Compare Coral Sea Islands (2004) - Cameroon (2001)

Coral Sea Islands (2004)

Cameroon (2001)

Administrative divisions

-

10 provinces; Adamaoua, Centre, Est, Extreme-Nord, Littoral, Nord, Nord-Ouest, Ouest, Sud, Sud-Ouest

Age structure

-

0-14 years:
42.37% (male 3,385,898; female 3,310,504)

15-64 years:
54.28% (male 4,305,354; female 4,271,958)

65 years and over:
3.35% (male 244,419; female 285,087) (2001 est.)

Agriculture - products

-

coffee, cocoa, cotton, rubber, bananas, oilseed, grains, root starches; livestock; timber

Airports

-

49 (2000 est.)

Airports - with paved runways

-

total:
11

over 3,047 m:
2

2,438 to 3,047 m:
4

1,524 to 2,437 m:
3

914 to 1,523 m:
1

under 914 m:
1 (2000 est.)

Airports - with unpaved runways

-

total:
38

1,524 to 2,437 m:
7

914 to 1,523 m:
21

under 914 m:
10 (2000 est.)

Area

total: less than 3 sq km

land: less than 3 sq km

water: 0 sq km

note: includes numerous small islands and reefs scattered over a sea area of about 780,000 sq km, with the Willis Islets the most important

total:
475,440 sq km

land:
469,440 sq km

water:
6,000 sq km

Area - comparative

NA

slightly larger than California

Background

Scattered over some 1 million square kilometers of ocean, the Coral Sea Islands were declared a territory of Australia in 1969. They are uninhabited except for a small meteorological staff on the Willis Islets. Automated weather stations, beacons, and a lighthouse occupy many other islands and reefs.

The former French Cameroon and part of British Cameroon merged in 1961 to form the present country. Cameroon has generally enjoyed stability, which has permitted the development of agriculture, roads, and railways, as well as a petroleum industry. Despite movement toward democratic reform, political power remains firmly in the hands of an ethnic oligarchy.

Birth rate

-

36.12 births/1,000 population (2001 est.)

Budget

-

revenues:
$2.1 billion

expenditures:
$2.1 billion, including capital expenditures of $NA (FY00/01 est.)

Capital

-

Yaounde

Climate

tropical

varies with terrain, from tropical along coast to semiarid and hot in north

Coastline

3,095 km

402 km

Constitution

-

20 May 1972 approved by referendum; 2 June 1972 formally adopted; revised January 1996

Country name

conventional long form: Coral Sea Islands Territory

conventional short form: Coral Sea Islands

conventional long form:
Republic of Cameroon

conventional short form:
Cameroon

former:
French Cameroon

Currency

-

Communaute Financiere Africaine franc (XAF); note - responsible authority is the Bank of the Central African States

Death rate

-

11.99 deaths/1,000 population (2001 est.)

Debt - external

-

$10.9 billion (2000 est.)

Dependency status

territory of Australia; administered from Canberra by the Department of the Environment, Sport, and Territories

-

Diplomatic representation from the US

none (territory of Australia)

chief of mission:
Ambassador John M. YATES

embassy:
Rue Nachtigal, Yaounde

mailing address:
P. O. Box 817, Yaounde; pouch: American Embassy, Department of State, Washington, DC 20521-2520

telephone:
[237] 23-40-14, 22-25-89, 23-05-12, 22-17-94

FAX:
[237] 23-07-53

branch office(s):
Douala

Diplomatic representation in the US

none (territory of Australia)

chief of mission:
Ambassador Jerome MENDOUGA

chancery:
2349 Massachusetts Avenue NW, Washington, DC 20008

telephone:
[1] (202) 265-8790

FAX:
[1] (202) 387-3826

Disputes - international

none

delimitation of international boundaries in the vicinity of Lake Chad, the lack of which led to border incidents in the past, is complete and awaits ratification by Cameroon, Chad, Niger, and Nigeria; tripartite maritime boundary and economic zone dispute with Equatorial Guinea and Nigeria is currently before the ICJ

Economic aid - recipient

-

on 23 January 2001, the Paris Club agreed to reduce Cameroon's debt of $1.3 billion by $900 million; total debt relief now amounts to $1.26 billion

Economy - overview

no economic activity

Because of its oil resources and favorable agricultural conditions, Cameroon has one of the best-endowed primary commodity economies in sub-Saharan Africa. Still, it faces many of the serious problems facing other underdeveloped countries, such as a top-heavy civil service and a generally unfavorable climate for business enterprise. Since 1990, the government has embarked on various IMF and World Bank programs designed to spur business investment, increase efficiency in agriculture, improve trade, and recapitalize the nation's banks. In June 2000, the government completed an IMF-sponsored, three-year structural adjustment program; however, the IMF is pressing for more reforms, including increased budget transparency and privatization. Higher oil prices in 2000 helped to offset the country's lower cocoa export revenues. A rebound in the cocoa market should increase growth to over 5% in 2001.

Electricity - consumption

-

3.227 billion kWh (1999)

Electricity - exports

-

0 kWh (1999)

Electricity - imports

-

0 kWh (1999)

Electricity - production

-

3.47 billion kWh (1999)

Electricity - production by source

-

fossil fuel:
2.59%

hydro:
97.41%

nuclear:
0%

other:
0% (1999)

Elevation extremes

lowest point: Pacific Ocean 0 m

highest point: unnamed location on Cato Island 6 m

lowest point:
Atlantic Ocean 0 m

highest point:
Fako 4,095 m

Environment - current issues

no permanent fresh water resources

water-borne diseases are prevalent; deforestation; overgrazing; desertification; poaching; overfishing

Environment - international agreements

-

party to:
Biodiversity, Climate Change, Desertification, Endangered Species, Hazardous Wastes, Law of the Sea, Ozone Layer Protection, Tropical Timber 83, Tropical Timber 94

signed, but not ratified:
Nuclear Test Ban

Ethnic groups

-

Cameroon Highlanders 31%, Equatorial Bantu 19%, Kirdi 11%, Fulani 10%, Northwestern Bantu 8%, Eastern Nigritic 7%, other African 13%, non-African less than 1%

Exchange rates

-

Communaute Financiere Africaine francs (XAF) per US dollar - 699.21 (January 2001), 711.98 (2000), 615.70 (1999), 589.95 (1998), 583.67 (1997), 511.55 (1996); note - from 1 January 1999, the XAF is pegged to the euro at a rate of 655.957 XAF per euro

Executive branch

administered from Canberra by the Department of the Environment, Sport, and Territories

chief of state:
President Paul BIYA (since 6 November 1982)

head of government:
Prime Minister Peter Mafany MUSONGE (since 19 September 1996)

cabinet:
Cabinet appointed by the president from proposals submitted by the Prime Minister

elections:
president elected by popular vote for a seven-year term; election last held 12 October 1997 (next to be held NA October 2004); prime minister appointed by the president

election results:
President Paul BIYA reelected; percent of vote - Paul BIYA 92.6%; note - supporters of the opposition candidates boycotted the elections, making a comparison of vote shares relatively meaningless

Exports

-

$2.1 billion (f.o.b., 2000 est.)

Exports - commodities

-

crude oil and petroleum products, lumber, cocoa beans, aluminum, coffee, cotton

Exports - partners

-

Italy 24%, France 18%, Netherlands 10% (2000 est.)

Fiscal year

-

1 July - 30 June

Flag description

the flag of Australia is used

three equal vertical bands of green (hoist side), red, and yellow with a yellow five-pointed star centered in the red band; uses the popular pan-African colors of Ethiopia

GDP

-

purchasing power parity - $26 billion (2000 est.)

GDP - composition by sector

-

agriculture:
43.4%

industry:
20.1%

services:
36.5% (1999 est.)

GDP - per capita

-

purchasing power parity - $1,700 (2000 est.)

GDP - real growth rate

-

4.4% (2000 est.)

Geographic coordinates

18 00 S, 152 00 E

6 00 N, 12 00 E

Geography - note

important nesting area for birds and turtles

sometimes referred to as the hinge of Africa

Highways

-

total:
34,300 km

paved:
4,288 km

unpaved:
30,012 km (1995)

Household income or consumption by percentage share

-

lowest 10%:
NA%

highest 10%:
NA%

Imports

-

$1.6 billion (f.o.b., 2000 est.)

Imports - commodities

-

machines and electrical equipment, transport equipment, fuel, food

Imports - partners

-

France 29%, Germany 7%, US 6%, Japan 6% (2000 est.)

Independence

-

1 January 1960 (from French-administered UN trusteeship)

Industrial production growth rate

-

4.2% (1999 est.)

Industries

-

petroleum production and refining, food processing, light consumer goods, textiles, lumber

Infant mortality rate

-

69.83 deaths/1,000 live births (2001 est.)

Inflation rate (consumer prices)

-

2% (2000 est.)

International organization participation

-

ACCT, ACP, AfDB, BDEAC, C, CCC, CEEAC, CEMAC, ECA, FAO, FZ, G-19, G-77, IAEA, IBRD, ICAO, ICC, ICFTU, ICRM, IDA, IDB, IFAD, IFC, IFRCS, ILO, IMF, IMO, Inmarsat, Intelsat, Interpol, IOC, ISO (correspondent), ITU, NAM, OAU, OIC, OPCW, UN, UNCTAD, UNESCO, UNIDO, UNITAR, UPU, WCL, WFTU, WHO, WIPO, WMO, WToO, WTrO

Internet Service Providers (ISPs)

-

1 (2000)

Irrigated land

0 sq km (1998 est.)

210 sq km (1993 est.)

Judicial branch

-

Supreme Court (judges are appointed by the president); High Court of Justice (consists of nine judges and 6 substitute judges, elected by the National Assembly)

Labor force

-

NA

Labor force - by occupation

-

agriculture 70%, industry and commerce 13%, other 17%

Land boundaries

0 km

total:
4,591 km

border countries:
Central African Republic 797 km, Chad 1,094 km, Republic of the Congo 523 km, Equatorial Guinea 189 km, Gabon 298 km, Nigeria 1,690 km

Land use

arable land: 0%

permanent crops: 0%

other: 100% (mostly grass or scrub cover) (2001)

arable land:
13%

permanent crops:
2%

permanent pastures:
4%

forests and woodland:
78%

other:
3% (1993 est.)

Languages

-

24 major African language groups, English (official), French (official)

Legal system

the laws of Australia, where applicable, apply

based on French civil law system, with common law influence; has not accepted compulsory ICJ jurisdiction

Legislative branch

-

unicameral National Assembly or Assemblee Nationale (180 seats; members are elected by direct popular vote to serve five-year terms; note - the president can either lengthen or shorten the term of the legislature)

elections:
last held 17 May 1997 (next to be held NA 2002)

election results:
percent of vote by party - NA%; seats by party - RDCP 109, SDF 43, UNDP 13, UDC 5, UPC-K 1, MDR 1, MLJC 1; note - results from 7 contested seats were cancelled by the Supreme Court, further elections on 3 August 1997 gave these seats to the RDPC

note:
the constitution calls for an upper chamber for the legislature, to be called a Senate, but it has yet to be established

Life expectancy at birth

-

total population:
54.59 years

male:
53.76 years

female:
55.44 years (2001 est.)

Literacy

-

definition:
age 15 and over can read and write

total population:
63.4%

male:
75%

female:
52.1% (1995 est.)

Location

Oceania, islands in the Coral Sea, northeast of Australia

Western Africa, bordering the Bight of Biafra, between Equatorial Guinea and Nigeria

Map references

Oceania

Africa

Maritime claims

territorial sea: 3 nm

exclusive fishing zone: 200 nm

territorial sea:
50 NM

Military - note

defense is the responsibility of Australia; visited regularly by the Royal Australian Navy; Australia has control over the activities of visitors

-

Military branches

-

Army, Navy (includes Naval Infantry), Air Force, National Gendarmerie, Presidential Guard

Military expenditures - dollar figure

-

$118.6 million (FY00/01)

Military expenditures - percent of GDP

-

1.4% (FY98/99)

Military manpower - availability

-

males age 15-49:
3,762,369 (2001 est.)

Military manpower - fit for military service

-

males age 15-49:
1,903,149 (2001 est.)

Military manpower - military age

-

18 years of age

Military manpower - reaching military age annually

-

males:
174,308 (2001 est.)

National holiday

-

Republic Day, 20 May (1972)

Nationality

-

noun:
Cameroonian(s)

adjective:
Cameroonian

Natural hazards

occasional tropical cyclones

recent volcanic activity with release of poisonous gases

Natural resources

NEGL

petroleum, bauxite, iron ore, timber, hydropower

Net migration rate

-

0 migrant(s)/1,000 population (2001 est.) NA migrant(s)/1,000 population

Political parties and leaders

-

Cameroonian Democratic Union or UDC [Adamou NDAM NJOYA]; Democratic Rally of the Cameroon People or RDCP [Paul BIYA]; Movement for the Defense of the Republic or MDR [Dakole DAISSALA]; Movement for the Liberation and Development of Cameroon or MLDC [leader NA]; Movement for the Youth of Cameroon or MLJC [Marcel YONDO]; National Union for Democracy and Progress or UNDP [Maigari BELLO BOUBA, chairman]; Social Democratic Front or SDF [John FRU NDI]; Union of Cameroonian Populations has two sections UPC-N [Ndeh NTUMAZAH] and UPC-K [Augustin Frederic KODOCK]

Political pressure groups and leaders

-

Cameroon Anglophone Movement or CAM [Vishe FAI, secretary general]; Southern Cameroon National Council [Nfor Ngala NFOR, acting]

Population

no indigenous inhabitants

note: there is a staff of three to four at the meteorological station (2004 est.)

15,803,220

note:
estimates for this country explicitly take into account the effects of excess mortality due to AIDS; this can result in lower life expectancy, higher infant mortality and death rates, lower population and growth rates, and changes in the distribution of population by age and sex than would otherwise be expected (July 2001 est.)

Population below poverty line

-

48% (2000 est.)

Population growth rate

-

2.41% (2001 est.)

Ports and harbors

none; offshore anchorage only

Bonaberi, Douala, Garoua, Kribi, Tiko

Radio broadcast stations

-

AM 11, FM 8, shortwave 3 (1998)

Radios

-

2.27 million (1997)

Railways

-

total:
1,104 km

narrow gauge:
1,104 km 1.000-m gauge (1995 est.)

Religions

-

indigenous beliefs 40%, Christian 40%, Muslim 20%

Sex ratio

-

at birth:
1.03 male(s)/female

under 15 years:
1.02 male(s)/female

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

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

total population:
1.01 male(s)/female (2001 est.)

Suffrage

-

20 years of age; universal

Telephone system

-

general assessment:
available only to business and government

domestic:
cable, microwave radio relay, and tropospheric scatter

international:
satellite earth stations - 2 Intelsat (Atlantic Ocean)

Telephones - main lines in use

-

75,000 (1997)

Telephones - mobile cellular

-

4,200 (1997)

Television broadcast stations

-

1 (1998)

Terrain

sand and coral reefs and islands (or cays)

diverse, with coastal plain in southwest, dissected plateau in center, mountains in west, plains in north