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Compare French Polynesia (2005) - Costa Rica (2005)

Compare French Polynesia (2005) z Costa Rica (2005)

 French Polynesia (2005)Costa Rica (2005)
 French PolynesiaCosta Rica
Administrative divisions none (overseas lands 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
7 provinces (provincias, singular - provincia); Alajuela, Cartago, Guanacaste, Heredia, Limon, Puntarenas, San Jose
Age structure 0-14 years: 26.7% (male 36,947/female 35,403)


15-64 years: 67.4% (male 94,710/female 87,546)


65 years and over: 5.9% (male 8,018/female 7,861) (2005 est.)
0-14 years: 28.9% (male 593,540/female 566,361)


15-64 years: 65.5% (male 1,330,481/female 1,300,664)


65 years and over: 5.6% (male 104,564/female 120,563) (2005 est.)
Agriculture - products coconuts, vanilla, vegetables, fruits; poultry, beef, dairy products, coffee coffee, pineapples, bananas, sugar, corn, rice, beans, potatoes; beef; timber
Airports 50 (2004 est.) 149 (2004 est.)
Airports - with paved runways total: 37


over 3,047 m: 2


1,524 to 2,437 m: 5


914 to 1,523 m: 23


under 914 m: 7 (2004 est.)
total: 30


2,438 to 3,047 m: 2


1,524 to 2,437 m: 2


914 to 1,523 m: 18


under 914 m: 8 (2004 est.)
Airports - with unpaved runways total: 13


914 to 1,523 m: 5


under 914 m: 8 (2004 est.)
total: 119


914 to 1,523 m: 24


under 914 m: 95 (2004 est.)
Area total: 4,167 sq km (118 islands and atolls)


land: 3,660 sq km


water: 507 sq km
total: 51,100 sq km


land: 50,660 sq km


water: 440 sq km


note: includes Isla del Coco
Area - comparative slightly less than one-third the size of Connecticut slightly smaller than West Virginia
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. Costa Rica is a Central American success story: since the late 19th century, only two brief periods of violence have marred its democratic development. Although still a largely agricultural country, it has expanded its economy to include strong technology and tourism sectors. The standard of living is relatively high. Land ownership is widespread.
Birth rate 16.93 births/1,000 population (2005 est.) 18.6 births/1,000 population (2005 est.)
Budget revenues: $1 billion


expenditures: $900 million, including capital expenditures of $185 million (1996)
revenues: $2.497 billion


expenditures: $3.094 billion, including capital expenditures of NA (2004 est.)
Capital Papeete San Jose
Climate tropical, but moderate tropical and subtropical; dry season (December to April); rainy season (May to November); cooler in highlands
Coastline 2,525 km 1,290 km
Constitution 4 October 1958 (French Constitution) 7 November 1949
Country name conventional long form: Overseas Lands of French Polynesia


conventional short form: French Polynesia


local long form: Pays d'outre-mer de la Polynesie Francaise


local short form: Polynesie Francaise


former: French Colony of Oceania
conventional long form: Republic of Costa Rica


conventional short form: Costa Rica


local long form: Republica de Costa Rica


local short form: Costa Rica
Death rate 4.63 deaths/1,000 population (2005 est.) 4.33 deaths/1,000 population (2005 est.)
Debt - external NA $5.962 billion (2004 est.)
Dependency status overseas lands of France; overseas territory of France from 1946-2004 -
Diplomatic representation from the US none (overseas lands of France) chief of mission: Ambassador (vacant); Charge d'Affaires Douglas M. BARNES


embassy: Calle 120 Avenida O, Pavas, San Jose


mailing address: APO AA 34020


telephone: [506] 220-3939


FAX: [506] 519-2305
Diplomatic representation in the US none (overseas lands of France) chief of mission: Ambassador Tomas DUENAS


chancery: 2114 S Street NW, Washington, DC 20008


telephone: [1] (202) 234-2945


FAX: [1] (202) 265-4795


consulate(s) general: Atlanta, Chicago, Houston, Los Angeles, Miami, New Orleans, New York, San Francisco, San Juan (Puerto Rico), and Tampa


consulate(s): Austin
Disputes - international none legal dispute over navigational rights of Rio San Juan on the border with Nicaragua remains unresolved
Economic aid - recipient $367 million (1997) -
Economy - overview Since 1962, when France stationed military personnel in the region, French Polynesia has changed from a subsistence agricultural economy to one in which a high proportion of the work force is either employed by the military or supports the tourist industry. With the halt of French nuclear testing in 1996, the military contribution to the economy fell sharply. Tourism accounts for about one-fourth of GDP and is a primary source of hard currency earnings. Other sources of income are pearl farming and deep-sea commercial fishing. The small manufacturing sector primarily processes agricultural products. The territory benefits substantially from development agreements with France aimed principally at creating new businesses and strengthening social services. Costa Rica's basically stable economy depends on tourism, agriculture, and electronics exports. Poverty has been substantially reduced over the past 15 years, and a strong social safety net has been put into place. Foreign investors remain attracted by the country's political stability and high education levels, and tourism continues to bring in foreign exchange. Low prices for coffee and bananas have hurt the agricultural sector. The government continues to grapple with its large deficit and massive internal debt. The reduction of inflation remains a difficult problem because of rises in the price of imports, labor market rigidities, and fiscal deficits. The country also needs to reform its tax system and its pattern of public expenditure. Costa Rica recently concluded negotiations to participate in the US-Central American Free Trade Agreement, which, if ratified by the Costa Rican Legislature, would result in economic reforms and an improved investment climate.
Electricity - consumption 353.4 million kWh (2002) 5.733 billion kWh (2002)
Electricity - exports 0 kWh (2002) 477 million kWh (2002)
Electricity - imports 0 kWh (2002) 59 million kWh (2002)
Electricity - production 380 million kWh (2002) 6.614 billion kWh (2002)
Elevation extremes lowest point: Pacific Ocean 0 m


highest point: Mont Orohena 2,241 m
lowest point: Pacific Ocean 0 m


highest point: Cerro Chirripo 3,810 m
Environment - current issues NA deforestation and land use change, largely a result of the clearing of land for cattle ranching and agriculture; soil erosion; coastal marine pollution; fisheries protection; solid waste management; air pollution
Environment - international agreements - party to: Biodiversity, Climate Change, Climate Change-Kyoto Protocol, Desertification, Endangered Species, Environmental Modification, Hazardous Wastes, Law of the Sea, Marine Dumping, Ozone Layer Protection, Wetlands, Whaling


signed, but not ratified: Marine Life Conservation
Ethnic groups Polynesian 78%, Chinese 12%, local French 6%, metropolitan French 4% white (including mestizo) 94%, black 3%, Amerindian 1%, Chinese 1%, other 1%
Exchange rates Comptoirs Francais du Pacifique francs (XPF) per US dollar - 96.04 (2004), 105.66 (2003), 126.71 (2002), 133.26 (2001), 129.43 (2000)


note: pegged at the rate of 119.25 XPF to the euro
Costa Rican colones per US dollar - 437.91 (2004), 398.66 (2003), 359.82 (2002), 328.87 (2001), 308.19 (2000)
Executive branch chief of state: President Jacques CHIRAC of France (since 17 May 1995), represented by High Commissioner of the Republic Michel MATHIEU (since 24 October 2001); note - Michel MATHIER leaves 30 July 2005, replaced by Jacques MICHAUT (acting high commissioner), until the arrival of Anne BOQUET in early September 2005


head of government: President of the Territorial Government of French Polynesia Oscar TEMARU (since 3 March 2005); President of the Territorial Assembly Antony GEROS (since 9 May 2004)


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 five-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
chief of state: President Abel PACHECO (since 8 May 2002); First Vice President Lineth SABORIO (since 8 May 2002); Second Vice President (vacant); note - the president is both the chief of state and head of government


head of government: President Abel PACHECO (since 8 May 2002); First Vice President Lineth SABORIO (since 8 May 2002); Second Vice President (vacant); note - the president is both the chief of state and head of government


cabinet: Cabinet selected by the president


elections: president and vice presidents elected on the same ticket by popular vote for four-year terms; election last held 3 February 2002; run-off election held 7 April 2002 (next to be held February 2006)


election results: Abel PACHECO elected president; percent of vote - Abel PACHECO (PUSC) 58%; Rolando ARAYA (PLN) 42%
Exports NA NA
Exports - commodities cultured pearls, coconut products, mother-of-pearl, vanilla, shark meat coffee, bananas, sugar; pineapples; textiles, electronic components, medical equipment
Exports - partners France 36.6%, Japan 22.7%, US 16.1%, Niger 13%, Thailand 4.1% (2004) US 46.9%, Netherlands 5.3%, Guatemala 4.4% (2004)
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 five horizontal bands of blue (top), white, red (double width), white, and blue, with the coat of arms in a white elliptical disk on the hoist side of the red band; above the coat of arms a light blue ribbon contains the words, AMERICA CENTRAL, and just below it near the top of the coat of arms is a white ribbon with the words, REPUBLICA COSTA RICA
GDP - composition by sector agriculture: 4%


industry: 18%


services: 78% (2002)
agriculture: 8.5%


industry: 29.7%


services: 61.8% (2004 est.)
GDP - per capita purchasing power parity - $17,500 (2003 est.) purchasing power parity - $9,600 (2004 est.)
GDP - real growth rate NA% (2001 est.) 3.9% (2004 est.)
Geographic coordinates 15 00 S, 140 00 W 10 00 N, 84 00 W
Geography - note includes five archipelagoes (4 volcanic, 1 coral); 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 four volcanoes, two of them active, rise near the capital of San Jose in the center of the country; one of the volcanoes, Irazu, erupted destructively in 1963-65
Heliports 1 (2004 est.) -
Highways total: 2,590 km


paved: 1,735 km


unpaved: 855 km (1999)
total: 35,303 km


paved: 4,236 km


unpaved: 31,067 km (2002)
Household income or consumption by percentage share lowest 10%: NA%


highest 10%: NA%
lowest 10%: 1.1%


highest 10%: 36.8% (2002)
Illicit drugs - transshipment country for cocaine and heroin from South America; illicit production of cannabis on small, scattered plots; domestic cocaine consumption, particularly crack cocaine, is rising
Imports NA NA
Imports - commodities fuels, foodstuffs, machinery and equipment raw materials, consumer goods, capital equipment, petroleum
Imports - partners France 47.6%, New Zealand 8.8%, Singapore 8.4%, Australia 8.3%, US 7.1% (2004) US 46.1%, Japan 5.9%, Mexico 5.1%, Brazil 4.2% (2004)
Independence none (overseas lands of France) 15 September 1821 (from Spain)
Industrial production growth rate NA% 3.1% (2004 est.)
Industries tourism, pearls, agricultural processing, handicrafts, phosphates microprocessors, food processing, textiles and clothing, construction materials, fertilizer, plastic products
Infant mortality rate total: 8.44 deaths/1,000 live births


male: 9.73 deaths/1,000 live births


female: 7.09 deaths/1,000 live births (2005 est.)
total: 9.95 deaths/1,000 live births


male: 10.85 deaths/1,000 live births


female: 9 deaths/1,000 live births (2005 est.)
Inflation rate (consumer prices) 1.5% (2002 est.) 11.5% (2004 est.)
International organization participation FZ, ICFTU, PIF (observer), UPU, WMO BCIE, CACM, FAO, G-77, IADB, IAEA, IBRD, ICAO, ICC, ICCt, ICFTU, ICRM, IDA, IFAD, IFC, IFRCS, ILO, IMF, IMO, Interpol, IOC, IOM, ISO, ITU, LAES, LAIA (observer), MIGA, NAM (observer), OAS, OPANAL, OPCW, PCA, RG, UN, UNCTAD, UNESCO, UNIDO, UPU, WCL, WCO, WFTU, WHO, WIPO, WMO, WToO, WTO
Irrigated land NA sq km 1,260 sq km (1998 est.)
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 Supreme Court or Corte Suprema (22 justices are elected for eight-year terms by the Legislative Assembly)
Labor force 70,000 (1996) 1.81 million (2004 est.)
Labor force - by occupation agriculture 13%, industry 19%, services 68% (2002) agriculture 20%, industry 22%, services 58% (1999 est.)
Land boundaries 0 km total: 639 km


border countries: Nicaragua 309 km, Panama 330 km
Land use arable land: 0.82%


permanent crops: 5.46%


other: 93.72% (2001)
arable land: 4.41%


permanent crops: 5.88%


other: 89.71% (2001)
Languages French 61.1% (official), Polynesian 31.4% (official), Asian languages 1.2%, other 0.3%, unspecified 6% (2002 census) Spanish (official), English
Legal system based on French system based on Spanish civil law system; judicial review of legislative acts in the Supreme Court; has accepted compulsory ICJ jurisdiction
Legislative branch unicameral Territorial Assembly or Assemblee Territoriale (57 seats - changed from 49 seats for May 2004 election; members are elected by popular vote to serve five-year terms)


elections: last held 23 May 2004 (next to be held May 2009)


election results: percent of vote by party - NA%; seats by party - People's Rally for the Republic (Gaullist) 28, Union for Democracy 27, New Star 1, This Country is Yours 1; after by-elections of 13 February 2005 seating was as follows: People's Rally for the Republic 27, Union for Democracy 27, and Alliance for a New Democracy 3


note: one seat was elected to the French Senate on 27 September 1998 (next to be held September 2007); results - percent of vote by party - NA%; seats by party - NA; two seats were elected to the French National Assembly on 9 June-16 June 2002 (next to be held NA 2007); results - percent of vote by party - NA%; seats by party - UMP/RPR 1, UMP 1
unicameral Legislative Assembly or Asamblea Legislativa (57 seats; members are elected by direct, popular vote to serve four-year terms)


elections: last held 3 February 2002 (next to be held 3 February 2006)


election results: percent of vote by party - NA%; seats by party - PUSC 19, PLN 17, PAC 14, PML 6, PRC 1; note - seats by party as of January 2005 - PUSC 19, PLN 16, PAC 8, PML 5, PRC 1, Patriotic Union 3, Homeland First 1, Authentic Member from Heredia 1, Democratic National Alliance 1, independent 2
Life expectancy at birth total population: 75.9 years


male: 73.5 years


female: 78.42 years (2005 est.)
total population: 76.84 years


male: 74.26 years


female: 79.55 years (2005 est.)
Literacy definition: age 14 and over can read and write


total population: 98%


male: 98%


female: 98% (1977 est.)
definition: age 15 and over can read and write


total population: 96%


male: 95.9%


female: 96.1% (2003 est.)
Location Oceania, archipelagoes in the South Pacific Ocean, about one-half of the way from South America to Australia Central America, bordering both the Caribbean Sea and the North Pacific Ocean, between Nicaragua and Panama
Map references Oceania Central America and the Caribbean
Maritime claims territorial sea: 12 nm


exclusive economic zone: 200 nm
territorial sea: 12 nm


exclusive economic zone: 200 nm


continental shelf: 200 nm
Merchant marine total: 15 ships (1,000 GRT or over) 17,537 GRT/15,150 DWT


by type: cargo 4, passenger 4, passenger/cargo 5, refrigerated cargo 1, roll on/roll off 1


foreign-owned: 1 (France 1) (2005)
total: 2 ships (1,000 GRT or over) 1,716 GRT/ DWT


by type: passenger/cargo 2 (2005)
Military - note defense is the responsibility of France -
Military branches no regular military forces; Gendarmerie and National Police Force no regular military forces; Ministry of Public Security, Government, and Police
Military expenditures - dollar figure - $64.2 million (2004)
Military expenditures - percent of GDP - 0.4% (2003)
National holiday Bastille Day, 14 July (1789) Independence Day, 15 September (1821)
Nationality noun: French Polynesian(s)


adjective: French Polynesian
noun: Costa Rican(s)


adjective: Costa Rican
Natural hazards occasional cyclonic storms in January occasional earthquakes, hurricanes along Atlantic coast; frequent flooding of lowlands at onset of rainy season and landslides; active volcanoes
Natural resources timber, fish, cobalt, hydropower hydropower
Net migration rate 2.89 migrant(s)/1,000 population (2005 est.) 0.5 migrant(s)/1,000 population (2005 est.)
Pipelines - refined products 242 km (2004)
Political parties and leaders 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 of Polynesia or RPR (Tahoeraa Huiraatira) [Gaston FLOSSE]; The New Star (Te Fetia Api) [Philippe SHYLE]; This Country is Yours (No Oe E Te Nunaa) [Nicle BOUTEAU]; Union for Democracy or UPD [Oscar TEMARU] Authentic Member from Heredia [Jose SALAS]; Citizen Action Party or PAC [Otton SOLIS]; Costa Rican Renovation Party or PRC [Justo OROZCO]; Democratic Force Party or PFD [Juan Carlos CHAVES Mora]; Democratic National Alliance [Emilia RODRIGUEZ]; General Union Party or PUGEN [Carlos Alberto FERNANDEZ Vega]; Homeland First [Juan Jose VARGAS]; Independent Worker Party or PIO [Jose Alberto CUBERO Carmona]; Libertarian Movement Party or PML [Otto GUEVARA Guth]; National Christian Alliance Party or ANC [Victor GONZALEZ]; National Integration Party or PIN [Walter MUNOZ Cespedes]; National Liberation Party or PLN [Francisco Antonio PACHECO]; National Patriotic Party or PPN [Daniel Enrique REYNOLDS Vargas]; National Rescue Party or PRN [Carlos VARGAS Solano]; Patriotic Union [Humberto ARCE]; Popular Vanguard [Trino BARRANTES Araya]; Social Christian Unity Party or PUSC [Lorena VASQUEZ Badilla]
Political pressure groups and leaders NA Authentic Confederation of Democratic Workers or CATD (Communist Party affiliate); Chamber of Coffee Growers; Confederated Union of Workers or CUT (Communist Party affiliate); Costa Rican Confederation of Democratic Workers or CCTD (Liberation Party affiliate); Federation of Public Service Workers or FTSP; National Association for Economic Development or ANFE; National Association of Educators or ANDE; Rerum Novarum or CTRN (PLN affiliate) [Gilbert Brown]
Population 270,485 (July 2005 est.) 4,016,173 (July 2005 est.)
Population below poverty line NA% 18% (2004 est.)
Population growth rate 1.52% (2005 est.) 1.48% (2005 est.)
Ports and harbors Papeete Caldera, Puerto Limon
Radio broadcast stations AM 2, FM 14, shortwave 2 (1998) AM 65, FM 51, shortwave 19 (2002)
Railways - total: 278 km


narrow gauge: 278 km 1.067-m gauge (2004)
Religions Protestant 54%, Roman Catholic 30%, other 10%, no religion 6% Roman Catholic 76.3%, Evangelical 13.7%, Jehovah's Witnesses 1.3%, other Protestant 0.7%, other 4.8%, none 3.2%
Sex ratio at birth: 1.05 male(s)/female


under 15 years: 1.04 male(s)/female


15-64 years: 1.08 male(s)/female


65 years and over: 1.02 male(s)/female


total population: 1.07 male(s)/female (2005 est.)
at birth: 1.05 male(s)/female


under 15 years: 1.05 male(s)/female


15-64 years: 1.02 male(s)/female


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


total population: 1.02 male(s)/female (2005 est.)
Suffrage 18 years of age; universal 18 years of age; universal and compulsory
Telephone system general assessment: NA


domestic: NA


international: country code - 689; satellite earth station - 1 Intelsat (Pacific Ocean)
general assessment: good domestic telephone service in terms of breadth of coverage; restricted cellular telephone service


domestic: point-to-point and point-to-multi-point microwave, fiber-optic, and coaxial cable link rural areas; Internet service is available


international: country code - 506; connected to Central American Microwave System; satellite earth stations - 2 Intelsat (Atlantic Ocean); two submarine cables (1999)
Telephones - main lines in use 52,500 (2002) 1.132 million (2002)
Telephones - mobile cellular 90,000 (2002) 528,047 (2002)
Television broadcast stations 7 (plus 17 low-power repeaters) (1997) 20 (plus 43 repeaters) (2002)
Terrain mixture of rugged high islands and low islands with reefs coastal plains separated by rugged mountains including over 100 volcanic cones, of which several are major volcanoes
Total fertility rate 2.04 children born/woman (2005 est.) 2.28 children born/woman (2005 est.)
Unemployment rate 11.8% (1994) 6.6% (2004 est.)
Waterways - 730 km (seasonally navigable by small craft) (2004)
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