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Compare Cook Islands (2004) - Maldives (2006)

Compare Cook Islands (2004) z Maldives (2006)

 Cook Islands (2004)Maldives (2006)
 Cook IslandsMaldives
Administrative divisions none 19 atolls (atholhu, singular and plural) and the capital city*; Alifu, Baa, Dhaalu, Faafu, Gaafu Alifu, Gaafu Dhaalu, Gnaviyani, Haa Alifu, Haa Dhaalu, Kaafu, Laamu, Lhaviyani, Maale* (Male), Meemu, Noonu, Raa, Seenu, Shaviyani, Thaa, Vaavu
Age structure 0-14 years: NA


15-64 years: NA


65 years and over: NA (2004 est.)
0-14 years: 43.4% (male 80,113/female 75,763)


15-64 years: 53.5% (male 98,040/female 94,029)


65 years and over: 3.1% (male 5,477/female 5,586) (2006 est.)
Agriculture - products copra, citrus, pineapples, tomatoes, beans, pawpaws, bananas, yams, taro, coffee; pigs, poultry coconuts, corn, sweet potatoes; fish
Airports 9 (2003 est.) 5 (2006)
Airports - with paved runways total: 2


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


over 3,047 m: 1


2,438 to 3,047 m: 1 (2006)
Airports - with unpaved runways total: 7


1,524 to 2,437 m: 2


914 to 1,523 m: 4


under 914 m: 1 (2004 est.)
total: 3


914 to 1,523 m: 3 (2006)
Area total: 240 sq km


land: 240 sq km


water: 0 sq km
total: 300 sq km


land: 300 sq km


water: 0 sq km
Area - comparative 1.3 times the size of Washington, DC about 1.7 times the size of Washington, DC
Background Named after Captain Cook, who sighted them in 1770, the islands became a British protectorate in 1888. By 1900, administrative control was transferred to New Zealand; in 1965 residents chose self-government in free association with New Zealand. The emigration of skilled workers to New Zealand and government deficits are continuing problems. The Maldives was long a sultanate, first under Dutch and then under British protection. It became a republic in 1968, three years after independence. Since 1978, President Maumoon Abdul GAYOOM - currently in his sixth term in office - has dominated the islands' political scene. Following riots in the capital Male in August 2004, the president and his government have pledged to embark upon democratic reforms, including a more representative political system and expanded political freedoms. Tourism and fishing are being developed on the archipelago.
Birth rate NA births/1,000 population (2004 est.) 34.81 births/1,000 population (2006 est.)
Budget revenues: $28 million


expenditures: $27 million, including capital expenditures of $3.3 million (FY00/01 est.)
revenues: $265 million (excluding foreign grants)


expenditures: $362 million; including capital expenditures of $80 million (2004 est.)
Capital Avarua name: Male


geographic coordinates: 4 10 N, 73 31 E


time difference: UTC+5 (10 hours ahead of Washington, DC during Standard Time)
Climate tropical; moderated by trade winds tropical; hot, humid; dry, northeast monsoon (November to March); rainy, southwest monsoon (June to August)
Coastline 120 km 644 km
Constitution 4 August 1965 adopted 1 January 1998
Country name conventional long form: none


conventional short form: Cook Islands


former: Harvey Islands
conventional long form: Republic of Maldives


conventional short form: Maldives


local long form: Dhivehi Raajjeyge Jumhooriyyaa


local short form: Dhivehi Raajje
Currency New Zealand dollar (NZD) -
Death rate NA deaths/1,000 population (2004 est.) 7.06 deaths/1,000 population (2006 est.)
Debt - external $141 million (1996 est.) $304 million (2004 est.)
Dependency status self-governing in free association with New Zealand; Cook Islands is fully responsible for internal affairs; New Zealand retains responsibility for external affairs and defense, in consultation with the Cook Islands -
Diplomatic representation from the US none (self-governing in free association with New Zealand) the US does not have an embassy in Maldives; the US Ambassador to Sri Lanka is accredited to Maldives and makes periodic visits there
Diplomatic representation in the US none (self-governing in free association with New Zealand) chief of mission: Ambassador Mohamed LATHEEF


chancery: 800 2nd Avenue, Suite 400E, New York, NY 10017


telephone: [1] (212) 599-6195


FAX: [1] (212) 661-6405
Disputes - international none none
Economic aid - recipient $13.1 million; note - New Zealand continues to furnish the greater part (1995) $27.9 million $NA (2004)
Economy - overview Like many other South Pacific island nations, the Cook Islands' economic development is hindered by the isolation of the country from foreign markets, the limited size of domestic markets, lack of natural resources, periodic devastation from natural disasters, and inadequate infrastructure. Agriculture provides the economic base with major exports made up of copra and citrus fruit. Manufacturing activities are limited to fruit processing, clothing, and handicrafts. Trade deficits are offset by remittances from emigrants and by foreign aid, overwhelmingly from New Zealand. In the 1980s and 1990s, the country lived beyond its means, maintaining a bloated public service and accumulating a large foreign debt. Subsequent reforms, including the sale of state assets, the strengthening of economic management, the encouragement of tourism, and a debt restructuring agreement, have rekindled investment and growth. Tourism, Maldives' largest industry, accounts for 20% of GDP and more than 60% of the Maldives' foreign exchange receipts. Over 90% of government tax revenue comes from import duties and tourism-related taxes. Fishing is a second leading sector. The Maldivian Government began an economic reform program in 1989 initially by lifting import quotas and opening some exports to the private sector. Subsequently, it has liberalized regulations to allow more foreign investment. Agriculture and manufacturing continue to play a lesser role in the economy, constrained by the limited availability of cultivable land and the shortage of domestic labor. Most staple foods must be imported. Industry, which consists mainly of garment production, boat building, and handicrafts, accounts for about 18% of GDP. Maldivian authorities worry about the impact of erosion and possible global warming on their low-lying country; 80% of the area is one meter or less above sea level. In late December 2004, a major tsunami left more than 100 dead, 12,000 displaced, and property damage exceeding $300 million. Over the past decade, real GDP growth averaged over 7.5% per year. As a result of the tsunami, the GDP contracted by about 5.5% in 2005.
Electricity - consumption 25.51 million kWh (2001) 125.6 million kWh (2003)
Electricity - exports 0 kWh (2001) 0 kWh (2003)
Electricity - imports 0 kWh (2001) 0 kWh (2003)
Electricity - production 27.43 million kWh (2001) 135 million kWh (2003)
Elevation extremes lowest point: Pacific Ocean 0 m


highest point: Te Manga 652 m
lowest point: Indian Ocean 0 m


highest point: unnamed location on Wilingili island in the Addu Atoll 2.4 m
Environment - current issues NA depletion of freshwater aquifers threatens water supplies; global warming and sea level rise; coral reef bleaching
Environment - international agreements party to: Biodiversity, Climate Change, Climate Change-Kyoto Protocol, Desertification, Law of the Sea


signed, but not ratified: none of the selected agreements
party to: Biodiversity, Climate Change, Climate Change-Kyoto Protocol, Hazardous Wastes, Law of the Sea, Ozone Layer Protection


signed, but not ratified: none of the selected agreements
Ethnic groups Polynesian (full blood) 81.3%, Polynesian and European 7.7%, Polynesian and non-European 7.7%, European 2.4%, other 0.9% South Indians, Sinhalese, Arabs
Exchange rates New Zealand dollars per US dollar - 1.7229 (2003), 2.1622 (2002), 2.3776 (2001), 2.1863 (2000), 1.8886 (1999) rufiyaa per US dollar - 12.8 (2005), 12.8 (2004), 12.8 (2003), 12.8 (2002), 12.24 (2001)
Executive branch chief of state: Queen ELIZABETH II (since 6 February 1952), represented by Frederick GOODWIN (since 9 February 2001); New Zealand High Commissioner Kurt MEYER (since July 2001), representative of New Zealand


head of government: Prime Minister Jim MARURAI (since 14 December 2004); Deputy Prime Minister SIR Geoffrey HENRY (since 14 December 2004)


cabinet: Cabinet chosen by the prime minister; collectively responsible to Parliament


elections: none; the monarch is hereditary; the UK representative is appointed by the monarch; the New Zealand high commissioner is appointed by the New Zealand Government; following legislative elections, the leader of the majority party or the leader of the majority coalition usually becomes prime minister
chief of state: President Maumoon Abdul GAYOOM (since 11 November 1978); note - the president is both the chief of state and head of government


head of government: President Maumoon Abdul GAYOOM (since 11 November 1978); note - the president is both the chief of state and head of government


cabinet: Cabinet of Ministers appointed by the president


elections: president nominated by the Majlis and then the nomination must be ratified by a national referendum (at least a 51% approval margin is required); president elected for a five-year term; election last held 17 October 2003 (next to be held NA 2008)


election results: President Maumoon Abdul GAYOOM reelected in referendum held 17 October 2003; percent of popular vote - Maumoon Abdul GAYOOM 90.3%
Exports NA (2001) NA bbl/day
Exports - commodities copra, papayas, fresh and canned citrus fruit, coffee; fish; pearls and pearl shells; clothing fish, clothing
Exports - partners Australia 34%, Japan 27%, New Zealand 25%, US 8% (2000) Japan 22.8%, Thailand 22.7%, Sri Lanka 16.4%, UK 12.6%, Singapore 5.8%, Germany 4.8%, France 4.3% (2005)
Fiscal year 1 April - 31 March calendar year
Flag description blue, with the flag of the UK in the upper hoist-side quadrant and a large circle of 15 white five-pointed stars (one for every island) centered in the outer half of the flag red with a large green rectangle in the center bearing a vertical white crescent; the closed side of the crescent is on the hoist side of the flag
GDP purchasing power parity - $105 million (2001 est.) -
GDP - composition by sector agriculture: 17%


industry: 7.8%


services: 75.2% (2000 est.)
agriculture: 20%


industry: 18%


services: 62% (2000 est.)
GDP - per capita purchasing power parity - $5,000 (2001 est.) -
GDP - real growth rate 7.1% (2001 est.) -3.6% (2005 est.)
Geographic coordinates 21 14 S, 159 46 W 3 15 N, 73 00 E
Geography - note the northern Cook Islands are seven low-lying, sparsely populated, coral atolls; the southern Cook Islands consist of eight elevated, fertile, volcanic isles where most of the populace lives 1,190 coral islands grouped into 26 atolls (200 inhabited islands, plus 80 islands with tourist resorts); archipelago with strategic location astride and along major sea lanes in Indian Ocean
Highways total: 320 km


paved: 33 km


unpaved: 287 km (2000)
-
Household income or consumption by percentage share lowest 10%: NA


highest 10%: NA
lowest 10%: NA%


highest 10%: NA%
Imports NA (2001) NA bbl/day
Imports - commodities foodstuffs, textiles, fuels, timber, capital goods petroleum products, ships, foodstuffs, textiles, clothing, intermediate and capital goods
Imports - partners New Zealand 61%, Fiji 19%, US 9%, Australia 6%, Japan 2% (2000) Singapore 24.1%, UAE 15.7%, India 11.3%, Malaysia 7.2%, Sri Lanka 5.7%, UK 4.5% (2005)
Independence none (became self-governing in free association with New Zealand on 4 August 1965 and has the right at any time to move to full independence by unilateral action) 26 July 1965 (from UK)
Industrial production growth rate 1% (2002) -0.9% (2004 est.)
Industries fruit processing, tourism, fishing, clothing, handicrafts fish processing, tourism, shipping, boat building, coconut processing, garments, woven mats, rope, handicrafts, coral and sand mining
Infant mortality rate total: NA


male: NA


female: NA (2004 est.)
total: 54.89 deaths/1,000 live births


male: 54.01 deaths/1,000 live births


female: 55.8 deaths/1,000 live births (2006 est.)
Inflation rate (consumer prices) 3.2% (2000 est.) 6% (2005 est.)
International organization participation ACP, AsDB, FAO, ICAO, ICFTU, IFAD, IFRCS, IOC, OPCW, PIF, Sparteca, UNESCO, UPU, WHO, WMO AsDB, C, CP, FAO, G-77, IBRD, ICAO, IDA, IDB, IFAD, IFC, IMF, IMO, Interpol, IOC, IPU, ITU, MIGA, NAM, OIC, OPCW, SAARC, SACEP, UN, UNCTAD, UNESCO, UNIDO, UPU, WCO, WHO, WIPO, WMO, WToO, WTO
Irrigated land NA sq km NA
Judicial branch High Court High Court
Labor force 8,000 (1996) 88,000 (2000)
Labor force - by occupation agriculture 29%, industry 15%, services 56%


note: shortage of skilled labor (1995)
agriculture: 22%


industry: 18%


services: 60% (1995)
Land boundaries 0 km 0 km
Land use arable land: 17.39%


permanent crops: 13.04%


other: 69.57% (2001)
arable land: 13.33%


permanent crops: 30%


other: 56.67% (2005)
Languages English (official), Maori Maldivian Dhivehi (dialect of Sinhala, script derived from Arabic), English spoken by most government officials
Legal system based on New Zealand law and English common law based on Islamic law with admixtures of English common law primarily in commercial matters; has not accepted compulsory ICJ jurisdiction
Legislative branch unicameral Parliament (25 seats; members elected by popular vote to serve five-year terms)


elections: last held 7 September 2004 (next to be held by 2009)


election results: percent of vote by party - NA%; seats by party - CIP 10, DAP 9, Demo Tumu 4, independent 1; note - one seat undecided pending by-election


note: the House of Ariki (chiefs) advises on traditional matters and maintains considerable influence, but has no legislative powers
unicameral People's Council or Majlis (50 seats; 42 elected by popular vote, 8 appointed by the president; members serve five-year terms)


elections: last held 22 January 2005 (next to be held NA 2010)


election results: percent of vote - NA; seats - independents 50
Life expectancy at birth total population: NA years


male: NA years


female: NA years (2004 est.)
total population: 64.41 years


male: 63.08 years


female: 65.8 years (2006 est.)
Literacy definition: NA


total population: 95%


male: NA


female: NA
definition: age 15 and over can read and write


total population: 97.2%


male: 97.1%


female: 97.3% (2003 est.)
Location Oceania, group of islands in the South Pacific Ocean, about one-half of the way from Hawaii to New Zealand Southern Asia, group of atolls in the Indian Ocean, south-southwest of India
Map references Oceania Asia
Maritime claims territorial sea: 12 nm


exclusive economic zone: 200 nm


continental shelf: 200 nm or to the edge of the continental margin
measured from claimed archipelagic straight baselines


territorial sea: 12 nm


contiguous zone: 24 nm


exclusive economic zone: 200 nm
Merchant marine total: 2 ships (1,000 GRT or over) 4,074 GRT/7,520 DWT


by type: cargo 1, petroleum tanker 1


foreign-owned: Australia 1, United Kingdom 1 (2004 est.)
total: 17 ships (1000 GRT or over) 67,149 GRT/87,220 DWT


by type: cargo 13, petroleum tanker 2, refrigerated cargo 2


registered in other countries: 1 (Panama 1) (2006)
Military - note defense is the responsibility of New Zealand, in consultation with the Cook Islands and at its request -
Military branches - National Security Service: Security Branch (ground forces), Air Element, Coast Guard
Military expenditures - dollar figure - $45.07 million (2005 est.)
Military expenditures - percent of GDP - 5.5% (2005 est.)
National holiday Constitution Day, first Monday in August (1965) Independence Day, 26 July (1965)
Nationality noun: Cook Islander(s)


adjective: Cook Islander
noun: Maldivian(s)


adjective: Maldivian
Natural hazards typhoons (November to March) low level of islands makes them very sensitive to sea level rise
Natural resources NEGL fish
Net migration rate - 0 migrant(s)/1,000 population (2006 est.)
Political parties and leaders Cook Islands People's Party or CIP [Geoffrey HENRY]; Democratic Alliance Party or DAP [Terepai MAOATE]; New Alliance Party or NAP [Norman GEORGE]; Cook Islands National Party or CIN [Teariki HEATHER]; Demo Party Tumu [Robert WOONTON] political parties were allowed to register in June 2005; the first entrants are: Adhaalath (Justice) Party or AP [Abdul Majeed Abdul BARI]; Dhivehi Rayyithunge Party (Maldivian People's Party) or DRP [Maumoon Abdul GAYOOM]; Islamic Democratic Party or IDP [Omar NASEER]; Maldivian Democratic Party or MDP [Mohamed NASHEED]
Political pressure groups and leaders NA various unregistered political parties
Population 21,200 (July 2004 est.) 359,008 (July 2006 est.)
Population below poverty line NA 21% NA%
Population growth rate NA (2004 est.) 2.78% (2006 est.)
Ports and harbors Avarua, Avatiu -
Radio broadcast stations AM 1, FM 1, shortwave 0 (2004) AM 1, FM 1, shortwave 1 (1998)
Religions Christian (majority of populace are members of the Cook Islands Christian Church) Sunni Muslim
Sex ratio NA (2004 est.) at birth: 1.05 male(s)/female


under 15 years: 1.06 male(s)/female


15-64 years: 1.04 male(s)/female


65 years and over: 0.98 male(s)/female


total population: 1.05 male(s)/female (2006 est.)
Suffrage NA years of age; universal adult 21 years of age; universal
Telephone system general assessment: Telecom Cook Islands offers international direct dialing, Internet, email, fax, and Telex


domestic: the individual islands are connected by a combination of satellite earth stations, microwave systems, and VHF and HF radiotelephone; within the islands, service is provided by small exchanges connected to subscribers by open-wire, cable, and fiber-optic cable


international: country code - 682; satellite earth station - 1 Intelsat (Pacific Ocean)
general assessment: minimal domestic and international facilities


domestic: interatoll communication through microwave links; all inhabited islands are connected with telephone and fax service


international: country code - 960; satellite earth station - 3 Intelsat (Indian Ocean)
Telephones - main lines in use 6,200 (2002) 32,300 (2005)
Telephones - mobile cellular 1,500 (2002) 153,400 (2005)
Television broadcast stations 1 (outer islands receive satellite broadcasts) (2004) 1 (2006)
Terrain low coral atolls in north; volcanic, hilly islands in south flat, with white sandy beaches
Total fertility rate NA children born/woman (2004 est.) 4.9 children born/woman (2006 est.)
Unemployment rate 13% (1996) NEGL% (2003 est.)
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