Main page Compare countries Index countries Index fields

Query:
Jah-Jah.pl / Index countries / Comoros (2001) - Liberia (2002) / Compare countries
##ciekawa_strona##

Compare Comoros (2001) - Liberia (2002)

Compare Comoros (2001) z Liberia (2002)

 Comoros (2001)Liberia (2002)
 ComorosLiberia
Administrative divisions 3 islands; Grande Comore (Njazidja), Anjouan (Nzwani), and Moheli (Mwali); note - there are also four municipalities named Domoni, Fomboni, Moroni, and Moutsamoudou 15 counties; Bomi, Bong, Gparbolu, Grand Bassa, Grand Cape Mount, Grand Gedeh, Grand Kru, Lofa, Margibi, Maryland, Montserrado, Nimba, River Cess, River Gee, Sinoe
Age structure 0-14 years:
42.81% (male 127,955; female 127,267)

15-64 years:
54.26% (male 159,560; female 163,949)

65 years and over:
2.93% (male 8,326; female 9,145) (2001 est.)
0-14 years: 43.3% (male 714,563; female 709,582)


15-64 years: 53.2% (male 854,324; female 894,753)


65 years and over: 3.5% (male 57,925; female 57,051) (2002 est.)
Agriculture - products vanilla, cloves, perfume essences, copra, coconuts, bananas, cassava (tapioca) rubber, coffee, cocoa, rice, cassava (tapioca), palm oil, sugarcane, bananas; sheep, goats; timber
Airports 4 (2000 est.) 47 (2001)
Airports - with paved runways total:
4

2,438 to 3,047 m:
1

914 to 1,523 m:
3 (2000 est.)
total: 2


over 3,047 m: 1


1,524 to 2,437 m: 1 (2002)
Airports - with unpaved runways - total: 45


1,524 to 2,437 m: 4


914 to 1,523 m: 7


under 914 m: 34 (2002)
Area total:
2,170 sq km

land:
2,170 sq km

water:
0 sq km
total: 111,370 sq km


land: 96,320 sq km


water: 15,050 sq km
Area - comparative slightly more than 12 times the size of Washington, DC slightly larger than Tennessee
Background Unstable Comoros has endured 19 coups or attempted coups since gaining independence from France in 1975. In 1997, the islands of Anjouan and Moheli declared their independence from Comoros. In 1999, military chief Col. AZALI seized power. He has pledged to resolve the secessionist crisis through the 2000 Fomboni Accord, a confederal arrangement that the Organization of African Unity has yet to recognize. Seven years of civil strife were brought to a close in 1996 when free and open presidential and legislative elections were held. President TAYLOR now holds strong executive power with no real political opposition. The years of fighting coupled with the flight of most businesses have disrupted formal economic activity. A still unsettled domestic security situation has slowed the process of rebuilding the social and economic structure of this war-torn country. In 2001, the UN imposed sanctions on Liberian diamonds along with an army embargo and a travel ban on government officials for Liberia's support of the rebel insurgency in Sierra Leone.
Birth rate 39.52 births/1,000 population (2001 est.) 45.95 births/1,000 population (2002 est.)
Budget revenues:
$48 million

expenditures:
$53 million, including capital expenditures of $NA (1997)
revenues: $85.4 million


expenditures: $90.5 million, including capital expenditures of $NA (2000 est.)
Capital Moroni Monrovia
Climate tropical marine; rainy season (November to May) tropical; hot, humid; dry winters with hot days and cool to cold nights; wet, cloudy summers with frequent heavy showers
Coastline 340 km 579 km
Constitution 20 October 1996 6 January 1986
Country name conventional long form:
Federal Islamic Republic of the Comoros

conventional short form:
Comoros

local long form:
Republique Federale Islamique des Comores

local short form:
Comores
conventional long form: Republic of Liberia


conventional short form: Liberia
Currency Comoran franc (KMF) Liberian dollar (LRD)
Death rate 9.35 deaths/1,000 population (2001 est.) 16.05 deaths/1,000 population (2002 est.)
Debt - external $197 million (1997 est.) $2.1 billion (2000 est.)
Diplomatic representation from the US the US does not have an embassy in Comoros; the ambassador to Mauritius is accredited to Comoros chief of mission: Ambassador John William BLANEY III


embassy: 111 United Nations Drive, P. O. Box 10-0098, Mamba Point, 1000 Monrovia, 10 Liberia


mailing address: use embassy street address


telephone: [231] 226-370 through 226-380


FAX: [231] 226-148
Diplomatic representation in the US chief of mission:
Deputy Permanent Representative Mahmoud Mohamed ABOUD (acting)

chancery:
(temporary) care of the Permanent Mission of the Federal and Islamic Republic of the Comoros to the United Nations, 420 East 50th Street, New York, NY 10022

telephone:
[1] (212) 972-8010

FAX:
[1] (212) 983-4712
chief of mission: Ambassador William V. S. BULL


chancery: 5201 16th Street NW, Washington, DC 20011


telephone: [1] (202) 723-0437


FAX: [1] (202) 723-0436


consulate(s) general: New York
Disputes - international claims French-administered Mayotte; the island of Anjouan (Nzwani) has moved to secede from Comoros rebels and refugees contribute to border instabilities with Sierra Leone
Economic aid - recipient $28.1 million (1997) $94 million (1999)
Economy - overview One of the world's poorest countries, Comoros is made up of three islands that have inadequate transportation links, a young and rapidly increasing population, and few natural resources. The low educational level of the labor force contributes to a subsistence level of economic activity, high unemployment, and a heavy dependence on foreign grants and technical assistance. Agriculture, including fishing, hunting, and forestry, is the leading sector of the economy. It contributes 40% to GDP, employs 80% of the labor force, and provides most of the exports. The country is not self-sufficient in food production; rice, the main staple, accounts for the bulk of imports. The government is struggling to upgrade education and technical training, to privatize commercial and industrial enterprises, to improve health services, to diversify exports, to promote tourism, and to reduce the high population growth rate. Continued foreign support is essential if the goal of 4% annual GDP growth is to be met. Remittances from 150,000 Comorans abroad help supplement GDP. A civil war in 1989-96 destroyed much of Liberia's economy, especially the infrastructure in and around Monrovia. Many businessmen fled the country, taking capital and expertise with them. Some returned; many will not return. Richly endowed with water, mineral resources, forests, and a climate favorable to agriculture, Liberia had been a producer and exporter of basic products, while local manufacturing, mainly foreign owned, had been small in scope. The democratically elected government, installed in August 1997, inherited massive international debts and currently relies on revenues from its maritime registry and timber industry to provide the bulk of its foreign exchange earnings. The restoration of the infrastructure and the raising of incomes in this ravaged economy depend on the implementation of sound macro- and micro-economic policies of the new government, including the encouragement of foreign investment. Recent growth has been from a low base, and continued growth will require major policy successes and containment of armed rebellion.
Electricity - consumption 15.8 million kWh (1999) 418.5 million kWh (2000)
Electricity - exports 0 kWh (1999) 0 kWh (2000)
Electricity - imports 0 kWh (1999) 0 kWh (2000)
Electricity - production 17 million kWh (1999) 450 million kWh (2000)
Electricity - production by source fossil fuel:
88.24%

hydro:
11.76%

nuclear:
0%

other:
0% (1999)
fossil fuel: 100%


hydro: 0%


nuclear: 0%


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

highest point:
Le Kartala 2,360 m
lowest point: Atlantic Ocean 0 m


highest point: Mount Wuteve 1,380 m
Environment - current issues soil degradation and erosion results from crop cultivation on slopes without proper terracing; deforestation tropical rain forest deforestation; soil erosion; loss of biodiversity; pollution of coastal waters from oil residue and raw sewage
Environment - international agreements party to:
Biodiversity, Climate Change, Desertification, Endangered Species, Hazardous Wastes, Law of the Sea, Ozone Layer Protection, Ship Pollution, Wetlands

signed, but not ratified:
none of the selected agreements
party to: Biodiversity, Desertification, Endangered Species, Nuclear Test Ban, Ozone Layer Protection, Ship Pollution, Tropical Timber 83, Tropical Timber 94


signed, but not ratified: Climate Change, Environmental Modification, Law of the Sea, Marine Dumping, Marine Life Conservation
Ethnic groups Antalote, Cafre, Makoa, Oimatsaha, Sakalava indigenous African tribes 95% (including Kpelle, Bassa, Gio, Kru, Grebo, Mano, Krahn, Gola, Gbandi, Loma, Kissi, Vai, Dei, Bella, Mandingo, and Mende), Americo-Liberians 2.5% (descendants of immigrants from the US who had been slaves), Congo People 2.5% (descendants of immigrants from the Caribbean who had been slaves)
Exchange rates Comoran francs per US dollar - 524.41 (January 2001), 533.98 (2000), 461.77 (1999), 442.46 (1998), 437.75 (1997), 383.66 (1996)

note:
prior to January 1999, the official rate was pegged to the French franc at 75 Comoran francs per French franc; since 1 January 1999, the Comoran franc is pegged to the euro at a rate of 491.9677 Comoran francs per euro
Liberian dollars per US dollar - 46.0400 (December 2001), 48.5833 (2001), 40.9525 (2000), 41.9025 (1999), 41.5075 (1998), 1.0000 (officially fixed rate 1940-97); market exchange rate: Liberian dollars per US dollar - 40 (December 1998), 50 (October 1995)


note: until December 1997, rates were based on a fixed relationship with the US dollar; beginning in January 1998, rates are market determined
Executive branch chief of state:
President AZALI Assoumani (since 6 May 1999); note - the interim government of President Tajiddine Ben Said MASSOUNDE, which had assumed power on 6 November 1998 upon the death of President Mohamed TAKI Abdulkarim, was overthrown in a bloodless coup on 30 April 1999

head of government:
Prime Minister Hamada MADI (since late November 2000)

cabinet:
Council of Ministers appointed by the president

elections:
president elected by popular vote for a five-year term; election last held 6 and 16 March 1996 (next to be held NA); prime minister appointed by the president

note:
President AZALI claimed a one-year term at the time of the coup; but elections, promised for spring 2000, were not held

election results:
results of the last presidential election before the coup were: Mohamed TAKI Abdulkarim elected president; percent of vote - 64.3%
chief of state: President Charles Ghankay TAYLOR (since 2 August 1997); note - the president is both the chief of state and head of government


head of government: President Charles Ghankay TAYLOR (since 2 August 1997); note - the president is both the chief of state and head of government


cabinet: Cabinet appointed by the president and confirmed by the Senate


elections: president elected by popular vote for a six-year term (renewable); election last held 19 July 1997 (next to be held NA October 2003)


election results: Charles Ghankay TAYLOR elected president; percent of vote - Charles Ghankay TAYLOR (NPP) 75.3%, Ellen Johnson SIRLEAF (UP) 9.6%, Alhaji KROMAH (ALCOP) 4%, other 11.1%
Exports $7.9 million (f.o.b., 1999 est.) $55 million f.o.b. (2000 est.)
Exports - commodities vanilla, ylang-ylang, cloves, perfume oil, copra rubber, timber, iron, diamonds, cocoa, coffee
Exports - partners France 50%, Germany 25% (1998) Belgium 38.5%, Germany 17.6%, Italy 6.0%, US 5.8% (2000)
Fiscal year calendar year calendar year
Flag description green with a white crescent in the center of the field, its points facing downward; there are four white five-pointed stars placed in a line between the points of the crescent; the crescent, stars, and color green are traditional symbols of Islam; the four stars represent the four main islands of the archipelago - Mwali, Njazidja, Nzwani, and Mayotte (a territorial collectivity of France, but claimed by Comoros); the design, the most recent of several, is described in the constitution approved by referendum on 7 June 1992 11 equal horizontal stripes of red (top and bottom) alternating with white; there is a white five-pointed star on a blue square in the upper hoist-side corner; the design was based on the US flag
GDP purchasing power parity - $419 million (2000 est.) purchasing power parity - $3.6 billion (2001 est.)
GDP - composition by sector agriculture:
40%

industry:
4%

services:
56% (2000 est.)
agriculture: 60%


industry: 10%


services: 30% (2001 est.)
GDP - per capita purchasing power parity - $720 (2000 est.) purchasing power parity - $1,100 (2001 est.)
GDP - real growth rate 0.5% (2000 est.) 5% (2001 est.)
Geographic coordinates 12 10 S, 44 15 E 6 30 N, 9 30 W
Geography - note important location at northern end of Mozambique Channel facing the Atlantic Ocean, the coastline is characterized by lagoons, mangrove swamps, and river-deposited sandbars; the inland grassy plateau supports limited agriculture
Highways total:
880 km

paved:
673 km

unpaved:
207 km (1996)
total: 10,600 km


paved: 657 km


unpaved: 9,943 km


note: there is major deterioration on all highways due to heavy rains and lack of maintenance (1996 est.)
Household income or consumption by percentage share lowest 10%:
NA%

highest 10%:
NA%
lowest 10%: NA%


highest 10%: NA%
Illicit drugs - transshipment point for Southeast and Southwest Asian heroin and South American cocaine for the European and US markets; corruption, criminal activity, arms-dealing, and diamond trade provide significant potential for money laundering, but the lack of well-developed financial system limits the country's utility as a major money-laundering center
Imports $55.1 million (f.o.b., 1999 est.) $170 million f.o.b. (2000 est.)
Imports - commodities rice and other foodstuffs, consumer goods; petroleum products, cement, transport equipment fuels, chemicals, machinery, transportation equipment, manufactured goods; rice and other foodstuffs
Imports - partners France 38%, Pakistan 13%, South Africa 8%, Kenya 8% (1998) France 29.1%, South Korea 20.6%, Japan 15.8%, Singapore 8.4% (2000)
Independence 6 July 1975 (from France) 26 July 1847
Industrial production growth rate -2% (1999 est.) NA
Industries tourism, perfume distillation, textiles, furniture, jewelry, construction materials, soft drinks rubber processing, palm oil processing, timber, diamonds
Infant mortality rate 84.07 deaths/1,000 live births (2001 est.) 130.21 deaths/1,000 live births (2002 est.)
Inflation rate (consumer prices) 3.5% (1999) 8% (2001 est.)
International organization participation ACCT, ACP, AfDB, AFESD, AL, CCC, ECA, FAO, FZ, G-77, IBRD, ICAO, ICRM, IDA, IDB, IFAD, IFC, IFRCS (associate), ILO, IMF, InOC, Intelsat, Interpol, IOC, ISO (subscriber), ITU, NAM, OAU, OIC, OPCW, UN, UNCTAD, UNESCO, UNIDO, UPU, WHO, WMO, WTrO (applicant) ACP, AfDB, CCC, ECA, ECOWAS, FAO, G-77, IAEA, IBRD, ICAO, ICFTU, ICRM, IDA, IFAD, IFC, IFRCS, ILO, IMF, IMO, Interpol, IOC, IOM, ITU, NAM, OAU, OPCW (signatory), UN, UNCTAD, UNESCO, UNIDO, UPU, WCL, WFTU, WHO, WIPO, WMO
Internet Service Providers (ISPs) 1 (2000) 2 (2001)
Irrigated land NA sq km 30 sq km (1998 est.)
Judicial branch Supreme Court or Cour Supremes (two members appointed by the president, two members elected by the Federal Assembly, one elected by the Council of each island, and others are former presidents of the republic) Supreme Court
Labor force 144,500 (1996 est.) -
Labor force - by occupation agriculture 80% agriculture 70%, industry 8%, services 22% (2000 est.)
Land boundaries 0 km total: 1,585 km


border countries: Guinea 563 km, Cote d'Ivoire 716 km, Sierra Leone 306 km
Land use arable land:
35%

permanent crops:
10%

permanent pastures:
7%

forests and woodland:
18%

other:
30% (1993 est.)
arable land: 1.97%


permanent crops: 2.08%


other: 95.95% (1998 est.)
Languages Arabic (official), French (official), Comoran (a blend of Swahili and Arabic) English 20% (official), some 20 ethnic group languages, of which a few can be written and are used in correspondence
Legal system French and Muslim law in a new consolidated code dual system of statutory law based on Anglo-American common law for the modern sector and customary law based on unwritten tribal practices for indigenous sector
Legislative branch bicameral legislature consists of the Senate (15 seats: five from each island); members selected by regional councils for six-year terms) and a Federal Assembly or Assemblee Federale (43 seats; members elected by popular vote to serve five-year terms); note - the Federal Assembly was dissolved following the coup of 30 April 1999

elections:
Federal Assembly - last held 1 and 8 December 1996 (next to be held NA)

election results:
Federal Assembly - percent of vote by party - NA%; seats by party - RND 39, FNJ 3, independent 1

note:
the constitution stipulates that only parties that win six seats in the Federal Assembly (two from each island) are permitted to be in opposition, but if no party accomplishes that, the second most successful party will be in opposition; in the elections of December 1996 the FNJ appeared to qualify as opposition
bicameral National Assembly consists of the Senate (26 seats; members elected by popular vote to serve nine-year terms) and the House of Representatives (64 seats; members elected by popular vote to serve six-year terms)


elections: Senate - last held 19 July 1997 (next to be held NA 2006); House of Representatives - last held 19 July 1997 (next to be held NA 2003)


election results: Senate - percent of vote by party - NA%; seats by party - NPP 21, UP 3, ALCOP 2; House of Representatives - percent of vote by party - NA%; seats by party - NPP 49, UP 7, ALCOP 3, Alliance of Political Parties 2, UPP 2, LPP 1; note - the Alliance of Political Parties was a coalition of the LAP and the Liberia Unification Party or LUP
Life expectancy at birth total population:
60.41 years

male:
58.2 years

female:
62.68 years (2001 est.)
total population: 51.8 years


male: 50.33 years


female: 53.33 years (2002 est.)
Literacy definition:
age 15 and over can read and write

total population:
57.3%

male:
64.2%

female:
50.4% (1995 est.)
definition: age 15 and over can read and write


total population: 38.3%


male: 53.9%


female: 22.4% (1995 est.)


note: these figures are increasing because of the improving school system
Location Southern Africa, group of islands in the Mozambique Channel, about two-thirds of the way between northern Madagascar and northern Mozambique Western Africa, bordering the North Atlantic Ocean, between Cote d'Ivoire and Sierra Leone
Map references Africa Africa
Maritime claims exclusive economic zone:
200 NM

territorial sea:
12 NM
territorial sea: 200 NM
Merchant marine total:
2 ships (1,000 GRT or over) totaling 19,122 GRT/29,817 DWT

ships by type:
cargo 2 (2000 est.)
total: 1,513 ships (1,000 GRT or over) totaling 51,912,244 GRT/79,297,046 DWT


ships by type: barge carrier 3, bulk 313, cargo 89, chemical tanker 167, combination bulk 16, combination ore/oil 32, container 318, liquefied gas 99, multi-functional large-load carrier 4, passenger 23, petroleum tanker 302, refrigerated cargo 69, roll on/roll off 20, short-sea passenger 3, specialized tanker 13, vehicle carrier 42


note: includes some foreign-owned ships registered here as a flag of convenience: Argentina 9, Australia 2, Austria 15, Belgium 9, Brazil 5, Canada 4, Cayman Islands 1, Chile 7, China 39, Croatia 11, Denmark 4, Ecuador 1, Estonia 1, Germany 437, Greece 154, Hong Kong 69, India 5, Indonesia 1, Israel 1, Italy 5, Japan 90, Latvia 20, Man, Isle of 5, Monaco 56, Netherlands 12, New Zealand 1, Nigeria 1, Norway 103, Pakistan 1, Portugal 5, Russia 66, Saudi Arabia 21, Singapore 20, Slovenia 1, South Africa 1, South Korea 10, Spain 2, Sweden 9, Switzerland 17, Taiwan 29, Turkey 3, Ukraine 4, United Arab Emirates 12, United Kingdom 39, United States 113, Uruguay 3, Vietnam 1 (2002 est.)
Military branches Comoran Security Force Army, Navy, Air Force
Military expenditures - dollar figure $NA $7.8 million (FY01)
Military expenditures - percent of GDP NA% 1.3% (FY01)
Military manpower - availability males age 15-49:
141,120 (2001 est.)
males age 15-49: 729,469 (2002 est.)
Military manpower - fit for military service males age 15-49:
83,920 (2001 est.)
males age 15-49: 393,028 (2002 est.)
National holiday Independence Day, 6 July (1975) Independence Day, 26 July (1847)
Nationality noun:
Comoran(s)

adjective:
Comoran
noun: Liberian(s)


adjective: Liberian
Natural hazards cyclones possible during rainy season (December to April); Le Kartala on Grand Comore is an active volcano dust-laden harmattan winds blow from the Sahara (December to March)
Natural resources NEGL iron ore, timber, diamonds, gold, hydropower
Net migration rate NEGL migrant(s)/1,000 population (2001 est.) -10.8 migrant(s)/1,000 population


note: by the end of 1999, all Liberian refugees who had fled the domestic strife were assumed to have returned (2002 est.)
Political parties and leaders Front National pour la Justice or FNJ (Islamic party in opposition) [Ahmed Abdallah MOHAMED, Ahmed ABOUBACAR, Soidiki M'BAPANOZA]; Rassemblement National pour le Development or RND (party of the government) [Ali Bazi SELIM] All Liberia Coalition Party or ALCOP [Peter KERBAY]; Free Democratic Party or FDP [George BORWAH]; Liberian Action Party or LAP [C. Gyude BRYANT]; Liberian National Union or LINU [Victor MOMOH]; Liberian People's Party or LPP [Koffa NAGBE]; National Democratic Party of Liberia or NDPL [Isaac D. DIKENAH]; National Patriotic Party or NPP [Cyril ALLEN] - governing party; People's Progressive Party or PPP [Weah A. WEAH]; Reformation Alliance Party or RAP [James THOMAS]; True Whig Party or TWP [Rudolph SHERMAN]; United People's Party or UPP [Wesley JOHNSON]; Unity Party or UP [Charles Clarke]
Political pressure groups and leaders NA NA
Population 596,202 (July 2001 est.) 3,288,198 (July 2002 est.)
Population below poverty line NA% 80%
Population growth rate 3.02% (2001 est.) 1.91% (2002 est.)
Ports and harbors Fomboni, Moroni, Moutsamoudou Buchanan, Greenville, Harper, Monrovia
Radio broadcast stations AM 1, FM 2, shortwave 1 (1998) AM 0, FM 7, shortwave 2 (2001)
Radios 90,000 (1997) 790,000 (1997)
Railways 0 km total: 490 km (328 km single-track)


standard gauge: 345 km 1.435-m gauge


narrow gauge: 145 km 1.067-m gauge


note: in 1989, Liberia had three rail systems owned and operated by foreign steel and financial interests in conjunction with the Liberian Government; one of these, the Lamco Railroad, closed in 1989 after iron ore production ceased; the other two were shut down by the civil war; large sections of the rail lines have been dismantled; approximately 60 km of railroad track was exported for scrap (2001)
Religions Sunni Muslim 98%, Roman Catholic 2% indigenous beliefs 40%, Christian 40%, Muslim 20%
Sex ratio at birth:
1.03 male(s)/female

under 15 years:
1.01 male(s)/female

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

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

total population:
0.98 male(s)/female (2001 est.)
at birth: 1.03 male(s)/female


under 15 years: 1.01 male(s)/female


15-64 years: 0.95 male(s)/female


65 years and over: 1.02 male(s)/female


total population: 0.98 male(s)/female (2002 est.)
Suffrage 18 years of age; universal 18 years of age; universal
Telephone system general assessment:
sparse system of microwave radio relay and HF radiotelephone communication stations

domestic:
HF radiotelephone communications and microwave radio relay

international:
HF radiotelephone communications to Madagascar and Reunion
general assessment: telephone and telegraph service via microwave radio relay network; main center is Monrovia


domestic: NA


international: satellite earth station - 1 Intelsat (Atlantic Ocean)
Telephones - main lines in use 6,000 (1997) 6,700 (2000)
Telephones - mobile cellular NA 0 (1998)
Television broadcast stations 0 (1998) 1 (plus four low-power repeaters) (2001)
Terrain volcanic islands, interiors vary from steep mountains to low hills mostly flat to rolling coastal plains rising to rolling plateau and low mountains in northeast
Total fertility rate 5.32 children born/woman (2001 est.) 6.29 children born/woman (2002 est.)
Unemployment rate 20% (1996 est.) 70%
Waterways none none
Sitemap: Compare countries listing (map site) | Country listing (map site)
Links: Add to favorites | Information about this website | Stats | Polityka prywatnosci
This page was generated in ##czas## s. Size this page: ##rozmiar_strony## kB.