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Compare Cocos (Keeling) Islands (2004) - Mauritania (2003)

Compare Cocos (Keeling) Islands (2004) z Mauritania (2003)

 Cocos (Keeling) Islands (2004)Mauritania (2003)
 Cocos (Keeling) IslandsMauritania
Administrative divisions none (territory of Australia) 12 regions (regions, singular - region) and 1 capital district*; Adrar, Assaba, Brakna, Dakhlet Nouadhibou, Gorgol, Guidimaka, Hodh Ech Chargui, Hodh El Gharbi, Inchiri, Nouakchott*, Tagant, Tiris Zemmour, Trarza
Age structure 0-14 years: NA


15-64 years: NA


65 years and over: NA (2004 est.)
0-14 years: 46% (male 671,080; female 668,408)


15-64 years: 51.8% (male 743,573; female 764,358)


65 years and over: 2.2% (male 26,669; female 38,496) (2003 est.)
Agriculture - products vegetables, bananas, pawpaws, coconuts dates, millet, sorghum, rice, corn, dates; cattle, sheep
Airports 1 (2003 est.) 26 (2002)
Airports - with paved runways total: 1


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


2,438 to 3,047 m: 3


1,524 to 2,437 m: 7 (2002)
Airports - with unpaved runways - total: 16


2,438 to 3,047 m: 1


1,524 to 2,437 m: 6


914 to 1,523 m: 6


under 914 m: 3 (2002)
Area total: 14 sq km


land: 14 sq km


water: 0 sq km


note: includes the two main islands of West Island and Home Island
total: 1,030,700 sq km


land: 1,030,400 sq km


water: 300 sq km
Area - comparative about 24 times the size of The Mall in Washington, DC slightly larger than three times the size of New Mexico
Background There are 27 coral islands in the group. Captain William KEELING discovered the islands in 1609, but they remained uninhabited until the 19th century. Annexed by the UK in 1857, they were transferred to the Australian Government in 1955. The population on the two inhabited islands generally is split between the ethnic Europeans on West Island and the ethnic Malays on Home Island. Independent from France in 1960, Mauritania annexed the southern third of the former Spanish Sahara (now Western Sahara) in 1976, but relinquished it after three years of raids by the Polisario guerrilla front seeking independence for the territory. Opposition parties were legalized and a new constitution approved in 1991. Two multiparty presidential elections since then were widely seen as flawed, but October 2001 legislative and municipal elections were generally free and open. Mauritania remains, in reality, a one-party state. The country continues to experience ethnic tensions between its black minority population and the dominant Maur (Arab-Berber) populace.
Birth rate NA births/1,000 population (2004 est.) 42.16 births/1,000 population (2003 est.)
Budget revenues: NA


expenditures: NA, including capital expenditures of NA
revenues: $421 million


expenditures: $378 million, including capital expenditures of $154 million (2002 est.)
Capital West Island Nouakchott
Climate tropical with high humidity, moderated by the southeast trade winds for about nine months of the year desert; constantly hot, dry, dusty
Coastline 26 km 754 km
Constitution Cocos (Keeling) Islands Act of 1955 12 July 1991
Country name conventional long form: Territory of Cocos (Keeling) Islands


conventional short form: Cocos (Keeling) Islands
conventional long form: Islamic Republic of Mauritania


conventional short form: Mauritania


local long form: Al Jumhuriyah al Islamiyah al Muritaniyah


local short form: Muritaniyah
Currency Australian dollar (AUD) ouguiya (MRO)
Death rate NA deaths/1,000 population (2004 est.) 13.04 deaths/1,000 population (2003 est.)
Debt - external NA $2.5 billion (2000)
Dependency status territory of Australia; administered from Canberra by the Australian Department of Transport and Regional Services -
Diplomatic representation from the US none (territory of Australia) chief of mission: Ambassador Joseph E. LEBARON


embassy: Rue Abdallaye (between Presidency building and Spanish Embassy), Nouakchott


mailing address: BP 222, Nouakchott


telephone: [222] 25-26-60, 25-26-63, 25-11-41, 25-11-45


FAX: [222] 25-25-92
Diplomatic representation in the US none (territory of Australia) chief of mission: Ambassador Mohamedou Ould MICHEL


chancery: 2129 Leroy Place NW, Washington, DC 20008


telephone: [1] (202) 232-5700


FAX: [1] (202) 319-2623
Disputes - international none Mauritanian claims to Western Sahara have been dormant in recent years
Economic aid - recipient NA $220 million (2000)
Economy - overview Grown throughout the islands, coconuts are the sole cash crop. Small local gardens and fishing contribute to the food supply, but additional food and most other necessities must be imported from Australia. There is a small tourist industry. Half the population still depends on agriculture and livestock for a livelihood, even though many of the nomads and subsistence farmers were forced into the cities by recurrent droughts in the 1970s and 1980s. Mauritania has extensive deposits of iron ore, which account for nearly 40% of total exports. The decline in world demand for this ore, however, has led to cutbacks in production. The nation's coastal waters are among the richest fishing areas in the world, but overexploitation by foreigners threatens this key source of revenue. The country's first deepwater port opened near Nouakchott in 1986. In the past, drought and economic mismanagement resulted in a buildup of foreign debt. In February 2000, Mauritania qualified for debt relief under the Heavily Indebted Poor Countries (HIPC) initiative and in December 2001 received strong support from donor and lending countries at a triennial Consultative Group review. In 2001, exploratory oil wells in tracts 80 km offshore indicated potential extraction at current world oil prices. A new investment code approved in December 2001 improved the opportunities for direct foreign investment. Ongoing negotiations with the IMF involve problems of economic reforms and fiscal discipline. Substantial oil production and exports probably will not begin until 2005.
Electricity - consumption NA kWh 146.3 million kWh (2001)
Electricity - exports - 0 kWh (2001)
Electricity - imports - 0 kWh (2001)
Electricity - production NA kWh 157.4 million kWh (2001)
Electricity - production by source - fossil fuel: 85.9%


hydro: 14.1%


nuclear: 0%


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


highest point: unnamed location 5 m
lowest point: Sebkha de Ndrhamcha -3 m


highest point: Kediet Ijill 910 m
Environment - current issues fresh water resources are limited to rainwater accumulations in natural underground reservoirs overgrazing, deforestation, and soil erosion aggravated by drought are contributing to desertification; very limited natural fresh water resources away from the Senegal, which is the only perennial river
Environment - international agreements - party to: Biodiversity, Climate Change, Desertification, Endangered Species, 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 Europeans, Cocos Malays mixed Maur/black 40%, Maur 30%, black 30%
Exchange rates Australian dollars per US dollar - 1.5419 (2003), 1.9354 (2002), 1.9320 (2001), 1.7173 (2000), 1.5497 (1999) ouguiyas per US dollar - ouguiyas per US dollar - 254.350 (December 2001), 238.923 (2000), 209.514 (1999), 188.476 (1998), 151.853 (1997), 137.222 (1996)
Executive branch chief of state: Queen ELIZABETH II (since 6 February 1952), represented by the Australian governor general


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


cabinet: NA


elections: none; the monarch is hereditary; administrator appointed by the governor general of Australia and represents the monarch and Australia
chief of state: President Maaouya Ould Sid Ahmed TAYA (since 12 December 1984)


head of government: Prime Minister Sghair Ould M'BARECK (since 6 July 2003)


cabinet: Council of Ministers


elections: president elected by popular vote for a six-year term; election last held 7 November 2003 (next to be held NA 2009); prime minister appointed by the president


election results: President Maaouya Ould Sid Ahmed TAYA reelected for a third term with 60.8% of the vote
Exports NA NA (2001)
Exports - commodities copra iron ore, fish and fish products, gold
Exports - partners Australia Italy 14.3%, France 14%, Spain 11.7%, Germany 10.9%, Belgium 9.9%, Japan 7.1% (2002)
Fiscal year 1 July - 30 June calendar year
Flag description the flag of Australia is used green with a yellow five-pointed star above a yellow, horizontal crescent; the closed side of the crescent is down; the crescent, star, and color green are traditional symbols of Islam
GDP purchasing power parity - NA purchasing power parity - $4.891 billion (2002 est.)
GDP - composition by sector agriculture: NA


industry: NA


services: NA (2001 est.)
agriculture: 25%


industry: 29%


services: 46% (2001 est.)
GDP - per capita purchasing power parity - NA purchasing power parity - $1,700 (2002 est.)
GDP - real growth rate NA 3.3% (2002 est.)
Geographic coordinates 12 30 S, 96 50 E 20 00 N, 12 00 W
Geography - note islands are thickly covered with coconut palms and other vegetation most of the population concentrated in the cities of Nouakchott and Nouadhibou and along the Senegal River in the southern part of the country
Highways total: 15 km


paved: NA km


unpaved: NA km (2003)
total: 7,720 km


paved: 830 km


unpaved: 6,890 km (2000)
Household income or consumption by percentage share lowest 10%: NA


highest 10%: NA
lowest 10%: 2.5%


highest 10%: 30.2% (2000)
Imports NA NA (2001)
Imports - commodities foodstuffs machinery and equipment, petroleum products, capital goods, foodstuffs, consumer goods
Imports - partners Australia France 18.5%, Belgium 7.8%, China 7%, Spain 5.9%, Germany 5.2% (2002)
Independence none (territory of Australia) 28 November 1960 (from France)
Industrial production growth rate NA 2% (2000 est.)
Industries copra products and tourism fish processing, mining of iron ore and gypsum
Infant mortality rate total: NA


male: NA


female: NA (2004 est.)
total: 73.8 deaths/1,000 live births


male: 76.62 deaths/1,000 live births


female: 70.89 deaths/1,000 live births (2003 est.)
Inflation rate (consumer prices) NA 3% (2002 est.)
International organization participation none ABEDA, ACCT, ACP, AfDB, AFESD, AL, AMF, AMU, CAEU, ECA, FAO, G-77, IBRD, ICAO, ICFTU, ICRM, IDA, IDB, IFAD, IFC, IFRCS, IHO (pending member), ILO, IMF, IMO, Interpol, IOC, IOM (observer), ITU, NAM, OAU, OIC, OPCW, UN, UNCTAD, UNESCO, UNIDO, UPU, WCL, WCO, WHO, WIPO, WMO, WToO, WTrO
Internet Service Providers (ISPs) - 5 (2001)
Irrigated land NA sq km 490 sq km (1998 est.)
Judicial branch Supreme Court; Magistrate's Court Supreme Court or Cour Supreme; Court of Appeals; lower courts
Labor force NA 786,000 (2001)
Labor force - by occupation the Cocos Islands Cooperative Society Ltd. employs construction workers, stevedores, and lighterage workers; tourism employs others agriculture 50%, services 40%, industry 10% (2001 est.)
Land boundaries 0 km total: 5,074 km


border countries: Algeria 463 km, Mali 2,237 km, Senegal 813 km, Western Sahara 1,561 km
Land use arable land: 0%


permanent crops: 0%


other: 100% (2001)
arable land: 0.48%


permanent crops: 0.01%


other: 99.51% (1998 est.)
Languages Malay (Cocos dialect), English Hassaniya Arabic (official), Pulaar, Soninke, Wolof (official), French
Legal system based upon the laws of Australia and local laws a combination of Shari'a (Islamic law) and French civil law
Legislative branch unicameral Cocos (Keeling) Islands Shire Council (7 seats)


elections: held every two years with half the members standing for election; last held NA
bicameral legislature consists of the Senate or Majlis al-Shuyukh (56 seats, a part of the seats up for election every two years; members elected by municipal leaders to serve six-year terms) and the National Assembly or Majlis al-Watani (81 seats; members elected by popular vote to serve five-year terms)


elections: Senate - last held 12 April 2002 (next to be held NA April 2004); National Assembly - last held 19 and 26 October 2001 (next to be held NA 2006)


election results: Senate - percent of vote by party - NA%; seats by party - PRDS 54, RFD 1, UNDD 1; National Assembly - percent of vote by party - PRDS 79%, RDU 3.5%, UDP 3.5%, AC 5%, UFP 3.5%, FP 1.5%; seats by party - PRDS 64, UDP 3, RDU 3, AC 4, RFD 3, UFP 3, and FP 1
Life expectancy at birth total population: NA years


male: NA years


female: NA years (2004 est.)
total population: 51.93 years


male: 49.78 years


female: 54.13 years (2003 est.)
Literacy - definition: age 15 and over can read and write


total population: 41.7%


male: 51.8%


female: 31.9% (2003 est.)
Location Southeastern Asia, group of islands in the Indian Ocean, southwest of Indonesia, about halfway from Australia to Sri Lanka Northern Africa, bordering the North Atlantic Ocean, between Senegal and Western Sahara
Map references Southeast Asia Africa
Maritime claims territorial sea: 12 nm


exclusive fishing zone: 200 nm
contiguous zone: 24 NM


continental shelf: 200 NM or to the edge of the continental margin


exclusive economic zone: 200 NM


territorial sea: 12 NM
Merchant marine - none (2002)
Military - note defense is the responsibility of Australia; the territory does have a five-person police force -
Military branches - Army, Navy, Air Force, National Gendarmerie, National Guard, National Police, Presidential Guard
Military expenditures - dollar figure - $37.11 million (FY02)
Military expenditures - percent of GDP - 3.7% (FY02)
Military manpower - availability - males age 15-49: 665,112 (2003 est.)
Military manpower - fit for military service - males age 15-49: 322,288 (2003 est.)
National holiday Australia Day, 26 January (1788) Independence Day, 28 November (1960)
Nationality noun: Cocos Islander(s)


adjective: Cocos Islander
noun: Mauritanian(s)


adjective: Mauritanian
Natural hazards cyclone season is October to April hot, dry, dust/sand-laden sirocco wind blows primarily in March and April; periodic droughts
Natural resources fish iron ore, gypsum, copper, phosphate, diamonds, gold, oil, fish
Net migration rate NA migrant(s)/1,000 population (2004 est.) 0 migrant(s)/1,000 population (2003 est.)
Political parties and leaders none Action for Change or AC [Messoud Ould BOULKHEIR]; Alliance for Justice and Democracy or AJD [Kebe ABDOULAYE]; Democratic and Social Republican Party or PRDS (ruling party) [President Maaouya Ould Sid Ahmed TAYA]; Mauritanian Party for Renewal and Concorde or PMRC [Molaye El Hassen Ould JIYID]; National Union for Democracy and Development or UNDD [Tidjane KOITA]; Party for Liberty, Equality and Justice or PLEJ [Daouda M'BAGNIGA]; Popular Front or FP [Ch'bih Ould CHEIKH MALAININE]; Popular Progress Alliance or APP [Mohamed El Hafed Ould ISMAEL]; Popular Social and Democratic Union or UPSD [Mohamed Mahmoud Ould MAH]; Progress Force Union or UFP [Mohamed Ould MAOULOUD]; Rally of Democratic Forces or RFD [Ahmed Ould DADDAH]; Rally for Democracy and Unity or RDU [Ahmed Ould SIDI BABA]; Union for Democracy and Progress or UDP [Naha Mint MOUKNASS]


note: the Action for Change party was banned in January 2002; parties legalized by constitution ratified 12 July 1991, however, politics continue to be tribally based
Political pressure groups and leaders none Arab nationalists; Ba'athists; General Confederation of Mauritanian Workers or CGTM [Abdallahi Ould MOHAMED, secretary general]; Independent Confederation of Mauritanian Workers or CLTM [Samory Ould BEYE]; Islamists; Mauritanian Workers Union or UTM [Mohamed Ely Ould BRAHIM, secretary general]
Population 629 (July 2004 est.) 2,912,584 (July 2003 est.)
Population below poverty line NA 50% (2001 est.)
Population growth rate 0.002% (2004 est.) 2.91% (2003 est.)
Ports and harbors none; lagoon anchorage only Bogue, Kaedi, Nouadhibou, Nouakchott, Rosso
Radio broadcast stations AM 1, FM 2, shortwave 0 (2004) AM 1, FM 14, shortwave 1 (2001)
Railways - 717 km


standard gauge: 717 km 1.435-m gauge (2002)
Religions Sunni Muslim 80%, other 20% (2002 est.) Muslim 100%
Sex ratio - at birth: 1.03 male(s)/female


under 15 years: 1 male(s)/female


15-64 years: 0.97 male(s)/female


65 years and over: 0.69 male(s)/female


total population: 0.98 male(s)/female (2003 est.)
Suffrage NA 18 years of age; universal
Telephone system general assessment: connected within Australia's telecommunication system


domestic: NA


international: country code - 61-891; telephone, telex, and facsimile communications with Australia and elsewhere via satellite; 1 satellite earth station of NA type (2002)
general assessment: limited system of cable and open-wire lines, minor microwave radio relay links, and radiotelephone communications stations (improvements being made)


domestic: mostly cable and open-wire lines; a recently completed domestic satellite telecommunications system links Nouakchott with regional capitals


international: satellite earth stations - 1 Intelsat (Atlantic Ocean) and 2 Arabsat
Telephones - main lines in use 287 (1992) 26,500 (2001)
Telephones - mobile cellular note - analog cellular service available 35,000 (2001)
Television broadcast stations NA 1 (2002)
Terrain flat, low-lying coral atolls mostly barren, flat plains of the Sahara; some central hills
Total fertility rate NA children born/woman (2004 est.) 6.08 children born/woman (2003 est.)
Unemployment rate 60% (2000 est.) 21% (1999 est.)
Waterways - note: ferry traffic on the Senegal River
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