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Compare Fiji (2001) - Sao Tome and Principe (2007)

Compare Fiji (2001) z Sao Tome and Principe (2007)

 Fiji (2001)Sao Tome and Principe (2007)
 FijiSao Tome and Principe
Administrative divisions 4 divisions and 1 dependency*; Central, Eastern, Northern, Rotuma*, Western 2 provinces; Principe, Sao Tome


note: Principe has had self government since 29 April 1995
Age structure 0-14 years:
32.92% (male 141,724; female 136,216)

15-64 years:
63.52% (male 268,411; female 267,871)

65 years and over:
3.56% (male 14,007; female 16,101) (2001 est.)
0-14 years: 47.3% (male 47,796/female 46,589)


15-64 years: 49% (male 47,386/female 50,412)


65 years and over: 3.7% (male 3,383/female 4,013) (2007 est.)
Agriculture - products sugarcane, coconuts, cassava (tapioca), rice, sweet potatoes, bananas; cattle, pigs, horses, goats; fish cocoa, coconuts, palm kernels, copra, cinnamon, pepper, coffee, bananas, papayas, beans; poultry; fish
Airports 27 (2000 est.) 2 (2007)
Airports - with paved runways total:
3

over 3,047 m:
1

1,524 to 2,437 m:
1

914 to 1,523 m:
1 (2000 est.)
total: 2


1,524 to 2,437 m: 1


914 to 1,523 m: 1 (2007)
Airports - with unpaved runways total:
24

1,524 to 2,437 m:
1

914 to 1,523 m:
4

under 914 m:
19 (2000 est.)
-
Area total:
18,270 sq km

land:
18,270 sq km

water:
0 sq km
total: 1,001 sq km


land: 1,001 sq km


water: 0 sq km
Area - comparative slightly smaller than New Jersey more than five times the size of Washington, DC
Background Fiji became independent in 1970, after nearly a century as a British colony. Democratic rule was interrupted by two military coups in 1987, caused by concern over a government perceived as dominated by the Indian community (descendants of contract laborers brought to the islands by the British in the 19th century). A 1990 constitution favored native Melanesian control of Fiji, but led to heavy Indian emigration; the population loss resulted in economic difficulties, but ensured that Melanesians became the majority. Amendments enacted in 1997 made the constitution more equitable. Free and peaceful elections in 1999 resulted in a government led by an Indo-Fijian, but a coup in May of 2000 ushered in a prolonged period of political turmoil. New elections are scheduled for August 2001. Discovered and claimed by Portugal in the late 15th century, the islands' sugar-based economy gave way to coffee and cocoa in the 19th century - all grown with plantation slave labor, a form of which lingered into the 20th century. While independence was achieved in 1975, democratic reforms were not instituted until the late 1980s. Although the first free elections were held in 1991, the political environment has been one of continued instability with frequent changes in leadership and coup attempts in 1995 and 2003. The recent discovery of oil in the Gulf of Guinea promises to have a significant impact on the country's economy.
Birth rate 23.33 births/1,000 population (2001 est.) 39.72 births/1,000 population (2007 est.)
Budget revenues:
$610 million

expenditures:
$501 million, including capital expenditures of $NA (1999 est.)
revenues: $42.96 million


expenditures: $59.61 million (2006 est.)
Capital Suva name: Sao Tome


geographic coordinates: 0 12 N, 6 39 E


time difference: UTC 0 (5 hours ahead of Washington, DC during Standard Time)
Climate tropical marine; only slight seasonal temperature variation tropical; hot, humid; one rainy season (October to May)
Coastline 1,129 km 209 km
Constitution 10 October 1970 (suspended 1 October 1987); a new constitution was proposed on 23 September 1988 and promulgated on 25 July 1990; amended 25 July 1997 to allow nonethnic Fijians greater say in government and to make multiparty government mandatory; entered into force 28 July 1998; note - the May 1999 election was the first test of the amended constitution and introduced open voting - not racially prescribed - for the first time at the national level approved March 1990, effective 10 September 1990
Country name conventional long form:
Republic of the Fiji Islands

conventional short form:
Fiji
conventional long form: Democratic Republic of Sao Tome and Principe


conventional short form: Sao Tome and Principe


local long form: Republica Democratica de Sao Tome e Principe


local short form: Sao Tome e Principe
Currency Fijian dollar (FJD) -
Death rate 5.75 deaths/1,000 population (2001 est.) 6.28 deaths/1,000 population (2007 est.)
Debt - external $193 million (1998) $318 million (2002)
Diplomatic representation from the US chief of mission:
Ambassador Osman M. SIDDIQUE

embassy:
31 Loftus Street, Suva

mailing address:
P. O. Box 218, Suva

telephone:
[679] 314466

FAX:
[679] 300081
the US does not have an embassy in Sao Tome and Principe; the Ambassador to Gabon is accredited to Sao Tome and Principe on a nonresident basis and makes periodic visits to the islands
Diplomatic representation in the US chief of mission:
Ambassador (vacant); Charge d'Affaires ad interim Salaseini Lelelvawalu VOSAILAGI

chancery:
Suite 240, 2233 Wisconsin Avenue NW, Washington, DC 20007

telephone:
[1] (202) 337-8320

FAX:
[1] (202) 337-1996
chief of mission: First Secretary Domingos Augusto FERREIRA


chancery: 400 Park Avenue, 7th Floor, New York, NY 10022


telephone: [1] (212) 317-0580


FAX: [1] (212) 935-7348


consulate(s): Atlanta
Disputes - international none none
Economic aid - recipient $40.3 million (1995) $31.9 million in December 2000 under the HIPC program (2005)
Economy - overview Fiji, endowed with forest, mineral, and fish resources, is one of the most developed of the Pacific island economies, though still with a large subsistence sector. Sugar exports and a growing tourist industry are the major sources of foreign exchange. Sugar processing makes up one-third of industrial activity. Roughly 300,000 tourists visit each year, including thousands of Americans following the start of regularly scheduled non-stop air service from Los Angeles. Fiji's growth slowed in 1997 because the sugar industry suffered from low world prices and rent disputes between farmers and landowners. Drought in 1998 further damaged the sugar industry, but its recovery in 1999 contributed to robust GDP growth. Long-term problems include low investment and uncertain property rights. The political turmoil in Fiji has had a severe impact with the economy shrinking by 8% in 1999 and over 7,000 people losing their jobs. The interim government's 2001 budget is an attempt to attract foreign investment and restart economic activity. The government's ability to manage the budget and fulfill predictions of 4% growth for 2001 will depend on a return to stability, a regaining of investor confidence, and the absence of international sanctions (which could cripple Fiji's sugar and textile industry). This small, poor island economy has become increasingly dependent on cocoa since independence in 1975. Cocoa production has substantially declined in recent years because of drought and mismanagement, but strengthening prices helped boost export earnings in 2003. Sao Tome has to import all fuels, most manufactured goods, consumer goods, and a substantial amount of food. Over the years, it has had difficulty servicing its external debt and has relied heavily on concessional aid and debt rescheduling. Sao Tome benefited from $200 million in debt relief in December 2000 under the Highly Indebted Poor Countries (HIPC) program, which helped bring down the country's $300 million debt burden. In August 2005, Sao Tome signed on to a new 3-year IMF Poverty Reduction and Growth Facility (PRGF) program worth $4.3 million. Considerable potential exists for development of a tourist industry, and the government has taken steps to expand facilities in recent years. The government also has attempted to reduce price controls and subsidies. Sao Tome is optimistic about the development of petroleum resources in its territorial waters in the oil-rich Gulf of Guinea, which are being jointly developed in a 60-40 split with Nigeria. The first production licenses were sold in 2004, though a dispute over licensing with Nigeria delayed Sao Tome's receipt of more than $20 million in signing bonuses for almost a year. Real GDP growth exceeded 4% in 2006, as a result of increases in public expenditures and oil-related capital investment.
Electricity - consumption 474.3 million kWh (1999) 16.74 million kWh (2005)
Electricity - exports 0 kWh (1999) 0 kWh (2005)
Electricity - imports 0 kWh (1999) 0 kWh (2005)
Electricity - production 510 million kWh (1999) 18 million kWh (2005)
Electricity - production by source fossil fuel:
17.65%

hydro:
82.35%

nuclear:
0%

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

highest point:
Tomanivi 1,324 m
lowest point: Atlantic Ocean 0 m


highest point: Pico de Sao Tome 2,024 m
Environment - current issues deforestation; soil erosion deforestation; soil erosion and exhaustion
Environment - international agreements party to:
Biodiversity, Climate Change, Climate Change-Kyoto Protocol, Desertification, Endangered Species, Law of the Sea, Marine Life Conservation, Nuclear Test Ban, Ozone Layer Protection, Tropical Timber 83, Tropical Timber 94

signed, but not ratified:
none of the selected agreements
party to: Biodiversity, Climate Change, Desertification, Endangered Species, Environmental Modification, Law of the Sea, Ozone Layer Protection, Ship Pollution, Wetlands


signed, but not ratified: none of the selected agreements
Ethnic groups Fijian 51% (predominantly Melanesian with a Polynesian admixture), Indian 44%, European, other Pacific Islanders, overseas Chinese, and other 5% (1998 est.) mestico, angolares (descendants of Angolan slaves), forros (descendants of freed slaves), servicais (contract laborers from Angola, Mozambique, and Cape Verde), tongas (children of servicais born on the islands), Europeans (primarily Portuguese)
Exchange rates Fijian dollars per US dollar - 2.1814 (January 2001), 2.1286 (2000), 1.9696 (1999), 1.9868 (1998), 1.4437 (1997), 1.4033 (1996) dobras per US dollar - 12,050 (2006), 9,900.4 (2005), NA 9,902.3 (2004), 9,347.6 (2003), 9,088.3 (2002)
Executive branch note:
armed ethnic Fijian terrorists, led by George SPEIGHT stormed the Parliament building on 19 May 2000; ethnic Indo-Fijian Prime Minister Mahendra CHAUDHRY and his government were held hostage for 56 days; following the attempted coup, the Commander of the Fiji Military Forces, naval Commodore Frank BAINIMARAMA declared martial law and dissolved the government on 29 May 2000; an interim government, headed by interim Prime Minister Laisenia QARASE, was appointed to serve until a new constitution was initiated and subsequent elections held; in November 2000, Fiji's High Court upheld the 1997 constitution and ruled that Ratu Sir Kamisese MARA remained the president; Justice Anthony GATES concluded that MARA should recall the pre-May 19th Parliament and appoint a prime minister to form a new government; the Fiji Court of Appeals upheld GATES' decision on 1 March 2001; it ruled that the 1997 constitution had not been abrogated, Parliament had not been dissolved, only prorogued for six months, and that the presidency remained vacant since MARA's resignation took effect 15 December 2000; President Ratu Josefa ILOILO reinstated QARASE's interim government as the caretaker government and elections were scheduled for August 2001; approximately 23 fluid political parties are currently jockeying for power

chief of state:
President Ratu Josefa ILOILO (since NA 2000); Vice President Jope SENILOLI (since NA 2000)

head of government:
Prime Minister Laisenia QARASE (since NA 2000); Deputy Prime Minister Epeli NAILATIKAU (since NA 2000)

cabinet:
Cabinet appointed by the prime minister from among the members of Parliament and is responsible to Parliament; note -there is also a Presidential Council that advises the president on matters of national importance and a Great Council of Chiefs which consists of the highest ranking members of the traditional chiefly system

elections:
president elected by the Great Council of Chiefs for a five-year term; prime minister appointed by the president

election results:
Ratu Josefa ILOILO elected president by the Great Council of Chiefs; percent of vote - NA%
chief of state: President Fradique DE MENEZES (since 3 September 2001)


head of government: Prime Minister Tome Soares da VERA CRUZ (since 21 April 2006)


cabinet: Council of Ministers appointed by the president on the proposal of the prime minister


elections: president elected by popular vote for a five-year term (eligible for a second term); election last held 30 July 2006 (next to be held July 2011); prime minister chosen by the National Assembly and approved by the president


election results: Fradique DE MENEZES elected president; percent of vote - Fradique DE MENEZES 60%, Patrice TROVOADA 38.5%
Exports $537 million (f.o.b., 1999) NA bbl/day
Exports - commodities sugar, garments, gold, timber, fish cocoa 80%, copra, coffee, palm oil
Exports - partners Australia 33.1%, US 14.8%, UK 13.8%, other Pacific island countries 8.8%, NZ 4.5%, Japan 4.5% (1999) Netherlands 47.9%, Belgium 19%, Portugal 9.3% (2006)
Fiscal year calendar year calendar year
Flag description light blue with the flag of the UK in the upper hoist-side quadrant and the Fijian shield centered on the outer half of the flag; the shield depicts a yellow lion above a white field quartered by the cross of Saint George featuring stalks of sugarcane, a palm tree, bananas, and a white dove three horizontal bands of green (top), yellow (double width), and green with two black five-pointed stars placed side by side in the center of the yellow band and a red isosceles triangle based on the hoist side; uses the popular pan-African colors of Ethiopia
GDP purchasing power parity - $5.9 billion (1999 est.) -
GDP - composition by sector agriculture:
16%

industry:
30%

services:
54% (1999 est.)
agriculture: 15%


industry: 13.7%


services: 71.3% (2006 est.)
GDP - per capita purchasing power parity - $7,300 (1999 est.) -
GDP - real growth rate -8% (1999 est.) 4.4% (2006 est.)
Geographic coordinates 18 00 S, 175 00 E 1 00 N, 7 00 E
Geography - note includes 332 islands of which approximately 110 are inhabited the smallest country in Africa; the two main islands form part of a chain of extinct volcanoes and both are fairly mountainous
Highways total:
3,440 km

paved:
1,692 km

unpaved:
1,748 km (1996)
-
Household income or consumption by percentage share lowest 10%:
NA%

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


highest 10%: NA%
Imports $653 million (f.o.b., 1999) NA bbl/day
Imports - commodities manufactured goods, machinery and transport equipment, petroleum products, food, chemicals machinery and electrical equipment, food products, petroleum products
Imports - partners Australia 41.9%, US 14%, NZ 13.3%, Japan 4.8%, Taiwan 1.9% (1999) Portugal 48.8%, France 19.7%, Belgium 5.1%, US 5.1% (2006)
Independence 10 October 1970 (from UK) 12 July 1975 (from Portugal)
Industrial production growth rate 2.9% (1995) NA%
Industries tourism, sugar, clothing, copra, gold, silver, lumber, small cottage industries light construction, textiles, soap, beer, fish processing, timber
Infant mortality rate 14.08 deaths/1,000 live births (2001 est.) total: 40.54 deaths/1,000 live births


male: 42.42 deaths/1,000 live births


female: 38.61 deaths/1,000 live births (2007 est.)
Inflation rate (consumer prices) 0% (1999 est.) 23.1% (2006 est.)
International organization participation ACP, AsDB, C, CCC, CP, ESCAP, FAO, G-77, IBRD, ICAO, ICFTU, ICRM, IDA, IFAD, IFC, IFRCS, IHO, ILO, IMF, IMO, Intelsat, Interpol, IOC, ISO (subscriber), ITU, OPCW, Sparteca, SPC, SPF, UN, UNCTAD, UNESCO, UNIDO, UNIFIL, UNIKOM, UNMIBH, UNMIK, UNTAET, UPU, WFTU, WHO, WIPO, WMO, WToO, WTrO ACCT, ACP, AfDB, AU, CPLP, FAO, G-77, IBRD, ICAO, ICCt (signatory), ICRM, IDA, IFAD, IFRCS, ILO, IMF, IMO, Interpol, IOC, IOM (observer), IPU, ITU, ITUC, NAM, OIF, OPCW, UN, UNCTAD, UNESCO, UNIDO, Union Latina, UNWTO, UPU, WCL, WHO, WIPO, WMO, WTO (observer)
Internet Service Providers (ISPs) 2 (2000) -
Irrigated land 10 sq km (1993 est.) 100 sq km (2003)
Judicial branch Supreme Court (judges are appointed by the president) Supreme Court (judges are appointed by the National Assembly)
Labor force 235,000 35,050 (1991)
Labor force - by occupation subsistence agriculture 67%, wage earners 18%, salary earners 15% (1987) note: population mainly engaged in subsistence agriculture and fishing; shortages of skilled workers
Land boundaries 0 km 0 km
Land use arable land:
10%

permanent crops:
4%

permanent pastures:
10%

forests and woodland:
65%

other:
11% (1993 est.)
arable land: 8.33%


permanent crops: 48.96%


other: 42.71% (2005)
Languages English (official), Fijian, Hindustani Portuguese (official)
Legal system based on British system based on Portuguese legal system and customary law; has not accepted compulsory ICJ jurisdiction
Legislative branch bicameral Parliament consists of the Senate (32 seats; 14 appointed by the Great Council of Chiefs, nine appointed by the prime minister, eight appointed by the leader of the opposition, and one appointed by the council of Rotuma) and the House of Representatives (71 seats; 23 reserved for ethnic Fijians, 19 reserved for ethnic Indians, three reserved for other ethnic groups, one reserved for the council of Rotuma constituency encompassing the whole of Fiji, and 25 open; members serve five-year terms)

elections:
House of Representatives - last held 11 May 1999 (next to be held NA May 2004)

election results:
House of Representatives - percent of vote by party - NA%; seats by party - Fiji Labor Party 37, others 34
unicameral National Assembly or Assembleia Nacional (55 seats; members are elected by popular vote to serve four-year terms)


elections: last held on 26 March 2006 (next to be held in March 2010)


election results: percent of vote by party - MDFM-PCD 37.2%, MLSTP 28.9%, ADI 20.0%, NR 4.7%, others 9.2%; seats by party - MDFM-PCD 23, MLSTP 19, ADI 12, NR 1
Life expectancy at birth total population:
68.25 years

male:
65.83 years

female:
70.78 years (2001 est.)
total population: 67.64 years


male: 66.03 years


female: 69.3 years (2007 est.)
Literacy definition:
age 15 and over can read and write

total population:
91.6%

male:
93.8%

female:
89.3% (1995 est.)
definition: age 15 and over can read and write


total population: 84.9%


male: 92.2%


female: 77.9% (2001 census)
Location Oceania, island group in the South Pacific Ocean, about two-thirds of the way from Hawaii to New Zealand Western Africa, islands in the Gulf of Guinea, straddling the Equator, west of Gabon
Map references Oceania Africa
Maritime claims measured from claimed archipelagic baselines

continental shelf:
200-m depth or to the depth of exploitation; rectilinear shelf claim added

exclusive economic zone:
200 NM

territorial sea:
12 NM
measured from claimed archipelagic baselines


territorial sea: 12 nm


exclusive economic zone: 200 nm
Merchant marine total:
6 ships (1,000 GRT or over) totaling 11,870 GRT/14,787 DWT

ships by type:
chemical tanker 2, passenger 1, petroleum tanker 1, roll on/roll off 1, specialized tanker 1 (2000 est.)
total: 7 ships (1000 GRT or over) 20,455 GRT/27,871 DWT


by type: bulk carrier 1, cargo 6


foreign-owned: 2 (Egypt 1, Greece 1) (2007)
Military - note - Sao Tome and Principe's army is a tiny force with almost no resources at its disposal and would be wholly ineffective operating unilaterally; infantry equipment is considered simple to operate and maintain but may require refurbishment or replacement after 25 years in tropical climates; poor pay, working conditions, and alleged nepotism in the promotion of officers have been problems in the past, as reflected in the 1995 and 2003 coups; these issues are being addressed with foreign assistance aimed at improving the army and its focus on realistic security concerns; command is exercised from the president, through the Minister of Defense, to the Chief of the Armed Forces staff (2005)
Military branches Republic of Fiji Military Forces (RFMF; includes ground and naval forces) Armed Forces of Sao Tome and Principe (FASTP): Army, Navy, Presidential Guard (2007)
Military expenditures - dollar figure $24 million (FY98) -
Military expenditures - percent of GDP 1.1% (FY98) 0.8% (2006)
Military manpower - availability males age 15-49:
227,599 (2001 est.)
-
Military manpower - fit for military service males age 15-49:
125,238 (2001 est.)
-
Military manpower - military age 18 years of age -
Military manpower - reaching military age annually males:
9,471 (2001 est.)
-
National holiday Independence Day, second Monday of October (1970) Independence Day, 12 July (1975)
Nationality noun:
Fijian(s)

adjective:
Fijian
noun: Sao Tomean(s)


adjective: Sao Tomean
Natural hazards cyclonic storms can occur from November to January NA
Natural resources timber, fish, gold, copper, offshore oil potential, hydropower fish, hydropower
Net migration rate -3.45 migrant(s)/1,000 population (2001 est.) -2.14 migrant(s)/1,000 population (2007 est.)
Political parties and leaders Fiji Labor Party or FLP [Mahendra CHAUDHRY]; Fijian Nationalist Federation Party or NFP [Singh RAKKA]; Fijian Political Party or SVT (primarily Fijian) [Maj. Gen. Sitiveni RABUKA]; National Federation Party or NFP (primarily Indian) [Jai Ram REDDY]; United General Party or UGP [David PICKERING] Democratic Renovation Party [Armindo GRACA]; Force for Change Democratic Movement or MDFM; Independent Democratic Action or ADI [Carlos NEVES]; Movement for the Liberation of Sao Tome and Principe-Social Democratic Party or MLSTP-PSD [Manuel Pinto Da COSTA]; New Way Movement or NR; Party for Democratic Convergence or PCD [Aldo BANDEIRA]; Ue-Kedadji coalition; other small parties
Political pressure groups and leaders NA NA
Population 844,330 (July 2001 est.) 199,579 (July 2007 est.)
Population below poverty line NA% 54% (2004 est.)
Population growth rate 1.41% (2001 est.) 3.13% (2007 est.)
Ports and harbors Lambasa, Lautoka, Levuka, Savusavu, Suva -
Radio broadcast stations AM 13, FM 40, shortwave 0 (1998) AM 1, FM 5, shortwave 1 (2001)
Radios 500,000 (1997) -
Railways total:
597 km; note - belongs to the government-owned Fiji Sugar Corporation

narrow gauge:
597 km 0.610-m gauge (1995)
-
Religions Christian 52% (Methodist 37%, Roman Catholic 9%), Hindu 38%, Muslim 8%, other 2%

note:
Fijians are mainly Christian, Indians are Hindu, and there is a Muslim minority (1986)
Catholic 70.3%, Evangelical 3.4%, New Apostolic 2%, Adventist 1.8%, other 3.1%, none 19.4% (2001 census)
Sex ratio at birth:
1.05 male(s)/female

under 15 years:
1.04 male(s)/female

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

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

total population:
1.01 male(s)/female (2001 est.)
at birth: 1.03 male(s)/female


under 15 years: 1.026 male(s)/female


15-64 years: 0.94 male(s)/female


65 years and over: 0.843 male(s)/female


total population: 0.976 male(s)/female (2007 est.)
Suffrage 21 years of age; universal 18 years of age; universal
Telephone system general assessment:
modern local, interisland, and international (wire/radio integrated) public and special-purpose telephone, telegraph, and teleprinter facilities; regional radio communications center

domestic:
NA

international:
access to important cable links between US and Canada as well as between NZ and Australia; satellite earth station - 1 Intelsat (Pacific Ocean)
general assessment: adequate facilities


domestic: minimal system


international: country code - 239; satellite earth station - 1 Intelsat (Atlantic Ocean)
Telephones - main lines in use 72,000 (1997) 7,100 (2005)
Telephones - mobile cellular 5,200 (1997) 12,000 (2005)
Television broadcast stations NA 2 (2001)
Terrain mostly mountains of volcanic origin volcanic, mountainous
Total fertility rate 2.86 children born/woman (2001 est.) 5.53 children born/woman (2007 est.)
Unemployment rate 6% (1997 est.) NA%
Waterways 203 km

note:
122 km navigable by motorized craft and 200-metric-ton barges
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