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Compare Comoros (2008) - Sao Tome and Principe (2003)

Compare Comoros (2008) z Sao Tome and Principe (2003)

 Comoros (2008)Sao Tome and Principe (2003)
 ComorosSao Tome and Principe
Administrative divisions 3 islands and 4 municipalities*; Grande Comore, Anjouan, Domoni*, Fomboni*, Moheli, Moroni*, Mutsamudu* 2 provinces; Principe, Sao Tome


note: Principe has had self-government since 29 April 1995
Age structure 0-14 years: 42.6% (male 151,920/female 150,851)


15-64 years: 54.4% (male 191,096/female 196,120)


65 years and over: 3% (male 9,933/female 11,497) (2007 est.)
0-14 years: 47.7% (male 42,480; female 41,411)


15-64 years: 48.3% (male 41,043; female 43,986)


65 years and over: 4% (male 3,197; female 3,766) (2003 est.)
Agriculture - products vanilla, cloves, ylang-ylang, perfume essences, copra, coconuts, bananas, cassava (tapioca) cocoa, coconuts, palm kernels, copra, cinnamon, pepper, coffee, bananas, papayas, beans; poultry; fish
Airports 4 (2007) 2 (2002)
Airports - with paved runways total: 4


2,438 to 3,047 m: 1


914 to 1,523 m: 3 (2007)
total: 2


1,524 to 2,437 m: 1


914 to 1,523 m: 1 (2002)
Area total: 2,170 sq km


land: 2,170 sq km


water: 0 sq km
total: 1,001 sq km


land: 1,001 sq km


water: 0 sq km
Area - comparative slightly more than 12 times the size of Washington, DC more than five times the size of Washington, DC
Background Comoros has endured 19 coups or attempted coups since gaining independence from France in 1975. In 1997, the islands of Anjouan and Moheli declared independence from Comoros. In 1999, military chief Col. AZALI seized power in a bloodless coup, and helped negotiate the 2000 Fomboni Accords power-sharing agreement in which the federal presidency rotates among the three islands, and each island maintains its own local government. AZALI won the 2002 Presidential election, and each island in the archipelago elected its own president. AZALI stepped down in 2006 and President SAMBI took office. Since 2006, Anjouan's President Mohamed BACAR has refused to work effectively with the Union presidency. This year BACAR effected Anjouan's de-facto secession from the Union, refusing to step down in favor of fresh Anjouanais elections when Comoros' other islands held legitimate elections in July. The African Union (AU) has stepped in to assist in resolving the political crisis, including applying sanctions and a naval blockade on Anjouan, but the situation remains at an impasse. Discovered and claimed by Portugal in the late 15th century, the islands' sugar-based economy gave way to coffee and cocoa in the 19th century - all grown with plantation slave labor, a form of which lingered into the 20th century. Although independence was achieved in 1975, democratic reforms were not instituted until the late 1980s. Though the first free elections were held in 1991, the political environment has been one of continued instability with frequent changes in leadership and coup attempts in 1995 and 2003. The recent discovery of oil in the Gulf of Guinea is likely to have a significant impact on the country's economy.
Birth rate 36.35 births/1,000 population (2007 est.) 41.87 births/1,000 population (2003 est.)
Budget revenues: $27.6 million


expenditures: $NA (2001 est.)
revenues: $58 million


expenditures: $114 million, including capital expenditures of $54 million (1993 est.)
Capital name: Moroni


geographic coordinates: 11 42 S, 43 14 E


time difference: UTC+3 (8 hours ahead of Washington, DC during Standard Time)
Sao Tome
Climate tropical marine; rainy season (November to May) tropical; hot, humid; one rainy season (October to May)
Coastline 340 km 209 km
Constitution 23 December 2001 approved March 1990; effective 10 September 1990
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: Democratic Republic of Sao Tome and Principe


conventional short form: Sao Tome and Principe


local long form: Republica Democratica de Sao Tome e Principe


local short form: Sao Tome e Principe
Currency - dobra (STD)
Death rate 7.95 deaths/1,000 population (2007 est.) 7.11 deaths/1,000 population (2003 est.)
Debt - external $232 million (2000 est.) $253.8 million (2000)
Diplomatic representation from the US the US does not have an embassy in Comoros; the ambassador to Madagascar is accredited to Comoros the US does not have an embassy in Sao Tome and Principe; the Ambassador to Gabon is accredited to Sao Tome and Principe on a nonresident basis and makes periodic visits to the islands
Diplomatic representation in the US chief of mission: Representative to the US and Ambassador to the UN Mohamed TOIHIRI


chancery: Mission to the US, 336 East 45th Street (2nd floor), New York, NY 10017


telephone: [1] (212) 750-1637
Sao Tome and Principe does not have an embassy in the US, but does have a Permanent Mission to the UN, headed by First Secretary Domingos Augusto FERREIRA, located at 400 Park Avenue, 7th Floor, New York, NY 10022, telephone [1] (212) 317-0580
Disputes - international claims French-administered Mayotte none
Economic aid - recipient $25.23 million (2005 est.) $200 million in December 2000 under the HIPC program
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, privatize commercial and industrial enterprises, improve health services, diversify exports, promote tourism, and reduce the high population growth rate. The political problems caused the economy to contract in 2007. Remittances from 150,000 Comorans abroad help supplement GDP. This small poor island economy has become increasingly dependent on cocoa since independence 28 years ago. Cocoa production has substantially declined in recent years because of drought and mismanagement, but strengthening prices brighten prospects for 2003. Sao Tome has to import all fuels, most manufactured goods, consumer goods, and a substantial amount of food. Over the years, it has been unable to service its external debt and has had to depend on concessional aid and debt rescheduling. Sao Tome benefited from $200 million in debt relief in December 2000 under the Highly Indebted Poor Countries (HIPC) program. Sao Tome's success in implementing structural reforms has been rewarded by international donors, who pledged increased assistance in 2001. Considerable potential exists for development of a tourist industry, and the government has taken steps to expand facilities in recent years. The government also has attempted to reduce price controls and subsidies. Sao Tome is optimistic that substantial petroleum discoveries are forthcoming in its territorial waters in the oil-rich waters of the Gulf of Guinea; production could begin as early as 2004.
Electricity - consumption 18.6 million kWh (2005) 15.81 million kWh (2001)
Electricity - exports 0 kWh (2005) 0 kWh (2001)
Electricity - imports 0 kWh (2005) 0 kWh (2001)
Electricity - production 20 million kWh (2005) 17 million kWh (2001)
Electricity - production by source - fossil fuel: 41.2%


hydro: 58.8%


nuclear: 0%


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


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


highest point: Pico de Sao Tome 2,024 m
Environment - current issues soil degradation and erosion results from crop cultivation on slopes without proper terracing; deforestation deforestation; soil erosion and exhaustion
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, Desertification, Endangered Species, Environmental Modification, Law of the Sea, Ozone Layer Protection, Ship Pollution


signed, but not ratified: none of the selected agreements
Ethnic groups Antalote, Cafre, Makoa, Oimatsaha, Sakalava mestico, angolares (descendants of Angolan slaves), forros (descendants of freed slaves), servicais (contract laborers from Angola, Mozambique, and Cape Verde), tongas (children of servicais born on the islands), Europeans (primarily Portuguese)
Exchange rates Comoran francs (KMF) per US dollar - NA (2007), 392.03 (2006), 395.6 (2005), 396.21 (2004), 435.9 (2003)


note: the Comoran franc is pegged to the euro at a rate of 491.9677 Comoran francs per euro
dobras per US dollar - NA (2002), 8,842.11 (2001), 7,978.17 (2000), 7,118.96 (1999), 6,883.24 (1998)
Executive branch chief of state: President Ahmed Abdallah SAMBI (since 26 May 2006)


head of government: President Ahmed Abdallah SAMBI (since 26 May 2006)


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 May 2006 (next to be held by May 2010); prime minister appointed by the president; note - the post of prime minister has been vacant since May 2002


election results: Ahmed Abdallah SAMBI elected president; percent of vote - Ahmed Abdallah SAMBI 58.0%, Ibrahim HALIDI 28.3%, Mohamed DJAANFAMI 13.7%
chief of state: President Fradique DE MENEZES (since 3 September 2001)


head of government: Prime Minister Maria das NEVES (since 7 October 2002)


cabinet: Council of Ministers appointed by the president on the proposal of the prime minister


elections: president elected by popular vote for a five-year term; election last held 29 July 2001 (next to be held NA July 2006); prime minister chosen by the National Assembly and approved by the president


election results: Fradique DE MENEZES elected president in Sao Tome's third multiparty presidential election; percent of vote - NA%
Exports 0 bbl/day (2004) NA (2001)
Exports - commodities vanilla, ylang-ylang (perfume essence), cloves, copra cocoa 80%, copra, coffee, palm oil
Exports - partners Netherlands 35.8%, France 18.3%, Italy 12.8%, Singapore 7.8%, Turkey 5%, US 4.6% (2006) Netherlands 30.1%, Poland 11.8%, Canada 9.7%, Germany 7.5%, Philippines 7.5%, Spain 7.5%, Belgium 6.5%, France 4.3%, Portugal 4.3% (2002)
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 Mahore (Mayotte - territorial collectivity of France, but claimed by Comoros)


note: the crescent, stars, and color green are traditional symbols of Islam
three horizontal bands of green (top), yellow (double width), and green with two black five-pointed stars placed side by side in the center of the yellow band and a red isosceles triangle based on the hoist side; uses the popular pan-African colors of Ethiopia
GDP - purchasing power parity - $200 million (2002 est.)
GDP - composition by sector agriculture: 40%


industry: 4%


services: 56% (2001 est.)
agriculture: 25%


industry: 10%


services: 65% (1999 est.)
GDP - per capita - purchasing power parity - $1,200 (2002 est.)
GDP - real growth rate -1% (2007 est.) 4% (2002 est.)
Geographic coordinates 12 10 S, 44 15 E 1 00 N, 7 00 E
Geography - note important location at northern end of Mozambique Channel the smallest country in Africa; the two main islands form part of a chain of extinct volcanoes and both are fairly mountainous
Highways - total: 320 km


paved: 218 km


unpaved: 102 km (1999 est.)
Household income or consumption by percentage share lowest 10%: NA%


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


highest 10%: NA%
Imports 709.1 bbl/day (2004) NA (2001)
Imports - commodities rice and other foodstuffs, consumer goods, petroleum products, cement, transport equipment machinery and electrical equipment, food products, petroleum products
Imports - partners France 24.8%, UAE 9.9%, South Africa 6.4%, Pakistan 6.3%, Kenya 5%, China 4.8%, India 4.4%, Italy 4.2% (2006) Portugal 51.4%, Germany 10.1%, UK 7.6%, Belgium 6.3% (2002)
Independence 6 July 1975 (from France) 12 July 1975 (from Portugal)
Industrial production growth rate -2% (1999 est.) NA%
Industries fishing, tourism, perfume distillation light construction, textiles, soap, beer; fish processing; timber
Infant mortality rate total: 70.66 deaths/1,000 live births


male: 78.86 deaths/1,000 live births


female: 62.21 deaths/1,000 live births (2007 est.)
total: 46.04 deaths/1,000 live births


male: 48.07 deaths/1,000 live births


female: 43.95 deaths/1,000 live births (2003 est.)
Inflation rate (consumer prices) 3% (2005 est.) 9% (2002 est.)
International organization participation ACCT, ACP, AfDB, AMF, AU, COMESA, FAO, FZ, G-77, IBRD, ICAO, ICCt, ICRM, IDA, IDB, IFAD, IFC, IFRCS, ILO, IMF, IMO, InOC, Interpol, IOC, ITSO, ITU, ITUC, LAS, NAM, OIC, OIF, OPCW (signatory), UN, UNCTAD, UNESCO, UNIDO, UPU, WCO, WHO, WIPO, WMO, WTO (observer) ACCT, ACP, AfDB, CEEAC, ECA, FAO, G-77, IBRD, ICAO, ICCt (signatory), ICRM, IDA, IFAD, IFRCS, ILO, IMF, IMO, Interpol, IOC, IOM (observer), ITU, NAM, OAU, UN, UNCTAD, UNESCO, UNIDO, UPU, WCL, WHO, WIPO, WMO, WToO, WTrO (observer)
Internet Service Providers (ISPs) - 1 (2002)
Irrigated land NA 100 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 (judges are appointed by the National Assembly)
Labor force 144,500 (1996 est.) NA
Labor force - by occupation agriculture: 80%


industry and services: 20% (1996 est.)
population mainly engaged in subsistence agriculture and fishing


note: shortages of skilled workers
Land boundaries 0 km 0 km
Land use arable land: 35.87%


permanent crops: 23.32%


other: 40.81% (2005)
arable land: 2%


permanent crops: 41%


other: 57% (1998 est.)
Languages Arabic (official), French (official), Shikomoro (a blend of Swahili and Arabic) Portuguese (official)
Legal system French and Islamic law in a new consolidated code based on Portuguese legal system and customary law; has not accepted compulsory ICJ jurisdiction
Legislative branch unicameral Assembly of the Union (33 seats; 15 deputies are selected by the individual islands' local assemblies and 18 by universal suffrage; to serve for five years);


elections: last held 18 and 25 April 2004 (next to be held in 2009)


election results: percent of vote by party - NA; seats by party - CdIA 12, CRC 6; note - 15 additional seats are filled by deputies from local island assemblies
unicameral National Assembly or Assembleia Nacional (55 seats; members are elected by direct, popular vote to serve four-year terms)


elections: last held 3 March 2002 (next to be held NA March 2006)


election results: percent of vote by party - MLSTP 39.6%, Force for Change Democratic Movement 39.4%, Ue-Kedadji coalition 16.2%; seats by party - MLSTP 24, Force for Change Democratic Movement 23, Ue-Kedadji coalition 8
Life expectancy at birth total population: 62.73 years


male: 60.37 years


female: 65.15 years (2007 est.)
total population: 66.28 years


male: 64.79 years


female: 67.82 years (2003 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: 79.3%


male: 85%


female: 62% (1991 est.)
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 Western Africa, islands in the Gulf of Guinea, straddling the Equator, west of Gabon
Map references Africa Africa
Maritime claims territorial sea: 12 nm


exclusive economic zone: 200 nm
measured from claimed archipelagic baselines


exclusive economic zone: 200 NM


territorial sea: 12 NM
Merchant marine total: 144 ships (1000 GRT or over) 657,755 GRT/954,498 DWT


by type: bulk carrier 11, cargo 101, chemical tanker 3, container 1, livestock carrier 4, passenger 1, passenger/cargo 1, petroleum tanker 9, refrigerated cargo 6, roll on/roll off 6, specialized tanker 1


foreign-owned: 70 (Bangladesh 1, Bulgaria 1, Cyprus 1, Greece 8, India 2, Kenya 1, Kuwait 1, Lebanon 5, Norway 1, Pakistan 2, Philippines 1, Russia 9, Saudi Arabia 1, Syria 8, Turkey 8, Ukraine 13, UAE 5, US 2) (2007)
total: 24 ships (1,000 GRT or over) 78,595 GRT/99,873 DWT


ships by type: bulk 2, cargo 15, chemical tanker 1, livestock carrier 1, petroleum tanker 2, refrigerated cargo 1, roll on/roll off 2


note: includes some foreign-owned ships registered here as a flag of convenience: Egypt 1, Greece 1, Kenya 1, Portugal 1, Syria 1, Turkey 1 (2002 est.)
Military branches National Development Army (AND): Comoran Security Force; Comoran Federal Police (2007) Army, Navy, Security Police
Military expenditures - dollar figure - $400,000 (FY01)
Military expenditures - percent of GDP 2.8% (2006) 0.8% (FY01)
Military manpower - availability - males age 15-49: 36,905 (2003 est.)
Military manpower - fit for military service - males age 15-49: 19,443 (2003 est.)
National holiday Independence Day, 6 July (1975) Independence Day, 12 July (1975)
Nationality noun: Comoran(s)


adjective: Comoran
noun: Sao Tomean(s)


adjective: Sao Tomean
Natural hazards cyclones possible during rainy season (December to April); Le Kartala on Grand Comore is an active volcano NA
Natural resources NEGL fish, hydropower
Net migration rate 0 migrant(s)/1,000 population (2007 est.) -2.93 migrant(s)/1,000 population (2003 est.)
Political parties and leaders Convention for the Renewal of the Comoros or CRC [AZALI Assowmani]; Camp of the Autonomous Islands or CdIA (a coalition of parties organized by the islands' presidents in opposition to the Union President); Front National pour la Justice or FNJ [Ahmed RACHID] (Islamic party in opposition); Mouvement pour la Democratie et le Progress or MDP-NGDC [Abbas DJOUSSOUF]; Parti Comorien pour la Democratie et le Progress or PCDP [Ali MROUDJAE]; Rassemblement National pour le Development or RND [Omar TAMOU, Abdoulhamid AFFRAITANE] Democratic Renovation Party [Armindo GRACA]; Force for Change Democratic Movement [leader NA]; Independent Democratic Action or ADI [Carlos NEVES]; Movement for the Liberation of Sao Tome and Principe-Social Democratic Party or MLSTP-PSD [Manuel Pinto Da COSTA]; Party for Democratic Convergence or PCD [Aldo BANDEIRA]; Ue-Kedadji coalition [leader NA]; other small parties
Political pressure groups and leaders NA NA
Population 711,417 (July 2007 est.) 175,883 (July 2003 est.)
Population below poverty line 60% (2002 est.) NA%
Population growth rate 2.84% (2007 est.) 3.18% (2003 est.)
Ports and harbors - Santo Antonio, Sao Tome
Radio broadcast stations AM 1, FM 4, shortwave 1 (2001) AM 1, FM 5, shortwave 1 (2002)
Railways - 0 km
Religions Sunni Muslim 98%, Roman Catholic 2% Christian 80% (Roman Catholic, Evangelical Protestant, Seventh-Day Adventist)
Sex ratio at birth: 1.03 male(s)/female


under 15 years: 1.007 male(s)/female


15-64 years: 0.974 male(s)/female


65 years and over: 0.864 male(s)/female


total population: 0.985 male(s)/female (2007 est.)
at birth: 1.03 male(s)/female


under 15 years: 1.03 male(s)/female


15-64 years: 0.93 male(s)/female


65 years and over: 0.85 male(s)/female


total population: 0.97 male(s)/female (2003 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; fixed-line connections only about 2 per 100 persons; mobile cellular usage about 2 per 100 persons


domestic: HF radiotelephone communications and microwave radio relay


international: country code - 269; HF radiotelephone communications to Madagascar and Reunion
general assessment: adequate facilities


domestic: minimal system


international: satellite earth station - 1 Intelsat (Atlantic Ocean)
Telephones - main lines in use 16,900 (2005) 4,600 (2000)
Telephones - mobile cellular 16,100 (2005) 6,942 (1997)
Television broadcast stations NA 2 (2002)
Terrain volcanic islands, interiors vary from steep mountains to low hills volcanic, mountainous
Total fertility rate 4.97 children born/woman (2007 est.) 5.88 children born/woman (2003 est.)
Unemployment rate 20% (1996 est.) NA%
Waterways - none
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