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Compare Cook Islands (2006) - Maldives (2004)

Compare Cook Islands (2006) z Maldives (2004)

 Cook Islands (2006)Maldives (2004)
 Cook IslandsMaldives
Administrative divisions none 19 atolls (atholhu, singular and plural) and 1 other first-order administrative division*; Alifu, Baa, Dhaalu, Faafu, Gaafu Alifu, Gaafu Dhaalu, Gnaviyani, Haa Alifu, Haa Dhaalu, Kaafu, Laamu, Lhaviyani, Maale*, Meemu, Noonu, Raa, Seenu, Shaviyani, Thaa, Vaavu
Age structure 0-14 years: 34.1% (male 2,718/female 2,388)


15-64 years: 59.5% (male 4,531/female 4,395)


65 years and over: 6.4% (male 489/female 469) (2001 census)
0-14 years: 44.4% (male 77,424; female 73,191)


15-64 years: 52.6% (male 91,045; female 87,331)


65 years and over: 3% (male 5,207; female 5,132) (2004 est.)
Agriculture - products copra, citrus, pineapples, tomatoes, beans, pawpaws, bananas, yams, taro, coffee; pigs, poultry coconuts, corn, sweet potatoes; fish
Airports 9 (2006) 5 (2003 est.)
Airports - with paved runways total: 2


1,524 to 2,437 m: 2 (2006)
total: 2


over 3,047 m: 1


2,438 to 3,047 m: 1 (2004 est.)
Airports - with unpaved runways total: 7


1,524 to 2,437 m: 2


914 to 1,523 m: 4


under 914 m: 1 (2006)
total: 3


914 to 1,523 m: 3 (2004 est.)
Area total: 236.7 sq km


land: 236.7 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 were long a sultanate, first under Dutch and then under British protection. They 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 island's 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 21 births/1,000 population (2001 census) 36.06 births/1,000 population (2004 est.)
Budget revenues: $70.95 million


expenditures: $69.05 million; including capital expenditures of $5.744 million (FY00/01 est.)
revenues: $224 million (excluding foreign grants)


expenditures: $282 million, including capital expenditures of $80 million (2002 est.)
Capital name: Avarua


geographic coordinates: 21 12 S, 159 46 W


time difference: UTC-10 (5 hours behind Washington, DC during Standard Time)
Male
Climate tropical oceanic; moderated by trade winds; a dry season from April to November and a more humid season from December to March 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 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 - rufiyaa (MVR)
Death rate NA deaths/1,000 population 7.44 deaths/1,000 population (2004 est.)
Debt - external $141 million (1996 est.) $281 million (2003 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: Dr. Mohamed LATHEEF


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


telephone: [1] (212) 599-6195
Disputes - international none none
Economic aid - recipient $13.1 million; note - New Zealand continues to furnish the greater part (1995) NA (1995)
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, employing about 70% of the working population, provides the economic base with major exports made up of copra and citrus fruit. Black pearls are the Cook Island's leading export. 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.
Electricity - consumption 34.46 million kWh (2005 est.) 108.8 million kWh (2001)
Electricity - exports 0 kWh (2003) 0 kWh (2001)
Electricity - imports 0 kWh (2003) 0 kWh (2001)
Electricity - production 28 million kWh (2003) 117 million kWh (2001)
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 Cook Island Maori (Polynesian) 87.7%, part Cook Island Maori 5.8%, other 6.5% (2001 census) South Indians, Sinhalese, Arabs
Exchange rates New Zealand dollars per US dollar - 1.4203 (2005), 1.5087 (2004), 1.7221 (2003), 2.1622 (2002), 2.3788 (2001) rufiyaa per US dollar - 12.8 (2003), 12.8 (2002), 12.2421 (2001), 11.77 (2000), 11.77 (1999)
Executive branch chief of state: Queen ELIZABETH II (since 6 February 1952), represented by Frederick GOODWIN (since 9 February 2001); New Zealand High Commissioner John BRYAN (since 6 September 2005), representative of New Zealand


head of government: Prime Minister Jim MARURAI (since 14 December 2004); Deputy Prime Minister Terepai MAOATE (since 9 August 2005)


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 bbl/day NA (2001)
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% (2004) US 32.1%, Thailand 17%, Sri Lanka 13.4%, Japan 10.7%, UK 9.8%, Indonesia 4.5% (2003)
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 - $1.25 billion (2002 est.)
GDP - composition by sector agriculture: 15.1%


industry: 9.6%


services: 75.3% (2000 est.)
agriculture: 20%


industry: 18%


services: 62% (2000 est.)
GDP - per capita - purchasing power parity - $3,900 (2002 est.)
GDP - real growth rate 0.1% (2005 est.) 2.3% (2002 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, where most of the population lives, consist of eight elevated, fertile, volcanic isles, including the largest, Rarotonga, at 67 sq km 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: NA km


paved: NA km


unpaved: NA km
Household income or consumption by percentage share lowest 10%: NA%


highest 10%: NA%
lowest 10%: NA


highest 10%: NA
Imports NA bbl/day NA (2001)
Imports - commodities foodstuffs, textiles, fuels, timber, capital goods consumer goods, intermediate and capital goods, petroleum products
Imports - partners New Zealand 61%, Fiji 19%, US 9%, Australia 6%, Japan 2% (2004) Singapore 24.8%, Sri Lanka 13.8%, India 10.2%, Malaysia 7.6%, UAE 7.6%, Thailand 5.1% (2003)
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) 4.4% (1996 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
total: 58.32 deaths/1,000 live births


male: 57.43 deaths/1,000 live births


female: 59.26 deaths/1,000 live births (2004 est.)
Inflation rate (consumer prices) 2.1% (2005 est.) 1% (2002 est.)
International organization participation ACP, AsDB, FAO, ICAO, ICFTU, ICRM, IFAD, IFRCS, IOC, OPCW, PIF, Sparteca, SPC, UNESCO, UPU, WHO, WMO AsDB, C, CP, FAO, G-77, IBRD, ICAO, IDA, IDB, IFAD, IFC, IMF, IMO, Interpol, IOC, ITU, NAM, OIC, OPCW, SAARC, SACEP, UN, UNCTAD, UNESCO, UNIDO, UPU, WCO, WHO, WIPO, WMO, WToO, WTO
Irrigated land NA NA sq km
Judicial branch High Court High Court
Labor force 6,820 (2001) 88,000 (2000)
Labor force - by occupation agriculture: 29%


industry: 15%


services: 56% (1995)
agriculture 22%, industry 18%, services 60% (1995)
Land boundaries 0 km 0 km
Land use arable land: 16.67%


permanent crops: 8.33%


other: 75% (2005)
arable land: 13.33%


permanent crops: 16.67%


other: 70% (2001)
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 bicameral Parliament consisting of a lower house or Legislative Assembly with 25 seats (24 seats representing districts of the Cook Islands and one seat representing Cook Islanders living overseas; members elected by popular vote to serve five-year terms) and an upper house or House of Ariki made up of traditional leaders


elections: last held 26 September 2006 (next to be held by 2011)


election results: percent of vote by party - Demo 51.9%, CIP 45.5%, independent 2.7%; seats by party - Demo 15, CIP 8, independent 1


note: the House of Ariki 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


male: NA


female: NA
total population: 63.68 years


male: 62.41 years


female: 65.01 years (2004 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: 6 ships (1000 GRT or over) 48,422 GRT/51,900 DWT


by type: cargo 2, petroleum tanker 1, refrigerated cargo 3


foreign-owned: 5 (Norway 1, NZ 1, Sweden 3) (2006)
total: 16 ships (1,000 GRT or over) 54,164 GRT/68,973 DWT


by type: cargo 13, petroleum tanker 1, refrigerated cargo 1, short-sea/passenger 1


foreign-owned: North Korea 1


registered in other countries: 2 (2004 est.)
Military - note defense is the responsibility of New Zealand, in consultation with the Cook Islands and at its request -
Military branches no regular military forces; Ministry of Police and Disaster Management (2005) National Security Service: comprising Security Branch (ground forces), Air Element; Coast Guard
Military expenditures - dollar figure - $43.1 million (2003)
Military expenditures - percent of GDP - 8.6% (2003)
Military manpower - availability - males age 15-49: 81,221 (2004 est.)
Military manpower - fit for military service - males age 15-49: 45,142 (2004 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 (2004 est.)
People - note 2001 census counted a resident population of 15,017 -
Political parties and leaders Cook Islands Party or CIP [Henry PUNA]; Democratic Party or Demo [Dr. Terepai MAOATE] although political parties are not banned, none exist
Political pressure groups and leaders NA none
Population 21,388 (July 2006 est.) 339,330 (July 2004 est.)
Population below poverty line NA% NA
Population growth rate -1.2% between 1996-2001 (2001 census) 2.86% (2004 est.)
Ports and harbors - Gan, Male
Radio broadcast stations AM 1, FM 1, shortwave 0 (2004) AM 1, FM 1, shortwave 1 (1998)
Religions Cook Islands Christian Church 55.9%, Roman Catholic 16.8%, Seventh-Day Adventists 7.9%, Church of Latter Day Saints 3.8%, other Protestant 5.8%, other 4.2%, unspecified 2.6%, none 3% (2001 census) Sunni Muslim
Sex ratio 107 male(s)/female (2001 census) 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: 1.02 male(s)/female


total population: 1.05 male(s)/female (2004 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) 28,700 (2002)
Telephones - mobile cellular 1,500 (2002) 41,900 (2002)
Television broadcast stations 1 (outer islands receive satellite broadcasts) (2004) 1 (1997)
Terrain low coral atolls in north; volcanic, hilly islands in south flat, with white sandy beaches
Total fertility rate 3.1 children born/woman (2001 census) 5.14 children born/woman (2004 est.)
Unemployment rate 13.1% (2005) NEGL% (2003 est.)
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