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Compare Christmas Island (2006) - Benin (2002)

Compare Christmas Island (2006) z Benin (2002)

 Christmas Island (2006)Benin (2002)
 Christmas IslandBenin
Administrative divisions none (territory of Australia) 12 provinces; Alibori, Atakora, Atlantique, Borgou, Collines, Couffo, Donga, Littoral, Mono, Oueme, Plateau, Zou
Age structure 0-14 years: NA


15-64 years: NA


65 years and over: NA (2006 est.)
0-14 years: 47.2% (male 1,616,138; female 1,585,463)


15-64 years: 50.5% (male 1,665,439; female 1,764,966)


65 years and over: 2.3% (male 65,877; female 89,742) (2002 est.)
Agriculture - products NA cotton, corn, cassava (tapioca), yams, beans, palm oil, peanuts, livestock (2001)
Airports 1 (2006) 5 (2001)
Airports - with paved runways total: 1


1,524 to 2,437 m: 1 (2006)
total: 1


1,524 to 2,437 m: 1 (2002)
Airports - with unpaved runways - total: 4


2,438 to 3,047 m: 1


1,524 to 2,437 m: 1


914 to 1,523 m: 2 (2002)
Area total: 135 sq km


land: 135 sq km


water: 0 sq km
total: 112,620 sq km


land: 110,620 sq km


water: 2,000 sq km
Area - comparative about three-quarters the size of Washington, DC slightly smaller than Pennsylvania
Background Named in 1643 for the day of its discovery, the island was annexed and settlement began 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. Dahomey gained its independence from France in 1960; the name was changed to Benin in 1975. From 1974 to 1989 the country was a socialist state; free elections were reestablished in 1991.
Birth rate NA 43.66 births/1,000 population (2002 est.)
Budget revenues: $NA


expenditures: $NA
revenues: $377.4 million


expenditures: $561.8 million, including capital expenditures of $NA (2001)
Capital name: The Settlement


geographic coordinates: 18 44 N, 64 19 W


time difference: UTC+7 (12 hours ahead of Washington, DC during Standard Time)
Porto-Novo is the official capital; Cotonou is the seat of government
Climate tropical with a wet and dry season; heat and humidity moderated by trade winds; wet season (December to April) tropical; hot, humid in south; semiarid in north
Coastline 138.9 km 121 km
Constitution Christmas Island Act of 1958-59 (1 October 1958) as amended by the Territories Law Reform Act of 1992 December 1990
Country name conventional long form: Territory of Christmas Island


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


conventional short form: Benin


local long form: Republique du Benin


local short form: Benin


former: Dahomey
Currency - Communaute Financiere Africaine franc (XOF); note - responsible authority is the Central Bank of the West African States
Death rate NA 14.52 deaths/1,000 population (2002 est.)
Debt - external - $1.18 billion (2000)
Dependency status non-self governing 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 Pamela E. BRIDGEWATER


embassy: Rue Caporal Bernard Anani, Cotonou


mailing address: 01 B. P. 2012, Cotonou


telephone: [229] 30-06-50


FAX: [229] 30-06-70
Diplomatic representation in the US none (territory of Australia) chief of mission: Ambassador Cyrille Segbe OGUIN


chancery: 2124 Kalorama Road NW, Washington, DC 20008


telephone: [1] (202) 232-6656


FAX: [1] (202) 265-1996
Disputes - international none Benin and Niger have refered to the ICJ the dispute over l'Ete and 14 smaller disputed islands in the Niger River, which has never been delimited; with Nigeria, several villages are in dispute along the Okpara River and only 35 km of the 436 km boundary are demarcated; the Benin-Niger-Nigeria tripoint remains undemarcated; Benin accuses Togo of moving boundary markers and stationing troops in its territory; two villages are in dispute with Burkina Faso
Economic aid - recipient $NA $342.6 million (2000)
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. The economy of Benin remains underdeveloped and dependent on subsistence agriculture, cotton production, and regional trade. Growth in real output averaged a stable 5% in the past five years, but rapid population rise offset much of this increase. Inflation has subsided over the past several years. In order to raise growth still further, Benin plans to attract more foreign investment, place more emphasis on tourism, facilitate the development of new food processing systems and agricultural products, and encourage new information and communication technology. The 2001 privatization policy should continue in telecommunications, water, electricity, and agriculture in spite of initial government reluctance. The Paris Club and bilateral creditors have eased the external debt situation.
Electricity - consumption - 523.2 million kWh (2000)
Electricity - exports - 0 kWh (2000)
Electricity - imports - 300 million kWh (2000)
Electricity - production - 240 million kWh (2000)
Electricity - production by source - fossil fuel: 17%


hydro: 83%


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: Mont Sokbaro 658 m
Environment - current issues loss of rainforest; impact of phosphate mining inadequate supplies of potable water; poaching threatens wildlife populations; deforestation; desertification
Environment - international agreements - party to: Biodiversity, Climate Change, Desertification, Endangered Species, Environmental Modification, Hazardous Wastes, Law of the Sea, Nuclear Test Ban, 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)
African 99% (42 ethnic groups, most important being Fon, Adja, Yoruba, Bariba), Europeans 5,500
Exchange rates Australian dollars per US dollar - 1.3095 (2005), 1.3598 (2004), 1.5419 (2003), 1.8406 (2002), 1.9334 (2001) Communaute Financiere Africaine francs (XOF) per US dollar - 742.79 (January 2002), 733.04 (2001), 711.98 (2000), 615.70 (1999), 589.95 (1998), 583.67 (1997); note - from 1 January 1999, the XOF is pegged to the euro at a rate of 655.957 XOF per euro
Executive branch chief of state: Queen ELIZABETH II (since 6 February 1952), represented by the Australian governor general


head of government: Administrator Neil LUCAS (since 30 January 2006)


elections: none; the monarch is hereditary; administrator appointed by the governor general of Australia and represents the monarch and Australia
chief of state: President Mathieu KEREKOU (since 4 April 1996); note - the president is both the chief of state and head of government


head of government: President Mathieu KEREKOU (since 4 April 1996); note - the president is both the chief of state and head of government


cabinet: Council of Ministers appointed by the president


elections: president reelected by popular vote for a five-year term; runoff election held 22 March 2001 (next to be held NA March 2006)


election results: Mathieu KEREKOU reelected president; percent of vote - Mathieu KEREKOU 84.1%, Bruno AMOUSSOU 15.9%


note: the four top-ranking contenders following the first-round presidential elections were: Mathieu KEREKOU (incumbent) 45.4%, Nicephore SOGOLO (former president) 27.1%, Adrien HOUNGBEDJI (National Assembly Speaker) 12.6%, and Bruno AMOUSSOU (Minister of State) 8.6%; the second-round balloting, originally scheduled for 18 March 2001, was postponed four days because both SOGOLO and HOUNGBEDJI withdrew alleging electoral fraud; this left KEREKOU to run against his own Minister of State, AMOUSSOU, in what was termed a "friendly match"
Exports $NA $35.3 million f.o.b. (2000)
Exports - commodities phosphate cotton, crude oil, palm products, cocoa
Exports - partners Australia, NZ (2004) Brazil, France, Indonesia, Thailand, Morocco, Portugal, Cote d'Ivoire (2001)
Fiscal year 1 July - 30 June calendar year
Flag description territorial flag; divided diagonally from upper hoist to lower fly; the upper triangle is green with a yellow image of the Golden Bosun Bird superimposed, while the lower triangle is blue with the Southern Cross constellation, representing Australia, superimposed; a centered yellow disk displays a green map of the island; the flag of Australia is used for official purposes two equal horizontal bands of yellow (top) and red with a vertical green band on the hoist side
GDP - purchasing power parity - $6.8 billion (2001 est.)
GDP - composition by sector - agriculture: 36%


industry: 14%


services: 50% (2001 est.)
GDP - per capita - purchasing power parity - $1,040 (2001 est.)
GDP - real growth rate - 5.4% (2001 est.)
Geographic coordinates 10 30 S, 105 40 E 9 30 N, 2 15 E
Geography - note located along major sea lanes of Indian Ocean sandbanks create difficult access to a coast with no natural harbors, river mouths, or islands
Highways - total: 6,787 km


paved: 1,357 km (including 10 km of expressways)


unpaved: 5,430 km (1997 est.)
Household income or consumption by percentage share - lowest 10%: NA%


highest 10%: NA%
Illicit drugs - transshipment point for narcotics associated with Nigerian trafficking organizations and most commonly destined for Western Europe and the US; vulnerable to money laundering due to a poorly regulated financial infrastructure
Imports $NA $437.6 million c.i.f. (2000)
Imports - commodities consumer goods foodstuffs, capital goods, petroleum products
Imports - partners principally Australia (2004) France, US, China, Cote d'Ivoire, Netherlands, Japan (2001)
Independence none (territory of Australia) 1 August 1960 (from France)
Industrial production growth rate - 8.3% (2001 est.)
Industries tourism, phosphate extraction (near depletion) textiles, food processing, chemical production, construction materials (2001)
Infant mortality rate total: NA


male: NA


female: NA
88.52 deaths/1,000 live births (2002 est.)
Inflation rate (consumer prices) - 3% (2001 est.)
International organization participation none ACP, AfDB, CCC, ECA, ECOWAS, Entente, FAO, FZ, G-77, IAEA, IBRD, ICAO, ICFTU, ICRM, IDA, IDB, IFAD, IFC, IFRCS, ILO, IMF, IMO, Interpol, IOC, IOM, ISO (subscriber), ITU, MIPONUH, MONUC, NAM, OAU, OIC, OPCW, UN, UNCTAD, UNESCO, UNIDO, UNMEE, UNMIK, UPU, WADB (regional), WAEMU, WCL, WFTU, WHO, WIPO, WMO, WToO, WTrO
Internet Service Providers (ISPs) - 4 (2002)
Irrigated land NA 120 sq km (1998 est.)
Judicial branch Supreme Court; District Court; Magistrate's Court Constitutional Court or Cour Constitutionnelle; Supreme Court or Cour Supreme; High Court of Justice
Labor force NA NA
Land boundaries 0 km total: 1,989 km


border countries: Burkina Faso 306 km, Niger 266 km, Nigeria 773 km, Togo 644 km
Land use arable land: 0%


permanent crops: 0%


other: 100% (mainly tropical rainforest; 63% of the island is a national park) (2005)
arable land: 15.28%


permanent crops: 1.36%


other: 83.36% (1998 est.)
Languages English (official), Chinese, Malay French (official), Fon and Yoruba (most common vernaculars in south), tribal languages (at least six major ones in north)
Legal system under the authority of the governor general of Australia and Australian law based on French civil law and customary law; 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 in May 2005 (next to be held in May 2007)


election results: percent of vote - NA; seats - independents 9
unicameral National Assembly or Assemblee Nationale (83 seats; members are elected by direct popular vote to serve four-year terms)


elections: last held 30 March 1999 (next to be held 30 March 2003)


election results: percent of vote by party - NA%; seats by party - RB 27, PRD 11, FARD-ALAFIA 10, PSD 9, MADEP 6, Alliance E'toile 4, IPD 4, other 12
Life expectancy at birth total population: NA


male: NA


female: NA
total population: 49.69 years


male: 48.81 years


female: 50.61 years (2002 est.)
Literacy NA definition: age 15 and over can read and write


total population: 37.5%


male: 52.2%


female: 23.6% (2000)
Location Southeastern Asia, island in the Indian Ocean, south of Indonesia Western Africa, bordering the North Atlantic Ocean, between Nigeria and Togo
Map references Southeast Asia Africa
Maritime claims territorial sea: 12 nm


contiguous zone: 12 nm


exclusive fishing zone: 200 nm
territorial sea: 200 NM
Merchant marine - none (2002 est.)
Military - note defense is the responsibility of Australia -
Military branches - Armed Forces (including Army, Navy, Air Force), National Gendarmerie
Military expenditures - dollar figure - $27 million (FY96)
Military expenditures - percent of GDP - 1.2% (FY96)
Military manpower - availability - males age 15-49: 1,509,760


females age 15-49: 1,536,036


note: both sexes are liable for military service (2002 est.)
Military manpower - fit for military service - males age 15-49: 771,373


females age 15-49: 778,730 (2002 est.)
Military manpower - military age - 18 years of age (2002 est.)
Military manpower - reaching military age annually - males: 71,278


females: 70,088 (2002 est.)
National holiday Australia Day, 26 January (1788) National Day, 1 August (1960)
Nationality noun: Christmas Islander(s)


adjective: Christmas Island
noun: Beninese (singular and plural)


adjective: Beninese
Natural hazards the narrow fringing reef surrounding the island can be a maritime hazard hot, dry, dusty harmattan wind may affect north from December to March
Natural resources phosphate, beaches small offshore oil deposits, limestone, marble, timber
Net migration rate NA 0 migrant(s)/1,000 population (2002 est.)
Political parties and leaders none African Movement for Democracy and Progress or MADEP [Sefou FAGBOHOUN]; Alliance of the Social Democratic Party or PSD [Bruno AMOUSSOU]; Democratic Renewal Party or PRD [Adrien HOUNGBEDJI]; Front for Renewal and Development or FARD-ALAFIA [Saka SALEY]; Impulse for Progress and Democracy or IPD [Bertin BORNA]; Movement for Citizens' Commitment and Awakening or MERCI [Severin ADJOVI]; Renaissance Party du Benin or RB [Nicephore SOGLO]; The Star Alliance (Alliance E'toile) [Sacca LAFIA]


note: approximately 20 additional minor parties; the Coalition of Democratic Forces, [Gatien HOUNGBEDJI], an alliance of parties and organizations supporting President KEREKOU
Political pressure groups and leaders none NA
Population 1,493 (July 2006 est.) 6,787,625


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 2002 est.)
Population below poverty line - 37% (2001 est.)
Population growth rate 0% (2006 est.) 2.91% (2002 est.)
Ports and harbors - Cotonou, Porto-Novo
Radio broadcast stations AM 1, FM 2, shortwave 0 (2006) AM 2, FM 9, shortwave 4 (2000)
Radios - 660,000 (2000)
Railways - total: 578 km


narrow gauge: 578 km 1.000-m gauge (2000 est.)
Religions Buddhist 36%, Muslim 25%, Christian 18%, other 21% (1997) indigenous beliefs 50%, Christian 30%, Muslim 20%
Sex ratio NA at birth: 1.03 male(s)/female


under 15 years: 1.02 male(s)/female


15-64 years: 0.94 male(s)/female


65 years and over: 0.73 male(s)/female


total population: 0.97 male(s)/female (2002 est.)
Suffrage - 18 years of age; universal
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 - 61-8; satellite earth stations - one INTELSAT earth station provides telephone and telex service (2005)
general assessment: NA


domestic: fair system of open wire, microwave radio relay, and cellular connections


international: satellite earth station - 1 Intelsat (Atlantic Ocean); submarine cable
Telephones - main lines in use NA 51,000 (2000)
Telephones - mobile cellular NA 55,500 (2000)
Television broadcast stations 0; note - TV broadcasts received via satellite from mainland Australia (2006) 1 (2001)
Terrain steep cliffs along coast rise abruptly to central plateau mostly flat to undulating plain; some hills and low mountains
Total fertility rate NA 6.14 children born/woman (2002 est.)
Unemployment rate - NA%
Waterways - streams navigable along small sections, important only locally
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