%)
Legal system under the authority of the governor general of Australia and Australian law based on English law and customary laws indigenous to local tribes; has not accepted compulsory ICJ jurisdiction
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
unicameral Parliament (124 seats - 112 elected by popular vote, 12 filled by paramount chiefs elected in separate elections; members serve five-year terms)


elections: last held 14 May 2002 (next to be held NA May 2007)


election results: percent of vote by party - SLPP 70.06%, APC 22.35%, PLP 3%, others 4.59%; seats by party - SLPP 83, APC 27, PLP 2
Life expectancy at birth total population: NA years


male: NA years


female: NA years (2004 est.)
total population: 45.96 years


male: 43.01 years


female: 49.01 years (2002 est.)
Literacy NA definition: age 15 and over can read and write English, Mende, Temne, or Arabic


total population: 31.4%


male: 45.4%


female: 18.2% (1995 est.)
Location Southeastern Asia, island in the Indian Ocean, south of Indonesia Western Africa, bordering the North Atlantic Ocean, between Guinea and Liberia
Map references Southeast Asia Africa
Maritime claims territorial sea: 12 nm


contiguous zone: 12 nm


exclusive fishing zone: 200 nm
territorial sea: 12 NM


contiguous zone: 24 NM


exclusive economic zone: 200 NM
Military - note defense is the responsibility of Australia -
Military branches - Army (RSLAF)
Military expenditures - dollar figure - $10.3 million (FY01)
Military expenditures - percent of GDP - 1.5% (FY01)
Military manpower - availability - males age 15-49: 1,203,682 (2002 est.)
Military manpower - fit for military service - males age 15-49: 583,946 (2002 est.)
National holiday Australia Day, 26 January (1788) Independence Day, 27 April (1961)
Nationality noun: Christmas Islander(s)


adjective: Christmas Island
noun: Sierra Leonean(s)


adjective: Sierra Leonean
Natural hazards the narrow fringing reef surrounding the island can be a maritime hazard dry, sand-laden harmattan winds blow from the Sahara (December to February); sandstorms, dust storms
Natural resources phosphate, beaches diamonds, titanium ore, bauxite, iron ore, gold, chromite
Net migration rate NA migrant(s)/1,000 population (2004 est.) 6.32 migrant(s)/1,000 population


note: by the end of 1999 refugees from Sierra Leone are assumed to be returning (2002 est.)
People - note The Australian Bureau of Statistics reports a population of 1508 as of the 2001 Census -
Political parties and leaders none All People's Congress or APC [Alhaji Sat KOROMA, interim chairman]; Citizens United for Peace and Progress or CUPP [Alfred Musa CONTEH, interim chairman]; Coalition for Progress Party or CPP [Jeridine WILLIAM-SARHO, interim leader]; Democratic Center Party or DCP [Adu Aiah KOROMA]; Democratic Labor Party or DLP [George E. L. PALMER]; Democratic Party or DP [Henry BALO, acting chairman]; National Alliance Democratic Party or NADP [Mohamed Yahya SILLAH, chairman]; National Democratic Alliance or NDA [Amadu M. B. JALLOH]; National People's Party or NPP [Andrew TURAY]; National Republican Party or NRP [Stephen Sahr MAMBU]; National Unity Movement or NUM [Sam LEIGH, interim chairman]; National Unity Party or NUP [John BENJAMINE, interim leader]; Peace and Liberation Party or PLP [Darlington MORRISON, interim chairman]; People's Democratic Alliance or PDA [Cpl. (Ret.) Abdul Rahman KAMARA, interim chairman]; People's Democratic Party or PDP [Osman KAMARA]; People's National Convention or PNC [Edward John KARGBO]; People's Progressive Party or PPP [Abass Chernok BUNDU, chairman]; Revolutionary United Front Party or RUFP [Foday Saybana SANKOH, chairman]; Social Democratic Party or SDP [Andrew Victor LUNGAY]; Sierra Leone People's Party or SLPP [Ahmad Tejan KABBAH, chairman]; United National People's Party or UNPP [John KAREFA-SMART in exile, Raymond KAMARA, acting leader]; Young People's Party or YPP [Cornelius DEVEAUS, interim chairman]
Political pressure groups and leaders none Trade Unions and Student Unions
Population 396 (July 2004 est.) 5,614,743 (July 2002 est.)
Population below poverty line NA 68% (1989 est.)
Population growth rate -9% (2004 est.) 3.21% (2002 est.)
Ports and harbors Flying Fish Cove Bonthe, Freetown, Pepel
Radio broadcast stations AM 1, FM 1, shortwave 0 (2004) AM 1, FM 9, shortwave 1 (1999)
Radios - 1.12 million (1997)
Railways - total: 84 km


narrow gauge: 84 km 1.067-m gauge


note: Sierra Leone has no common carrier railroads; the existing railroad is private and used on a limited basis while the mine at Marampa is closed (2001)
Religions Buddhist 36%, Muslim 25%, Christian 18%, other 21% (1997) Muslim 60%, indigenous beliefs 30%, Christian 10%
Sex ratio NA (2004 est.) at birth: 1.03 male(s)/female


under 15 years: 0.96 male(s)/female


15-64 years: 0.91 male(s)/female


65 years and over: 0.96 male(s)/female


total population: 0.94 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: country code - 61-891; satellite earth stations - one Intelsat earth station provides telephone and telex service (2000)
general assessment: marginal telephone and telegraph service


domestic: The national microwave radio relay trunk system connects Freetown to Bo and Kenema (April 2001)


international: satellite earth station - 1 Intelsat (Atlantic Ocean)
Telephones - main lines in use NA 25,000 (2001)
Telephones - mobile cellular NA 30,000 (2001)
Television broadcast stations NA 2 (1999)
Terrain steep cliffs along coast rise abruptly to central plateau coastal belt of mangrove swamps, wooded hill country, upland plateau, mountains in east
Total fertility rate NA children born/woman (2004 est.) 5.94 children born/woman (2002 est.)
Unemployment rate NA NA%
Waterways - 800 km (of which 600 km navigable year round)
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