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Compare Christmas Island (2005) - Iraq (2003)

Compare Christmas Island (2005) z Iraq (2003)

 Christmas Island (2005)Iraq (2003)
 Christmas IslandIraq
Administrative divisions none (territory of Australia) 18 governorates (muhafazat, singular - muhafazah); Al Anbar, Al Basrah, Al Muthanna, Al Qadisiyah, An Najaf, Arbil, As Sulaymaniyah, At Ta'mim, Babil, Baghdad, Dahuk, Dhi Qar, Diyala, Karbala', Maysan, Ninawa, Salah ad Din, Wasit
Age structure 0-14 years: NA


15-64 years: NA


65 years and over: NA
0-14 years: 40.7% (male 5,103,669; female 4,946,443)


15-64 years: 56.3% (male 7,033,268; female 6,855,644)


65 years and over: 3% (male 348,790; female 395,499) (2003 est.)
Agriculture - products NA wheat, barley, rice, vegetables, dates, cotton; cattle, sheep
Airports 1 (2004 est.) 150 (2002); note - unknown number were damaged during the March-April 2003 war
Airports - with paved runways total: 1


1,524 to 2,437 m: 1 (2004 est.)
total: 77


over 3,047 m: 21


2,438 to 3,047 m: 36


1,524 to 2,437 m: 5


914 to 1,523 m: 6


under 914 m: 9 (2002)
Airports - with unpaved runways - total: 73


over 3,047 m: 5


2,438 to 3,047 m: 5


1,524 to 2,437 m: 24


914 to 1,523 m: 28


under 914 m: 11 (2002)
Area total: 135 sq km


land: 135 sq km


water: 0 sq km
total: 437,072 sq km


land: 432,162 sq km


water: 4,910 sq km
Area - comparative about three-quarters the size of Washington, DC slightly more than twice the size of Idaho
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. Formerly part of the Ottoman Empire, Iraq was occupied by Britain during the course of World War I; in 1920, it was declared a League of Nations mandate under UK administration. In stages over the next dozen years, Iraq attained its independence as a kingdom in 1932. A "republic" was proclaimed in 1958, but in actuality a series of military strongmen have ruled the country since then, the latest being SADDAM Husayn. Territorial disputes with Iran led to an inconclusive and costly eight-year war (1980-88). In August 1990, Iraq seized Kuwait, but was expelled by US-led, UN coalition forces during the Gulf War of January-February 1991. Following Kuwait's liberation, the UN Security Council (UNSC) required Iraq to scrap all weapons of mass destruction and long-range missiles and to allow UN verification inspections. Continued Iraqi noncompliance with UNSC resolutions over a period of 12 years resulted in the US-led invasion of Iraq in March 2003 and the ouster of the SADDAM Husayn regime. Coalition forces remain in Iraq, helping to restore degraded infrastructure and facilitating the establishment of a freely elected government.
Birth rate NA 33.66 births/1,000 population (2003 est.)
Budget revenues: NA


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


expenditures: $NA, including capital expenditures of $NA
Capital The Settlement Baghdad
Climate tropical with a wet and dry season; heat and humidity moderated by trade winds; wet season December to April mostly desert; mild to cool winters with dry, hot, cloudless summers; northern mountainous regions along Iranian and Turkish borders experience cold winters with occasionally heavy snows that melt in early spring, sometimes causing extensive flooding in central and southern Iraq
Coastline 138.9 km 58 km
Constitution Christmas Island Act of 1958-59 (1 October 1958) in transition following April 2003 defeat of SADDAM Husayn regime by US-led coalition
Country name conventional long form: Territory of Christmas Island


conventional short form: Christmas Island
conventional long form: Republic of Iraq


conventional short form: Iraq


local long form: Al Jumhuriyah al Iraqiyah


local short form: Al Iraq
Currency - Iraqi dinar (IQD)
Death rate NA 5.84 deaths/1,000 population (2003 est.)
Debt - external - $120 billion (2002 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) in transition following April 2003 defeat of SADDAM Husayn regime by US-led coalition
Diplomatic representation in the US none (territory of Australia) in transition following April 2003 defeat of SADDAM Husayn regime by US-led coalition
Disputes - international none despite restored diplomatic relations in 1990, disputes with Iran over maritime and land boundaries, navigation channel, and other issues from eight-year war persist; land and Shatt al Arab boundary demarcation put an end to claims to Kuwait and to Bubiyan and Warbah islands, but no maritime boundary exists with Kuwait in the Persian Gulf; Iraq protests Turkey's hydrological projects to regulate the Tigris and Euphrates rivers upstream
Economic aid - recipient NA $327.5 million (1995)
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 the near future Iraq's economy is dominated by the oil sector, which has traditionally provided about 95% of foreign exchange earnings. In the 1980s financial problems caused by massive expenditures in the eight-year war with Iran and damage to oil export facilities by Iran led the government to implement austerity measures, borrow heavily, and later reschedule foreign debt payments; Iraq suffered economic losses from the war of at least $100 billion. After hostilities ended in 1988, oil exports gradually increased with the construction of new pipelines and restoration of damaged facilities. Iraq's seizure of Kuwait in August 1990, subsequent international economic sanctions, and damage from military action by an international coalition beginning in January 1991 drastically reduced economic activity. Although government policies supporting large military and internal security forces and allocating resources to key supporters of the regime have hurt the economy, implementation of the UN's oil-for-food program beginning in December 1996 helped improve conditions for the average Iraqi citizen. Iraq was allowed to export limited amounts of oil in exchange for food, medicine, and some infrastructure spare parts. In December 1999 the UN Security Council authorized Iraq to export under the program as much oil as required to meet humanitarian needs. Oil exports have recently been more than three-quarters prewar level. However, 28% of Iraq's export revenues under the program have been deducted to meet UN Compensation Fund and UN administrative expenses. The drop in GDP in 2001-02 was largely the result of the global economic slowdown and lower oil prices. Per capita food imports increased significantly, while medical supplies and health care services steadily improved. Per capita output and living standards were still well below the prewar level, but any estimates have a wide range of error. The military victory of the US-led coalition in March-April 2003 resulted in the shutdown of much of the central economic administrative structure and the loss of a comparatively small amount of capital plant.
Electricity - consumption - 33.49 billion kWh (2001)
Electricity - exports - 0 kWh (2001)
Electricity - imports - 0 kWh (2001)
Electricity - production - 36.01 billion kWh (2001)
Electricity - production by source - fossil fuel: 98.4%


hydro: 1.6%


nuclear: 0%


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


highest point: Murray Hill 361 m
lowest point: Persian Gulf 0 m


highest point: unamed peak 3,611 m; note - this peak is not Gundah Zhur 3,607 m or Kuh-e Hajji-Ebrahim 3,595 m
Environment - current issues NA government water control projects have drained most of the inhabited marsh areas east of An Nasiriyah by drying up or diverting the feeder streams and rivers; a once sizable population of Marsh Arabs, who inhabited these areas for thousands of years, has been displaced; furthermore, the destruction of the natural habitat poses serious threats to the area's wildlife populations; inadequate supplies of potable water; development of the Tigris and Euphrates rivers system contingent upon agreements with upstream riparian Turkey; air and water pollution; soil degradation (salination) and erosion; desertification
Environment - international agreements - party to: Law of the Sea, Nuclear Test Ban


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


note: no indigenous population (2001)
Arab 75%-80%, Kurdish 15%-20%, Turkoman, Assyrian or other 5%
Exchange rates Australian dollars per US dollar - 1.3598 (2004), 1.5419 (2003), 1.8406 (2002), 1.9334 (2001), 1.7248 (2000) Iraqi dinars per US dollar - 0.31 (2002), 0.31 (2001), 0.31 (2000), 0.31 (1999), 0.31 (1998), note: fixed official rate since 1982; market rate subject to wide fluctuations
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: in transition following April 2003 defeat of SADDAM Husayn regime by US-led coalition
Exports NA NA (2001)
Exports - commodities phosphate crude oil
Exports - partners Australia, NZ US 40.9%, Canada 8.2%, France 8.2%, Jordan 7.5%, Netherlands 6.4%, Italy 5.4%, Morocco 4.7%, Spain 4.4% (2002)
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 red (top), white, and black with three green five-pointed stars in a horizontal line centered in the white band; the phrase ALLAHU AKBAR (God is Great) in green Arabic script - Allahu to the right of the middle star and Akbar to the left of the middle star - was added in January 1991 during the Persian Gulf crisis; similar to the flag of Syria which has two stars but no script and the flag of Yemen, which has a plain white band; also similar to the flag of Egypt which has a symbolic eagle centered in the white band
GDP - purchasing power parity - $58 billion (2002 est.)
GDP - composition by sector agriculture: NA


industry: NA


services: NA
agriculture: 6%


industry: 13%


services: 81% (1993 est.)
GDP - per capita - purchasing power parity - $2,400 (2002 est.)
GDP - real growth rate NA -3% (2002 est.)
Geographic coordinates 10 30 S, 105 40 E 33 00 N, 44 00 E
Geography - note located along major sea lanes of Indian Ocean strategic location on Shatt al Arab waterway and at the head of the Persian Gulf
Heliports - 5 (2002)
Highways total: 240 km


paved: 30 km


unpaved: 210 km (2000)
total: 45,550 km


paved: 38,399 km


unpaved: 7,151 km (2000 est.)
Household income or consumption by percentage share - lowest 10%: NA%


highest 10%: NA%
Imports NA NA (2001)
Imports - commodities consumer goods food, medicine, manufactures
Imports - partners principally Australia Jordan 11%, France 8.8%, China 8.4%, Germany 7.6%, Russia 7.3%, Australia 7.2%, Vietnam 6.6%, Italy 6.4%, Japan 5.6% (2002)
Independence none (territory of Australia) 3 October 1932 (from League of Nations mandate under British administration)
Industrial production growth rate - NA%
Industries tourism, phosphate extraction (near depletion) petroleum, chemicals, textiles, construction materials, food processing
Infant mortality rate total: NA


male: NA


female: NA
total: 55.16 deaths/1,000 live births


male: 61.09 deaths/1,000 live births


female: 48.95 deaths/1,000 live births (2003 est.)
Inflation rate (consumer prices) - 70% (2002 est.)
International organization participation none ABEDA, ACC, AFESD, AL, AMF, CAEU, EAPC, ESCWA, FAO, G-19, G-77, IAEA, IBRD, ICAO, ICRM, IDA, IDB, IFAD, IFC, IFRCS, ILO, IMF, IMO, Interpol, IOC, ISO, ITU, NAM, OAPEC, OIC, OPEC, PCA, UN, UNCTAD, UNESCO, UNIDO, UPU, WCO, WFTU, WHO, WIPO, WMO, WToO
Internet Service Providers (ISPs) - 1 (2000)
Irrigated land NA sq km 35,250 sq km (1998 est.)
Judicial branch Supreme Court; District Court; Magistrate's Court in transition following April 2003 defeat of SADDAM Husayn regime by US-led coalition
Labor force NA 6.5 million (2002 est.)
Labor force - by occupation NA agriculture NA%, industry NA%, services NA%
Land boundaries 0 km total: 3,650 km


border countries: Iran 1,458 km, Jordan 181 km, Kuwait 240 km, Saudi Arabia 814 km, Syria 605 km, Turkey 352 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: 11.89%


permanent crops: 0.78%


other: 87.33% (1998 est.)
Languages English (official), Chinese, Malay Arabic, Kurdish (official in Kurdish regions), Assyrian, Armenian
Legal system under the authority of the governor general of Australia and Australian law in transition following April 2003 defeat of SADDAM Husayn regime by US-led coalition
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 in 2005)


election results: percent of vote - NA%; seats - independents 9
in transition following April 2003 defeat of SADDAM Husayn regime by US-led coalition
Life expectancy at birth total population: NA


male: NA


female: NA
total population: 67.81 years


male: 66.7 years


female: 68.99 years (2003 est.)
Literacy NA definition: age 15 and over can read and write


total population: 40.4%


male: 55.9%


female: 24.4% (2003 est.)
Location Southeastern Asia, island in the Indian Ocean, south of Indonesia Middle East, bordering the Persian Gulf, between Iran and Kuwait
Map references Southeast Asia Middle East
Maritime claims territorial sea: 12 nm


contiguous zone: 12 nm


exclusive fishing zone: 200 nm
continental shelf: not specified


territorial sea: 12 NM
Merchant marine - total: 18 ships (1,000 GRT or over) 119,433 GRT/170,221 DWT


ships by type: cargo 9, passenger 1, passenger/cargo 1, petroleum tanker 6, roll on/roll off 1 (2002 est.)
Military - note defense is the responsibility of Australia -
Military branches - Army, Republican Guard, Navy, Air Force, Air Defense Force, Border Guard Force, Fedayeen Saddam; note - with the defeat of Saddam Hussein's regime in 2003, the data listed in the following entries for Iraq is invalid, but is retained here for historical purposes and until replaced by valid information related to the future Iraqi Government (April 2003)
Military expenditures - dollar figure - $1.3 billion (FY00)
Military expenditures - percent of GDP - NA%
Military manpower - availability - males age 15-49: 6,339,458 (2003 est.)
Military manpower - fit for military service - males age 15-49: 3,541,467 (2003 est.)
Military manpower - military age - 18 years of age (2003 est.)
Military manpower - reaching military age annually - males: 292,930 (2003 est.)
National holiday Australia Day, 26 January (1788) Revolution Day, 17 July (1968)
Nationality noun: Christmas Islander(s)


adjective: Christmas Island
noun: Iraqi(s)


adjective: Iraqi
Natural hazards the narrow fringing reef surrounding the island can be a maritime hazard dust storms, sandstorms, floods
Natural resources phosphate, beaches petroleum, natural gas, phosphates, sulfur
Net migration rate NA 0 migrant(s)/1,000 population (2003 est.)
People - note the Australian Bureau of Statistics reports a population of 1,508 as of the 2001 Census -
Pipelines - gas 1,739 km; oil 5,418 km; refined products 1,343 km (2003)
Political parties and leaders none in transition following April 2003 defeat of SADDAM Husayn regime by US-led coalition
Political pressure groups and leaders none in transition following April 2003 defeat of SADDAM Husayn regime by US-led coalition
Population 361 (July 2005 est.) 24,683,313 (July 2003 est.)
Population below poverty line - NA
Population growth rate 0% (2005 est.) 2.78% (2003 est.)
Ports and harbors Flying Fish Cove Umm Qasr, Khawr az Zubayr, and Al Basrah have limited functionality
Radio broadcast stations AM 1, FM 1, shortwave 0 (2004) AM 19 (5 are inactive), FM 51, shortwave 4 (1998)
Railways - total: 1,963 km


standard gauge: 1,963 km 1.435-m gauge (2003)
Religions Buddhist 36%, Muslim 25%, Christian 18%, other 21% (1997) Muslim 97% (Shi'a 60%-65%, Sunni 32%-37%), Christian or other 3%
Sex ratio NA at birth: 1.05 male(s)/female


under 15 years: 1.03 male(s)/female


15-64 years: 1.03 male(s)/female


65 years and over: 0.88 male(s)/female


total population: 1.02 male(s)/female (2003 est.)
Suffrage - formerly 18 years of age; universal; note - in transition following April 2003 defeat of SADDAM Husayn regime by US-led coalition
Telephone system general assessment: service provided by the Australian network


domestic: GSM mobile telephone service replaced older analog system in February 2005


international: country code - 61-891; satellite earth stations - one Intelsat earth station provides telephone and telex service (2000)
general assessment: an unknown number of telecommunication facilities were damaged during the March-April 2003 war


domestic: the network consists of coaxial cables and microwave radio relay links


international: satellite earth stations - 2 Intelsat (1 Atlantic Ocean and 1 Indian Ocean), 1 Intersputnik (Atlantic Ocean region), and 1 Arabsat (inoperative); coaxial cable and microwave radio relay to Jordan, Kuwait, Syria, and Turkey; Kuwait line is probably nonoperational
Telephones - main lines in use NA 675,000 (1997); note - an unknown number of telephone lines were damaged or destroyed during the March-April war
Telephones - mobile cellular NA NA; service available in northern Iraq (2001)
Television broadcast stations NA 13 (1997); note - unknown number were destroyed during the March-April 2003 war
Terrain steep cliffs along coast rise abruptly to central plateau mostly broad plains; reedy marshes along Iranian border in south with large flooded areas; mountains along borders with Iran and Turkey
Total fertility rate NA 4.52 children born/woman (2003 est.)
Unemployment rate - NA%
Waterways - 1,015 km


note: Shatt al Arab is usually navigable by maritime traffic for about 130 km; channel has been dredged to 3 m and is in use; Tigris and Euphrates Rivers have navigable sections for shallow-draft boats; Shatt al Basrah canal was navigable by shallow-draft craft before closing in 1991 because of the Gulf war
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