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Compare Ecuador (2004) - Qatar (2006)

Compare Ecuador (2004) z Qatar (2006)

 Ecuador (2004)Qatar (2006)
 EcuadorQatar
Administrative divisions 22 provinces (provincias, singular - provincia); Azuay, Bolivar, Canar, Carchi, Chimborazo, Cotopaxi, El Oro, Esmeraldas, Galapagos, Guayas, Imbabura, Loja, Los Rios, Manabi, Morona-Santiago, Napo, Orellana, Pastaza, Pichincha, Sucumbios, Tungurahua, Zamora-Chinchipe 10 municipalities (baladiyat, singular - baladiyah); Ad Dawhah, Al Ghuwayriyah, Al Jumayliyah, Al Khawr, Al Wakrah, Ar Rayyan, Jarayan al Batinah, Madinat ash Shamal, Umm Sa'id, Umm Salal
Age structure 0-14 years: 33.9% (male 2,285,775; female 2,199,356)


15-64 years: 61.2% (male 4,020,873; female 4,062,672)


65 years and over: 4.9% (male 302,129; female 341,937) (2004 est.)
0-14 years: 23.4% (male 105,546/female 101,371)


15-64 years: 73% (male 446,779/female 199,133)


65 years and over: 3.7% (male 24,059/female 8,471) (2006 est.)
Agriculture - products bananas, coffee, cocoa, rice, potatoes, manioc (tapioca), plantains, sugarcane; cattle, sheep, pigs, beef, pork, dairy products; balsa wood; fish, shrimp fruits, vegetables; poultry, dairy products, beef; fish
Airports 205 (2003 est.) 5 (2006)
Airports - with paved runways total: 62


over 3,047 m: 3


2,438 to 3,047 m: 4


1,524 to 2,437 m: 18


914 to 1,523 m: 19


under 914 m: 18 (2004 est.)
total: 3


over 3,047 m: 2


1,524 to 2,437 m: 1 (2006)
Airports - with unpaved runways total: 143


914 to 1,523 m: 30


under 914 m: 113 (2004 est.)
total: 2


914 to 1,523 m: 1


under 914 m: 1 (2006)
Area total: 283,560 sq km


land: 276,840 sq km


water: 6,720 sq km


note: includes Galapagos Islands
total: 11,437 sq km


land: 11,437 sq km


water: 0 sq km
Area - comparative slightly smaller than Nevada slightly smaller than Connecticut
Background The "Republic of the Equator" was one of three countries that emerged from the collapse of Gran Colombia in 1830 (the others being Colombia and Venezuela). Between 1904 and 1942, Ecuador lost territories in a series of conflicts with its neighbors. A border war with Peru that flared in 1995 was resolved in 1999. Although Ecuador marked 25 years of civilian governance in 2004, the period has been marred by political instability. Nine presidents have governed Ecuador since 1996. Ruled by the al-Thani family since the mid-1800s, Qatar transformed itself from a poor British protectorate noted mainly for pearling into an independent state with significant oil and natural gas revenues. During the late 1980s and early 1990s, the Qatari economy was crippled by a continuous siphoning off of petroleum revenues by the amir, who had ruled the country since 1972. His son, the current Amir HAMAD bin Khalifa al-Thani, overthrew him in a bloodless coup in 1995. In 2001, Qatar resolved its longstanding border disputes with both Bahrain and Saudi Arabia. Oil and natural gas revenues enable Qatar to have one of the highest per capita incomes in the world.
Birth rate 23.18 births/1,000 population (2004 est.) 15.56 births/1,000 population (2006 est.)
Budget revenues: $6.908 billion


expenditures: planned $6.594 billion, including capital expenditures of $1.6 billion (2003)
revenues: $17.31 billion


expenditures: $11.31 billion; including capital expenditures of $2.2 billion (2005 est.)
Capital Quito name: Doha


geographic coordinates: 25 17 N, 51 32 E


time difference: UTC+3 (8 hours ahead of Washington, DC during Standard Time)
Climate tropical along coast, becoming cooler inland at higher elevations; tropical in Amazonian jungle lowlands arid; mild, pleasant winters; very hot, humid summers
Coastline 2,237 km 563 km
Constitution 10 August 1998 ratified by public referendum on 29 April 2003, endorsed by the amir on 8 June 2004, effective on 9 June 2005
Country name conventional long form: Republic of Ecuador


conventional short form: Ecuador


local long form: Republica del Ecuador


local short form: Ecuador
conventional long form: State of Qatar


conventional short form: Qatar


local long form: Dawlat Qatar


local short form: Qatar


note: closest approximation of the native pronunciation falls between cutter and gutter, but not like guitar
Currency US dollar (USD) -
Death rate 4.26 deaths/1,000 population (2004 est.) 4.72 deaths/1,000 population (2006 est.)
Debt - external $15.69 billion (2003) $21.13 billion (2005 est.)
Diplomatic representation from the US chief of mission: Ambassador Kristie Anne KENNEY


embassy: Avenida 12 de Octubre y Avenida Patria, Quito


mailing address: APO AA 34039


telephone: [593] (2) 256-2890


FAX: [593] (2) 250-2052


consulate(s) general: Guayaquil
chief of mission: Ambassador Chase UNTERMEYER


embassy: Al-Luqta District, 22 February Road, Doha


mailing address: P. O. Box 2399, Doha


telephone: [974] 488 4101


FAX: [974] 488 4176
Diplomatic representation in the US chief of mission: Ambassador (vacant)


chancery: 2535 15th Street NW, Washington, DC 20009


telephone: [1] (202) 234-7200


FAX: [1] (202) 667-3482


consulate(s) general: Chicago, Houston, Los Angeles, Miami, New Orleans, New York, Newark, Philadelphia, and San Francisco
chief of mission: Ambassador Nasir bin Hamad bin Mubarak al-KHALIFA


chancery: 2555 M Street NW, Washington, DC 20037


telephone: [1] (202) 274-1600 and 274-1603


FAX: [1] (202) 237-0061


consulate(s) general: Houston
Disputes - international the continuing civil disorder in Colombia has created a serious refugee crisis in neighboring states, especially Ecuador none
Economic aid - recipient $120 million (2001) $NA
Economy - overview Ecuador has substantial petroleum resources, which have accounted for 40% of the country's export earnings and one-fourth of public sector revenues in recent years. Consequently, fluctuations in world market prices can have a substantial domestic impact. In the late 1990s, Ecuador suffered its worst economic crisis, with natural disasters and sharp declines in world petroleum prices driving Ecuador's economy into free fall in 1999. Real GDP contracted by more than 6%, with poverty worsening significantly. The banking system also collapsed, and Ecuador defaulted on its external debt later that year. The currency depreciated by some 70% in 1999, and, on the brink of hyperinflation, the MAHAUD government announced it would dollarize the economy. A coup, however, ousted MAHAUD from office in January 2000, and after a short-lived junta failed to garner military support, Vice President Gustavo NOBOA took over the presidency. In March 2000, Congress approved a series of structural reforms that also provided the framework for the adoption of the US dollar as legal tender. Dollarization stabilized the economy, and growth returned to its pre-crisis levels in the years that followed. Under the administration of Lucio GUTIERREZ, who took office in January 2003, Ecuador benefited from higher world petroleum prices, but the government has made little progress on fiscal reforms and reforms of state-owned enterprises necessary to reduce Ecuador's vulnerability to petroleum price swings and financial crises. Oil and gas account for more than 60% of GDP, roughly 85% of export earnings, and 70% of government revenues. Oil and gas have given Qatar a per capita GDP about 80% of that of the leading West European industrial countries. Proved oil reserves of 16 billion barrels should ensure continued output at current levels for 23 years. Qatar's proved reserves of natural gas exceed 25 trillion cubic meters, more than 5% of the world total and third largest in the world. Qatar has permitted substantial foreign investment in the development of its gas fields during the last decade and is expected to become the world's top liquefied natural gas (LNG) exporter by 2007. In recent years, Qatar has consistently posted trade surpluses largely because of high oil prices and increased natural gas exports, becoming one of the world's fastest growing and highest per-capita income countries.
Electricity - consumption 69.96 billion kWh (2001) 9.053 billion kWh (2003)
Electricity - exports 0 kWh (2001) 0 kWh (2003)
Electricity - imports 0 kWh (2001) 0 kWh (2003)
Electricity - production 75.23 billion kWh (2001) 9.735 billion kWh (2003)
Elevation extremes lowest point: Pacific Ocean 0 m


highest point: Chimborazo 6,267 m
lowest point: Persian Gulf 0 m


highest point: Qurayn Abu al Bawl 103 m
Environment - current issues deforestation; soil erosion; desertification; water pollution; pollution from oil production wastes in ecologically sensitive areas of the Amazon Basin and Galapagos Islands limited natural fresh water resources are increasing dependence on large-scale desalination facilities
Environment - international agreements party to: Antarctic-Environmental Protocol, Antarctic Treaty, Biodiversity, Climate Change, Climate Change-Kyoto Protocol, Desertification, Endangered Species, Hazardous Wastes, Ozone Layer Protection, Ship Pollution, Tropical Timber 83, Tropical Timber 94, Wetlands


signed, but not ratified: none of the selected agreements
party to: Biodiversity, Climate Change, Climate Change-Kyoto Protocol, Desertification, Endangered Species, Hazardous Wastes, Law of the Sea, Ozone Layer Protection


signed, but not ratified: none of the selected agreements
Ethnic groups mestizo (mixed Amerindian and white) 65%, Amerindian 25%, Spanish and others 7%, black 3% Arab 40%, Indian 18%, Pakistani 18%, Iranian 10%, other 14%
Exchange rates Ecuador formally adopted the US dollar as legal tender in March 2000 Qatari rials per US dollar - 3.64 (2005), 3.64 (2004), 3.64 (2003), 3.64 (2002), 3.64 (2001)
Executive branch chief of state: President Lucio GUTIERREZ (since 15 January 2003); Vice President Alfredo PALACIO (since 15 January 2003); note - the president is both the chief of state and head of government


head of government: President Lucio GUTIERREZ (since 15 January 2003); Vice President Alfredo PALACIO (since 15 January 2003); note - the president is both the chief of state and head of government


cabinet: Cabinet appointed by the president


elections: the president and vice president are elected on the same ticket by popular vote for a four-year term (no immediate reelection); election last held 20 October 2002; runoff election held 24 November 2002 (next to be held NA October 2006)


election results: results of the 24 November 2002 runoff election - Lucio GUTIERREZ elected president; percent of vote - Lucio GUTIERREZ 54.3%; Alvaro NOBOA 45.7%
chief of state: Amir HAMAD bin Khalifa al-Thani (since 27 June 1995 when, as crown prince, he ousted his father, Amir KHALIFA bin Hamad al-Thani, in a bloodless coup); Crown Prince TAMIM bin Hamad bin Khalifa al-Thani, fourth son of the monarch (selected Heir Apparent by the monarch on 5 August 2003); note - Amir HAMAD also holds the positions of Minister of Defense and Commander-in-chief of the Armed Forces


head of government: Prime Minister ABDALLAH bin Khalifa al-Thani, brother of the monarch (since 30 October 1996); Deputy Prime Minister MUHAMMAD bin Khalifa al-Thani, brother of the monarch (since 20 January 1998); First Deputy Prime Minister HAMAD bin Jasim bin Jabir al-Thani (since 16 September 2003, also Foreign Minister since 1992); Second Deputy Prime Minister Abdallah bin Hamad al-ATIYAH (since 16 September 2003, also Electricity and Water Minister since 1999 and Energy and Industry Minister since 1992)


cabinet: Council of Ministers appointed by the monarch


elections: none; the monarch is hereditary


note: in April 2003, Qatar held nationwide elections for a 29-member Central Municipal Council (CMC), which has consultative powers aimed at improving the provision of municipal services; the first election for the CMC was held in March 1999
Exports NA (2001) NA bbl/day
Exports - commodities petroleum, bananas, cut flowers, shrimp liquefied natural gas (LNG), petroleum products, fertilizers, steel
Exports - partners US 42.4%, Colombia 5.7%, Germany 5.6% (2003) Japan 37.1%, South Korea 19.5%, Singapore 8.3% (2005)
Fiscal year calendar year 1 April - 31 March
Flag description three horizontal bands of yellow (top, double width), blue, and red with the coat of arms superimposed at the center of the flag; similar to the flag of Colombia, which is shorter and does not bear a coat of arms maroon with a broad white serrated band (nine white points) on the hoist side
GDP purchasing power parity - $45.65 billion (2003 est.) -
GDP - composition by sector agriculture: 8.7%


industry: 29.7%


services: 61.6% (2003 est.)
agriculture: 0.2%


industry: 80.1%


services: 19.7% (2005 est.)
GDP - per capita purchasing power parity - $3,300 (2003 est.) -
GDP - real growth rate 2.5% (2003 est.) 8.8% (2005 est.)
Geographic coordinates 2 00 S, 77 30 W 25 30 N, 51 15 E
Geography - note Cotopaxi in Andes is highest active volcano in world strategic location in central Persian Gulf near major petroleum deposits
Heliports 1 (2003 est.) 1 (2006)
Highways total: 43,197 km


paved: 8,164 km


unpaved: 35,033 km (2000)
-
Household income or consumption by percentage share lowest 10%: 2.2%


highest 10%: 33.8% (1995)
lowest 10%: NA%


highest 10%: NA%
Illicit drugs significant transit country for cocaine originating in Colombia and Peru; importer of precursor chemicals used in production of illicit narcotics; attractive location for cash-placement by drug traffickers laundering money because of dollarization and weak anti-money-laundering regime, especially vulnerable along the border with Colombia; increased activity on the northern frontier by trafficking groups and Colombian insurgents -
Imports NA (2001) NA bbl/day
Imports - commodities consumer goods, industrial raw materials, capital goods machinery and transport equipment, food, chemicals
Imports - partners US 23.9%, Colombia 12.8%, Venezuela 7.1%, Brazil 6.1%, Chile 4.8%, Japan 4.2% (2003) France 11.5%, Japan 10.5%, US 10.4%, Germany 8.4%, Saudi Arabia 7.3%, UK 7%, Italy 6.5%, South Korea 5.5%, UAE 4.8% (2005)
Independence 24 May 1822 (from Spain) 3 September 1971 (from UK)
Industrial production growth rate 5.3% (2003 est.) 10% (2003 est.)
Industries petroleum, food processing, textiles, wood products, chemicals crude oil production and refining, ammonia, fertilizers, petrochemicals, steel reinforcing bars, cement, commercial ship repair
Infant mortality rate total: 24.49 deaths/1,000 live births


male: 29.34 deaths/1,000 live births


female: 19.4 deaths/1,000 live births (2004 est.)
total: 18.04 deaths/1,000 live births


male: 21.27 deaths/1,000 live births


female: 14.63 deaths/1,000 live births (2006 est.)
Inflation rate (consumer prices) 7.9% (2003 est.) 8.8% (2005 est.)
International organization participation CAN, FAO, G-77, IADB, IAEA, IBRD, ICAO, ICC, ICCt, ICFTU, ICRM, IDA, IFAD, IFC, IFRCS, IHO, ILO, IMF, IMO, Interpol, IOC, IOM, ISO, ITU, LAES, LAIA, Mercosur (associate), MIGA, MINUSTAH, NAM, OAS, OPANAL, OPCW, PCA, RG, UN, UNCTAD, UNESCO, UNHCR, UNIDO, UNMIL, UNOCI, UPU, WCL, WCO, WFTU, WHO, WIPO, WMO, WToO, WTO ABEDA, ACC, AFESD, AMF, FAO, G-77, GCC, IAEA, IBRD, ICAO, ICC, ICRM, IDB, IFAD, IFRCS, ILO, IMF, IMO, Interpol, IOC, IPU, ISO, ITU, LAS, MIGA, NAM, OAPEC, OAS (observer), OIC, OPCW, OPEC, PCA, UN, UN Security Council (temporary), UNCTAD, UNESCO, UNIDO, UPU, WCO, WHO, WIPO, WMO, WToO, WTO
Irrigated land 8,650 sq km (1998 est.) 130 sq km (2002)
Judicial branch Supreme Court or Corte Suprema; note - per the Constitution, new justices are elected by the full Supreme Court; In December 2004, however, Congress successfully replaced the entire court via a simple-majority resolution Court of Appeal


note: under a judiciary law issued in 2003, the former two court systems, civil and Islamic law, were merged under a higher court, the Court of Cassation, established for appeals
Labor force 4.36 million (urban) (2003) 440,000 (2005 est.)
Labor force - by occupation agriculture 30%, industry 25%, services 45% (2001 est.) -
Land boundaries total: 2,010 km


border countries: Colombia 590 km, Peru 1,420 km
total: 60 km


border countries: Saudi Arabia 60 km
Land use arable land: 5.85%


permanent crops: 4.93%


other: 89.22% (2001)
arable land: 1.64%


permanent crops: 0.27%


other: 98.09% (2005)
Languages Spanish (official), Amerindian languages (especially Quechua) Arabic (official), English commonly used as a second language
Legal system based on civil law system; has not accepted compulsory ICJ jurisdiction discretionary system of law controlled by the amir, although civil codes are being implemented; Shari'a law dominates family and personal matters
Legislative branch unicameral National Congress or Congreso Nacional (100 seats; members are popularly elected by province to serve four-year terms)


elections: last held 20 October 2002 (next to be held NA October 2006)


election results: percent of vote by party - NA; seats by party - PSC 25, PRE 15, ID 16, PRIAN 10, PSP 9, Pachakutik Movement 6, MPD 5, DP 4, PS-FA 3, independents 7; note - defections by members of National Congress are commonplace, resulting in frequent changes in the numbers of seats held by the various parties
unicameral Advisory Council or Majlis al-Shura (35 seats; members appointed)


note: no legislative elections have been held since 1970 when there were partial elections to the body; Council members have had their terms extended every four years since; the new constitution, which came into force on 9 June 2005, provides for a 45-member Consultative Council, or Majlis al-Shura; the public would elect two-thirds of the Majlis al-Shura; the amir would appoint the remaining members; preparations are underway to conduct elections to the Majlis al-Shura in early 2007
Life expectancy at birth total population: 76.01 years


male: 73.15 years


female: 79 years (2004 est.)
total population: 73.9 years


male: 71.37 years


female: 76.57 years (2006 est.)
Literacy definition: age 15 and over can read and write


total population: 92.5%


male: 94%


female: 91% (2003 est.)
definition: age 15 and over can read and write


total population: 89%


male: 89.1%


female: 88.6% (2004 est.)
Location Western South America, bordering the Pacific Ocean at the Equator, between Colombia and Peru Middle East, peninsula bordering the Persian Gulf and Saudi Arabia
Map references South America Middle East
Maritime claims territorial sea: 200 nm


continental shelf: 100 nm from 2,500 meter isobath
territorial sea: 12 nm


contiguous zone: 24 nm


exclusive economic zone: as determined by bilateral agreements or the median line
Merchant marine total: 34 ships (1,000 GRT or over) 241,403 GRT/391,898 DWT


by type: cargo 2, chemical tanker 4, liquefied gas 1, passenger 5, petroleum tanker 21, specialized tanker 1


foreign-owned: Greece 1, Paraguay 1, Peru 1


registered in other countries: 3 (2004 est.)
total: 23 ships (1000 GRT or over) 750,669 GRT/1,177,673 DWT


by type: cargo 2, chemical tanker 3, container 8, liquefied gas 2, petroleum tanker 7, roll on/roll off 1


foreign-owned: 8 (Kuwait 7, US 1)


registered in other countries: 4 (Honduras 1, Liberia 2, Panama 1) (2006)
Military branches Army, Navy (including Marines), Air Force, National Police Qatari Amiri Land Force (QALF), Qatari Amiri Navy (QAN), Qatari Amiri Air Force (QAAF)
Military expenditures - dollar figure $650 million (2003) $723 million (FY00)
Military expenditures - percent of GDP 2.4% (2003) 10% (FY00)
Military manpower - availability males age 15-49: 3,440,371 (2004 est.) -
Military manpower - fit for military service males age 15-49: 2,315,808 (2004 est.) -
Military manpower - reaching military age annually males: 132,476 (2004 est.) -
National holiday Independence Day (independence of Quito), 10 August (1809) Independence Day, 3 September (1971)
Nationality noun: Ecuadorian(s)


adjective: Ecuadorian
noun: Qatari(s)


adjective: Qatari
Natural hazards frequent earthquakes, landslides, volcanic activity; floods; periodic droughts haze, dust storms, sandstorms common
Natural resources petroleum, fish, timber, hydropower petroleum, natural gas, fish
Net migration rate -8.58 migrant(s)/1,000 population (2004 est.) 14.12 migrant(s)/1,000 population (2006 est.)
Pipelines extra heavy crude 578 km; gas 71 km; oil 1,386 km; refined products 1,185 km (2004) condensate 319 km; condensate/gas 209 km; gas 1,024 km; liquid petroleum gas 87 km; oil 844 km (2006)
Political parties and leaders Concentration of Popular Forces or CFP [Averroes BUCARAM]; Democratic Left or ID [Guillermo LANDAZURI]; National Action Institutional Renewal Party or PRIAN [Alvaro NOBOA]; Pachakutik Movement [Gilberto TALAHUA]; Patriotic Society Party or PSP [Lucio GUTIERREZ Borbua]; Popular Democracy or DP [Dr. Juan Manuel FUERTES]; Popular Democratic Movement or MPD [Gustavo TERAN Acosta]; Radical Alfarista Front or FRA [Fabian ALARCON, director]; Roldosist Party or PRE [Abdala BUCARAM Ortiz, director]; Social Christian Party or PSC [Leon FEBRES CORDERO]; Socialist Party - Broad Front or PS-FA [Victor GRANDA] none
Political pressure groups and leaders Confederation of Indigenous Nationalities of Ecuador or CONAIE [Luis MACAS, president]; Coordinator of Social Movements or CMS [F. Napoleon SANTOS]; Federation of Indigenous Evangelists of Ecuador or FEINE [Marco MURILLO, president]; National Federation of Indigenous Afro-Ecuatorianos and Peasants or FENOCIN [Pedro DE LA CRUZ, president]; Popular Front or FP [Luis VILLACIS] none
Population 13,212,742 (July 2004 est.) 885,359 (July 2006 est.)
Population below poverty line 65% (2003 est.) NA%
Population growth rate 1.03% (2004 est.) 2.5% (2006 est.)
Ports and harbors Esmeraldas, Guayaquil, La Libertad, Manta, Puerto Bolivar, San Lorenzo -
Radio broadcast stations AM 392, FM 35, shortwave 29 (2001) AM 6, FM 5, shortwave 1 (1998)
Railways total: 966 km


narrow gauge: 966 km 1.067-m gauge (2003)
-
Religions Roman Catholic 95% Muslim 95%
Sex ratio at birth: 1.05 male(s)/female


under 15 years: 1.04 male(s)/female


15-64 years: 0.99 male(s)/female


65 years and over: 0.88 male(s)/female


total population: 1 male(s)/female (2004 est.)
at birth: 1.05 male(s)/female


under 15 years: 1.04 male(s)/female


15-64 years: 2.24 male(s)/female


65 years and over: 2.84 male(s)/female


total population: 1.87 male(s)/female (2006 est.)
Suffrage 18 years of age; universal, compulsory for literate persons ages 18-65, optional for other eligible voters 18 years of age; universal
Telephone system general assessment: generally elementary but being expanded


domestic: facilities generally inadequate and unreliable


international: country code - 593; satellite earth station - 1 Intelsat (Atlantic Ocean)
general assessment: modern system centered in Doha


domestic: NA


international: country code - 974; tropospheric scatter to Bahrain; microwave radio relay to Saudi Arabia and UAE; submarine cable to Bahrain and UAE; satellite earth stations - 2 Intelsat (1 Atlantic Ocean and 1 Indian Ocean) and 1 Arabsat
Telephones - main lines in use 1.549 million (2003) 205,400 (2005)
Telephones - mobile cellular 2,394,400 (2003) 716,800 (2005)
Television broadcast stations 7 (plus 14 repeaters) (2001) 1 (plus three repeaters) (2001)
Terrain coastal plain (costa), inter-Andean central highlands (sierra), and flat to rolling eastern jungle (oriente) mostly flat and barren desert covered with loose sand and gravel
Total fertility rate 2.78 children born/woman (2004 est.) 2.81 children born/woman (2006 est.)
Unemployment rate 9.8%; note - underemployment of 47% (2003 est.) 2.7% (2001)
Waterways 1,500 km (most inaccessible) (2003) -
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