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Compare Costa Rica (2004) - Namibia (2001)

Compare Costa Rica (2004) z Namibia (2001)

 Costa Rica (2004)Namibia (2001)
 Costa RicaNamibia
Administrative divisions 7 provinces (provincias, singular - provincia); Alajuela, Cartago, Guanacaste, Heredia, Limon, Puntarenas, San Jose 13 regions; Caprivi, Erongo, Hardap, Karas, Khomas, Kunene, Ohangwena, Okavango, Omaheke, Omusati, Oshana, Oshikoto, Otjozondjupa
Age structure 0-14 years: 29.5% (male 597,332; female 570,008)


15-64 years: 65% (male 1,300,206; female 1,271,010)


65 years and over: 5.5% (male 101,270; female 116,681) (2004 est.)
0-14 years:
42.74% (male 389,028; female 379,229)

15-64 years:
53.54% (male 480,075; female 482,375)

65 years and over:
3.72% (male 29,109; female 37,861) (2001 est.)
Agriculture - products coffee, pineapples, bananas, sugar, corn, rice, beans, potatoes; beef; timber millet, sorghum, peanuts; livestock; fish
Airports 149 (2003 est.) 131 (2000 est.)
Airports - with paved runways total: 30


2,438 to 3,047 m: 2


1,524 to 2,437 m: 2


914 to 1,523 m: 18


under 914 m: 8 (2004 est.)
total:
21

over 3,047 m:
2

2,438 to 3,047 m:
2

1,524 to 2,437 m:
13

914 to 1,523 m:
4 (2000 est.)
Airports - with unpaved runways total: 119


914 to 1,523 m: 24


under 914 m: 95 (2004 est.)
total:
110

2,438 to 3,047 m:
2

1,524 to 2,437 m:
21

914 to 1,523 m:
69

under 914 m:
18 (2000 est.)
Area total: 51,100 sq km


land: 50,660 sq km


water: 440 sq km


note: includes Isla del Coco
total:
825,418 sq km

land:
825,418 sq km

water:
0 sq km
Area - comparative slightly smaller than West Virginia slightly more than half the size of Alaska
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. South Africa occupied the German colony of Sud-West Afrika during World War I and administered it as a mandate until after World War II when it annexed the territory. In 1966 the Marxist South-West Africa People's Organization (SWAPO) guerrilla group launched a war of independence for the area that was soon named Namibia, but it was not until 1988 that South Africa agreed to end its administration in accordance with a UN peace plan for the entire region. Independence came in 1990.
Birth rate 18.99 births/1,000 population (2004 est.) 34.71 births/1,000 population (2001 est.)
Budget revenues: $2.313 billion


expenditures: $2.851 billion, including capital expenditures of NA (2003 est.)
revenues:
$883 million

expenditures:
$950 million, including capital expenditures of $NA (1998)
Capital San Jose Windhoek
Climate tropical and subtropical; dry season (December to April); rainy season (May to November); cooler in highlands desert; hot, dry; rainfall sparse and erratic
Coastline 1,290 km 1,572 km
Constitution 7 November 1949 ratified 9 February 1990; effective 12 March 1990
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:
Republic of Namibia

conventional short form:
Namibia

former:
German Southwest Africa, South-West Africa
Currency Costa Rican colon (CRC) Namibian dollar (NAD); South African rand (ZAR)
Death rate 4.32 deaths/1,000 population (2004 est.) 20.9 deaths/1,000 population (2001 est.)
Debt - external $5.366 billion (2003 est.) $217 million (2000 est.)
Diplomatic representation from the US chief of mission: Ambassador (vacant); Charge d'Affaires Douglas M. BARNES


embassy: Calle 120 Avenida O, Pavas, San Jose


mailing address: APO AA 34020


telephone: [506] 220-3939


FAX: [506] 519-2305
chief of mission:
Ambassador Jeffrey A. BADER

embassy:
Ausplan Building, 14 Lossen Street, Private Bag 12029 Ausspannplatz, Windhoek

mailing address:
use embassy street address

telephone:
[264] (61) 221601

FAX:
[264] (61) 229792
Diplomatic representation in the US chief of mission: Ambassador Tomas DUENAS


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 Leonard Nangolo IIPUMBU

chancery:
1605 New Hampshire Avenue NW, Washington, DC 20009

telephone:
[1] (202) 986-0540

FAX:
[1] (202) 986-0443
Disputes - international legal dispute over navigational rights of Rio San Juan on the border with Nicaragua remains unsolved none
Economic aid - recipient - $127 million (1998)
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. Foreign investors remain attracted by the country's political stability and high education levels, and tourism continues to bring in foreign exchange. Low prices for coffee and bananas have hurt the agricultural sector. The government continues to grapple with its large deficit and massive internal debt. The reduction of inflation remains a difficult problem because of rises in the price of imports, labor market rigidities, and fiscal deficits. Costa Rica recently concluded negotiations to participate in the US - Central American Free Trade Agreement, which, if ratified by the Costa Rican Legislature, would result in economic reforms and an improved investment climate. The economy is heavily dependent on the extraction and processing of minerals for export. Mining accounts for 20% of GDP. Namibia is the fourth-largest exporter of nonfuel minerals in Africa and the world's fifth-largest producer of uranium. Rich alluvial diamond deposits make Namibia a primary source for gem-quality diamonds. Namibia also produces large quantities of lead, zinc, tin, silver, and tungsten. Half of the population depends on agriculture (largely subsistence agriculture) for its livelihood. Namibia must import some of its food. Although per capita GDP is four times the per capita GDP of Africa's poorer countries, the majority of Namibia's people live in pronounced poverty because of large-scale unemployment, the great inequality of income distribution, and the large amount of wealth going to foreigners. The Namibian economy has close links to South Africa. GDP growth in 2000 was led by gains in the diamond and fish sectors. Agreement has been reached on the privatization of several more enterprises in coming years, which should stimulate long-run foreign investment. Growth in 2001 could be 5.5% provided the world economy remains stable.
Electricity - consumption 6.109 billion kWh (2001) 1.948 billion kWh (1999)
Electricity - exports 379 million kWh (2001) 56 million kWh (1999)
Electricity - imports 128 million kWh (2001) 890 million kWh

note:
supplied by South Africa (1999)
Electricity - production 6.839 billion kWh (2001) 1.198 billion kWh (1999)
Electricity - production by source - fossil fuel:
2%

hydro:
98%

nuclear:
0%

other:
0% (1999)
Elevation extremes lowest point: Pacific Ocean 0 m


highest point: Cerro Chirripo 3,810 m
lowest point:
Atlantic Ocean 0 m

highest point:
Konigstein 2,606 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 very limited natural fresh water resources; desertification
Environment - international agreements party to: Biodiversity, Climate Change, Climate Change-Kyoto Protocol, Desertification, Endangered Species, Environmental Modification, Hazardous Wastes, Law of the Sea, Marine Dumping, Ozone Layer Protection, Wetlands, Whaling


signed, but not ratified: Marine Life Conservation
party to:
Antarctic-Marine Living Resources, Biodiversity, Climate Change, Desertification, Endangered Species, Hazardous Wastes, Law of the Sea, Ozone Layer Protection, Wetlands

signed, but not ratified:
none of the selected agreements
Ethnic groups white (including mestizo) 94%, black 3%, Amerindian 1%, Chinese 1%, other 1% black 87.5%, white 6%, mixed 6.5%

note:
about 50% of the population belong to the Ovambo tribe and 9% to the Kavangos tribe; other ethnic groups are: Herero 7%, Damara 7%, Nama 5%, Caprivian 4%, Bushmen 3%, Baster 2%, Tswana 0.5%
Exchange rates Costa Rican colones per US dollar - 398.663 (2003), 359.817 (2002), 328.871 (2001), 308.187 (2000), 285.685 (1999) Namibian dollars per US dollar - 7.78307 (January 2001), 6.93983 (2000), 6.10948 (1999), 5.52828 (1998), 4.60796 (1997), 4.29935 (1996)
Executive branch chief of state: President Abel PACHECO (since 8 May 2002); First Vice President Lineth SABORIO (since 8 May 2002); Second Vice President Luis FISHMAN (since 8 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:
President Sam Shafishuna NUJOMA (since 21 March 1990); note - the president is both the chief of state and head of government

head of government:
President Sam Shafishuna NUJOMA (since 21 March 1990); note - the president is both the chief of state and head of government

cabinet:
Cabinet appointed by the president from among the members of the National Assembly

elections:
president elected by popular vote for a five-year term; election last held 30 November-1 December 1999 (next to be held NA 2004)

election results:
Sam Shafishuna NUJOMA elected president; percent of vote - Sam Shafishuna NUJOMA 77%
Exports NA (2001) $1.4 billion (f.o.b., 2000 est.)
Exports - commodities coffee, bananas, sugar; pineapples; textiles, electronic components, medical equipment diamonds, copper, gold, zinc, lead, uranium; cattle, processed fish, karakul skins
Exports - partners US 14.2%, Guatemala 3%, Nicaragua 2.7% (2003) UK 43%, South Africa 26%, Spain 14%, France 8%, Japan (1998 est.)
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 a large blue triangle with a yellow sunburst fills the upper left section and an equal green triangle (solid) fills the lower right section; the triangles are separated by a red stripe that is contrasted by two narrow white-edge borders
GDP purchasing power parity - $35.34 billion (2003 est.) purchasing power parity - $7.6 billion (2000 est.)
GDP - composition by sector agriculture: 8.5%


industry: 29.4%


services: 62.1% (2003 est.)
agriculture:
12%

industry:
25%

services:
63% (1999 est.)
GDP - per capita purchasing power parity - $9,100 (2003 est.) purchasing power parity - $4,300 (2000 est.)
GDP - real growth rate 5.6% (2003 est.) 4% (2000 est.)
Geographic coordinates 10 00 N, 84 00 W 22 00 S, 17 00 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 -
Highways total: 35,892 km


paved: 7,896 km


unpaved: 27,996 km (2000)
total:
63,258 km

paved:
5,250 km

unpaved:
58,008 km (1997 est.)
Household income or consumption by percentage share lowest 10%: 1.1%


highest 10%: 36.8% (2002)
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) $1.6 billion (f.o.b., 2000 est.)
Imports - commodities raw materials, consumer goods, capital equipment, petroleum foodstuffs; petroleum products and fuel, machinery and equipment, chemicals
Imports - partners US 23.2%, Mexico 4.7%, Venezuela 3.2% (2003) South Africa 81%, US 4%, Germany 2% (1997 est.)
Independence 15 September 1821 (from Spain) 21 March 1990 (from South African mandate)
Industrial production growth rate 8% (2003 est.) NA
Industries microprocessors, food processing, textiles and clothing, construction materials, fertilizer, plastic products meatpacking, fish processing, dairy products; mining (diamond, lead, zinc, tin, silver, tungsten, uranium, copper)
Infant mortality rate total: 10.26 deaths/1,000 live births


male: 11.17 deaths/1,000 live births


female: 9.3 deaths/1,000 live births (2004 est.)
71.66 deaths/1,000 live births (2001 est.)
Inflation rate (consumer prices) 9.4% (2003 est.) 9.1% (2000)
International organization participation BCIE, CACM, 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), MIGA, NAM (observer), OAS, OPANAL, OPCW, PCA, RG, UN, UNCTAD, UNESCO, UNIDO, UPU, WCL, WCO, WFTU, WHO, WIPO, WMO, WToO, WTO AfDB, C, CCC, ECA, FAO, G-77, IAEA, IBRD, ICAO, ICRM, IFAD, IFC, IFRCS, ILO, IMF, IMO, Intelsat, Interpol, IOC, IOM (observer), ISO (correspondent), ITU, NAM, OAU, OPCW, SACU, SADC, UN, UNCTAD, UNESCO, UNHCR, UNIDO, UNMEE, UNTAET, UPU, WCL, WHO, WIPO, WMO, WToO, WTrO
Internet Service Providers (ISPs) - 2 (2000)
Irrigated land 1,260 sq km (1998 est.) 60 sq km (1993 est.)
Judicial branch Supreme Court or Corte Suprema (22 justices are elected for eight-year terms by the Legislative Assembly) Supreme Court (judges appointed by the president on the recommendation of the Judicial Service Commission)
Labor force 1.758 million (2003) 500,000
Labor force - by occupation agriculture 20%, industry 22%, services 58% (1999 est.) agriculture 47%, industry 20%, services 33% (1999 est.)
Land boundaries total: 639 km


border countries: Nicaragua 309 km, Panama 330 km
total:
3,824 km

border countries:
Angola 1,376 km, Botswana 1,360 km, South Africa 855 km, Zambia 233 km
Land use arable land: 4.41%


permanent crops: 5.88%


other: 89.71% (2001)
arable land:
1%

permanent crops:
0%

permanent pastures:
46%

forests and woodland:
22%

other:
31% (1993 est.)
Languages Spanish (official), English English 7% (official), Afrikaans common language of most of the population and about 60% of the white population, German 32%, indigenous languages: Oshivambo, Herero, Nama
Legal system based on Spanish civil law system; judicial review of legislative acts in the Supreme Court; has accepted compulsory ICJ jurisdiction based on Roman-Dutch law and 1990 constitution
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; note - seats by party as of January 2005 - PUSC 19, PLN 16, PAC 8, PML 5, PRC 1, Patriotic Union 3, Homeland First 1, Authentic Member from Heredia 1, Democratic National Alliance 1, independent 2
bicameral legislature consists of the National Council (26 seats; two members are chosen from each regional council to serve six-year terms) and the National Assembly (72 seats; members are elected by popular vote to serve five-year terms)

elections:
National Council - elections for regional councils, to determine members of the National Council, held 30 November-1 December 1998 (next to be held by December 2004); National Assembly - last held 30 November-1 December 1999 (next to be held by December 2004)

election results:
National Council - percent of vote by party - NA%; seats by party - SWAPO 21, DTA 4, UDF 1; National Assembly - percent of vote by party - SWAPO 76%, COD 10%, DTA 9%, UDF 3%, MAG 1%, other 1%; seats by party - SWAPO 55, COD 7, DTA 7, UDF 2, MAG 1,

note:
the National Council is primarily an advisory body
Life expectancy at birth total population: 76.63 years


male: 74.07 years


female: 79.33 years (2004 est.)
total population:
40.62 years

male:
42.48 years

female:
38.71 years (2001 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:
38%

male:
45%

female:
31% (1960 est.)
Location Central America, bordering both the Caribbean Sea and the North Pacific Ocean, between Nicaragua and Panama Southern Africa, bordering the South Atlantic Ocean, between Angola and South Africa
Map references Central America and the Caribbean Africa
Maritime claims territorial sea: 12 nm


exclusive economic zone: 200 nm


continental shelf: 200 nm
contiguous zone:
24 NM

exclusive economic zone:
200 NM

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


by type: passenger 1


registered in other countries: 1 (2004 est.)
none (2000 est.)
Military branches no regular military forces; Ministry of Public Security National Defense Force (Army), Police
Military expenditures - dollar figure $64 million (2003) $104.4 million (2001)
Military expenditures - percent of GDP 0.4% (2003) 2.6% (FY97/98)
Military manpower - availability males age 15-49: 1,101,887 (2004 est.) males age 15-49:
427,067 (2001 est.)
Military manpower - fit for military service males age 15-49: 736,007 (2004 est.) males age 15-49:
255,016 (2001 est.)
Military manpower - reaching military age annually males: 41,709 (2004 est.) -
National holiday Independence Day, 15 September (1821) Independence Day, 21 March (1990)
Nationality noun: Costa Rican(s)


adjective: Costa Rican
noun:
Namibian(s)

adjective:
Namibian
Natural hazards occasional earthquakes, hurricanes along Atlantic coast; frequent flooding of lowlands at onset of rainy season and landslides; active volcanoes prolonged periods of drought
Natural resources hydropower diamonds, copper, uranium, gold, lead, tin, lithium, cadmium, zinc, salt, vanadium, natural gas, hydropower, fish

note:
suspected deposits of oil, coal, and iron ore
Net migration rate 0.51 migrant(s)/1,000 population (2004 est.) 0 migrant(s)/1,000 population (2001 est.)
Pipelines refined products 242 km (2004) -
Political parties and leaders Authentic Member from Heredia [Jose SALAS]; Citizen Action Party or PAC [Otton SOLIS]; Costa Rican Renovation Party or PRC [Justo OROZCO]; Democratic Force Party or PFD [Juan Carlos CHAVES Mora]; Democratic National Alliance [Emilia RODRIGUEZ]; General Union Party or PUGEN [Carlos Alberto FERNANDEZ Vega]; Homeland First [Juan Jose VARGAS]; Independent Worker Party or PIO [Jose Alberto CUBERO Carmona]; Libertarian Movement Party or PML [Otto GUEVARA Guth]; National Christian Alliance Party or ANC [Victor GONZALEZ]; National Integration Party or PIN [Walter MUNOZ Cespedes]; National Liberation Party or PLN [Francisco Antonio PACHECO]; National Patriotic Party or PPN [Daniel Enrique REYNOLDS Vargas]; National Rescue Party or PRN [Carlos VARGAS Solano]; Patriotic Union [Humberto ARCE]; Popular Vanguard [Trino BARRANTES Araya]; Social Christian Unity Party or PUSC [Lorena VASQUEZ Badilla] Congress of Democrats or COD [Ben ULENGA]; Democratic Turnhalle Alliance of Namibia or DTA [Katuutire KAURA, president]; Monitor Action Group or MAG [Kosie PRETORIUS]; South West Africa People's Organization or SWAPO [Sam NUJOMA]; United Democratic Front or UDF [Justus GAROEB]
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] NA
Population 3,956,507 (July 2004 est.) 1,797,677

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 20.6% (2002 est.) NA%
Population growth rate 1.52% (2004 est.) 1.38% (2001 est.)
Ports and harbors Caldera, Golfito, Moin, Puerto Limon, Puerto Quepos, Puntarenas Luderitz, Walvis Bay
Radio broadcast stations AM 65, FM 51, shortwave 19 (2002) AM 2, FM 34, shortwave 5 (1998)
Radios - 232,000 (1997)
Railways total: 950 km


narrow gauge: 950 km 1.067-m gauge (260 km electrified) (2003)
total:
2,382 km

narrow gauge:
2,382 km 1.067-m gauge; single track (1995)
Religions Roman Catholic 76.3%, Evangelical 13.7%, Jehovah's Witnesses 1.3%, other Protestant 0.7%, other 4.8%, none 3.2% Christian 80% to 90% (Lutheran 50% at least), indigenous beliefs 10% to 20%
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 (2004 est.)
at birth:
1.03 male(s)/female

under 15 years:
1.03 male(s)/female

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

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

total population:
1 male(s)/female (2001 est.)
Suffrage 18 years of age; universal and compulsory 18 years of age; universal
Telephone system general assessment: good domestic telephone service in terms of breadth of coverage; restricted cellular 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: country code - 506; connected to Central American Microwave System; satellite earth stations - 2 Intelsat (Atlantic Ocean); two submarine cables (1999)
general assessment:
good system; about 6 telephones for each 100 persons

domestic:
good urban services; fair rural service; microwave radio relay links major towns; connections to other populated places are by open wire; 100% digital

international:
fiber-optic cable to South Africa, microwave radio relay link to Botswana, direct links to other neighboring countries; connected to Africa ONE and South African Far East (SAFE) submarine cables through South Africa; satellite earth stations - 4 Intelsat
Telephones - main lines in use 1.132 million (2002) 100,848 (1997)
Telephones - mobile cellular 528,047 (2002) NA
Television broadcast stations 20 (plus 43 repeaters) (2002) 8 (plus about 20 low-power repeaters) (1997)
Terrain coastal plains separated by rugged mountains including over 100 volcanic cones, of which several are major volcanoes mostly high plateau; Namib Desert along coast; Kalahari Desert in east
Total fertility rate 2.33 children born/woman (2004 est.) 4.83 children born/woman (2001 est.)
Unemployment rate 6.7% (2003 est.) 30% to 40%, including underemployment (1997 est.)
Waterways 730 km (seasonally navigable by small craft) (2004) none
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