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Compare Costa Rica (2003) - Kuwait (2003)

Compare Costa Rica (2003) z Kuwait (2003)

 Costa Rica (2003)Kuwait (2003)
 Costa RicaKuwait
Administrative divisions 7 provinces (provincias, singular - provincia); Alajuela, Cartago, Guanacaste, Heredia, Limon, Puntarenas, San Jose 5 governorates (muhafazat, singular - muhafazah); Al Ahmadi, Al Farwaniyah, Al 'Asimah, Al Jahra', Hawalli
Age structure 0-14 years: 30.1% (male 600,812; female 573,375)


15-64 years: 64.4% (male 1,269,667; female 1,241,097)


65 years and over: 5.4% (male 98,156; female 112,985) (2003 est.)
0-14 years: 27.9% (male 310,008; female 298,474)


15-64 years: 69.5% (male 970,282; female 547,753)


65 years and over: 2.6% (male 36,306; female 20,338) (2003 est.)
Agriculture - products coffee, pineapples, bananas, sugar, corn, rice, beans, potatoes; beef; timber practically no crops; fish
Airports 151 (2002) 6 (2002)
Airports - with paved runways total: 30


2,438 to 3,047 m: 2


1,524 to 2,437 m: 1


914 to 1,523 m: 19


under 914 m: 8 (2002)
total: 3


over 3,047 m: 1


2,438 to 3,047 m: 2 (2002)
Airports - with unpaved runways total: 121


914 to 1,523 m: 28


under 914 m: 93 (2002)
total: 3


1,524 to 2,437 m: 1


under 914 m: 2 (2002)
Area total: 51,100 sq km


land: 50,660 sq km


water: 440 sq km


note: includes Isla del Coco
total: 17,820 sq km


land: 17,820 sq km


water: 0 sq km
Area - comparative slightly smaller than West Virginia slightly smaller than New Jersey
Background Costa Rica is a Central American success story: since the late 19th century, only two brief periods of violence have marred its democratic development. Although still a largely agricultural country, it has expanded its economy to include strong technology and tourism sectors. The standard of living is relatively high. Land ownership is widespread. Britain oversaw foreign relations and defense for the ruling Kuwaiti AL-SABAH dynasty from 1899 until independence in 1961. Kuwait was attacked and overrun by Iraq on 2 August 1990. Following several weeks of aerial bombardment, a US-led, UN coalition began a ground assault on 23 February 1991 that liberated Kuwait in four days. Kuwait spent more than $5 billion to repair oil infrastructure damaged during 1990-91.
Birth rate 19.4 births/1,000 population (2003 est.) 21.83 births/1,000 population (2003 est.)
Budget revenues: $1.91 billion


expenditures: $2.35 billion, including capital expenditures of $NA (2000 est.)
revenues: $11 billion


expenditures: $17.5 billion, including capital expenditures of $NA (FY 02/03)
Capital San Jose Kuwait
Climate tropical and subtropical; dry season (December to April); rainy season (May to November); cooler in highlands dry desert; intensely hot summers; short, cool winters
Coastline 1,290 km 499 km
Constitution 7 November 1949 approved and promulgated 11 November 1962
Country name conventional long form: Republic of Costa Rica


conventional short form: Costa Rica


local long form: Republica de Costa Rica


local short form: Costa Rica
conventional long form: State of Kuwait


conventional short form: Kuwait


local long form: Dawlat al Kuwayt


local short form: Al Kuwayt
Currency Costa Rican colon (CRC) Kuwaiti dinar (KD)
Death rate 4.31 deaths/1,000 population (2003 est.) 2.45 deaths/1,000 population (2003 est.)
Debt - external $4.8 billion (2002 est.) $10.4 billion (2000 est.)
Diplomatic representation from the US chief of mission: Ambassador John J. DANILOVICH


embassy: Calle 120 Avenida O, Pavas, San Jose


mailing address: APO AA 34020


telephone: [506] 220-3939


FAX: [506] 220-2305
chief of mission: Ambassador Richard H. JONES


embassy: Bayan, Area 14, Al-Masjed Al-Aqsa Street (near the Bayan palace), Kuwait City


mailing address: P. O. Box 77 Safat, 13001 Safat, Kuwait Unit 69000, APO AE 09880-9000


telephone: [965] 539-5307, ext. 2240


FAX: [965] 538-0282
Diplomatic representation in the US chief of mission: Ambassador Jaime DAREMBLUM Rosenstein


chancery: 2114 S Street NW, Washington, DC 20008


telephone: [1] (202) 234-2945


FAX: [1] (202) 265-4795


consulate(s) general: Atlanta, Chicago, Denver, Durham (North Carolina), Houston, Los Angeles, Miami, New Orleans, New York, Phoenix, San Antonio, San Francisco, St. Paul, and Tampa


consulate(s): Austin
chief of mission: Ambassador Sheikh SALIM al-Abdallah Jabir Al Sabah


chancery: 2940 Tilden Street NW, Washington, DC 20008


telephone: [1] (202) 966-0702


FAX: [1] (202) 966-0517
Disputes - international legal dispute over navigational rights of Rio San Juan on border with Nicaragua the Kuwait 1994 land and Khawr 'Abd Allah channel boundary demarcation ended Iraqi claims to Kuwait and Bubiyan and Warbah islands; Kuwait and Saudi Arabia are negotiating maritime boundary with Iran
Economic aid - recipient - NA
Economy - overview Costa Rica's basically stable economy depends on tourism, agriculture, and electronics exports. Poverty has been substantially reduced over the past 15 years, and a strong social safety net has been put into place. At the same time, distribution of income remains severely unequal. Foreign investors remain attracted by the country's political stability and high education levels, and tourism continues to bring in foreign exchange. However, traditional export sectors have not kept pace. Low coffee prices and an overabundance of bananas have hurt the agricultural sector. The government continues to grapple with its large deficit and massive internal debt, with the need to modernize the state-owned electricity and telecommunications sector, and with the problem of bringing down inflation. Kuwait is a small, rich, relatively open economy with proved crude oil reserves of about 98 billion barrels - 10% of world reserves. Petroleum accounts for nearly half of GDP, 95% of export revenues, and 80% of government income. Kuwait's climate limits agricultural development. Consequently, with the exception of fish, it depends almost wholly on food imports. About 75% of potable water must be distilled or imported. Kuwait continues its discussions with foreign oil companies to develop fields in the northern part of the country. Oil production declined by an estimated 8% in 2002 but is expected to return to the 2001 level in 2003.
Electricity - consumption 6.109 billion kWh (2001) 29.29 billion kWh (2001)
Electricity - exports 379 million kWh (2001) 0 kWh (2001)
Electricity - imports 128 million kWh (2001) 0 kWh (2001)
Electricity - production 6.839 billion kWh (2001) 31.49 billion kWh (2001)
Electricity - production by source fossil fuel: 1.5%


hydro: 81.9%


nuclear: 0%


other: 16.6% (2001)
fossil fuel: 100%


hydro: 0%


nuclear: 0%


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


highest point: Cerro Chirripo 3,810 m
lowest point: Persian Gulf 0 m


highest point: unnamed location 306 m
Environment - current issues deforestation and land use change, largely a result of the clearing of land for cattle ranching and agriculture; soil erosion; coastal marine pollution; fisheries protection; solid waste management; air pollution limited natural fresh water resources; some of world's largest and most sophisticated desalination facilities provide much of the water; air and water pollution; desertification
Environment - international agreements party to: Biodiversity, Climate Change, Desertification, Endangered Species, Environmental Modification, Hazardous Wastes, Law of the Sea, Marine Dumping, Nuclear Test Ban, Ozone Layer Protection, Wetlands, Whaling


signed, but not ratified: Climate Change-Kyoto Protocol, Marine Life Conservation
party to: Climate Change, Desertification, Environmental Modification, Hazardous Wastes, Law of the Sea, Nuclear Test Ban, Ozone Layer Protection


signed, but not ratified: Biodiversity, Endangered Species, Marine Dumping
Ethnic groups white (including mestizo) 94%, black 3%, Amerindian 1%, Chinese 1%, other 1% Kuwaiti 45%, other Arab 35%, South Asian 9%, Iranian 4%, other 7%
Exchange rates Costa Rican colones per US dollar - 359.82 (2002), 328.87 (2001), 308.19 (2000), 285.69 (1999), 257.23 (1998) Kuwaiti dinars per US dollar - 0.3 (2002), 0.31 (2001), 0.31 (2000), 0.3 (1999), 0.3 (1998)
Executive branch chief of state: President Abel PACHECO (since 8 May 2002); First Vice President Lineth SABORIO (since NA May 2002); Second Vice President Luis FISHMAN (since NA May 2002); note - the president is both the chief of state and head of government


head of government: President Abel PACHECO (since 8 May 2002); First Vice President Lineth SABORIO (since NA May 2002); Second Vice President Luis FISHMAN (since NA May 2002); note - the president is both the chief of state and head of government


cabinet: Cabinet selected by the president


elections: president and vice presidents elected on the same ticket by popular vote for four-year terms; election last held 3 February 2002; run-off election held 7 April 2002 (next to be held NA February 2006)


election results: Abel PACHECO elected president; percent of vote - Abel PACHECO (PUSC) 58%; Rolando ARAYA (PLN) 42%
chief of state: Amir JABIR al-Ahmad al-Jabir Al Sabah (since 31 December 1977)


head of government: Prime Minister SABAH al-Ahmad al-Jabir Al Sabah (since 13 July 2003); First Deputy Prime Minister NAWWAF al-Ahmad Al Sabah (since 2003); Deputy Prime Ministers JABIR MUBARAK al-Hamad Al Sabah (since 2001) and Muhammad Dayfallah al-SHARAR (since 2003)


cabinet: Council of Ministers appointed by the prime minister and approved by the monarch


elections: none; the monarch is hereditary; prime minister and deputy prime ministers appointed by the monarch
Exports NA (2001) NA (2001)
Exports - commodities coffee, bananas, sugar; pineapples; textiles, electronic components, medical equipment oil and refined products, fertilizers
Exports - partners US 31.5%, Netherlands 8.9%, UK 4.5% (2002) Japan 24.4%, South Korea 12.9%, US 11.9%, Singapore 10.1%, Taiwan 7%, Netherlands 4.5%, Pakistan 4.4% (2002)
Fiscal year calendar year 1 April - 31 March
Flag description five horizontal bands of blue (top), white, red (double width), white, and blue, with the coat of arms in a white elliptical disk on the hoist side of the red band; above the coat of arms a light blue ribbon contains the words, AMERICA CENTRAL, and just below it near the top of the coat of arms is a white ribbon with the words, REPUBLICA COSTA RICA three equal horizontal bands of green (top), white, and red with a black trapezoid based on the hoist side
GDP purchasing power parity - $32 billion (2002 est.) purchasing power parity - $36.85 billion (2002 est.)
GDP - composition by sector agriculture: 9%


industry: 30%


services: 61% (2002 est.)
agriculture: 60%


industry: 39.7%


services: 0.3% (2000)
GDP - per capita purchasing power parity - $8,300 (2002 est.) purchasing power parity - $17,500 (2002 est.)
GDP - real growth rate 2.8% (2002 est.) -2% (2002 est.)
Geographic coordinates 10 00 N, 84 00 W 29 30 N, 45 45 E
Geography - note four volcanoes, two of them active, rise near the capital of San Jose in the center of the country; one of the volcanoes, Irazu, erupted destructively in 1963-65 strategic location at head of Persian Gulf
Heliports - 3 (2002)
Highways total: 35,892 km


paved: 7,896 km


unpaved: 27,996 km (2000)
total: 4,450 km


paved: 3,587 km


unpaved: 863 km (1999 est.)
Household income or consumption by percentage share lowest 10%: 1.7%


highest 10%: 34.6% (2001)
lowest 10%: NA%


highest 10%: NA%
Illicit drugs transshipment country for cocaine and heroin from South America; illicit production of cannabis on small, scattered plots; domestic cocaine consumption is rising, particularly crack cocaine -
Imports NA (2001) NA (2001)
Imports - commodities raw materials, consumer goods, capital equipment, petroleum food, construction materials, vehicles and parts, clothing
Imports - partners US 36.7%, Japan 4.4%, Mexico 4.2% (2002) US 13.1%, Japan 11.1%, Germany 9.7%, Saudi Arabia 6.6%, UK 6%, Italy 5.4%, France 5.2% (2002)
Independence 15 September 1821 (from Spain) 19 June 1961 (from UK)
Industrial production growth rate 2.9% (2002 est.) -5% (2002 est.)
Industries microprocessors, food processing, textiles and clothing, construction materials, fertilizer, plastic products petroleum, petrochemicals, desalination, food processing, construction materials
Infant mortality rate total: 10.56 deaths/1,000 live births


male: 11.49 deaths/1,000 live births


female: 9.59 deaths/1,000 live births (2003 est.)
total: 10.57 deaths/1,000 live births


male: 11.58 deaths/1,000 live births


female: 9.53 deaths/1,000 live births (2003 est.)
Inflation rate (consumer prices) 9.1% (2002 est.) 2% (2002 est.)
International organization participation BCIE, CACM, ECLAC, FAO, G-77, IADB, IAEA, IBRD, ICAO, ICC, ICCt, ICFTU, ICRM, IDA, IFAD, IFC, IFRCS, ILO, IMF, IMO, Interpol, IOC, IOM, ISO, ITU, LAES, LAIA (observer), NAM (observer), OAS, OPANAL, OPCW, PCA, RG, UN, UNCTAD, UNESCO, UNIDO, UNU, UPU, WCL, WCO, WFTU, WHO, WIPO, WMO, WToO, WTrO ABEDA, AfDB, AFESD, AL, AMF, BDEAC, CAEU, ESCWA, FAO, G-77, GCC, IAEA, IBRD, ICAO, ICC, ICCt (signatory), ICRM, IDA, IDB, IFAD, IFC, IFRCS, ILO, IMF, IMO, Interpol, IOC, ISO, ITU, NAM, OAPEC, OIC, OPCW, OPEC, UN, UNCTAD, UNESCO, UNIDO, UNITAR, UPU, WCO, WFTU, WHO, WIPO, WMO, WTrO
Internet Service Providers (ISPs) 3 (of which only one is legal) (2000) 3 (2000)
Irrigated land 1,260 sq km (1998 est.) 60 sq km (1998 est.)
Judicial branch Supreme Court or Corte Suprema (22 justices are elected for eight-year terms by the Legislative Assembly) High Court of Appeal
Labor force 1.9 million (1999) 1.3 million


note: non-Kuwaitis represent about 80% of the labor force. (1998 est.)
Labor force - by occupation agriculture 20%, industry 22%, services 58% (1999 est.) agriculture NA, industries NA, services NA
Land boundaries total: 639 km


border countries: Nicaragua 309 km, Panama 330 km
total: 462 km


border countries: Iraq 240 km, Saudi Arabia 222 km
Land use arable land: 4.41%


permanent crops: 5.48%


other: 90.11% (1998 est.)
arable land: 0.34%


permanent crops: 0.06%


other: 99.6% (1998 est.)
Languages Spanish (official), English Arabic (official), English widely spoken
Legal system based on Spanish civil law system; judicial review of legislative acts in the Supreme Court; has accepted compulsory ICJ jurisdiction civil law system with Islamic law significant in personal matters; has not accepted compulsory ICJ jurisdiction
Legislative branch unicameral Legislative Assembly or Asamblea Legislativa (57 seats; members are elected by direct, popular vote to serve four-year terms)


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


election results: percent of vote by party - NA; seats by party - PUSC 19, PLN 17, PAC 14, PML 6, PRC 1
unicameral National Assembly or Majlis al-Umma (50 seats; members elected by popular vote to serve four-year terms)


elections: last held 6 July 2003 (next to be held NA 2007)


election results: percent of vote - NA%; seats - Islamists 21, government supporters 14, liberals 3, and independents 12; note - all cabinet ministers are also ex officio members of the National Assembly
Life expectancy at birth total population: 76.43 years


male: 73.87 years


female: 79.11 years (2003 est.)
total population: 76.65 years


male: 75.72 years


female: 77.62 years (2003 est.)
Literacy definition: age 15 and over can read and write


total population: 96%


male: 95.9%


female: 96.1% (2003 est.)
definition: age 15 and over can read and write


total population: 83.5%


male: 85.1%


female: 81.7% (2003 est.)
Location Middle America, bordering both the Caribbean Sea and the North Pacific Ocean, between Nicaragua and Panama Middle East, bordering the Persian Gulf, between Iraq and Saudi Arabia
Map references Central America and the Caribbean Middle East
Maritime claims continental shelf: 200 NM


exclusive economic zone: 200 NM


territorial sea: 12 NM
territorial sea: 12 NM
Merchant marine total: 1 ships (1,000 GRT or over) 1,716 GRT/ DWT


ships by type: passenger 1 (2002 est.)
total: 39 ships (1,000 GRT or over) 2,273,628 GRT/3,638,645 DWT


ships by type: bulk 1, cargo 1, container 6, liquefied gas 6, livestock carrier 5, petroleum tanker 19, roll on/roll off 1


note: includes some foreign-owned ships registered here as a flag of convenience: Monaco 1, Saudi Arabia 1 (2002 est.)
Military branches no regular indigenous military forces; Air Section, Ministry of Public Forces (Fuerza Publica) Army, Navy, Air Force (including Air Defense Force), National Police Force, National Guard, Coast Guard
Military expenditures - dollar figure $69 million (FY99) $1,967.3 million (FY01)


note: Kuwait is changing its fiscal year; the above figure is for July-March 2001; future budget years will be April-March annually
Military expenditures - percent of GDP 1.6% (FY99) 5.5% (FY01)
Military manpower - availability males age 15-49: 1,080,254 (2003 est.) males age 15-49: 845,026 (2003 est.)
Military manpower - fit for military service males age 15-49: 722,043 (2003 est.) males age 15-49: 508,399 (2003 est.)
Military manpower - military age 18 years of age (2003 est.) 18 years of age (2003 est.)
Military manpower - reaching military age annually males: 41,453 (2003 est.) males: 18,885 (2003 est.)
National holiday Independence Day, 15 September (1821) National Day, 25 February (1950)
Nationality noun: Costa Rican(s)


adjective: Costa Rican
noun: Kuwaiti(s)


adjective: Kuwaiti
Natural hazards occasional earthquakes, hurricanes along Atlantic coast; frequent flooding of lowlands at onset of rainy season and landslides; active volcanoes sudden cloudbursts are common from October to April and bring heavy rain, which can damage roads and houses; sandstorms and dust storms occur throughout the year, but are most common between March and August
Natural resources hydropower petroleum, fish, shrimp, natural gas
Net migration rate 0.51 migrant(s)/1,000 population (2003 est.) 14.04 migrant(s)/1,000 population (2003 est.)
Pipelines refined products 421 km (2003) gas 169 km; oil 540 km; refined products 57 km (2003)
Political parties and leaders Agricultural Labor Action or PALA [Carlos Alberto SOLIS Blanco]; Citizen Action Party or PAC [Otton SOLIS]; Costa Rican Renovation Party or PRC [Justo OROZCO]; Democratic Force Party or PFD [Jose M. NUNEZ]; Libertarian Movement Party or PML [Otto GUEVARA Guth]; National Christian Alliance Party or ANC [Alejandro MADRIGAL]; National Independent Party or PNI [Jorge GONZALEZ Marten]; National Integration Party or PIN [Walter MUNOZ Cespedes]; National Liberation Party or PLN [Sonia PICADO]; Social Christian Unity Party or PUSC [Luis Manuel CHACON]


note: mainly a two-party system - PUSC and PLN - until the 3 February 2002 election in which the PAC captured a significant percentage, forcing a run-off in April 2002
none; formation of political parties is illegal
Political pressure groups and leaders Authentic Confederation of Democratic Workers or CATD (Communist Party affiliate); Chamber of Coffee Growers; Confederated Union of Workers or CUT (Communist Party affiliate); Costa Rican Confederation of Democratic Workers or CCTD (Liberation Party affiliate); Federation of Public Service Workers or FTSP; National Association for Economic Development or ANFE; National Association of Educators or ANDE; Rerum Novarum or CTRN (PLN affiliate) [Gilbert Brown] several political groups act as de facto parties: Bedouins, merchants, Sunni and Shi'a activists, and secular leftists and nationalists
Population 3,896,092 (July 2003 est.) 2,183,161


note: includes 1,291,354 non-nationals (July 2003 est.)
Population below poverty line 20.6% (1999 est.) NA%
Population growth rate 1.56% (2003 est.) 3.34%


note: this rate reflects a return to pre-Gulf crisis immigration of expatriates (2003 est.)
Ports and harbors Caldera, Golfito, Moin, Puerto Limon, Puerto Quepos, Puntarenas Ash Shu'aybah, Ash Shuwaykh, Kuwait, Mina' 'Abd Allah, Mina' al Ahmadi, Mina' Su'ud
Radio broadcast stations AM 50, FM 43, shortwave 19 (1998) AM 6, FM 11, shortwave 1 (1998)
Railways total: 950 km


narrow gauge: 950 km 1.067-m gauge (260 km electrified) (2002)
0 km
Religions Roman Catholic 76.3%, Evangelical 13.7%, Jehovah's Witnesses 1.3%, other Protestant 0.7%, other 4.8%, none 3.2% Muslim 85% (Sunni 70%, Shi'a 30%), Christian, Hindu, Parsi, and other 15%
Sex ratio at birth: 1.05 male(s)/female


under 15 years: 1.05 male(s)/female


15-64 years: 1.02 male(s)/female


65 years and over: 0.87 male(s)/female


total population: 1.02 male(s)/female (2003 est.)
at birth: 1.04 male(s)/female


under 15 years: 1.04 male(s)/female


15-64 years: 1.77 male(s)/female


65 years and over: 1.79 male(s)/female


total population: 1.52 male(s)/female (2003 est.)
Suffrage 18 years of age; universal and compulsory adult males who have been naturalized for 30 years or more or have resided in Kuwait since before 1920 and their male descendants at age 21


note: only 10% of all citizens are eligible to vote; in 1996, naturalized citizens who do not meet the pre-1920 qualification but have been naturalized for 30 years were eligible to vote for the first time
Telephone system general assessment: very good domestic telephone service


domestic: point-to-point and point-to-multi-point microwave, fiber-optic, and coaxial cable link rural areas; Internet service is available


international: connected to Central American Microwave System; satellite earth stations - 2 Intelsat (Atlantic Ocean); two submarine cables (1999)
general assessment: the quality of service is excellent


domestic: new telephone exchanges provide a large capacity for new subscribers; trunk traffic is carried by microwave radio relay, coaxial cable, and open-wire and fiber-optic cable; a cellular telephone system operates throughout Kuwait, and the country is well supplied with pay telephones


international: coaxial cable and microwave radio relay to Saudi Arabia; linked to Bahrain, Qatar, UAE via the Fiber-Optic Gulf (FOG) cable; satellite earth stations - 3 Intelsat (1 Atlantic Ocean, 2 Indian Ocean), 1 Inmarsat (Atlantic Ocean), and 2 Arabsat
Telephones - main lines in use 450,000 (1998)


note: 584,000 installed in 1997, but only about 450,000 were in use in 1998
412,000 (1997)
Telephones - mobile cellular 143,000 (2000) 210,000 (1997)
Television broadcast stations 6 (plus 11 repeaters) (1997) 13 (plus several satellite channels) (1997)
Terrain coastal plains separated by rugged mountains including over 100 volcanic cones, of which several are major volcanoes flat to slightly undulating desert plain
Total fertility rate 2.38 children born/woman (2003 est.) 3.08 children born/woman (2003 est.)
Unemployment rate 6.3% (2002 est.) 7% (2002 est.)
Waterways 730 km (seasonally navigable) none
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