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Compare Holy See (Vatican City) (2003) - Central African Republic (2002)

Compare Holy See (Vatican City) (2003) z Central African Republic (2002)

 Holy See (Vatican City) (2003)Central African Republic (2002)
 Holy See (Vatican City)Central African Republic
Administrative divisions none 14 prefectures (prefectures, singular - prefecture), 2 economic prefectures* (prefectures economiques, singular - prefecture economique), and 1 commune**; Bamingui-Bangoran, Bangui**, Basse-Kotto, Gribingui*, Haute-Kotto, Haute-Sangha, Haut-Mbomou, Kemo-Gribingui, Lobaye, Mbomou, Nana-Mambere, Ombella-Mpoko, Ouaka, Ouham, Ouham-Pende, Sangha*, Vakaga
Age structure - 0-14 years: 43% (male 788,417; female 776,721)


15-64 years: 53.2% (male 951,908; female 986,947)


65 years and over: 3.8% (male 60,395; female 78,351) (2002 est.)
Agriculture - products - cotton, coffee, tobacco, manioc (tapioca), yams, millet, corn, bananas; timber
Airports none (2002) 51 (2001)
Airports - with paved runways - total: 3


2,438 to 3,047 m: 1


1,524 to 2,437 m: 2 (2002)
Airports - with unpaved runways - total: 47


2,438 to 3,047 m: 1


1,524 to 2,437 m: 10


914 to 1,523 m: 23


under 914 m: 13 (2002)
Area total: 0.44 sq km


land: 0.44 sq km


water: 0 sq km
total: 622,984 sq km


land: 622,984 sq km


water: 0 sq km
Area - comparative about 0.7 times the size of The Mall in Washington, DC slightly smaller than Texas
Background Popes in their secular role ruled portions of the Italian peninsula for more than a thousand years until the mid 19th century, when many of the Papal States were seized by the newly united Kingdom of Italy. In 1870, the pope's holdings were further circumscribed when Rome itself was annexed. Disputes between a series of "prisoner" popes and Italy were resolved in 1929 by three Lateran Treaties, which established the independent state of Vatican City and granted Roman Catholicism special status in Italy. In 1984, a concordat between the Holy See and Italy modified certain of the earlier treaty provisions, including the primacy of Roman Catholicism as the Italian state religion. Present concerns of the Holy See include the failing health of Pope John Paul II, interreligious dialogue and reconciliation, and the application of church doctrine in an era of rapid change and globalization. About 1 billion people worldwide profess the Catholic faith. The former French colony of Ubangi-Shari became the Central African Republic upon independence in 1960. After three tumultuous decades of misrule - mostly by military governments - a civilian government was installed in 1993.
Birth rate - 36.6 births/1,000 population (2002 est.)
Budget revenues: $173.5 million


expenditures: $176.6 million, including capital expenditures of $NA (2001)
revenues: $NA


expenditures: $NA, including capital expenditures of $NA
Capital Vatican City Bangui
Climate temperate; mild, rainy winters (September to mid-May) with hot, dry summers (May to September) tropical; hot, dry winters; mild to hot, wet summers
Coastline 0 km (landlocked) 0 km (landlocked)
Constitution Apostolic Constitution of 1967 (effective 1 March 1968) passed by referendum 29 December 1994; adopted 7 January 1995
Country name conventional long form: The Holy See (State of the Vatican City)


conventional short form: Holy See (Vatican City)


local long form: Santa Sede (Stato della Citta del Vaticano)


local short form: Santa Sede (Citta del Vaticano)
conventional long form: Central African Republic


conventional short form: none


local long form: Republique Centrafricaine


local short form: none


former: Ubangi-Shari, Central African Empire


abbreviation: CAR
Currency euro (EUR) Communaute Financiere Africaine franc (XAF); note - responsible authority is the Bank of the Central African States
Death rate - 18.62 deaths/1,000 population (2002 est.)
Debt - external - $881.4 million (2000 est.)
Diplomatic representation from the US chief of mission: Ambassador R. James "Jim" NICHOLSON


embassy: Villa Domiziana, Via delle Terme Deciane 26, 00153 Rome


mailing address: PSC 59, Box 66, APO AE 09624


telephone: [39] (06) 4674-3428


FAX: [39] (06) 5758346
chief of mission: Ambassador Mattie R. SHARPLESS


embassy: Avenue David Dacko, Bangui


mailing address: B. P. 924, Bangui


telephone: [236] 61 02 00


FAX: [236] 61 44 94
Diplomatic representation in the US chief of mission: Apostolic Nuncio Archbishop Gabriel MONTALVO


chancery: 3339 Massachusetts Avenue NW, Washington, DC 20008


telephone: [1] (202) 333-7121


FAX: [1] (202) 337-4036
chief of mission: Ambassador Emmanuel TOUABOY


chancery: 1618 22nd Street NW, Washington, DC 20008


telephone: [1] (202) 483-7800


FAX: [1] (202) 332-9893
Disputes - international none none
Economic aid - recipient none $172.2 million (1995); note - traditional budget subsidies from France (1995)
Economy - overview This unique, noncommercial economy is supported financially by an annual tax on Roman Catholic dioceses throughout the world, as well as by special collections (known as Peter's Pence); the sale of postage stamps, coins, medals, and tourist mementos; fees for admission to museums; and the sale of publications. Investments and real estate income also account for a sizable portion of revenue. The incomes and living standards of lay workers are comparable to those of counterparts who work in the city of Rome. Subsistence agriculture, together with forestry, remains the backbone of the economy of the Central African Republic (CAR), with more than 70% of the population living in outlying areas. The agricultural sector generates half of GDP. Timber has accounted for about 16% of export earnings and the diamond industry for 54%. Important constraints to economic development include the CAR's landlocked position, a poor transportation system, a largely unskilled work force, and a legacy of misdirected macroeconomic policies. The 50% devaluation of the currencies of 14 Francophone African nations on 12 January 1994 had mixed effects on the CAR's economy. Diamond, timber, coffee, and cotton exports increased, leading an estimated rise of GDP of 7% in 1994 and nearly 5% in 1995. Military rebellions and social unrest in 1996 were accompanied by widespread destruction of property and a drop in GDP of 2%. The IMF approved an Extended Structure Adjustment Facility in 1998 and the World Bank extended further credits in 1999 and approved a $10 million loan in early 2001. As of January 2002, many civil servants were owed as much as 16 months pay during the PATASSE administration, as well as 14 months pay from the KOLINGBA administration.
Electricity - consumption NA kWh 96.72 million kWh (2000)
Electricity - exports 0 kWh 0 kWh (2000)
Electricity - imports NA kWh; note - electricity supplied by Italy 0 kWh (2000)
Electricity - production NA kWh 104 million kWh (2000)
Electricity - production by source - fossil fuel: 20%


hydro: 80%


nuclear: 0%


other: 0% (2000)
Elevation extremes lowest point: unnamed location 19 m


highest point: unnamed location 75 m
lowest point: Oubangui River 335 m


highest point: Mont Ngaoui 1,420 m
Environment - current issues NA tap water is not potable; poaching has diminished its reputation as one of the last great wildlife refuges; desertification; deforestation
Environment - international agreements party to: none of the selected agreements


signed, but not ratified: Air Pollution, Environmental Modification
party to: Biodiversity, Climate Change, Desertification, Endangered Species, Nuclear Test Ban, Ozone Layer Protection, Tropical Timber 94


signed, but not ratified: Law of the Sea
Ethnic groups Italians, Swiss, other Baya 33%, Banda 27%, Mandjia 13%, Sara 10%, Mboum 7%, M'Baka 4%, Yakoma 4%, other 2%
Exchange rates euros per US dollar - 1.06 1.1324 (2002), 1.1175 (2001), 1.0854 (2000), 0.9386 (1999) Communaute Financiere Africaine francs (XAF) per US dollar - 742.79 (January 2002), 733.04 (2001), 711.98 (2000), 615.70 (1999), 589.95 (1998), 583.67 (1997); note - from 1 January 1999, the XAF is pegged to the euro at a rate of 655.957 XAF per euro
Executive branch chief of state: Pope JOHN PAUL II (since 16 October 1978)


head of government: Secretary of State Cardinal Angelo SODANO (since 2 December 1990)


cabinet: Pontifical Commission appointed by the pope


elections: pope elected for life by the College of Cardinals; election last held 16 October 1978 (next to be held after the death of the current pope); secretary of state appointed by the pope


election results: Karol WOJTYLA elected pope
chief of state: President Ange-Felix PATASSE (since 22 October 1993)


head of government: Prime Minister Martin ZIGUELE (since 1 April 2001)


cabinet: Council of Ministers


elections: president elected by popular vote for a six-year term; election last held 19 September 1999 (next to be held NA September 2005); prime minister appointed by the president


election results: Ange-Felix PATASSE reelected president; percent of vote - Ange-Felix PATASSE 51.63%, Andre KOLINGBA 19.38%, David DACKO 11.15%
Exports 0 kWh $166 million f.o.b. (2000)
Exports - commodities - diamonds, timber, cotton, coffee, tobacco
Exports - partners - Benelux 64%, Cote d'Ivoire, Spain, China, Egypt, France (1999)
Fiscal year calendar year calendar year
Flag description two vertical bands of yellow (hoist side) and white with the crossed keys of Saint Peter and the papal miter centered in the white band four equal horizontal bands of blue (top), white, green, and yellow with a vertical red band in center; there is a yellow five-pointed star on the hoist side of the blue band
GDP - purchasing power parity - $4.6 billion (2001 est.)
GDP - composition by sector - agriculture: 55%


industry: 20%


services: 25% (2001 est.)
GDP - per capita - purchasing power parity - $1,300 (2001 est.)
GDP - real growth rate - 1.8% (2001 est.)
Geographic coordinates 41 54 N, 12 27 E 7 00 N, 21 00 E
Geography - note urban; landlocked; enclave in Rome, Italy; world's smallest state; outside the Vatican City, 13 buildings in Rome and Castel Gandolfo (the pope's summer residence) enjoy extraterritorial rights landlocked; almost the precise center of Africa
Heliports 1 (2002) -
Highways none; all city streets total: 23,810 km


paved: 429 km


unpaved: 23,381 km (2000)
Household income or consumption by percentage share lowest 10%: NA%


highest 10%: NA%
lowest 10%: 1%


highest 10%: 48% (1993) (1993)
Imports NA kWh; note - electricity supplied by Italy $154 million f.o.b. (2000)
Imports - commodities - food, textiles, petroleum products, machinery, electrical equipment, motor vehicles, chemicals, pharmaceuticals, consumer goods, industrial products
Imports - partners - France 35%, Cameroon 13%, Benelux, Cote d'Ivoire, Germany, Japan (1999)
Independence 11 February 1929 (from Italy)


note: on 11 February 1929, three treaties were signed with Italy which, among other things, recognized the full sovereignty of the Vatican and established its territorial extent; however, the origin of the Papal States, which over the years have varied considerably in extent, may be traced back to the 8th century
13 August 1960 (from France)
Industrial production growth rate - 3.9% (2001)
Industries printing; production of coins, medals, postage stamps, a small amount of mosaics and staff uniforms; worldwide banking and financial activities diamond mining, sawmills, breweries, textiles, footwear, assembly of bicycles and motorcycles
Infant mortality rate - 103.81 deaths/1,000 live births (2002 est.)
Inflation rate (consumer prices) - 3.6% (2001 est.)
International organization participation CE (observer), IAEA, ICFTU, IOM (observer), ITU, NAM (guest), OAS (observer), OPCW, OSCE, UN (observer), UNCTAD, UNHCR, UPU, WHO (observer), WIPO, WToO (observer), WTrO (observer) ACCT, ACP, AfDB, BDEAC, CCC, CEEAC, CEMAC, ECA, FAO, FZ, G-77, IAEA, IBRD, ICAO, ICFTU, ICRM, IDA, IFAD, IFC, IFRCS, ILO, IMF, Interpol, IOC, ITU, NAM, OAU, OIC (observer), OPCW (signatory), UN, UNCTAD, UNESCO, UNIDO, UPU, WCL, WHO, WIPO, WMO, WToO, WTrO
Internet Service Providers (ISPs) NA 1 (2002)
Irrigated land 0 sq km (1998 est.) NA sq km
Judicial branch there are three tribunals responsible for civil and criminal matters within Vatican City; three other tribunals rule on issues pertaining to the Holy See


note: judicial duties were established by the Motu Proprio of Pius XII on 1 May 1946
Supreme Court or Cour Supreme; Constitutional Court (3 judges appointed by the president, 3 by the president of the National Assembly, and 3 by fellow judges); Court of Appeal; Criminal Courts; Inferior Courts
Labor force NA NA
Labor force - by occupation essentially services with a small amount of industry; note - dignitaries, priests, nuns, guards, and 3,000 lay workers live outside the Vatican -
Land boundaries total: 3.2 km


border countries: Italy 3.2 km
total: 5,203 km


border countries: Cameroon 797 km, Chad 1,197 km, Democratic Republic of the Congo 1,577 km, Republic of the Congo 467 km, Sudan 1,165 km
Land use arable land: 0%


permanent crops: 0%


other: 100% (urban area) (1998 est.)
arable land: 3.1%


permanent crops: 0.14%


other: 96.76% (1998 est.)
Languages Italian, Latin, French, various other languages French (official), Sangho (lingua franca and national language), tribal languages
Legal system based on Code of Canon Law and revisions to it based on French law
Legislative branch unicameral Pontifical Commission unicameral National Assembly or Assemblee Nationale (109 seats; members are elected by popular vote to serve five-year terms; note - there were 85 seats in the National Assembly before the 1998 election)


elections: last held 22-23 November and 13 December 1998 (next to be held NA 2003)


election results: percent of vote by party - MLPC 43%, RDC 18%, MDD 9%, FPP 6%, PSD 5%, ADP 4%, PUN 3%, FODEM 2%, PLD 2%, UPR 1%, FC 1%, independents 6%; seats by party - MLPC 47, RDC 20, MDD 8, FPP 7, PSD 6, ADP 5, PUN 3, FODEM 2, PLD 2, UPR 1, FC 1, independents 7
Life expectancy at birth - total population: 43.58 years


male: 42.08 years


female: 45.13 years (2002 est.)
Literacy definition: NA


total population: 100%


male: NA%


female: NA%
definition: age 15 and over can read and write


total population: 60%


male: 68.5%


female: 52.4% (1995 est.)
Location Southern Europe, an enclave of Rome (Italy) Central Africa, north of Democratic Republic of the Congo
Map references Europe Africa
Maritime claims none (landlocked) none (landlocked)
Military - note defense is the responsibility of Italy; Swiss Papal Guards are posted at entrances to the Vatican City to provide security and protect the Pope -
Military branches Swiss Guards Corps (Corpo della Guardia Svizzera) Central African Armed Forces (FACA) (including Republican Guard, Ground Forces, Naval Forces, and Air Force), Presidential Security Guard, Gendarmerie, National Police
Military expenditures - dollar figure - $29 million (FY96)
Military expenditures - percent of GDP - 2.2% (FY96)
Military manpower - availability - males age 15-49: 845,182 (2002 est.)
Military manpower - fit for military service - males age 15-49: 442,220 (2002 est.)
National holiday Coronation Day of Pope JOHN PAUL II, 22 October (1978) Republic Day, 1 December (1958)
Nationality noun: none


adjective: none
noun: Central African(s)


adjective: Central African
Natural hazards NA hot, dry, dusty harmattan winds affect northern areas; floods are common
Natural resources none diamonds, uranium, timber, gold, oil, hydropower
Net migration rate - 0 migrant(s)/1,000 population (2002 est.)
Political parties and leaders none Alliance for Democracy and Progress or ADP [Jacques MBOLIEDAS]; Central African Democratic Assembly or RDC [Andre KOLINGBA]; Civic Forum or FC [Gen. Timothee MALENDOMA]; Democratic Forum for Modernity or FODEM [Charles MASSI]; Liberal Democratic Party or PLD [Nestor KOMBO-NAGUEMON]; Movement for Democracy and Development or MDD [David DACKO]; Movement for the Liberation of the Central African People or MLPC [the party of the president, Ange-Felix PATASSE]; Patriotic Front for Progress or FPP [Abel GOUMBA]; People's Union for the Republic or UPR [Pierre Sammy MAKFOY]; National Unity Party or PUN [Jean-Paul NGOUPANDE]; Social Democratic Party or PSD [Enoch LAKOUE]
Political pressure groups and leaders none (exclusive of influence exercised by church officers) NA
Population 911 (July 2003 est.) 3,642,739


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 2002 est.)
Population below poverty line NA% NA%
Population growth rate 0.01% (2003 est.) 1.8% (2002 est.)
Ports and harbors none Bangui, Nola, Salo, Nzinga
Radio broadcast stations AM 3, FM 4, shortwave 2 (1998) AM 1, FM 5, shortwave 1 (2002)
Radios - 283,000 (1997)
Railways total: 0.86 km


standard gauge: 0.86 km 1.435-m gauge


note: a spur of the Italian Railways system, serving Rome's Saint Peter's station (2001 est.)
0 km
Religions Roman Catholic indigenous beliefs 35%, Protestant 25%, Roman Catholic 25%, Muslim 15%


note: animistic beliefs and practices strongly influence the Christian majority
Sex ratio - at birth: 1.03 male(s)/female


under 15 years: 1.02 male(s)/female


15-64 years: 0.96 male(s)/female


65 years and over: 0.77 male(s)/female


total population: 0.98 male(s)/female (2002 est.)
Suffrage limited to cardinals less than 80 years old 21 years of age; universal
Telephone system general assessment: automatic exchange


domestic: tied into Italian system


international: uses Italian system
general assessment: fair system


domestic: network consists principally of microwave radio relay and low-capacity, low-powered radiotelephone communication


international: satellite earth station - 1 Intelsat (Atlantic Ocean)
Telephones - main lines in use NA 9,500 (2000)
Telephones - mobile cellular NA 710 (1998)
Television broadcast stations 1 (1996) 1 (2001)
Terrain low hill vast, flat to rolling, monotonous plateau; scattered hills in northeast and southwest
Total fertility rate - 4.77 children born/woman (2002 est.)
Unemployment rate - 8% (23% for Bangui) (2001 est.)
Waterways none 900 km


note: traditional trade carried on by means of shallow-draft dugouts; Oubangui is the most important river, navigable all year to craft drawing 0.6 m or less; 282 km navigable to craft drawing as much as 1.8 m
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