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Compare Christmas Island (2006) - Rwanda (2005)

Compare Christmas Island (2006) z Rwanda (2005)

 Christmas Island (2006)Rwanda (2005)
 Christmas IslandRwanda
Administrative divisions none (territory of Australia) 12 provinces (in French - provinces, singular - province; in Kinyarwanda - prefigintara for singular and plural); Butare, Byumba, Cyangugu, Gikongoro, Gisenyi, Gitarama, Kibungo, Kibuye, Kigali Rurale, Kigali-ville, Umutara, Ruhengeri
Age structure 0-14 years: NA


15-64 years: NA


65 years and over: NA (2006 est.)
0-14 years: 41.9% (male 1,777,178/female 1,762,252)


15-64 years: 55.5% (male 2,328,686/female 2,356,572)


65 years and over: 2.6% (male 87,155/female 128,977) (2005 est.)
Agriculture - products NA coffee, tea, pyrethrum (insecticide made from chrysanthemums), bananas, beans, sorghum, potatoes; livestock
Airports 1 (2006) 9 (2004 est.)
Airports - with paved runways total: 1


1,524 to 2,437 m: 1 (2006)
total: 4


over 3,047 m: 1


914 to 1,523 m: 2


under 914 m: 1 (2004 est.)
Airports - with unpaved runways - total: 5


914 to 1,523 m: 2


under 914 m: 3 (2004 est.)
Area total: 135 sq km


land: 135 sq km


water: 0 sq km
total: 26,338 sq km


land: 24,948 sq km


water: 1,390 sq km
Area - comparative about three-quarters the size of Washington, DC slightly smaller than Maryland
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. In 1959, three years before independence from Belgium, the majority ethnic group, the Hutus, overthrew the ruling Tutsi king. Over the next several years, thousands of Tutsis were killed, and some 150,000 driven into exile in neighboring countries. The children of these exiles later formed a rebel group, the Rwandan Patriotic Front (RPF), and began a civil war in 1990. The war, along with several political and economic upheavals, exacerbated ethnic tensions, culminating in April 1994 in the genocide of roughly 800,000 Tutsis and moderate Hutus. The Tutsi rebels defeated the Hutu regime and ended the killing in July 1994, but approximately 2 million Hutu refugees - many fearing Tutsi retribution - fled to neighboring Burundi, Tanzania, Uganda, and the former Zaire. Since then, most of the refugees have returned to Rwanda, but about 10,000 that remain in the neighboring Democratic Republic of the Congo have formed an extremist insurgency bent on retaking Rwanda, much as the RPF tried in 1990. Despite substantial international assistance and political reforms - including Rwanda's first local elections in March 1999 and its first post-genocide presidential and legislative elections in August and September 2003, respectively - the country continues to struggle to boost investment and agricultural output, and ethnic reconciliation is complicated by the real and perceived Tutsi political dominance. Kigali's increasing centralization and intolerance of dissent, the nagging Hutu extremist insurgency across the border, and Rwandan involvement in two wars in recent years in the neighboring Democratic Republic of the Congo continue to hinder Rwanda's efforts to escape its bloody legacy.
Birth rate NA 40.6 births/1,000 population (2005 est.)
Budget revenues: $NA


expenditures: $NA
revenues: $354.5 million


expenditures: $385 million, including capital expenditures of NA (2004 est.)
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)
Kigali
Climate tropical with a wet and dry season; heat and humidity moderated by trade winds; wet season (December to April) temperate; two rainy seasons (February to April, November to January); mild in mountains with frost and snow possible
Coastline 138.9 km 0 km (landlocked)
Constitution Christmas Island Act of 1958-59 (1 October 1958) as amended by the Territories Law Reform Act of 1992 new constitution adopted 4 June 2003
Country name conventional long form: Territory of Christmas Island


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


conventional short form: Rwanda


local long form: Republika y'u Rwanda


local short form: Rwanda


former: Ruanda
Death rate NA 16.32 deaths/1,000 population (2005 est.)
Debt - external - $1.3 billion (2000 est.)
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 (vacant); Charge d'Affaires Henderson PATRICK


embassy: 337 Boulevard de la Revolution, Kigali


mailing address: B. P. 28, Kigali


telephone: [250] 50 56 01 through 03


FAX: [250] 57 2128
Diplomatic representation in the US none (territory of Australia) chief of mission: Ambassador Zac NSENGA


chancery: 1714 New Hampshire Ave. NW, Washington, DC 20009


telephone: [1] (202) 232-2882


FAX: [1] (202) 232-4544
Disputes - international none Tutsi, Hutu, Hema, Lendu, and other conflicting ethnic groups, associated political rebels, armed gangs, and various government forces continue fighting in Great Lakes region, transcending the boundaries of Burundi, Democratic Republic of the Congo, Rwanda, and Uganda to gain control over populated areas and natural resources - government heads pledge to end conflicts, but localized violence continues despite UN peacekeeping efforts; DROC and Rwanda established a border verification mechanism in 2005 to address accusations of Rwandan military supporting Congolese rebels and the Congo providing rebel Rwandan "Interhamwe" forces the means and bases to attack Rwandan forces; as of 2004, Rwandan refugees lived in the Democratic Republic of the Congo, Uganda, and Zambia
Economic aid - recipient $NA $372.9 million (1999)
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. Rwanda is a poor rural country with about 90% of the population engaged in (mainly subsistence) agriculture. It is the most densely populated country in Africa; landlocked with few natural resources and minimal industry. Primary foreign exchange earners are coffee and tea. The 1994 genocide decimated Rwanda's fragile economic base, severely impoverished the population, particularly women, and eroded the country's ability to attract private and external investment. However, Rwanda has made substantial progress in stabilizing and rehabilitating its economy to pre-1994 levels, although poverty levels are higher now. GDP has rebounded and inflation has been curbed. Export earnings, however, have been hindered by low beverage prices, depriving the country of much needed hard currency. Despite Rwanda's fertile ecosystem, food production often does not keep pace with population growth, requiring food imports. Rwanda continues to receive substantial aid money and was approved for IMF-World Bank Heavily Indebted Poor Country (HIPC) initiative debt relief in late 2000. Kigali's high defense expenditures have caused tension between the government and international donors and lending agencies. An energy shortage and instability in neighboring states may slow growth in 2005, while the lack of adequate transportation linkages to other countries continues to handicap export growth.
Electricity - consumption - 195 million kWh (2002)
Electricity - exports - 0 kWh (2002)
Electricity - imports - 40 million kWh (2002)
Electricity - production - 166.7 million kWh (2002)
Elevation extremes lowest point: Indian Ocean 0 m


highest point: Murray Hill 361 m
lowest point: Rusizi River 950 m


highest point: Volcan Karisimbi 4,519 m
Environment - current issues loss of rainforest; impact of phosphate mining deforestation results from uncontrolled cutting of trees for fuel; overgrazing; soil exhaustion; soil erosion; widespread poaching
Environment - international agreements - party to: Biodiversity, Climate Change, Climate Change-Kyoto Protocol, Desertification, Endangered Species, Hazardous Wastes, Ozone Layer Protection


signed, but not ratified: Law of the Sea
Ethnic groups Chinese 70%, European 20%, Malay 10%


note: no indigenous population (2001)
Hutu 84%, Tutsi 15%, Twa (Pygmoid) 1%
Exchange rates Australian dollars per US dollar - 1.3095 (2005), 1.3598 (2004), 1.5419 (2003), 1.8406 (2002), 1.9334 (2001) Rwandan francs per US dollar - 574.62 (2004), 537.66 (2003), 476.33 (2002), 442.8 (2001), 393.44 (2000)
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 Paul KAGAME (since 22 April 2000)


head of government: Prime Minister Bernard MAKUZA (since 8 March 2000)


cabinet: Council of Ministers appointed by the president


elections: last held 25 August 2003 (next to be held NA 2008)


election results: Paul KAGAME elected president in first direct popular vote; Paul KAGAME 95.05%, Faustin TWAGIRAMUNGU 3.62%, Jean-Nepomuscene NAYINZIRA 1.33%
Exports $NA NA
Exports - commodities phosphate coffee, tea, hides, tin ore
Exports - partners Australia, NZ (2004) Indonesia 64.2%, China 3.6%, Germany 2.7% (2004)
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 three horizontal bands of sky blue (top, double width), yellow, and green, with a golden sun with 24 rays near the fly end of the blue band
GDP - composition by sector - agriculture: 41.1%


industry: 21.2%


services: 37.7% (2004 est.)
GDP - per capita - purchasing power parity - $1,300 (2004 est.)
GDP - real growth rate - 0.9% (2004 est.)
Geographic coordinates 10 30 S, 105 40 E 2 00 S, 30 00 E
Geography - note located along major sea lanes of Indian Ocean landlocked; most of the country is savanna grassland with the population predominantly rural
Highways - total: 12,000 km


paved: 996 km


unpaved: 11,004 km (1999 est.)
Household income or consumption by percentage share - lowest 10%: 4.2%


highest 10%: 24.2% (1985)
Imports $NA NA
Imports - commodities consumer goods foodstuffs, machinery and equipment, steel, petroleum products, cement and construction material
Imports - partners principally Australia (2004) Kenya 24.4%, Germany 7.4%, Belgium 6.6%, Uganda 6.3%, France 5.1% (2004)
Independence none (territory of Australia) 1 July 1962 (from Belgium-administered UN trusteeship)
Industrial production growth rate - 7% (2001 est.)
Industries tourism, phosphate extraction (near depletion) cement, agricultural products, small-scale beverages, soap, furniture, shoes, plastic goods, textiles, cigarettes
Infant mortality rate total: NA


male: NA


female: NA
total: 91.23 deaths/1,000 live births


male: 96.37 deaths/1,000 live births


female: 85.93 deaths/1,000 live births (2005 est.)
Inflation rate (consumer prices) - 7% (2004 est.)
International organization participation none ACCT, ACP, AfDB, AU, CEPGL, FAO, G-77, IBRD, ICAO, ICFTU, ICRM, IDA, IFAD, IFC, IFRCS, ILO, IMF, Interpol, IOC, IOM, ISO (correspondent), ITU, MIGA, NAM, OPCW, UN, UNCTAD, UNESCO, UNIDO, UPU, WCL, WCO, WHO, WIPO, WMO, WToO, WTO
Irrigated land NA 40 sq km (1998 est.)
Judicial branch Supreme Court; District Court; Magistrate's Court Supreme Court; High Courts of the Republic; Provincial Courts; District Courts; mediation committees
Labor force NA 4.6 million (2000)
Labor force - by occupation - agriculture 90%
Land boundaries 0 km total: 893 km


border countries: Burundi 290 km, Democratic Republic of the Congo 217 km, Tanzania 217 km, Uganda 169 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: 40.54%


permanent crops: 12.16%


other: 47.3% (2001)
Languages English (official), Chinese, Malay Kinyarwanda (official) universal Bantu vernacular, French (official), English (official), Kiswahili (Swahili) used in commercial centers
Legal system under the authority of the governor general of Australia and Australian law based on German and Belgian civil law systems and customary law; judicial review of legislative acts in the Supreme Court; 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 (53 seats; members elected by direct vote)


elections: last held 29 September 2003 (next to be held Chamber of Deputies - NA 2008; Senate - NA 2011)


election results: seats by party under the 2003 Constitution - RPF 40, PSD 7, PL 6
Life expectancy at birth total population: NA


male: NA


female: NA
total population: 46.96 years


male: 45.92 years


female: 48.03 years (2005 est.)
Literacy NA definition: age 15 and over can read and write


total population: 70.4%


male: 76.3%


female: 64.7% (2003 est.)
Location Southeastern Asia, island in the Indian Ocean, south of Indonesia Central Africa, east of Democratic Republic of the Congo
Map references Southeast Asia Africa
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 - Rwandan Defense Forces: Army, Air Force
Military expenditures - dollar figure - $50.1 million (2004)
Military expenditures - percent of GDP - 3.2% (2004)
National holiday Australia Day, 26 January (1788) Independence Day, 1 July (1962)
Nationality noun: Christmas Islander(s)


adjective: Christmas Island
noun: Rwandan(s)


adjective: Rwandan
Natural hazards the narrow fringing reef surrounding the island can be a maritime hazard periodic droughts; the volcanic Virunga mountains are in the northwest along the border with Democratic Republic of the Congo
Natural resources phosphate, beaches gold, cassiterite (tin ore), wolframite (tungsten ore), methane, hydropower, arable land
Net migration rate NA 0 migrant(s)/1,000 population (2005 est.)
People - note - Rwanda is the most densely populated country in Africa
Political parties and leaders none Centrist Democratic Party or PDC [Alfred MUKEZAMFURA]; Democratic Popular Union of Rwanda or UDPR [Adrien RANGIRA]; Democratic Republican Movement or MDR (officially banned) [Celestin KABANDA]; Islamic Democratic Party or PDI [Andre BUMAYA]; Liberal Party or PL [Prosper HIGIRO]; Party for Democratic Renewal (officially banned) [Pasteur BIZIMUNGU and Charles NTAKARUTINKA]; Rwandan Patriotic Front or RPF [Paul KAGAME]; Social Democratic Party or PSD [Vincent BIRUTA]
Political pressure groups and leaders none IBUKA - association of genocide survivors
Population 1,493 (July 2006 est.) 8,440,820


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 2005 est.)
Population below poverty line - 60% (2001 est.)
Population growth rate 0% (2006 est.) 2.43% (2005 est.)
Ports and harbors - Cyangugu, Gisenyi, Kibuye
Radio broadcast stations AM 1, FM 2, shortwave 0 (2006) AM 0, FM 8 (two main FM programs are broadcast through a system of repeaters, three international FM programs include the BBC, VOA, and Deutchewelle), shortwave 1 (2005)
Religions Buddhist 36%, Muslim 25%, Christian 18%, other 21% (1997) Roman Catholic 56.5%, Protestant 26%, Adventist 11.1%, Muslim 4.6%, indigenous beliefs 0.1%, none 1.7% (2001)
Sex ratio NA at birth: 1.03 male(s)/female


under 15 years: 1.01 male(s)/female


15-64 years: 0.99 male(s)/female


65 years and over: 0.68 male(s)/female


total population: 0.99 male(s)/female (2005 est.)
Suffrage - 18 years of age; universal adult
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: telephone system primarily serves business and government


domestic: the capital, Kigali, is connected to the centers of the provinces by microwave radio relay and, recently, by cellular telephone service; much of the network depends on wire and HF radiotelephone


international: country code - 250; international connections employ microwave radio relay to neighboring countries and satellite communications to more distant countries; satellite earth stations - 1 Intelsat (Indian Ocean) in Kigali (includes telex and telefax service)
Telephones - main lines in use NA 23,200 (2002)
Telephones - mobile cellular NA 134,000


note: Rwanda has mobile cellular service between Kigali and several provincial capitals (2003)
Television broadcast stations 0; note - TV broadcasts received via satellite from mainland Australia (2006) 2 (2004)
Terrain steep cliffs along coast rise abruptly to central plateau mostly grassy uplands and hills; relief is mountainous with altitude declining from west to east
Total fertility rate NA 5.49 children born/woman (2005 est.)
Unemployment rate - NA
Waterways - Lac Kivu navigable by shallow-draft barges and native craft (2004)
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