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Compare Guinea (2002) - Laos (2006)

Compare Guinea (2002) z Laos (2006)

 Guinea (2002)Laos (2006)
 GuineaLaos
Administrative divisions 33 prefectures and 1 special zone (zone special)*; Beyla, Boffa, Boke, Conakry*, Coyah, Dabola, Dalaba, Dinguiraye, Dubreka, Faranah, Forecariah, Fria, Gaoual, Gueckedou, Kankan, Kerouane, Kindia, Kissidougou, Koubia, Koundara, Kouroussa, Labe, Lelouma, Lola, Macenta, Mali, Mamou, Mandiana, Nzerekore, Pita, Siguiri, Telimele, Tougue, Yomou 16 provinces (khoueng, singular and plural), 1 municipality* (kampheng nakhon, singular and plural), and 1 special zone** (khetphiset, singular and plural); Attapu, Bokeo, Bolikhamxai, Champasak, Houaphan, Khammouan, Louangnamtha, Louangphrabang, Oudomxai, Phongsali, Salavan, Savannakhet, Viangchan (Vientiane)*, Viangchan, Xaignabouli, Xaisomboun**, Xekong, Xiangkhoang
Age structure 0-14 years: 42.8% (male 1,660,795; female 1,669,850)


15-64 years: 54.5% (male 2,067,991; female 2,165,625)


65 years and over: 2.7% (male 86,968; female 123,836) (2002 est.)
0-14 years: 41.4% (male 1,324,207/female 1,313,454)


15-64 years: 55.4% (male 1,744,206/female 1,786,139)


65 years and over: 3.1% (male 89,451/female 111,024) (2006 est.)
Agriculture - products rice, coffee, pineapples, palm kernels, cassava (tapioca), bananas, sweet potatoes; cattle, sheep, goats; timber sweet potatoes, vegetables, corn, coffee, sugarcane, tobacco, cotton, tea, peanuts, rice; water buffalo, pigs, cattle, poultry
Airports 15 (2001) 44 (2006)
Airports - with paved runways total: 5


over 3,047 m: 1


2,438 to 3,047 m: 1


1,524 to 2,437 m: 3 (2002)
total: 9


2,438 to 3,047 m: 2


1,524 to 2,437 m: 4


914 to 1,523 m: 3 (2006)
Airports - with unpaved runways total: 10 10


1,524 to 2,437 m: 6


914 to 1,523 m: 3


under 914 m: 6 1 (2002)
total: 35


1,524 to 2,437 m: 1


914 to 1,523 m: 13


under 914 m: 21 (2006)
Area total: 245,857 sq km


land: 245,857 sq km


water: 0 sq km
total: 236,800 sq km


land: 230,800 sq km


water: 6,000 sq km
Area - comparative slightly smaller than Oregon slightly larger than Utah
Background Independent from France since 1958, Guinea did not hold democratic elections until 1993 when Gen. Lansana CONTE (head of the military government) was elected president of the civilian government. He was reelected in 1998. Unrest in Sierra Leone has spilled over into Guinea, threatening stability and creating a humanitarian emergency. Modern-day Laos has its roots in the ancient Lao kingdom of Lan Xang, established in the 14th Century under King FA NGUM. For three hundred years Lan Xang included large parts of present-day Cambodia and Thailand, as well as all of what is now Laos. After centuries of gradual decline, Laos came under the control of Siam (Thailand) from the late 18th century until the late 19th century when it became part of French Indochina. The Franco-Siamese Treaty of 1907 defined the current Lao border with Thailand. In 1975, the Communist Pathet Lao took control of the government ending a six-century-old monarchy and instituting a strict socialist regime closely aligned to Vietnam. A gradual return to private enterprise and the liberalization of foreign investment laws began in 1986. Laos became a member of ASEAN in 1997.
Birth rate 39.49 births/1,000 population (2002 est.) 35.49 births/1,000 population (2006 est.)
Budget revenues: $395.7 million


expenditures: $472.4 million, including capital expenditures of $NA million (2000 est.)
revenues: $319.3 million


expenditures: $434.6 million; including capital expenditures of $NA (2005 est.)
Capital Conakry name: Vientiane


geographic coordinates: 17 58 N, 102 36 E


time difference: UTC+7 (12 hours ahead of Washington, DC during Standard Time)
Climate generally hot and humid; monsoonal-type rainy season (June to November) with southwesterly winds; dry season (December to May) with northeasterly harmattan winds tropical monsoon; rainy season (May to November); dry season (December to April)
Coastline 320 km 0 km (landlocked)
Constitution 23 December 1990 (Loi Fundamentale) promulgated 14 August 1991
Country name conventional long form: Republic of Guinea


conventional short form: Guinea


local long form: Republique de Guinee


local short form: Guinee


former: French Guinea
conventional long form: Lao People's Democratic Republic


conventional short form: Laos PDR or Laos


local long form: Sathalanalat Paxathipatai Paxaxon Lao


local short form: none
Currency Guinean franc (GNF) -
Death rate 17.24 deaths/1,000 population (2002 est.) 11.55 deaths/1,000 population (2006 est.)
Debt - external $3.6 billion (1999 est.) $2.49 billion (2001)
Diplomatic representation from the US chief of mission: Ambassador Barrie R. WALKLEY


embassy: Rue Ka 038, Conakry


mailing address: B. P. 603, Conakry


telephone: [224] 41 15 20, 41 15 21, 41 15 23


FAX: [224] 41 15 22
chief of mission: Ambassador Patricia M. HASLACH


embassy: 19 Rue Bartholonie, That Dam Road, Vientiane


mailing address: American Embassy Vientiane, Box V, APO AP 96546


telephone: [856] 21-26 7000


FAX: [856] 21-26 7074
Diplomatic representation in the US chief of mission: Ambassador Rafiou Alpha Oumar BARRY


chancery: 2112 Leroy Place NW, Washington, DC 20008


telephone: [1] (202) 483-9420


FAX: [1] (202) 483-8688
chief of mission: Ambassador PHANTHONG Phommahaxay


chancery: 2222 S Street NW, Washington, DC 20008


telephone: [1] (202) 332-6416


FAX: [1] (202) 332-4923
Disputes - international major border incursions from Revolutionary United Front combatants from Sierra Leone, dissident Guinean forces, Liberian Army, and mercenaries between September 2000 and March 2001 killed over 1,500 Guinean civilians and military personnel; the borders remain mostly sealed Southeast Asian states have enhanced border surveillance to check the spread of avian flu; talks continue on completion of demarcation with Thailand but disputes remain over several areas along Mekong River and Thai squatters; concern among Mekong Commission members that China's construction of dams on the Mekong River will affect water levels
Economic aid - recipient $359.2 million (1998) (1998) $243 million (2001 est.)
Economy - overview Guinea possesses major mineral, hydropower, and agricultural resources, yet remains an underdeveloped nation. The country possesses over 30% of the world's bauxite reserves and is the second largest bauxite producer. The mining sector accounted for about 75% of exports in 1999. Long-run improvements in government fiscal arrangements, literacy, and the legal framework are needed if the country is to move out of poverty. The government made encouraging progress in budget management in 1997-99, and reform progress was praised in the World Bank/IMF October 2000 assessment. However, escalating fighting along the Sierra Leonean and Liberian borders has caused major economic disruptions. In addition to direct defense costs, the violence has led to a sharp decline in investor confidence. Foreign mining companies have reduced expatriate staff, while panic buying has created food shortages and inflation in local markets. Multilateral aid - including Heavily Indebted Poor Countries (HIPC) debt relief - and single digit inflation should permit 5% growth in 2002. The government of Laos, one of the few remaining official Communist states, began decentralizing control and encouraging private enterprise in 1986. The results, starting from an extremely low base, were striking - growth averaged 6% in 1988-2004 except during the short-lived drop caused by the Asian financial crisis beginning in 1997. Despite this high growth rate, Laos remains a country with a primitive infrastructure. It has no railroads, a rudimentary road system, and limited external and internal telecommunications, though the government is sponsoring major improvements in the road system with possible support from Japan. Electricity is available in only a few urban areas. Subsistence agriculture, dominated by rice, accounts for about half of GDP and provides 80% of total employment. The economy will continue to benefit from aid by the IMF and other international sources and from new foreign investment in food processing and mining. Construction will be another strong economic driver, especially as hydroelectric dam and road projects gain steam. In late 2004, Laos gained Normal Trade Relations status with the US, allowing Laos-based producers to face lower tariffs on exports. This new status may help spur growth. In addition, the European Union has agreed to provide $1 million to the Lao Government for technical assistance in preparations for WTO membership. If the avian flu worsens and spreads in the region, however, prospects for tourism could dim.
Electricity - consumption 716.1 million kWh (2000) 3.298 billion kWh (2003)
Electricity - exports 0 kWh (2000) 435 million kWh (2003)
Electricity - imports 0 kWh (2000) 230 million kWh (2003)
Electricity - production 770 million kWh (2000) 3.767 billion kWh (2003)
Electricity - production by source fossil fuel: 46%


hydro: 54%


nuclear: 0%


other: 0% (2000)
-
Elevation extremes lowest point: Atlantic Ocean 0 m


highest point: Mont Nimba 1,752 m
lowest point: Mekong River 70 m


highest point: Phou Bia 2,817 m
Environment - current issues deforestation; inadequate supplies of potable water; desertification; soil contamination and erosion; overfishing, overpopulation in forest region; poor mining practices have led to environmental damage unexploded ordnance; deforestation; soil erosion; most of the population does not have access to potable water
Environment - international agreements party to: Biodiversity, Climate Change, Climate Change-Kyoto Protocol, Desertification, Endangered Species, Hazardous Wastes, Law of the Sea, Ozone Layer Protection, Wetlands, Whaling


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


signed, but not ratified: none of the selected agreements
Ethnic groups Peuhl 40%, Malinke 30%, Soussou 20%, smaller ethnic groups 10% Lao Loum (lowland) 68%, Lao Theung (upland) 22%, Lao Soung (highland) including the Hmong and the Yao 9%, ethnic Vietnamese/Chinese 1%
Exchange rates Guinean francs per US dollar - 1,974.4 (December 2001), 1,950.6 (2001), 1,746.9 (2000), 1,387.4 (1999), 1,236.8 (1998), 1,095.3 (1997) kips per US dollar - 10,820 (2005), 10,585.5 (2004), 10,569 (2003), 10,056.3 (2002), 8,954.6 (2001)
Executive branch chief of state: President Lansana CONTE (head of military government since 5 April 1984, elected president 19 December 1993)


head of government: Prime Minister Lamine SIDIME (since 8 March 1999)


cabinet: Council of Ministers appointed by the president


elections: president elected by popular vote for a five-year term; candidate must receive a majority of the votes cast to be elected president; election last held 14 December 1998 (next to be held NA December 2003); the prime minister is appointed by the president


election results: Lansana CONTE reelected president; percent of vote - Lansana CONTE (PUP) 56.1%, Mamadou Boye BA (UNR-PRP) 24.6%, Alpha CONDE (RPG) 16.6%,
chief of state: President Lt. Gen. CHOUMMALI Saignason (since 8 June 2006) and Vice President BOUN-GNANG Volachit (since 8 June 2006)


head of government: Prime Minister BOUASONE Bouphavanh (since 8 June 2006); Deputy Prime Minister Maj. Gen. ASANG Laoli (since May 2002), Deputy Prime Minister Maj. Gen. DOUANGCHAI Phichit [since 8 June 2006], Deputy Prime Minister SOMSAVAT Lengsavat (since 26 February 1998), and Deputy Prime Minister THONGLOUN Sisolit (since 27 March 2001)


cabinet: Council of Ministers appointed by the president, approved by the National Assembly


elections: president and vice president elected by the National Assembly for five-year terms; election last held 8 June 2006 (next to be held in 2011); prime minister nominated by the president and elected by the National Assembly for a five-year term


election results: CHOUMMALI Saignason elected president; BOUN-GNANG Volachit elected vice president; percent of National Assembly vote - 100%; BOUASONE Bouphavanh elected prime minister; percent of National Assembly vote - 97%
Exports $694.5 million f.o.b. (2000) NA bbl/day
Exports - commodities bauxite, alumina, gold, diamonds, coffee, fish, agricultural products garments, wood products, coffee, electricity, tin
Exports - partners Belgium, US, Ireland, Russia Thailand 29.6%, Vietnam 12%, France 6.1%, Germany 4.6% (2005)
Fiscal year calendar year 1 October - 30 September
Flag description three equal vertical bands of red (hoist side), yellow, and green; uses the popular pan-African colors of Ethiopia three horizontal bands of red (top), blue (double width), and red with a large white disk centered in the blue band
GDP purchasing power parity - $15 billion (2001 est.) -
GDP - composition by sector agriculture: 24%


industry: 38%


services: 38% (2000 est.)
agriculture: 45.5%


industry: 28.7%


services: 25.8% (2005 est.)
GDP - per capita purchasing power parity - $1,970 (2001 est.) -
GDP - real growth rate 3.3% (2001 est.) 7.3% (2005 est.)
Geographic coordinates 11 00 N, 10 00 W 18 00 N, 105 00 E
Geography - note the Niger and its important tributary the Milo have their sources in the Guinean highlands landlocked; most of the country is mountainous and thickly forested; the Mekong River forms a large part of the western boundary with Thailand
Highways total: 30,500 km


paved: 5,033 km


unpaved: 25,467 km (1996)
-
Household income or consumption by percentage share lowest 10%: 3%


highest 10%: 32% (1994) (1994)
lowest 10%: 3.2%


highest 10%: 30.6% (1997)
Illicit drugs - estimated cultivation in 2004 - 10,000 hectares, a 45% decrease from 2003; estimated potential production in 2004 - 49 metric tons, a significant decrease from 200 metric tons in 2003 (2005)
Imports $555.2 million f.o.b. (2000) NA bbl/day
Imports - commodities petroleum products, metals, machinery, transport equipment, textiles, grain and other foodstuffs machinery and equipment, vehicles, fuel, consumer goods
Imports - partners France, US, Belgium, Cote d'Ivoire Thailand 66.1%, China 9%, Vietnam 6.7% (2005)
Independence 2 October 1958 (from France) 19 July 1949 (from France)
Industrial production growth rate 3.2% (1994) (1994) 13% (2005 est.)
Industries bauxite, gold, diamonds; alumina refining; light manufacturing and agricultural processing industries copper, tin, and gypsum mining; timber, electric power, agricultural processing, construction, garments, tourism, cement
Infant mortality rate 127.08 deaths/1,000 live births (2002 est.) total: 83.31 deaths/1,000 live births


male: 92.95 deaths/1,000 live births


female: 73.26 deaths/1,000 live births (2006 est.)
Inflation rate (consumer prices) 6% (2000 est.) 7% (2005 est.)
International organization participation ACCT, ACP, AfDB, CCC, ECA, ECOWAS, FAO, G-77, IBRD, ICAO, ICFTU, ICRM, IDA, IDB, IFAD, IFC, IFRCS, ILO, IMF, IMO, Interpol, IOC, IOM, ISO (correspondent), ITU, MINURSO, NAM, OAU, OIC, OPCW, UN, UN Security Council (temporary), UNAMSIL, UNCTAD, UNESCO, UNIDO, UPU, WCL, WFTU, WHO, WIPO, WMO, WToO, WTrO ACCT, APT, ARF, AsDB, ASEAN, CP, EAS, FAO, G-77, IBRD, ICAO, ICRM, IDA, IFAD, IFC, IFRCS, ILO, IMF, Interpol, IOC, IPU, ITU, MIGA, NAM, OIF, OPCW, PCA, UN, UNCTAD, UNESCO, UNIDO, UPU, WFTU, WHO, WIPO, WMO, WToO, WTO (observer)
Internet Service Providers (ISPs) 4 (2001) -
Irrigated land 950 sq km (1998 est.) 1,750 sq km (2003)
Judicial branch Court of Appeal or Cour d'Appel People's Supreme Court (the president of the People's Supreme Court is elected by the National Assembly on the recommendation of the National Assembly Standing Committee; the vice president of the People's Supreme Court and the judges are appointed by the National Assembly Standing Committee)
Labor force 3 million (1999) (1999) 2.8 million (2002 est.)
Labor force - by occupation agriculture 80%, industry and services 20% (2000 est.) agriculture: 80%


industry and services: 20% (1997 est.)
Land boundaries total: 3,399 km


border countries: Cote d'Ivoire 610 km, Guinea-Bissau 386 km, Liberia 563 km, Mali 858 km, Senegal 330 km, Sierra Leone 652 km
total: 5,083 km


border countries: Burma 235 km, Cambodia 541 km, China 423 km, Thailand 1,754 km, Vietnam 2,130 km
Land use arable land: 3.6%


permanent crops: 2.44%


other: 93.96% (1998 est.)
arable land: 4.01%


permanent crops: 0.34%


other: 95.65% (2005)
Languages French (official), each ethnic group has its own language Lao (official), French, English, and various ethnic languages
Legal system based on French civil law system, customary law, and decree; legal codes currently being revised; has not accepted compulsory ICJ jurisdiction based on traditional customs, French legal norms and procedures, and socialist practice
Legislative branch unicameral People's National Assembly or Assemblee Nationale Populaire (114 seats; members are elected by direct, popular vote to serve five-year terms)


elections: last held 30 June 2002; next to be held NA 2007


election results: percent of vote by party - PUP 61.6%, UPR 26.6%, other 11.8%; seats by party - PUP 85, UPR 20, other 9
unicameral National Assembly (115 seats; members elected by popular vote to serve five-year terms)


elections: last held 30 April 2006 (next to be held in 2011)


election results: percent of vote by party - NA; seats by party - LPRP 113, independents 2
Life expectancy at birth total population: 46.28 years


male: 43.81 years


female: 48.82 years (2002 est.)
total population: 55.49 years


male: 53.45 years


female: 57.61 years (2006 est.)
Literacy definition: age 15 and over can read and write


total population: 35.9%


male: 49.9%


female: 21.9% (1995 est.)
definition: age 15 and over can read and write


total population: 66.4%


male: 77.4%


female: 55.5% (2002)
Location Western Africa, bordering the North Atlantic Ocean, between Guinea-Bissau and Sierra Leone Southeastern Asia, northeast of Thailand, west of Vietnam
Map references Africa Southeast Asia
Maritime claims exclusive economic zone: 200 NM


territorial sea: 12 NM
none (landlocked)
Merchant marine none (2002 est.) total: 1 ship (1000 GRT or over) 2,370 GRT/3,110 DWT


by type: cargo 1 (2006)
Military - note - Laos is one of the world's least developed countries; the Lao People's Armed Forces are small, poorly funded, and ineffectively resourced; there is little political will to allocate sparse funding to the military, and the armed forces' gradual degradation is likely to continue; the massive drug production and trafficking industry centered in the Golden Triangle makes Laos an important narcotics transit country, and armed Wa and Chinese smugglers are active on the Lao-Burma border (2005)
Military branches Army, Navy, Air Force, Republican Guard, Presidential Guard, paramilitary National Gendarmerie, National Police Force (Surete National) Lao People's Army (LPA; includes Riverine Force), Air Force
Military expenditures - dollar figure $137.6 million (FY01) $11.04 million (2005 est.)
Military expenditures - percent of GDP 3.3% (FY01) 0.4% (2005 est.)
Military manpower - availability males age 15-49: 1,812,131 (2002 est.) -
Military manpower - fit for military service males age 15-49: 915,028 (2002 est.) -
National holiday Independence Day, 2 October (1958) Republic Day, 2 December (1975)
Nationality noun: Guinean(s)


adjective: Guinean
noun: Lao(s) or Laotian(s)


adjective: Lao or Laotian
Natural hazards hot, dry, dusty harmattan haze may reduce visibility during dry season floods, droughts
Natural resources bauxite, iron ore, diamonds, gold, uranium, hydropower, fish timber, hydropower, gypsum, tin, gold, gemstones
Net migration rate 0 migrant(s)/1,000 population


note: as a result of civil war in neighboring countries, Guinea is host to approximately 150,000 Liberian and Sierra Leonean refugees (2002 est.)
0 migrant(s)/1,000 population (2006 est.)
Pipelines - refined products 540 km (2006)
Political parties and leaders Democratic Party of Guinea or PDG-AST [Marcel CROS]; Democratic Party of Guinea-African Democratic Rally or PDG-RDA [El Hadj Ismael Mohamed Gassim GUSHEIN]; National Union for Progress or UNP [Paul Louis FABER]; Party for Renewal and Progress or PRP; Party for Unity and Progress or PUP [Lansana CONTE] - the governing party; People's Party of Guinea or PPG [Pascal TOLNO]; Rally for the Guinean People or RPG [Alpha CONDE]; Union for Progress and Renewal or UPR; note - Party for Renewal and Progress or PRP and Union for the New Republic or UNR merged into UPR [Siradiou DIALLO]; Union for Progress of Guinea or UPG [Jean-Marie DORE, secretary-general]; Union for the New Republic or UNR [Mamadou Boye BA]; Union of Republican Forces or UFR [Sidya TOURE] Lao People's Revolutionary Party or LPRP [CHOUMMALY Sayasone]; other parties proscribed
Political pressure groups and leaders NA noncommunist political groups proscribed; most opposition leaders fled the country in 1975
Population 7,775,065 (July 2002 est.) 6,368,481 (July 2006 est.)
Population below poverty line 40% (1994 est.) 34% (2005 est.)
Population growth rate 2.23% (2002 est.) 2.39% (2006 est.)
Ports and harbors Boke, Conakry, Kamsar -
Radio broadcast stations AM 4 (one station is inactive), FM 1 (plus 7 repeaters), shortwave 3 (2001) AM 7, FM 13, shortwave 2 (2006)
Radios 357,000 (1997) -
Railways total: 1,086 km


standard gauge: 279 km 1.435-m gauge


narrow gauge: 807 km 1.000-m gauge (includes 662 km in common carrier service from Kankan to Conakry, of which 36 km are usable and the rest are deteriorating (2000 est.)
-
Religions Muslim 85%, Christian 8%, indigenous beliefs 7% Buddhist 60%, animist and other 40% (including various Christian denominations 1.5%)
Sex ratio at birth: 1.03 male(s)/female


under 15 years: 0.99 male(s)/female


15-64 years: 0.95 male(s)/female


65 years and over: 0.7 male(s)/female


total population: 0.96 male(s)/female (2002 est.)
at birth: 1.04 male(s)/female


under 15 years: 1.01 male(s)/female


15-64 years: 0.98 male(s)/female


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


total population: 0.98 male(s)/female (2006 est.)
Suffrage 18 years of age; universal 18 years of age; universal
Telephone system general assessment: poor to fair system of open-wire lines, small radiotelephone communication stations, and new microwave radio relay system


domestic: microwave radio relay and radiotelephone communication


international: satellite earth station - 1 Intelsat (Atlantic Ocean)
general assessment: service to general public is poor but improving; the government relies on a radiotelephone network to communicate with remote areas


domestic: radiotelephone communications


international: country code - 856; satellite earth station - 1 Intersputnik (Indian Ocean region)
Telephones - main lines in use 37,000 (1998) 90,067 (2006)
Telephones - mobile cellular 21,567 (1998) 520,546 (2006)
Television broadcast stations 6 lowpowered stations (2001) 7; note - including one station relaying Vietnam Television from Hanoi (2006)
Terrain generally flat coastal plain, hilly to mountainous interior mostly rugged mountains; some plains and plateaus
Total fertility rate 5.32 children born/woman (2002 est.) 4.68 children born/woman (2006 est.)
Unemployment rate NA% 2.4% (2005 est.)
Waterways 1,295 km (navigable by shallow-draft native craft) 4,600 km


note: primarily Mekong and tributaries; 2,897 additional km are intermittently navigable by craft drawing less than 0.5 m (2005)
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