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Compare Fiji (2003) - Lesotho (2008)

Compare Fiji (2003) z Lesotho (2008)

 Fiji (2003)Lesotho (2008)
 FijiLesotho
Administrative divisions 4 divisions and 1 dependency*; Central, Eastern, Northern, Rotuma*, Western 10 districts; Berea, Butha-Buthe, Leribe, Mafeteng, Maseru, Mohale's Hoek, Mokhotlong, Qacha's Nek, Quthing, Thaba-Tseka
Age structure 0-14 years: 32% (male 141,979; female 136,378)


15-64 years: 64.1% (male 278,759; female 278,150)


65 years and over: 3.8% (male 15,329; female 17,936) (2003 est.)
0-14 years: 35.7% (male 382,308/female 377,303)


15-64 years: 59.3% (male 613,979/female 645,818)


65 years and over: 5% (male 42,621/female 63,233) (2007 est.)
Agriculture - products sugarcane, coconuts, cassava (tapioca), rice, sweet potatoes, bananas; cattle, pigs, horses, goats; fish corn, wheat, pulses, sorghum, barley; livestock
Airports 27 (2002) 28 (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 (2002)
total: 3


over 3,047 m: 1


914 to 1,523 m: 1


under 914 m: 1 (2007)
Airports - with unpaved runways total: 24


914 to 1,523 m: 6


under 914 m: 18 (2002)
total: 25


914 to 1,523 m: 4


under 914 m: 21 (2007)
Area total: 18,270 sq km


land: 18,270 sq km


water: 0 sq km
total: 30,355 sq km


land: 30,355 sq km


water: 0 sq km
Area - comparative slightly smaller than New Jersey slightly smaller than Maryland
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 2000 ushered in a prolonged period of political turmoil. Parliamentary elections held in August 2001 provided Fiji with a democratically elected government and gave a mandate to the government of Prime Minister Laisenia QARASE. Basutoland was renamed the Kingdom of Lesotho upon independence from the UK in 1966. The Basuto National Party ruled for the first two decades. King MOSHOESHOE was exiled in 1990, but returned to Lesotho in 1992 and was reinstated in 1995. Constitutional government was restored in 1993 after seven years of military rule. In 1998, violent protests and a military mutiny following a contentious election prompted a brief but bloody intervention by South African and Botswanan military forces under the aegis of the Southern African Development Community. Subsequent constitutional reforms restored relative political stability. Peaceful parliamentary elections were held in 2002, but the National Assembly elections of February 2007 were hotly contested and aggrieved parties continue to periodically demonstrate their distrust of the results.
Birth rate 23.06 births/1,000 population (2003 est.) 24.72 births/1,000 population (2007 est.)
Budget revenues: $427.9 million


expenditures: $531.4 million, including capital expenditures of $NA (2000 est.)
revenues: $951.4 million


expenditures: $855.4 million (2007 est.)
Capital Suva name: Maseru


geographic coordinates: 29 19 S, 27 29 E


time difference: UTC+2 (7 hours ahead of Washington, DC during Standard Time)
Climate tropical marine; only slight seasonal temperature variation temperate; cool to cold, dry winters; hot, wet summers
Coastline 1,129 km 0 km (landlocked)
Constitution promulgated on 25 July 1990 and amended on 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 2 April 1993
Country name conventional long form: Republic of the Fiji Islands


conventional short form: Fiji
conventional long form: Kingdom of Lesotho


conventional short form: Lesotho


local long form: Kingdom of Lesotho


local short form: Lesotho


former: Basutoland
Currency Fijian dollar (FJD) -
Death rate 5.7 deaths/1,000 population (2003 est.) 22.49 deaths/1,000 population (2007 est.)
Debt - external $135.9 million (2000) $693 million (31 December 2007 est.)
Diplomatic representation from the US chief of mission: Ambassador David L. LYON


embassy: 31 Loftus Street, Suva


mailing address: P. O. Box 218, Suva


telephone: [679] 331-4466


FAX: [679] 330-0081
chief of mission: Ambassador Robert NOLAN


embassy: 254 Kingsway, Maseru West (Consular Section)


mailing address: P. O. Box 333, Maseru 100, Lesotho


telephone: [266] 22 312666


FAX: [266] 22 310116
Diplomatic representation in the US chief of mission: Ambassador Anare JALE


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


telephone: [1] (202) 337-8320


FAX: [1] (202) 337-1996
chief of mission: Ambassador (vacant); Charge d'Affaires Mabasia MOHOBANE


chancery: 2511 Massachusetts Avenue NW, Washington, DC 20008


telephone: [1] (202) 797-5533 through 5536


FAX: [1] (202) 234-6815
Disputes - international none none
Economic aid - recipient $40.3 million (1995) $68.82 million (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 - with 300,000 to 400,000 tourists annually - are the major sources of foreign exchange. Sugar processing makes up one-third of industrial activity. Long-term problems include low investment, uncertain land ownership rights, and the government's ability to manage its budget. Small, landlocked, and mountainous, Lesotho relies on remittances from miners employed in South Africa and customs duties from the Southern Africa Customs Union for the majority of government revenue. However, the government has recently strengthened its tax system to reduce dependency on customs duties. Completion of a major hydropower facility in January 1998 now permits the sale of water to South Africa and also generates royalties for Lesotho. Lesotho produces about 90% of its own electrical power needs. As the number of mineworkers has declined steadily over the past several years, a small manufacturing base has developed based on farm products that support the milling, canning, leather, and jute industries, as well as a rapidly expanding apparel-assembly sector. The latter has grown significantly mainly due to Lesotho qualifying for the trade benefits contained in the Africa Growth and Opportunity Act. The economy is still primarily based on subsistence agriculture, especially livestock, although drought has decreased agricultural activity. The extreme inequality in the distribution of income remains a major drawback. Lesotho has signed an Interim Poverty Reduction and Growth Facility with the IMF. In July 2007 Lesotho signed a Millennium Challenge Account Compact with the US worth $362.5 million.
Electricity - consumption 483.7 million kWh (2001) 338.5 million kWh (2005)
Electricity - exports 0 kWh (2001) 0 kWh (2005)
Electricity - imports 0 kWh (2001) 13 million kWh; note - electricity supplied by South Africa (2005)
Electricity - production 520.1 million kWh (2001) 350 million kWh; note - electricity supplied by South Africa (2005)
Electricity - production by source fossil fuel: 18.5%


hydro: 81.5%


nuclear: 0%


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


highest point: Tomanivi 1,324 m
lowest point: junction of the Orange and Makhaleng Rivers 1,400 m


highest point: Thabana Ntlenyana 3,482 m
Environment - current issues deforestation; soil erosion population pressure forcing settlement in marginal areas results in overgrazing, severe soil erosion, and soil exhaustion; desertification; Highlands Water Project controls, stores, and redirects water to South Africa
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, Climate Change-Kyoto Protocol, Desertification, Endangered Species, Hazardous Wastes, Marine Life Conservation, Ozone Layer Protection, Wetlands


signed, but not ratified: Law of the Sea
Ethnic groups Fijian 51% (predominantly Melanesian with a Polynesian admixture), Indian 44%, European, other Pacific Islanders, overseas Chinese, and other 5% (1998 est.) Sotho 99.7%, Europeans, Asians, and other 0.3%,
Exchange rates Fijian dollars per US dollar - 2.19 (2002), 2.28 (2001), 2.13 (2000), 1.97 (1999), 1.99 (1998) maloti per US dollar - 7.25 (2007), 6.85 (2006), 6.3593 (2005), 6.4597 (2004), 7.5648 (2003)
Executive branch chief of state: President Ratu Josefa ILOILOVATU Uluivuda (since NA 2000); Vice President Jope SENILOLI (since NA 2000)


head of government: Prime Minister Laisenia QARASE (since 10 September 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 chief 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 ILOILOVATU Uluivuda elected president by the Great Council of Chiefs; percent of vote - NA%
chief of state: King LETSIE III (since 7 February 1996); note - King LETSIE III formerly occupied the throne from November 1990 to February 1995 while his father was in exile


head of government: Prime Minister Pakalitha MOSISILI (since 23 May 1998)


cabinet: Cabinet


elections: none - according to the constitution, the leader of the majority party in the Assembly automatically becomes prime minister; the monarch is hereditary, but, under the terms of the constitution, that came into effect after the March 1993 election, the monarch is a "living symbol of national unity" with no executive or legislative powers; under traditional law the college of chiefs has the power to depose the monarch, determine who is next in the line of succession, or who shall serve as regent in the event that the successor is not of mature age
Exports NA (2001) 0 bbl/day (2004)
Exports - commodities sugar, garments, gold, timber, fish, molasses, coconut oil manufactures 75% (clothing, footwear, road vehicles), wool and mohair, food and live animals (2000)
Exports - partners US 25.1%, Australia 19.5%, UK 10.6%, Japan 6.3%, Samoa 5.5% (2002) US 81.9%, Belgium 15%, Canada 1.9% (2006)
Fiscal year calendar year 1 April - 31 March
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 stripes of blue (top), white, and green in the proportions of 3:4:3; the colors represent rain, peace, and prosperity respectively; centered in the white stripe is a black Basotho hat representing the indigenous people; the flag was unfurled in October 2006 to celebrate 40 years of independence
GDP purchasing power parity - $4.822 billion (2002 est.) -
GDP - composition by sector agriculture: 17%


industry: 25%


services: 58% (2000 est.)
agriculture: 15.2%


industry: 45%


services: 39.7% (2007 est.)
GDP - per capita purchasing power parity - $5,600 (2002 est.) -
GDP - real growth rate 4.6% (2002 est.) 4.8% (2007 est.)
Geographic coordinates 18 00 S, 175 00 E 29 30 S, 28 30 E
Geography - note includes 332 islands of which approximately 110 are inhabited landlocked, completely surrounded by South Africa; mountainous, more than 80% of the country is 1,800 meters above sea level
Highways total: 3,440 km


paved: 1,692 km


unpaved: 1,748 km (1999 est.)
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Household income or consumption by percentage share lowest 10%: NA%


highest 10%: NA%
lowest 10%: 0.9%


highest 10%: 43.4% (2002 est.)
Imports NA (2001) 1,400 bbl/day (2004)
Imports - commodities manufactured goods, machinery and transport equipment, petroleum products, food, chemicals food; building materials, vehicles, machinery, medicines, petroleum products
Imports - partners Australia 37.3%, New Zealand 17.2%, Singapore 16.1%, Japan 4.2%, China 4% (2002) Hong Kong 33.4%, China 31.2%, Germany 7.7%, India 7.3% (2006)
Independence 10 October 1970 (from UK) 4 October 1966 (from UK)
Industrial production growth rate NA% 12% (2007 est.)
Industries tourism, sugar, clothing, copra, gold, silver, lumber, small cottage industries food, beverages, textiles, apparel assembly, handicrafts, construction, tourism
Infant mortality rate total: 13.35 deaths/1,000 live births


male: 14.75 deaths/1,000 live births


female: 11.89 deaths/1,000 live births (2003 est.)
total: 79.85 deaths/1,000 live births


male: 84.4 deaths/1,000 live births


female: 75.17 deaths/1,000 live births (2007 est.)
Inflation rate (consumer prices) 2% (2002 est.) 12% (2007 est.)
International organization participation ACP, AsDB, C, CP, ESCAP, FAO, G-77, IBRD, ICAO, ICCt, ICFTU, ICRM, IDA, IFAD, IFC, IFRCS, IHO, ILO, IMF, IMO, Interpol, IOC, ISO (subscriber), ITU, OPCW, PCA, Sparteca, SPC, SPF, UN, UNCTAD, UNESCO, UNIDO, UNIFIL, UNIKOM, UNMIBH, UNMIK, UNMISET, UPU, WCO, WFTU, WHO, WIPO, WMO, WToO, WTrO ACP, AfDB, AU, C, FAO, G-77, IBRD, ICAO, ICCt, ICRM, IDA, IFAD, IFC, IFRCS, ILO, IMF, Interpol, IOC, ISO (subscriber), ITU, MIGA, NAM, OPCW, SACU, SADC, UN, UNCTAD, UNESCO, UNHCR, UNIDO, UNWTO, UPU, WCO, WFTU, WHO, WIPO, WMO, WTO
Internet Service Providers (ISPs) 2 (2000) -
Irrigated land 30 sq km (1998 est.) 30 sq km (2003)
Judicial branch Supreme Court (judges are appointed by the president); Court of Appeal; High Court; Magistrates' Courts High Court (chief justice appointed by the monarch acting on the advice of the Prime Minister); Court of Appeal; Magistrate Courts; customary or traditional court
Labor force 137,000 (1999) 838,000 (2000 est.)
Labor force - by occupation agriculture, including subsistence agriculture 70% (2001 est.) agriculture: 86% of resident population engaged in subsistence agriculture; roughly 35% of the active male wage earners work in South Africa


industry and services: 14% (2002 est.)
Land boundaries 0 km total: 909 km


border countries: South Africa 909 km
Land use arable land: 10.95%


permanent crops: 4.65%


other: 84.4% (1998 est.)
arable land: 10.87%


permanent crops: 0.13%


other: 89% (2005)
Languages English (official), Fijian, Hindustani Sesotho (southern Sotho), English (official), Zulu, Xhosa
Legal system based on British system based on English common law and Roman-Dutch law; judicial review of legislative acts in High Court and Court of Appeal; accepts compulsory ICJ jurisdiction with reservations
Legislative branch bicameral Parliament consists of the Senate (34 seats; 24 appointed by the Great Council of Chiefs, nine appointed by the president, 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 seats; members serve five-year terms)


elections: House of Representatives - last held 25 August through 1 September, 19 September 2001 (next to be held not later than September 2006)


election results: House of Representatives - percent of vote by party - FLP 34.8%, SDL 26%, NFP 10.1%, MV 9.9%, independents 2.7%, other 16.5%; seats by party - NA
bicameral Parliament consists of the Senate (33 members - 22 principal chiefs and 11 other members appointed by the ruling party) and the Assembly (120 seats, 80 by popular vote and 40 by proportional vote; members elected by popular vote for five-year terms)


elections: last held 17 February 2007 (next to be held in 2012)


election results: percent of vote by party - NA; seats by party - LCD 61, NIP 21, ABC 17, LWP 10, ACP 4, BNP 3, other 4
Life expectancy at birth total population: 68.88 years


male: 66.43 years


female: 71.44 years (2003 est.)
total population: 39.97 years


male: 40.73 years


female: 39.18 years (2007 est.)
Literacy definition: age 15 and over can read and write


total population: 93.7%


male: 95.5%


female: 91.9% (2003 est.)
definition: age 15 and over can read and write


total population: 84.8%


male: 74.5%


female: 94.5% (2003 est.)
Location Oceania, island group in the South Pacific Ocean, about two-thirds of the way from Hawaii to New Zealand Southern Africa, an enclave of South Africa
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
none (landlocked)
Merchant marine total: 6 ships (1,000 GRT or over) 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


note: includes some foreign-owned ships registered here as a flag of convenience: Australia 1, Singapore 4
(2002 est.)
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Military - note - the Lesotho Government in 1999 began an open debate on the future structure, size, and role of the armed forces, especially considering the Lesotho Defense Force's (LDF) history of intervening in political affairs
Military branches Republic of Fiji Military Forces (RFMF), includes ground forces, naval division Lesotho Defense Force (LDF): Army and Air Wing
Military expenditures - dollar figure $39.21 million (FY02) -
Military expenditures - percent of GDP 2.2% (FY02) 2.6% (2006)
Military manpower - availability males age 15-49: 235,546 (2003 est.) -
Military manpower - fit for military service males age 15-49: 129,432 (2003 est.) -
Military manpower - military age 18 years of age (2003 est.) -
Military manpower - reaching military age annually males: 9,359 (2003 est.) -
National holiday Independence Day, second Monday of October (1970) Independence Day, 4 October (1966)
Nationality noun: Fijian(s)


adjective: Fijian
noun: Mosotho (singular), Basotho (plural)


adjective: Basotho
Natural hazards cyclonic storms can occur from November to January periodic droughts
Natural resources timber, fish, gold, copper, offshore oil potential, hydropower water, agricultural and grazing land, diamonds, sand, clay, building stone
Net migration rate -3.24 migrant(s)/1,000 population (2003 est.) -0.78 migrant(s)/1,000 population (2007 est.)
Political parties and leaders Bai Kei Viti Party or BKV [Ratu Tevita MOMOEDONU]; Conservative Alliance Party/Matanitu Vanua or MV [Ratu Rakuita VAKALALABURE]; Dodonu Ni Taukei Party or DNT [Fereti S. DEWA]; Fiji Democratic Party or FDP [Felipe BOLE] (a merger of the Christian Democrat Alliance or VLV [Poesci Waqalevu BUNE], Fijian Association Party or FAP [Adi Kuini SPEED], Fijian Political Party or SVT (primarily Fijian) [Felipe BOLE], and New Labor Unity Party or NLUP [Tupeni BABA]); Fiji Labor Party or FLP [Mahendra CHAUDRHRY]; General Voters Party or GVP [leader NA] (became part of United General Party); Girmit Heritage Party or GHP [leader NA]; Justice and Freedom Party or AIM [leader NA]; Lio 'On Famor Rotuma Party or LFR [leader NA]; National Federation Party or NFP (primarily Indian) [Pramond RAE]; Nationalist Vanua Takolavo Party or NVTLP [Saula TELAWA]; Party of National Unity or PANU [Meli BOGILEKA]; Party of the Truth or POTT [leader NA]; United Fiji Party/Sogosogo Duavata ni Lewenivanua or SDL [Laisenia QARASE]; United General Party or UGP [Millis Mick BEDDOES] Alliance of Congress Parties or ACP; All Basotho Convention or ABC [Thomas THABANE]; Basotholand African Congress or BAC [Khauhelo RALITAPOLE]; Basotho Congress Party or BCP [Ntsukunyane MPHANYA]; Basotho National Party or BNP [Maj. Gen. Justin Metsing LEKHANYA]; Kopanang Basotho Party or KPB [Pheelo MOSALA]; Lesotho Congress for Democracy or LCD (the governing party) [Pakalitha MOSISILI]; Lesotho Education Party or LEP [Thabo PITSO]; Lesotho Workers Party or LWP [Macaefa BILLY]; Marematlou Freedom Party or MFP [Vincent MALEBO]; National Independent Party or NIP [Anthony MANYELI]; New Lesotho Freedom Party or NLFP [Manapo MAJARA]; Popular Front for Democracy or PFD [Lekhetho RAKUOANE]; Sefate Democratic Union or SDU [Bofihla NKUEBE]; Social Democratic Party of SDP [Masitise SELESO]
Political pressure groups and leaders NA NA
Population 868,531 (July 2003 est.) 2,125,262


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 2007 est.)
Population below poverty line 25.5% (1990-91) 49% (1999)
Population growth rate 1.41% (2003 est.) 0.144% (2007 est.)
Ports and harbors Lambasa, Lautoka, Levuka, Malau, Savusavu, Suva, Vuda -
Radio broadcast stations AM 13, FM 40, shortwave 0 (1998) AM 1, FM 2, shortwave 1 (1998)
Railways total: 597 km


narrow gauge: 597 km 0.600-m gauge


note: belongs to the government-owned Fiji Sugar Corporation; used to haul sugarcane during harvest season (May to September) (2002)
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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)
Christian 80%, indigenous beliefs 20%
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: 0.85 male(s)/female


total population: 1.01 male(s)/female (2003 est.)
at birth: 1.03 male(s)/female


under 15 years: 1.013 male(s)/female


15-64 years: 0.951 male(s)/female


65 years and over: 0.674 male(s)/female


total population: 0.956 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: rudimentary system consisting of a modest but growing number of landlines, a small microwave radio relay system, and a small radiotelephone communication system; mobile-cellular telephone system is expanding


domestic: privatized in 2001, Telecom Lesotho tasked with providing an additional 50,000 fixed-line connections within five years, a target not met; mobile-cellular service is expanding with a subscribership approaching 15 per 100 persons; rural services are scant


international: country code - 266; satellite earth station - 1 Intelsat (Atlantic Ocean)
Telephones - main lines in use 80,901 (1999) 48,000 (2005)
Telephones - mobile cellular 5,200 (1997) 249,800 (2005)
Television broadcast stations NA 1 (2000)
Terrain mostly mountains of volcanic origin mostly highland with plateaus, hills, and mountains
Total fertility rate 2.81 children born/woman (2003 est.) 3.21 children born/woman (2007 est.)
Unemployment rate 7.6% (1999) 45% (2002)
Waterways 203 km


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