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Compare French Polynesia (2001) - Western Sahara (2001)

Compare French Polynesia (2001) z Western Sahara (2001)

 French Polynesia (2001)Western Sahara (2001)
 French PolynesiaWestern Sahara
Administrative divisions none (overseas territory of France); there are no first-order administrative divisions as defined by the US Government, but there are 5 archipelagic divisions named Archipel des Marquises, Archipel des Tuamotu, Archipel des Tubuai, Iles du Vent, and Iles Sous-le-Vent

note:
Clipperton Island is administered by France from French Polynesia
none (under de facto control of Morocco)
Age structure 0-14 years:
29.74% (male 38,473; female 36,925)

15-64 years:
65.17% (male 86,128; female 79,076)

65 years and over:
5.09% (male 6,481; female 6,423) (2001 est.)
0-14 years:
NA%

15-64 years:
NA%

65 years and over:
NA%
Agriculture - products coconuts, vanilla, vegetables, fruits; poultry, beef, dairy products fruits and vegetables (grown in the few oases); camels, sheep, goats (kept by nomads)
Airports 45 (2000 est.) 11 (2000 est.)
Airports - with paved runways total:
32

over 3,047 m:
2

1,524 to 2,437 m:
5

914 to 1,523 m:
19

under 914 m:
6 (2000 est.)
total:
3

2,438 to 3,047 m:
3 (2000 est.)
Airports - with unpaved runways total:
13

914 to 1,523 m:
3

under 914 m:
10 (2000 est.)
total:
8

1,524 to 2,437 m:
1

914 to 1,523 m:
4

under 914 m:
3 (2000 est.)
Area total:
4,167 sq km (118 islands and atolls)

land:
3,660 sq km

water:
507 sq km
total:
266,000 sq km

land:
266,000 sq km

water:
0 sq km
Area - comparative slightly less than one-third the size of Connecticut about the size of Colorado
Background The French annexed various Polynesian island groups during the 19th century. In September 1995, France stirred up widespread protests by resuming nuclear testing on the Mururoa atoll after a three-year moratorium. The tests were suspended in January 1996. Morocco virtually annexed the northern two-thirds of Western Sahara (formerly Spanish Sahara) in 1976, and the rest of the territory in 1979, following Mauritania's withdrawal. A guerrilla war with the Polisario Front contesting Rabat's sovereignty ended in a 1991 cease-fire; a referendum on final status has been repeatedly postponed and is not expected to occur until at least 2002.
Birth rate 18.6 births/1,000 population (2001 est.) -
Budget revenues:
$1 billion

expenditures:
$900 million, including capital expenditures of $185 million (1996)
revenues:
$NA

expenditures:
$NA, including capital expenditures of $NA
Capital Papeete none
Climate tropical, but moderate hot, dry desert; rain is rare; cold offshore air currents produce fog and heavy dew
Coastline 2,525 km 1,110 km
Constitution 28 September 1958 (French Constitution) -
Country name conventional long form:
Territory of French Polynesia

conventional short form:
French Polynesia

local long form:
Territoire de la Polynesie Francaise

local short form:
Polynesie Francaise

former:
French Colony of Oceania
conventional long form:
none

conventional short form:
Western Sahara

former:
Spanish Sahara
Currency Comptoirs Francais du Pacifique franc (XPF) Moroccan dirham (MAD)
Death rate 4.45 deaths/1,000 population (2001 est.) -
Debt - external $NA $NA
Dependency status overseas territory of France since 1946 -
Diplomatic representation from the US none (overseas territory of France) none
Diplomatic representation in the US none (overseas territory of France) none
Disputes - international none claimed and administered by Morocco, but sovereignty is unresolved and the UN is attempting to hold a referendum on the issue; the UN-administered cease-fire has been in effect since September 1991
Economic aid - recipient $367 million (1997) $NA
Economy - overview Since 1962, when France stationed military personnel in the region, French Polynesia has changed from a subsistence economy to one in which a high proportion of the work force is either employed by the military or supports the tourist industry. Tourism accounts for about one-fourth of GDP and is a primary source of hard currency earnings. The small manufacturing sector primarily processes agricultural products. The territory benefited from a five-year (1994-98) development agreement with France aimed principally at creating new jobs. Western Sahara, a territory poor in natural resources and lacking sufficient rainfall, depends on pastoral nomadism, fishing, and phosphate mining as the principal sources of income for the population. Most of the food for the urban population must be imported. All trade and other economic activities are controlled by the Moroccan Government. Incomes and standards of living are substantially below the Moroccan level.
Electricity - consumption 399.9 million kWh (1999) 83.7 million kWh (1999)
Electricity - exports 0 kWh (1999) 0 kWh (1999)
Electricity - imports 0 kWh (1999) 0 kWh (1999)
Electricity - production 430 million kWh (1999) 90 million kWh (1999)
Electricity - production by source fossil fuel:
51.16%

hydro:
48.84%

nuclear:
0%

other:
0% (1999)
fossil fuel:
100%

hydro:
0%

nuclear:
0%

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

highest point:
Mont Orohena 2,241 m
lowest point:
Sebjet Tah -55 m

highest point:
unnamed location 463 m
Environment - current issues NA sparse water and lack of arable land
Environment - international agreements - party to:
none of the selected agreements

signed, but not ratified:
none of the selected agreements
Ethnic groups Polynesian 78%, Chinese 12%, local French 6%, metropolitan French 4% Arab, Berber
Exchange rates Comptoirs Francais du Pacifique francs (XPF) per US dollar - 127.11 (January 2001), 129.44 (2000), 111.93 (1999), 107.25 (1998), 106.11 (1997), 93.00 (1996); note - pegged at the rate of 119.25 XPF to the euro Moroccan dirhams per US dollar - 10.590 (January 2001), 10.626 (2000), 9.804 (1999), 9.604 (1998), 9.527 (1997), 8.716 (1996)
Executive branch chief of state:
President Jacques CHIRAC of France (since 17 May 1995), represented by High Commissioner of the Republic Paul RONCIERE (since NA 1994)

head of government:
President of the Territorial Government of French Polynesia Gaston FLOSSE (since 4 April 1991); President of the Territorial Assembly Justin ARAPARI (since 13 May 1996)

cabinet:
Council of Ministers; president submits a list of members of the Territorial Assembly for approval by them to serve as ministers

elections:
French president elected by popular vote for a seven-year term; high commissioner appointed by the French president on the advice of the French Ministry of Interior; president of the Territorial Government and the president of the Territorial Assembly are elected by the members of the assembly
none
Exports $205 million (f.o.b., 1999) $NA
Exports - commodities cultured pearls 50%, coconut products, mother-of-pearl, vanilla, shark meat (1997) phosphates 62%
Exports - partners Japan 62%, US 21% (1999) Morocco claims and administers Western Sahara, so trade partners are included in overall Moroccan accounts
Fiscal year calendar year calendar year
Flag description two narrow red horizontal bands encase a wide white band; centered on the white band is a disk with blue and white wave pattern on the lower half and gold and white ray pattern on the upper half; a stylized red, blue and white ship rides on the wave pattern; the French flag is used for official occasions -
GDP purchasing power parity - $2.6 billion (1997 est.) purchasing power parity - $NA
GDP - composition by sector agriculture:
4%

industry:
18%

services:
78% (1997)
agriculture:
NA%

industry:
NA%

services:
40%-45% (1996 est.)
GDP - per capita purchasing power parity - $10,800 (1997 est.) purchasing power parity - $NA
GDP - real growth rate 2.5% (1997 est.) NA%
Geographic coordinates 15 00 S, 140 00 W 24 30 N, 13 00 W
Geography - note includes five archipelagoes; Makatea in French Polynesia is one of the three great phosphate rock islands in the Pacific Ocean - the others are Banaba (Ocean Island) in Kiribati and Nauru -
Heliports - 1 (2000 est.)
Highways total:
792 km

paved:
264 km

unpaved:
528 km (2000)
total:
6,200 km

paved:
1,350 km

unpaved:
4,850 km (1991 est.)
Household income or consumption by percentage share lowest 10%:
NA%

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

highest 10%:
NA%
Imports $749 million (f.o.b., 1999) $NA
Imports - commodities fuels, foodstuffs, equipment fuel for fishing fleet, foodstuffs
Imports - partners France 53%, US 13%, Australia 10% (1999) Morocco claims and administers Western Sahara, so trade partners are included in overall Moroccan accounts
Independence none (overseas territory of France) -
Industrial production growth rate NA% NA%
Industries tourism, pearls, agricultural processing, handicrafts phosphate mining, handicrafts
Infant mortality rate 9.12 deaths/1,000 live births (2001 est.) -
Inflation rate (consumer prices) 1.5% (1994) NA%
International organization participation ESCAP (associate), FZ, ICFTU, SPC, WMO none
Internet Service Providers (ISPs) 2 (2000) 1 (2000)
Irrigated land NA sq km NA sq km
Judicial branch Court of Appeal or Cour d'Appel; Court of the First Instance or Tribunal de Premiere Instance; Court of Administrative Law or Tribunal Administratif -
Labor force 70,000 (1996) 12,000
Labor force - by occupation agriculture 13%, industry 19%, services 68% (1997) animal husbandry and subsistence farming 50%
Land boundaries 0 km total:
2,046 km

border countries:
Algeria 42 km, Mauritania 1,561 km, Morocco 443 km
Land use arable land:
1%

permanent crops:
6%

permanent pastures:
5%

forests and woodland:
31%

other:
57% (1993 est.)
arable land:
0%

permanent crops:
0%

permanent pastures:
19%

forests and woodland:
0%

other:
81%
Languages French (official), Tahitian (official) Hassaniya Arabic, Moroccan Arabic
Legal system based on French system -
Legislative branch unicameral Territorial Assembly or Assemblee Territoriale (41 seats; members are elected by popular vote to serve five-year terms)

elections:
last held 12 May 1996 (next to be held NA 2001)

election results:
percent of vote by party - NA%; seats by party - People's Rally for the Republic (Gaullist) 22, Independent Front for the Liberation of Polynesia 10, New Fatherland Party 5, other 4

note:
one seat was elected to the French Senate on 24 September 1989 (next to be held NA September 1998); results - percent of vote by party - NA; seats by party - UC 1; two seats were elected to the French National Assembly on 25 May - 1 June 1997 (next to be held NA 2002); results - percent of vote by party - NA; seats by party - People's Rally for the Republic (Gaullist) 2
-
Life expectancy at birth total population:
75.01 years

male:
72.67 years

female:
77.46 years (2001 est.)
-
Literacy definition:
age 14 and over can read and write

total population:
98%

male:
98%

female:
98% (1977 est.)
definition:
NA

total population:
NA%

male:
NA%

female:
NA%
Location Oceania, archipelago in the South Pacific Ocean, about one-half of the way from South America to Australia Northern Africa, bordering the North Atlantic Ocean, between Mauritania and Morocco
Map references Oceania Africa
Maritime claims exclusive economic zone:
200 NM

territorial sea:
12 NM
contingent upon resolution of sovereignty issue
Merchant marine total:
4 ships (1,000 GRT or over) totaling 5,240 GRT/7,765 DWT

ships by type:
cargo 1, passenger/cargo 2, refrigerated cargo 1 (2000 est.)
-
Military - note defense is the responsibility of France -
Military branches French Forces (includes Army, Navy, Air Force), Gendarmerie NA
Military expenditures - dollar figure - $NA
Military expenditures - percent of GDP - NA%
National holiday Bastille Day, 14 July (1789) -
Nationality noun:
French Polynesian(s)

adjective:
French Polynesian
noun:
Sahrawi(s), Sahraoui(s)

adjective:
Sahrawian, Sahraouian
Natural hazards occasional cyclonic storms in January hot, dry, dust/sand-laden sirocco wind can occur during winter and spring; widespread harmattan haze exists 60% of time, often severely restricting visibility
Natural resources timber, fish, cobalt, hydropower phosphates, iron ore
Net migration rate 3.09 migrant(s)/1,000 population (2001 est.) -
Political parties and leaders Centrist Union or UC [leader NA]; Independent Front for the Liberation of Polynesia (Tavini Huiraatira) [Oscar TEMARU]; New Fatherland Party (Ai'a Api) [Emile VERNAUDON]; People's Rally for the Republic (Tahoeraa Huiraatira) [Gaston FLOSSE] -
Political pressure groups and leaders NA none
Population 253,506 (July 2001 est.) 250,559 (July 2001 est.)
Population below poverty line NA% NA%
Population growth rate 1.72% (2001 est.) -
Ports and harbors Mataura, Papeete, Rikitea, Uturoa Ad Dakhla, Cabo Bojador, Laayoune (El Aaiun)
Radio broadcast stations AM 2, FM 14, shortwave 2 (1998) AM 2, FM 0, shortwave 0 (1998)
Radios 128,000 (1997) 56,000 (1997)
Railways 0 km 0 km
Religions Protestant 54%, Roman Catholic 30%, other 16% Muslim
Sex ratio at birth:
1.05 male(s)/female

under 15 years:
1.04 male(s)/female

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

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

total population:
1.07 male(s)/female (2001 est.)
-
Suffrage 18 years of age; universal none; a UN-sponsored voter identification campaign has yet to be completed
Telephone system general assessment:
NA

domestic:
NA

international:
satellite earth station - 1 Intelsat (Pacific Ocean)
general assessment:
sparse and limited system

domestic:
NA

international:
tied into Morocco's system by microwave radio relay, tropospheric scatter, and satellite; satellite earth stations - 2 Intelsat (Atlantic Ocean) linked to Rabat, Morocco
Telephones - main lines in use 52,000 (1997) about 2,000 (1999 est.)
Telephones - mobile cellular 5,427 (1997) 0 (1999)
Television broadcast stations 7 (plus 17 low-power repeaters) (1997) NA
Terrain mixture of rugged high islands and low islands with reefs mostly low, flat desert with large areas of rocky or sandy surfaces rising to small mountains in south and northeast
Total fertility rate 2.23 children born/woman (2001 est.) -
Unemployment rate 15% (1992 est.) NA%
Waterways none none
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