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Compare Cook Islands (2008) - Mauritania (2003)

Compare Cook Islands (2008) z Mauritania (2003)

 Cook Islands (2008)Mauritania (2003)
 Cook IslandsMauritania
Administrative divisions none 12 regions (regions, singular - region) and 1 capital district*; Adrar, Assaba, Brakna, Dakhlet Nouadhibou, Gorgol, Guidimaka, Hodh Ech Chargui, Hodh El Gharbi, Inchiri, Nouakchott*, Tagant, Tiris Zemmour, Trarza
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) (2001 census)
0-14 years: 46% (male 671,080; female 668,408)


15-64 years: 51.8% (male 743,573; female 764,358)


65 years and over: 2.2% (male 26,669; female 38,496) (2003 est.)
Agriculture - products copra, citrus, pineapples, tomatoes, beans, pawpaws, bananas, yams, taro, coffee; pigs, poultry dates, millet, sorghum, rice, corn, dates; cattle, sheep
Airports 9 (2007) 26 (2002)
Airports - with paved runways total: 2


1,524 to 2,437 m: 2 (2007)
total: 10


2,438 to 3,047 m: 3


1,524 to 2,437 m: 7 (2002)
Airports - with unpaved runways total: 7


1,524 to 2,437 m: 2


914 to 1,523 m: 4


under 914 m: 1 (2007)
total: 16


2,438 to 3,047 m: 1


1,524 to 2,437 m: 6


914 to 1,523 m: 6


under 914 m: 3 (2002)
Area total: 236.7 sq km


land: 236.7 sq km


water: 0 sq km
total: 1,030,700 sq km


land: 1,030,400 sq km


water: 300 sq km
Area - comparative 1.3 times the size of Washington, DC slightly larger than three times the size of New Mexico
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. Independent from France in 1960, Mauritania annexed the southern third of the former Spanish Sahara (now Western Sahara) in 1976, but relinquished it after three years of raids by the Polisario guerrilla front seeking independence for the territory. Opposition parties were legalized and a new constitution approved in 1991. Two multiparty presidential elections since then were widely seen as flawed, but October 2001 legislative and municipal elections were generally free and open. Mauritania remains, in reality, a one-party state. The country continues to experience ethnic tensions between its black minority population and the dominant Maur (Arab-Berber) populace.
Birth rate 21 births/1,000 population NA (2001 census) 42.16 births/1,000 population (2003 est.)
Budget revenues: $70.95 million


expenditures: $69.05 million (FY05/06)
revenues: $421 million


expenditures: $378 million, including capital expenditures of $154 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)
Nouakchott
Climate tropical oceanic; moderated by trade winds; a dry season from April to November and a more humid season from December to March desert; constantly hot, dry, dusty
Coastline 120 km 754 km
Constitution 4 August 1965 12 July 1991
Country name conventional long form: none


conventional short form: Cook Islands


former: Harvey Islands
conventional long form: Islamic Republic of Mauritania


conventional short form: Mauritania


local long form: Al Jumhuriyah al Islamiyah al Muritaniyah


local short form: Muritaniyah
Currency - ouguiya (MRO)
Death rate NA 13.04 deaths/1,000 population (2003 est.)
Debt - external $141 million (1996 est.) $2.5 billion (2000)
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) chief of mission: Ambassador Joseph E. LEBARON


embassy: Rue Abdallaye (between Presidency building and Spanish Embassy), Nouakchott


mailing address: BP 222, Nouakchott


telephone: [222] 25-26-60, 25-26-63, 25-11-41, 25-11-45


FAX: [222] 25-25-92
Diplomatic representation in the US none (self-governing in free association with New Zealand) chief of mission: Ambassador Mohamedou Ould MICHEL


chancery: 2129 Leroy Place NW, Washington, DC 20008


telephone: [1] (202) 232-5700


FAX: [1] (202) 319-2623
Disputes - international none Mauritanian claims to Western Sahara have been dormant in recent years
Economic aid - recipient $13.1 million; note - New Zealand continues to furnish the greater part (1995) $220 million (2000)
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 one-third of the working population, provides the economic base with major exports made up of copra and citrus fruit. Black pearls are the Cook Islands' 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. Half the population still depends on agriculture and livestock for a livelihood, even though many of the nomads and subsistence farmers were forced into the cities by recurrent droughts in the 1970s and 1980s. Mauritania has extensive deposits of iron ore, which account for nearly 40% of total exports. The decline in world demand for this ore, however, has led to cutbacks in production. The nation's coastal waters are among the richest fishing areas in the world, but overexploitation by foreigners threatens this key source of revenue. The country's first deepwater port opened near Nouakchott in 1986. In the past, drought and economic mismanagement resulted in a buildup of foreign debt. In February 2000, Mauritania qualified for debt relief under the Heavily Indebted Poor Countries (HIPC) initiative and in December 2001 received strong support from donor and lending countries at a triennial Consultative Group review. In 2001, exploratory oil wells in tracts 80 km offshore indicated potential extraction at current world oil prices. A new investment code approved in December 2001 improved the opportunities for direct foreign investment. Ongoing negotiations with the IMF involve problems of economic reforms and fiscal discipline. Substantial oil production and exports probably will not begin until 2005.
Electricity - consumption 27.9 million kWh (2005 est.) 146.3 million kWh (2001)
Electricity - exports 0 kWh (2005) 0 kWh (2001)
Electricity - imports 0 kWh (2005) 0 kWh (2001)
Electricity - production 30 million kWh (2005) 157.4 million kWh (2001)
Electricity - production by source - fossil fuel: 85.9%


hydro: 14.1%


nuclear: 0%


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


highest point: Te Manga 652 m
lowest point: Sebkha de Ndrhamcha -3 m


highest point: Kediet Ijill 910 m
Environment - current issues NA overgrazing, deforestation, and soil erosion aggravated by drought are contributing to desertification; very limited natural fresh water resources away from the Senegal, which is the only perennial river
Environment - international agreements party to: Biodiversity, Climate Change, Climate Change-Kyoto Protocol, Desertification, Hazardous Wastes, Law of the Sea, Ozone Layer Protection


signed, but not ratified: none of the selected agreements
party to: Biodiversity, Climate Change, Desertification, Endangered Species, Hazardous Wastes, Law of the Sea, Nuclear Test Ban, Ozone Layer Protection, Ship Pollution, Wetlands


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) mixed Maur/black 40%, Maur 30%, black 30%
Exchange rates NZ dollars per US dollar - 1.3811 (2007), 1.5408 (2006), 1.4203 (2005), 1.5087 (2004), 1.7221 (2003) ouguiyas per US dollar - ouguiyas per US dollar - 254.350 (December 2001), 238.923 (2000), 209.514 (1999), 188.476 (1998), 151.853 (1997), 137.222 (1996)
Executive branch chief of state: Queen ELIZABETH II (since 6 February 1952); represented by Frederick GOODWIN (since 9 February 2001); New Zealand High Commissioner Brian DONNELLY (since 21 February 2008), 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 Maaouya Ould Sid Ahmed TAYA (since 12 December 1984)


head of government: Prime Minister Sghair Ould M'BARECK (since 6 July 2003)


cabinet: Council of Ministers


elections: president elected by popular vote for a six-year term; election last held 7 November 2003 (next to be held NA 2009); prime minister appointed by the president


election results: President Maaouya Ould Sid Ahmed TAYA reelected for a third term with 60.8% of the vote
Exports 0 bbl/day (2004) NA (2001)
Exports - commodities copra, papayas, fresh and canned citrus fruit, coffee; fish; pearls and pearl shells; clothing iron ore, fish and fish products, gold
Exports - partners Australia 34%, Japan 27%, NZ 25%, US 8% (2006) Italy 14.3%, France 14%, Spain 11.7%, Germany 10.9%, Belgium 9.9%, Japan 7.1% (2002)
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 green with a yellow five-pointed star above a yellow, horizontal crescent; the closed side of the crescent is down; the crescent, star, and color green are traditional symbols of Islam
GDP - purchasing power parity - $4.891 billion (2002 est.)
GDP - composition by sector agriculture: 15.1%


industry: 9.6%


services: 75.3% (2004)
agriculture: 25%


industry: 29%


services: 46% (2001 est.)
GDP - per capita - purchasing power parity - $1,700 (2002 est.)
GDP - real growth rate 0.1% (2005 est.) 3.3% (2002 est.)
Geographic coordinates 21 14 S, 159 46 W 20 00 N, 12 00 W
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 most of the population concentrated in the cities of Nouakchott and Nouadhibou and along the Senegal River in the southern part of the country
Highways - total: 7,720 km


paved: 830 km


unpaved: 6,890 km (2000)
Household income or consumption by percentage share lowest 10%: NA%


highest 10%: NA%
lowest 10%: 2.5%


highest 10%: 30.2% (2000)
Imports 429.3 bbl/day (2004) NA (2001)
Imports - commodities foodstuffs, textiles, fuels, timber, capital goods machinery and equipment, petroleum products, capital goods, foodstuffs, consumer goods
Imports - partners NZ 61%, Fiji 19%, US 9%, Australia 6%, Japan 2% (2006) France 18.5%, Belgium 7.8%, China 7%, Spain 5.9%, Germany 5.2% (2002)
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) 28 November 1960 (from France)
Industrial production growth rate 1% (2002) 2% (2000 est.)
Industries fruit processing, tourism, fishing, clothing, handicrafts fish processing, mining of iron ore and gypsum
Infant mortality rate total: NA


male: NA


female: NA
total: 73.8 deaths/1,000 live births


male: 76.62 deaths/1,000 live births


female: 70.89 deaths/1,000 live births (2003 est.)
Inflation rate (consumer prices) 2.1% (2005 est.) 3% (2002 est.)
International organization participation ACP, ADB, FAO, ICAO, ICRM, IFAD, IFRCS, IOC, ITUC, OPCW, PIF, Sparteca, SPC, UNESCO, UPU, WHO, WMO ABEDA, ACCT, ACP, AfDB, AFESD, AL, AMF, AMU, CAEU, ECA, FAO, G-77, IBRD, ICAO, ICFTU, ICRM, IDA, IDB, IFAD, IFC, IFRCS, IHO (pending member), ILO, IMF, IMO, Interpol, IOC, IOM (observer), ITU, NAM, OAU, OIC, OPCW, UN, UNCTAD, UNESCO, UNIDO, UPU, WCL, WCO, WHO, WIPO, WMO, WToO, WTrO
Internet Service Providers (ISPs) - 5 (2001)
Irrigated land NA 490 sq km (1998 est.)
Judicial branch High Court Supreme Court or Cour Supreme; Court of Appeals; lower courts
Labor force 6,820 (2001) 786,000 (2001)
Labor force - by occupation agriculture: 29%


industry: 15%


services: 56% (1995)
agriculture 50%, services 40%, industry 10% (2001 est.)
Land boundaries 0 km total: 5,074 km


border countries: Algeria 463 km, Mali 2,237 km, Senegal 813 km, Western Sahara 1,561 km
Land use arable land: 16.67%


permanent crops: 8.33%


other: 75% (2005)
arable land: 0.48%


permanent crops: 0.01%


other: 99.51% (1998 est.)
Languages English (official), Maori Hassaniya Arabic (official), Pulaar, Soninke, Wolof (official), French
Legal system based on New Zealand law and English common law a combination of Shari'a (Islamic law) and French civil law
Legislative branch bicameral Parliament consisting of a Legislative Assembly (or lower house) (25 seats, 24 seats representing districts of the Cook Islands, 1 seat representing Cook Islanders living overseas; members elected by popular vote to serve five-year terms) and a House of Ariki (or upper house) made up of traditional leaders


note: the House of Ariki advises on traditional matters and maintains considerable influence but has no legislative powers


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
bicameral legislature consists of the Senate or Majlis al-Shuyukh (56 seats, a part of the seats up for election every two years; members elected by municipal leaders to serve six-year terms) and the National Assembly or Majlis al-Watani (81 seats; members elected by popular vote to serve five-year terms)


elections: Senate - last held 12 April 2002 (next to be held NA April 2004); National Assembly - last held 19 and 26 October 2001 (next to be held NA 2006)


election results: Senate - percent of vote by party - NA%; seats by party - PRDS 54, RFD 1, UNDD 1; National Assembly - percent of vote by party - PRDS 79%, RDU 3.5%, UDP 3.5%, AC 5%, UFP 3.5%, FP 1.5%; seats by party - PRDS 64, UDP 3, RDU 3, AC 4, RFD 3, UFP 3, and FP 1
Life expectancy at birth total population: NA


male: NA


female: NA
total population: 51.93 years


male: 49.78 years


female: 54.13 years (2003 est.)
Literacy definition: NA


total population: 95%


male: NA%


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


total population: 41.7%


male: 51.8%


female: 31.9% (2003 est.)
Location Oceania, group of islands in the South Pacific Ocean, about one-half of the way from Hawaii to New Zealand Northern Africa, bordering the North Atlantic Ocean, between Senegal and Western Sahara
Map references Oceania Africa
Maritime claims territorial sea: 12 nm


exclusive economic zone: 200 nm


continental shelf: 200 nm or to the edge of the continental margin
contiguous zone: 24 NM


continental shelf: 200 NM or to the edge of the continental margin


exclusive economic zone: 200 NM


territorial sea: 12 NM
Merchant marine total: 16 ships (1000 GRT or over) 112,129 GRT/126,160 DWT


by type: cargo 5, petroleum tanker 1, refrigerated cargo 9, roll on/roll off 1


foreign-owned: 11 (Norway 1, NZ 1, Sweden 9) (2007)
none (2002)
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; National Police Department (2007) Army, Navy, Air Force, National Gendarmerie, National Guard, National Police, Presidential Guard
Military expenditures - dollar figure - $37.11 million (FY02)
Military expenditures - percent of GDP - 3.7% (FY02)
Military manpower - availability - males age 15-49: 665,112 (2003 est.)
Military manpower - fit for military service - males age 15-49: 322,288 (2003 est.)
National holiday Constitution Day, first Monday in August (1965) Independence Day, 28 November (1960)
Nationality noun: Cook Islander(s)


adjective: Cook Islander
noun: Mauritanian(s)


adjective: Mauritanian
Natural hazards typhoons (November to March) hot, dry, dust/sand-laden sirocco wind blows primarily in March and April; periodic droughts
Natural resources NEGL iron ore, gypsum, copper, phosphate, diamonds, gold, oil, fish
Net migration rate - 0 migrant(s)/1,000 population (2003 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] Action for Change or AC [Messoud Ould BOULKHEIR]; Alliance for Justice and Democracy or AJD [Kebe ABDOULAYE]; Democratic and Social Republican Party or PRDS (ruling party) [President Maaouya Ould Sid Ahmed TAYA]; Mauritanian Party for Renewal and Concorde or PMRC [Molaye El Hassen Ould JIYID]; National Union for Democracy and Development or UNDD [Tidjane KOITA]; Party for Liberty, Equality and Justice or PLEJ [Daouda M'BAGNIGA]; Popular Front or FP [Ch'bih Ould CHEIKH MALAININE]; Popular Progress Alliance or APP [Mohamed El Hafed Ould ISMAEL]; Popular Social and Democratic Union or UPSD [Mohamed Mahmoud Ould MAH]; Progress Force Union or UFP [Mohamed Ould MAOULOUD]; Rally of Democratic Forces or RFD [Ahmed Ould DADDAH]; Rally for Democracy and Unity or RDU [Ahmed Ould SIDI BABA]; Union for Democracy and Progress or UDP [Naha Mint MOUKNASS]


note: the Action for Change party was banned in January 2002; parties legalized by constitution ratified 12 July 1991, however, politics continue to be tribally based
Political pressure groups and leaders NA Arab nationalists; Ba'athists; General Confederation of Mauritanian Workers or CGTM [Abdallahi Ould MOHAMED, secretary general]; Independent Confederation of Mauritanian Workers or CLTM [Samory Ould BEYE]; Islamists; Mauritanian Workers Union or UTM [Mohamed Ely Ould BRAHIM, secretary general]
Population 21,750 (July 2007 est.) 2,912,584 (July 2003 est.)
Population below poverty line NA% 50% (2001 est.)
Population growth rate -1.2% between 1996-2001 (2001 census) 2.91% (2003 est.)
Ports and harbors - Bogue, Kaedi, Nouadhibou, Nouakchott, Rosso
Radio broadcast stations AM 1, FM 1, shortwave 0 (2004) AM 1, FM 14, shortwave 1 (2001)
Railways - 717 km


standard gauge: 717 km 1.435-m gauge (2002)
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) Muslim 100%
Sex ratio 1.07 male(s)/female (2001 census) at birth: 1.03 male(s)/female


under 15 years: 1 male(s)/female


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


65 years and over: 0.69 male(s)/female


total population: 0.98 male(s)/female (2003 est.)
Suffrage NA years of age; universal (adult) 18 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: limited system of cable and open-wire lines, minor microwave radio relay links, and radiotelephone communications stations (improvements being made)


domestic: mostly cable and open-wire lines; a recently completed domestic satellite telecommunications system links Nouakchott with regional capitals


international: satellite earth stations - 1 Intelsat (Atlantic Ocean) and 2 Arabsat
Telephones - main lines in use 6,200 (2002) 26,500 (2001)
Telephones - mobile cellular 1,500 (2002) 35,000 (2001)
Television broadcast stations 1 (outer islands receive satellite broadcasts) (2004) 1 (2002)
Terrain low coral atolls in north; volcanic, hilly islands in south mostly barren, flat plains of the Sahara; some central hills
Total fertility rate 3.1 children born/woman (2001 census) 6.08 children born/woman (2003 est.)
Unemployment rate 13.1% (2005) 21% (1999 est.)
Waterways - note: ferry traffic on the Senegal River
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