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Compare Faroe Islands (2002) - Mauritania (2001)

Compare Faroe Islands (2002) z Mauritania (2001)

 Faroe Islands (2002)Mauritania (2001)
 Faroe IslandsMauritania
Administrative divisions none (part of the Kingdom of Denmark; self-governing overseas administrative division of Denmark); there are no first-order administrative divisions as defined by the US Government, but there are 49 municipalities 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: 22.3% (male 5,149; female 5,110)


15-64 years: 64% (male 15,650; female 13,801)


65 years and over: 13.7% (male 2,818; female 3,483) (2002 est.)
0-14 years:
46.14% (male 634,940; female 632,654)

15-64 years:
51.59% (male 698,433; female 718,883)

65 years and over:
2.27% (male 25,840; female 36,562) (2001 est.)
Agriculture - products milk, potatoes, vegetables; sheep; salmon, other fish dates, millet, sorghum, rice, corn, dates; cattle, sheep
Airports 1 (2001) 26 (2000 est.)
Airports - with paved runways total: 1


914 to 1,523 m: 1 (2002)
total:
8

2,438 to 3,047 m:
3

1,524 to 2,437 m:
5 (2000 est.)
Airports - with unpaved runways - total:
18

2,438 to 3,047 m:
2

1,524 to 2,437 m:
4

914 to 1,523 m:
9

under 914 m:
3 (2000 est.)
Area total: 1,399 sq km


land: 1,399 sq km


water: 0 sq km (some lakes and streams)
total:
1,030,700 sq km

land:
1,030,400 sq km

water:
300 sq km
Area - comparative eight times the size of Washington, DC slightly larger than three times the size of New Mexico
Background The population of the Faroe Islands is largely descended from Viking settlers who arrived in the 9th century. The islands have been connected politically to Denmark since the 14th century. A high degree of self-government was attained in 1948. 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 being flawed; 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 13.74 births/1,000 population (2002 est.) 42.95 births/1,000 population (2001 est.)
Budget revenues: $488 million


expenditures: $484 million, including capital expenditures of $21 million (1999)
revenues:
$329 million

expenditures:
$265 million, including capital expenditures of $75 million (1996 est.)
Capital Torshavn Nouakchott
Climate mild winters, cool summers; usually overcast; foggy, windy desert; constantly hot, dry, dusty
Coastline 1,117 km 754 km
Constitution 5 June 1953 (Danish constitution) 12 July 1991
Country name conventional long form: none


conventional short form: Faroe Islands


local long form: none


local short form: Foroyar
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 Danish krone (DKK) ouguiya (MRO)
Death rate 8.69 deaths/1,000 population (2002 est.) 13.65 deaths/1,000 population (2001 est.)
Debt - external $64 million (1999) $2.1 billion (1999)
Dependency status part of the Kingdom of Denmark; self-governing overseas administrative division of Denmark since 1948 -
Diplomatic representation from the US none (self-governing overseas administrative division of Denmark) chief of mission:
Ambassador John W. LIMBERT

embassy:
Rue Abdallaye, Nouakchott

mailing address:
B. P. 222, Nouakchott

telephone:
[222] 25-26-60, 25-26-63

FAX:
[222] 25-15-92
Diplomatic representation in the US none (self-governing overseas administrative division of Denmark) chief of mission:
Ambassador Ahmed Ben Khalifa BEN JIDOU

chancery:
2129 Leroy Place NW, Washington, DC 20008

telephone:
[1] (202) 232-5700

FAX:
[1] (202) 319-2623
Disputes - international Faroese are considering proposals for full independence; Denmark dispute with Iceland over the Faroe Islands fisheries median line boundary of 200 NM; Denmark disputes with Iceland, the UK, and Ireland over the Faroe Islands continental shelf boundary outside 200 NM none
Economic aid - recipient $135 million (annual subsidy from Denmark) (1999) $300 million (1998)
Economy - overview The Faroese economy has had a strong performance since 1994, mostly as a result of increasing fish landings and high and stable export prices. Unemployment is falling and there are signs of labor shortages in several sectors. The positive economic development has helped the Faroese Home Rule Government produce increasing budget surpluses which in turn help to reduce the large public debt, most of it owed to Denmark. However, the total dependence on fishing makes the Faroese economy extremely vulnerable, and the present fishing efforts appear in excess of what is a sustainable level of fishing in the long term. Oil finds close to the Faroese area give hope for deposits in the immediate Faroese area, which may eventually lay the basis for a more diversified economy and thus lessen dependence on Denmark and Danish economic assistance. Aided by a substantial annual subsidy (15% of GDP) from Denmark, the Faroese have a standard of living not far below the Danes and other Scandinavians. A majority of the population still depends on agriculture and livestock for a livelihood, even though most of the nomads and many 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 half 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 have resulted in a buildup of foreign debt. In March 1999, the government signed an agreement with a joint World Bank-IMF mission on a $54 million enhanced structural adjustment facility (ESAF). Mauritania withdrew its membership in the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) in 2000. Privatization and debt relief are in full swing, and the rate of economic growth appears to be accelerating, especially in the construction, telecommunication, and information sectors. Diamonds and petroleum are beginning to be explored and exploited.
Electricity - consumption 153.45 million kWh (2000) 140.4 million kWh (1999)
Electricity - exports 0 kWh (2000) 0 kWh (1999)
Electricity - imports 0 kWh (2000) 0 kWh (1999)
Electricity - production 165 million kWh (2000) 151 million kWh (1999)
Electricity - production by source fossil fuel: 61%


hydro: 39%


nuclear: 0%


other: 0% (2000)
fossil fuel:
82.78%

hydro:
17.22%

nuclear:
0%

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


highest point: Slaettaratindur 882 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, 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 Scandinavian mixed Maur/black 40%, Maur 30%, black 30%
Exchange rates Danish kroner per US dollar - 8.418 (January 2002), 8.323 (2001), 8.083 (2000), 6.976 (1999), 6.701 (1998), 6.604 (1997) ouguiyas per US dollar - 250.870 (December 2000), 238.923 (2000), 209.514 (1999), 188.476 (1998), 151.853 (1997), 137.222 (1996)
Executive branch chief of state: Queen MARGRETHE II of Denmark (since 14 January 1972), represented by High Commissioner Birgit KLEIS, chief administrative officer (since 1 November 2001)


head of government: Prime Minister Anfinn KALLSBERG (since 15 May 1998)


cabinet: Landsstyri appointed by the prime minister


elections: the monarch is hereditary; high commissioner appointed by the monarch; following legislative elections, the leader of the majority party or the leader of the majority coalition is usually elected prime minister by the Faroese Parliament; election last held 30 April 1998 (next to be held no later than April 2002)


election results: Anfinn KALLSBERG elected prime minister; percent of parliamentary vote - 52.8%


note: coalition of People's Party, Republican Party, and Home Rule Party
chief of state:
President Col. Maaouya Ould Sid Ahmed TAYA (since 12 December 1984)

head of government:
Prime Minister Cheik El Avia Ould Mohamed KHOUNA (since 17 November 1998)

cabinet:
Council of Ministers

elections:
president elected by popular vote for a six-year term; election last held 12 December 1997 (next to be held NA December 2003); prime minister appointed by the president

election results:
President Col. Maaouya Ould Sid Ahmed TAYA reelected with 90.9% of the vote
Exports $471 million f.o.b. (1999) $333 million (f.o.b., 1999)
Exports - commodities fish and fish products 94%, stamps, ships (1999) iron ore, fish and fish products, gold
Exports - partners Denmark 32%, UK 21%, France 9%, Germany 7%, Iceland 5%, US 5% (1996) Japan 18%, France 17%, Italy 16%, Spain 11% (1998)
Fiscal year calendar year calendar year
Flag description white with a red cross outlined in blue extending to the edges of the flag; the vertical part of the cross is shifted toward the hoist side in the style of the Dannebrog (Danish 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 - $910 million (2000 est.) purchasing power parity - $5.4 billion (2000 est.)
GDP - composition by sector agriculture: 27%


industry: 11%


services: 62% (1999)
agriculture:
25%

industry:
31%

services:
44% (1997)
GDP - per capita purchasing power parity - $20,000 (2000 est.) purchasing power parity - $2,000 (2000 est.)
GDP - real growth rate 5% (2000 est.) 5% (2000 est.)
Geographic coordinates 62 00 N, 7 00 W 20 00 N, 12 00 W
Geography - note archipelago of 17 inhabited islands and one uninhabited island, and a few uninhabited islets; strategically located along important sea lanes in northeastern Atlantic; precipitous terrain limits habitation to small coastal lowlands 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: 463 km


paved: 454 km


unpaved: 9 km (1999)
total:
7,660 km

paved:
866 km

unpaved:
6,794 km (1996)
Household income or consumption by percentage share lowest 10%: NA%


highest 10%: NA%
lowest 10%:
2.3%

highest 10%:
29.9% (1995)
Imports $469 million c.i.f. (1999) $305 million (f.o.b., 1999)
Imports - commodities machinery and transport equipment 29%, consumer goods 36%, raw materials and semi-manufactures 32%, fuels, fish and salt (1999) machinery and equipment, petroleum products, capital goods, foodstuffs, consumer goods
Imports - partners Denmark 28%, Norway 26%, Germany 7%, UK 6% Sweden 5%, Iceland 4%, US (1999) France 27%, Benelux 9%, Germany 7%, Spain 7% (1998)
Independence none (part of the Kingdom of Denmark; self-governing overseas administrative division of Denmark) 28 November 1960 (from France)
Industrial production growth rate 8% (1999 est.) 2.2% (1999)
Industries fishing, fish processing, shipbuilding, construction, handicrafts fish processing, mining of iron ore and gypsum
Infant mortality rate 6.66 deaths/1,000 live births (2002 est.) 76.7 deaths/1,000 live births (2001 est.)
Inflation rate (consumer prices) 5.1% (1999) 4.5% (2000 est.)
International organization participation NC, NIB ABEDA, ACCT (associate), ACP, AfDB, AFESD, AL, AMF, AMU, CAEU, CCC, ECA, ECOWAS, FAO, G-77, IBRD, ICAO, ICFTU, ICRM, IDA, IDB, IFAD, IFC, IFRCS, IHO (pending member), ILO, IMF, IMO, Intelsat, Interpol, IOC, ITU, NAM, OAU, OIC, OPCW, UN, UNCTAD, UNESCO, UNIDO, UPU, WCL, WHO, WIPO, WMO, WToO, WTrO
Internet Service Providers (ISPs) 2 (2000) 5 (2000)
Irrigated land 0 sq km (1998 est.) 490 sq km (1993 est.)
Judicial branch none Supreme Court or Cour Supreme; Court of Appeals; lower courts
Labor force 24,250 (October 2000 ) 750,000 (1999)
Labor force - by occupation fishing, fish processing, and manufacturing 33%, construction and private services 33%, public services 34% agriculture 47%, services 39%, industry 14%
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: 2.14%


permanent crops: 0%


other: 97.86% (1998 est.)
arable land:
0%

permanent crops:
0%

permanent pastures:
38%

forests and woodland:
4%

other:
58% (1993 est.)
Languages Faroese (derived from Old Norse), Danish Hasaniya Arabic (official), Pular, Soninke, Wolof (official), French
Legal system Danish a combination of Shari'a (Islamic law) and French civil law
Legislative branch unicameral Faroese Parliament or Logting (32 seats; members are elected by popular vote on a proportional basis from the seven constituencies to serve four-year terms)


elections: last held 30 April 2002 (next to be held no later than April 2006)


election results: percent of vote by party - Union Party 26%, Republican Party 23.7%, Social Democrats 20.9%, People's Party 20.8% Independence Party 4.4%, Center Party 4.2%; seats by party - Union Party 8, Republican Party 8, Social Democrats 7, People's Party 7, Independence Party 1, Center Party 1


note: election of 2 seats to the Danish Parliament was last held on 20 November 2001 (next to be held no later than November 2005); results - percent of vote by party - NA; seats by party - Republican Party 1, Union Party 1
bicameral legislature consists of the Senate or Majlis al-Shuyukh (56 seats; 17 up for election every two years; members elected by municipal leaders to serve six-year terms) and the National Assembly or Majlis al-Watani (79 seats; members elected by popular vote to serve five-year terms)

elections:
Senate - last held 17 April 1998 (next to be held NA 2001); National Assembly - last held 11 and 18 October 1996 (next to be held NA 2001)

election results:
Senate - percent of vote by party - NA%; seats by party - NA; National Assembly - percent of vote by party - NA%; seats by party - PRDS 71, AC 1, independents and other 7
Life expectancy at birth total population: 78.74 years


male: 75.28 years


female: 82.21 years (2002 est.)
total population:
51.14 years

male:
49.06 years

female:
53.29 years (2001 est.)
Literacy definition: NA


total population: NA%


male: NA%


female: NA%


note: similar to Denmark proper
definition:
age 15 and over can read and write

total population:
46.7%

male:
53.4%

female:
40% (1998 est.)
Location Northern Europe, island group between the Norwegian Sea and the North Atlantic Ocean, about one-half of the way from Iceland to Norway Northern Africa, bordering the North Atlantic Ocean, between Senegal and Western Sahara
Map references Europe Africa
Maritime claims continental shelf: 200 NM or agreed boundaries or median line


exclusive fishing zone: 200 NM or agreed boundaries or median line


territorial sea: 3 NM
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: 7 ships (1,000 GRT or over) totaling 100,951 GRT/139,396 DWT


ships by type: cargo 2, petroleum tanker 2, refrigerated cargo 1, roll on/roll off 1, short-sea passenger 1


note: includes some foreign-owned ships registered here as a flag of convenience: Denmark 3, Norway 1, United Kingdom 1 (2002 est.)
none (2000 est.)
Military - note defense is the responsibility of Denmark -
Military branches no regular indigenous military forces; small Police Force and Coast Guard are maintained Army, Navy, Air Force, National Gendarmerie, National Guard, National Police, Presidential Guard
Military expenditures - dollar figure $NA $41 million (FY97/98)
Military expenditures - percent of GDP NA% 2.7% (FY97/98)
Military manpower - availability - males age 15-49:
624,375 (2001 est.)
Military manpower - fit for military service - males age 15-49:
302,699 (2001 est.)
National holiday Olaifest, 29 July Independence Day, 28 November (1960)
Nationality noun: Faroese (singular and plural)


adjective: Faroese
noun:
Mauritanian(s)

adjective:
Mauritanian
Natural hazards NA hot, dry, dust/sand-laden sirocco wind blows primarily in March and April; periodic droughts
Natural resources fish, whales, hydropower iron ore, gypsum, fish, copper, phosphate, diamonds, gold
Net migration rate 2.39 migrant(s)/1,000 population (2002 est.) 0 migrant(s)/1,000 population (2001 est.)
Political parties and leaders Center Party [Tordur NICALSEN]; Home Rule Party [Helena Dam a NEYSTABO]; Independence Party [leader NA]; People's Party [Oli BRECKMANN]; Republican Party [Finnabogi ISAKSON]; Social Democratic Party [Joannes EIDESGAARD]; Union Party [Edmund JOENSEN] Action for Change or AC [Messoud Ould BOULKHEIR]; Assembly for Democracy and Unity or RDU [Ahmed Ould SIDI BABA]; Democratic and Social Republican Party or PRDS (ruling party) [President Col. 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 MOLOUD]; Union for Progress and Democracy or UNDD [Naha Mint MOUKNASS]

note:
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 46,011 (July 2002 est.) 2,747,312 (July 2001 est.)
Population below poverty line NA% 50% (1996 est.)
Population growth rate 0.74% (2002 est.) 2.93% (2001 est.)
Ports and harbors Torshavn, Klaksvik, Tvoroyri, Runavik, Fuglafjordhur Bogue, Kaedi, Nouadhibou, Nouakchott, Rosso
Radio broadcast stations AM 1, FM 13, shortwave 0 (1998) AM 1, FM 2, shortwave 1 (1998)
Radios 26,000 (1997) 360,000 (1997)
Railways 0 km total:
750 km (single track); note - owned and operated by government mining company

standard gauge:
750 km 1.435-m gauge (1995)
Religions Evangelical Lutheran Muslim 100%
Sex ratio at birth: 1 male(s)/female


under 15 years: 1.01 male(s)/female


15-64 years: 1.13 male(s)/female


65 years and over: 0.81 male(s)/female


total population: 1.06 male(s)/female (2002 est.)
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:
0.71 male(s)/female

total population:
0.98 male(s)/female (2001 est.)
Suffrage 18 years of age; universal 18 years of age; universal
Telephone system general assessment: good international communications; good domestic facilities


domestic: digitalization was completed in 1998; both NMT (analog) and GSM (digital) mobile telephone systems are installed


international: satellite earth stations - 1 Orion; 1 fiber-optic submarine cable to the Shetland Islands, linking the Faroe Islands with Denmark and Iceland; fiber-optic submarine cable connection to Canada-Europe cable
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 24,851 (1999) 26,000 (2000)
Telephones - mobile cellular 10,761 (1999) NA
Television broadcast stations 3 (plus 43 low-power repeaters) (September 1995) 1 (1997)
Terrain rugged, rocky, some low peaks; cliffs along most of coast mostly barren, flat plains of the Sahara; some central hills
Total fertility rate 2.27 children born/woman (2002 est.) 6.22 children born/woman (2001 est.)
Unemployment rate 1% (October 2000 ) 23% (1995 est.)
Waterways none note:
ferry traffic on the Senegal River
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