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Compare Comoros (2004) - Samoa (2002)

Compare Comoros (2004) z Samoa (2002)

 Comoros (2004)Samoa (2002)
 ComorosSamoa
Administrative divisions 3 islands; Grande Comore (Njazidja), Anjouan (Nzwani), and Moheli (Mwali); note - there are also four municipalities named Domoni, Fomboni, Moroni, and Moutsamoudou 11 districts; A'ana, Aiga-i-le-Tai, Atua, Fa'asaleleaga, Gaga'emauga, Gagaifomauga, Palauli, Satupa'itea, Tuamasaga, Va'a-o-Fonoti, Vaisigano
Age structure 0-14 years: 42.8% (male 140,083; female 139,245)


15-64 years: 54.2% (male 174,216; female 179,050)


65 years and over: 3% (male 9,136; female 10,171) (2004 est.)
0-14 years: 30.6% (male 27,774; female 26,854)


15-64 years: 63.5% (male 71,358; female 42,150)


65 years and over: 5.9% (male 4,859; female 5,636) (2002 est.)
Agriculture - products vanilla, cloves, perfume essences, copra, coconuts, bananas, cassava (tapioca) coconuts, bananas, taro, yams
Airports 4 (2003 est.) 3 (2001)
Airports - with paved runways total: 4


2,438 to 3,047 m: 1


914 to 1,523 m: 3 (2004 est.)
total: 3


2,438 to 3,047 m: 1 (2002)
Airports - with unpaved runways - total: 1


under 914 m: 1 (2002)
Area total: 2,170 sq km


land: 2,170 sq km


water: 0 sq km
total: 2,944 sq km


land: 2,934 sq km


water: 10 sq km
Area - comparative slightly more than 12 times the size of Washington, DC slightly smaller than Rhode Island
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 pledged to resolve the secessionist crisis through a confederal arrangement named the 2000 Fomboni Accord. In December 2001, voters approved a new constitution and presidential elections took place in the spring of 2002. Each island in the archipelago elected its own president and a new union president was sworn in on 26 May 2002. New Zealand occupied the German protectorate of Western Samoa at the outbreak of World War I in 1914. It continued to administer the islands as a mandate and then as a trust territory until 1962, when the islands became the first Polynesian nation to reestablish independence in the 20th century. The country dropped the "Western" from its name in 1997.
Birth rate 38 births/1,000 population (2004 est.) 15.53 births/1,000 population (2002 est.)
Budget revenues: $27.6 million


expenditures: NA, including capital expenditures of NA (2001 est.)
revenues: $105 million


expenditures: $119 million, including capital expenditures of $NA (2001/2002)
Capital Moroni Apia
Climate tropical marine; rainy season (November to May) tropical; rainy season (October to March), dry season (May to October)
Coastline 340 km 403 km
Constitution 23 December 2001


note: a Transitional National Unity Government (GUNT) was formed on 20 January 2002 following the passing of the new constitution; the GUNT governed until the presidential elections on 14 April 2002
1 January 1962
Country name conventional long form: Union of the Comoros


conventional short form: Comoros


local long form: Union des Comores


local short form: Comores
conventional long form: Independent State of Samoa


conventional short form: Samoa


former: Western Samoa
Currency Comoran franc (KMF) tala (WST)
Death rate 8.63 deaths/1,000 population (2004 est.) 6.35 deaths/1,000 population (2002 est.)
Debt - external $232 million (2000 est.) $192 million (1999)
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: the Ambassador to New Zealand is accredited to Samoa


embassy: 5th floor John Williams Building, Beach Road, Apia


mailing address: P. O. Box 3430, Apia


telephone: [685] 21631


FAX: [685] 22030
Diplomatic representation in the US chief of mission: Ambassador Mahmoud M. ABOUD (ambassador to the US and Canada and permanent representative to the UN)


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


telephone: [1] (212) 972-8010 and 223-2711


FAX: [1] (212) 983-4712 and 715-0699
chief of mission: Ambassador Tuiloma Neroni SLADE


chancery: 800 Second Avenue, Suite 400D, New York, NY 10017


telephone: [1] (212) 599-6196, 6197


FAX: [1] (212) 599-0797
Disputes - international claims French-administered Mayotte none
Economic aid - recipient $10 million (2001 est.) $42.9 million (1995) (1995)
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, 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 - which is hampered by internal political disputes - 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. Increased 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. The economy of Samoa has traditionally been dependent on development aid, family remittances from overseas, and agricultural exports. The country is vulnerable to devastating storms. Agriculture employs two-thirds of the labor force, and furnishes 90% of exports, featuring coconut cream, coconut oil, and copra. The manufacturing sector mainly processes agricultural products. The decline of fish stocks in the area is a continuing problem. Tourism is an expanding sector, accounting for 16% of GDP; about 85,000 tourists visited the islands in 2000. The Samoan Government has called for deregulation of the financial sector, encouragement of investment, and continued fiscal discipline. Observers point to the flexibility of the labor market as a basic strength for future economic advances. Foreign reserves are in a relatively healthy state, the external debt is stable, and inflation is low.
Electricity - consumption 19.78 million kWh (2001) 95.79 million kWh (2000)
Electricity - exports 0 kWh (2001) 0 kWh (2000)
Electricity - imports 0 kWh (2001) 0 kWh (2000)
Electricity - production 21.27 million kWh (2001) 103 million kWh (2000)
Electricity - production by source - fossil fuel: 59%


hydro: 41%


nuclear: 0%


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


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


highest point: Mauga Silisili 1,857 m
Environment - current issues soil degradation and erosion results from crop cultivation on slopes without proper terracing; deforestation soil erosion
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, Climate Change, Climate Change-Kyoto Protocol, Desertification, Law of the Sea, Nuclear Test Ban, Ozone Layer Protection


signed, but not ratified: none of the selected agreements
Ethnic groups Antalote, Cafre, Makoa, Oimatsaha, Sakalava Samoan 92.6%, Euronesians 7% (persons of European and Polynesian blood), Europeans 0.4%
Exchange rates Comoran francs (KMF) per US dollar - 435.9 (2003), 522.741 (2002), 549.779 (2001), 533.982 (2000), 461.775 (1999)


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
tala per US dollar - 3.5236 (January 2002), 3.4722 (2001), 3.2712 (2000), 3.0120 (1999), 2.9429 (1998), 2.5562 (1997)
Executive branch chief of state: President AZALI Assoumani (since 26 May 2002); note - following a 1999 coup AZALI was appointed president; in January 2002 he resigned his position to run in the 14 April 2002 presidential elections; Prime Minister Hamada Madi BOLERO was appointed interim president until replaced again by AZALI in May 2002 when BOLERO was appointed Minister of External Defense and Territorial Security; the president is both the chief of state and the head of government


head of government: President AZALI Assoumani (since 26 May 2002); note - following a 1999 coup AZALI was appointed president; in January 2002 he resigned his position to run in the 14 April 2002 presidential elections; Prime Minister Hamada Madi BOLERO was appointed interim president until replaced again by AZALI in May 2002 when BOLERO was appointed Minister of External Defense and Territorial Security; the president is both the chief of state and the head of government


cabinet: Council of Ministers appointed by the president


elections: as defined by the 2001 constitution, the presidency rotates every four years among the elected presidents from the three main islands in the Union; election last held 14 April 2002 (next to be held NA April 2007); prime minister appointed by the president; note - AZALI has not appointed a Prime Minister since he was sworn into office in May 2002


election results: President AZALI Assoumani elected president with 75% of the vote
chief of state: Chief Tanumafili II MALIETOA (cochief of state from 1 January 1962 until becoming sole chief of state 5 April 1963)


head of government: Prime Minister Sailele Malielegaoi TUILA'EPA (since 24 November 1998); note - TUILA'EPA served as deputy prime minister from 1992 until he assumed the prime ministership in November 1998, when former Prime Minister TOFILAU Eti Alesana resigned in poor health; the post of deputy prime minister is currently vacant


cabinet: Cabinet consists of 12 members, appointed by the chief of state with the prime minister's advice


elections: upon the death of Chief Tanumafili II MALIETOA, a new chief of state will be elected by the Legislative Assembly to serve a five-year term; following legislative elections, the leader of the majority party is usually appointed prime minister by the chief of state with the approval of the Legislative Assembly
Exports NA (2001) $17 million f.o.b. (2000)
Exports - commodities vanilla, ylang-ylang, cloves, perfume oil, copra fish, coconut oil and cream, copra, taro, garments, beer
Exports - partners France 46.9%, Germany 18.8%, US 12.5% (2003) Australia 62%, Indonesia 13%, US 11%, American Samoa 3%, New Zealand 3% (2000)
Fiscal year calendar year calendar year
Flag description four equal horizontal bands of yellow (top), white, red, and blue with a green isosceles triangle based on the hoist; centered within the triangle is a white crescent with the convex side facing the hoist and four white, five-pointed stars placed vertically in a line between the points of the crescent; the horizontal bands and 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 crescent, stars, and color green are traditional symbols of Islam red with a blue rectangle in the upper hoist-side quadrant bearing five white five-pointed stars representing the Southern Cross constellation
GDP purchasing power parity - $441 million (2002 est.) purchasing power parity - $618 million (2001 est.)
GDP - composition by sector agriculture: 40%


industry: 4%


services: 56% (2001 est.)
agriculture: 16%


industry: 18%


services: 66% (2000 est.)
GDP - per capita purchasing power parity - $700 (2002 est.) purchasing power parity - $3,500 (2001 est.)
GDP - real growth rate 2% (2002 est.) 6% (2001 est.)
Geographic coordinates 12 10 S, 44 15 E 13 35 S, 172 20 W
Geography - note important location at northern end of Mozambique Channel occupies an almost central position within Polynesia
Highways total: 880 km


paved: 673 km


unpaved: 207 km (1999 est)
total: 836 km


paved: 267 km


unpaved: 569 km (1983)
Household income or consumption by percentage share lowest 10%: NA


highest 10%: NA
lowest 10%: NA%


highest 10%: NA%
Imports NA (2001) $90 million f.o.b. (2000)
Imports - commodities rice and other foodstuffs, consumer goods; petroleum products, cement, transport equipment machinery and equipment, industrial supplies, foodstuffs
Imports - partners France 31.6%, Japan 13.7%, South Africa 10.3%, Kenya 5.1%, UAE 5.1%, Thailand 4.3% (2003) Australia 27%, US 26%, New Zealand 14%, Fiji 12%, Japan 9% (2000)
Independence 6 July 1975 (from France) 1 January 1962 (from New Zealand-administered UN trusteeship)
Industrial production growth rate -2% (1999 est.) 2.8% (2000)
Industries tourism, perfume distillation food processing, building materials, auto parts
Infant mortality rate total: 77.22 deaths/1,000 live births


male: 85.9 deaths/1,000 live births


female: 68.28 deaths/1,000 live births (2004 est.)
30.74 deaths/1,000 live births (2002 est.)
Inflation rate (consumer prices) 3.5% (2001 est.) 2.5% (2001 est.)
International organization participation ACCT, ACP, AfDB, AMF, AU, FAO, FZ, G-77, IBRD, ICAO, ICCt (signatory), ICRM, IDA, IDB, IFAD, IFC, IFRCS (observer), ILO, IMF, IMO, InOC, Interpol, IOC, ITU, LAS, NAM, OIC, OPCW (signatory), UN, UNCTAD, UNESCO, UNIDO, UPU, WCO, WHO, WMO ACP, AsDB, C, ESCAP, FAO, G-77, IBRD, ICAO, ICFTU, ICRM, IDA, IFAD, IFC, IFRCS, IMF, IMO, IOC, ITU, OPCW (signatory), Sparteca, SPC, SPF, UN, UNCTAD, UNESCO, UPU, WHO, WIPO, WMO, WTrO (observer)
Internet Service Providers (ISPs) - 2 (2000)
Irrigated land NA sq km NA sq km
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; Court of Appeal
Labor force 144,500 (1996 est.) 90,000 (2000 est.)
Labor force - by occupation agriculture 80% agriculture 65%, services 30%, industry 5% (1995 est.)
Land boundaries 0 km 0 km
Land use arable land: 35.87%


permanent crops: 23.32%


other: 40.81% (2001)
arable land: 19.43%


permanent crops: 23.67%


other: 56.9% (1998 est.)
Languages Arabic (official), French (official), Shikomoro (a blend of Swahili and Arabic) Samoan (Polynesian), English
Legal system French and Sharia (Islamic) law in a new consolidated code based on English common law and local customs; judicial review of legislative acts with respect to fundamental rights of the citizen; has not accepted compulsory ICJ jurisdiction
Legislative branch unicameral Assembly of the Union (30 seats; half the deputies are selected by the individual islands' local assemblies and the other half by universal suffrage; deputies serve for five years); note - elections for the former legislature, the Federal Assembly (dissolved in 1999) were held on 1 and 8 December 1996; the next elections for the Assembly of the Union were scheduled to be held on 18 and 25 April 2004 unicameral Legislative Assembly or Fono (49 seats - 47 elected by Samoans, 2 elected by non-Samoans; only chiefs or matai may stand for election to the Fono; members serve five-year terms)


elections: byelection last held NA November 2001 (next byelection to be held 29 March 2002)


election results: percent of vote by party - NA%; seats by party - HRPP 30, SNDP 13, independents 6
Life expectancy at birth total population: 61.57 years


male: 59.29 years


female: 63.91 years (2004 est.)
total population: 69.8 years


male: 67.06 years


female: 72.69 years (2002 est.)
Literacy definition: age 15 and over can read and write


total population: 56.5%


male: 63.6%


female: 49.3% (2003 est.)
definition: age 15 and over can read and write


total population: 80%


male: 81%


female: 79% (1999)
Location Southern Africa, group of islands at the northern mouth of the Mozambique Channel, about two-thirds of the way between northern Madagascar and northern Mozambique Oceania, group of islands in the South Pacific Ocean, about one-half of the way from Hawaii to New Zealand
Map references Africa Oceania
Maritime claims territorial sea: 12 nm


exclusive economic zone: 200 nm
exclusive economic zone: 200 NM


territorial sea: 12 NM
Merchant marine total: 62 ships (1,000 GRT or over) 452,801 GRT/681,343 DWT


by type: bulk 9, cargo 31, chemical tanker 1, combination bulk 1, livestock carrier 1, passenger 4, petroleum tanker 5, refrigerated cargo 3, roll on/roll off 1, short-sea/passenger 2, specialized tanker 4


foreign-owned: Bahamas 1, Bulgaria 1, Cyprus 1, Greece 7, Honduras 1, India 1, Kenya 1, Lebanon 7, Liberia 1, Marshall Islands 3, Pakistan 4, Panama 2, Russia 1, Saint Vincent and the Grenadines 1, Saudi Arabia 2, Syria 4, Turkey 21, United Kingdom 1, United States 1, Yemen 2 (2004 est.)
total: 1 ship (1,000 GRT or over) totaling 7,091 GRT/ 8,127 DWT


ships by type: cargo 1


note: includes a foreign-owned ship registered here as a flag of convenience: Germany 1 (2002 est.)
Military - note - Samoa has no formal defense structure or regular armed forces; informal defense ties exist with NZ, which is required to consider any Samoan request for assistance under the 1962 Treaty of Friendship
Military branches Comoran Security Force no regular armed services; Samoa Police Force
Military expenditures - dollar figure $6 million (2003) $NA
Military expenditures - percent of GDP 3% (2003) NA%
Military manpower - availability males age 15-49: 154,843 (2004 est.) -
Military manpower - fit for military service males age 15-49: 91,825 (2004 est.) -
National holiday Independence Day, 6 July (1975) Independence Day Celebration, 1 June (1962); note - 1 January 1962 is the date of independence from the New Zealand-administered UN trusteeship, 1 June 1962 is the date that independence is celebrated
Nationality noun: Comoran(s)


adjective: Comoran
noun: Samoan(s)


adjective: Samoan
Natural hazards cyclones possible during rainy season (December to April); Le Kartala on Grand Comore is an active volcano occasional typhoons; active volcanism
Natural resources NEGL hardwood forests, fish, hydropower
Net migration rate 0 migrant(s)/1,000 population (2004 est.) -11.64 migrant(s)/1,000 population (2002 est.)
Political parties and leaders Forces pour l'Action Republicaine or FAR [Col. Abdourazak ABDULHAMID]; Forum pour la Redressement National or FRN (alliance of 12 parties); Front Democratique or FD [Moustoifa Said CHEIKH]; Front National pour la Justice or FNJ (Islamic party in opposition) [Ahmed RACHID]; Movement des Citoyens pour la Republique or MCR [Mahamoud MRADABI]; Mouvement Populaire Anjouanais or MPA (Anjouan separatist movement) [leader NA]; Mouvement pour la Democratie et le Progress or MDP-NGDC [Abbas DJOUSSOUF]; Movement pour le Socialisme et la Democratie or MSD (splinter group of FD) [Abdou SOEFOU]; Parti Comorien pour la Democratie et le Progress or PCDP [Ali MROUDJAE]; Rassemblement National pour le Development or RND (party of the government) [Omar TAMOU, Abdoulhamid AFFRAITANE] Christian Democratic Party [leader NA]; Human Rights Protection Party or HRPP [Sailele Malielegaoi TUILA'EPA, chairman]; Samoa All People's Party or SAPP [Matatumua NAIMOAGA]; Samoan National Development Party or SNDP [LE MAMEA Ropati, chairman] (opposition); Samoa National Party [FETU Tiatia, party secretary]; Samoan Progressive Conservative Party [LEOTA Ituau Ale]; Samoan United Independent Party or SUIP [leader NA]
Political pressure groups and leaders NA NA
Population 651,901 (July 2004 est.) 178,631 (July 2002 est.)
Population below poverty line 60% (2002 est.) NA%
Population growth rate 2.94% (2004 est.) -0.25% (2002 est.)
Ports and harbors Fomboni, Moroni, Moutsamoudou Apia, Asau, Mulifanua, Salelologa
Radio broadcast stations AM 1, FM 4, shortwave 1 (2001) AM 1, FM 3, shortwave 0 (1998)
Radios - 174,849 (1997)
Railways - 0 km
Religions Sunni Muslim 98%, Roman Catholic 2% Christian 99.7% (about one-half of population associated with the London Missionary Society; includes Congregational, Roman Catholic, Methodist, Latter-Day Saints, Seventh-Day Adventist)
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: 0.9 male(s)/female


total population: 0.99 male(s)/female (2004 est.)
at birth: 1.05 male(s)/female


under 15 years: 1.03 male(s)/female


15-64 years: 1.69 male(s)/female


65 years and over: 0.86 male(s)/female


total population: 1.39 male(s)/female (2002 est.)
Suffrage 18 years of age; universal 21 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: country code - 269; HF radiotelephone communications to Madagascar and Reunion
general assessment: adequate


domestic: NA


international: satellite earth station - 1 Intelsat (Pacific Ocean)
Telephones - main lines in use 13,200 (2003) 8,183 (1998)
Telephones - mobile cellular 2,000 (2003) 1,545 (February 1998)
Television broadcast stations NA 6 (1997)
Terrain volcanic islands, interiors vary from steep mountains to low hills narrow coastal plain with volcanic, rocky, rugged mountains in interior
Total fertility rate 5.15 children born/woman (2004 est.) 3.3 children born/woman (2002 est.)
Unemployment rate 20% (1996 est.) NA%; note - substantial underemployment
Waterways - none
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