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Compare Hong Kong (2004) - Benin (2003)

Compare Hong Kong (2004) z Benin (2003)

 Hong Kong (2004)Benin (2003)
 Hong KongBenin
Administrative divisions none (special administrative region of China) 12 departments; Alibori, Atakora, Atlantique, Borgou, Collines, Kouffo, Donga, Littoral, Mono, Oueme, Plateau, Zou
Age structure 0-14 years: 14.2% (male 510,702; female 465,145)


15-64 years: 73.3% (male 2,461,914; female 2,560,382)


65 years and over: 12.5% (male 394,697; female 462,285) (2004 est.)
0-14 years: 47% (male 1,668,817; female 1,638,291)


15-64 years: 50.7% (male 1,739,517; female 1,834,231)


65 years and over: 2.3% (male 67,504; female 93,130) (2003 est.)
Agriculture - products fresh vegetables, poultry, fish, pork cotton, corn, cassava (tapioca), yams, beans, palm oil, peanuts, livestock (2001)
Airports 4 (2003 est.) 5 (2002)
Airports - with paved runways total: 4


over 3,047 m: 1


1,524 to 2,437 m: 1


914 to 1523 m: 1


under 914 m: 1 (2004 est.)
total: 1


1,524 to 2,437 m: 1 (2002)
Airports - with unpaved runways - total: 4


2,438 to 3,047 m: 1


1,524 to 2,437 m: 1


914 to 1,523 m: 2 (2002)
Area total: 1,092 sq km


land: 1,042 sq km


water: 50 sq km
total: 112,620 sq km


land: 110,620 sq km


water: 2,000 sq km
Area - comparative six times the size of Washington, DC slightly smaller than Pennsylvania
Background Occupied by the UK in 1841, Hong Kong was formally ceded by China the following year; various adjacent lands were added later in the 19th century. Pursuant to an agreement signed by China and the UK on 19 December 1984, Hong Kong became the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region (SAR) of China on 1 July 1997. In this agreement, China has promised that, under its "one country, two systems" formula, China's socialist economic system will not be imposed on Hong Kong and that Hong Kong will enjoy a high degree of autonomy in all matters except foreign and defense affairs for the next 50 years. Present day Benin was the site of Dahomey, a prominent West African kingdom that rose in the 15th century. The territory became a French Colony in 1872 and achieved independence on 1 August 1960, as the Republic of Benin. A succession of military governments ended in 1972 with the rise to power of Mathieu KEREKOU and the establishment of a government based on Marxist-Leninist principles. A move to representative government began in 1989. Two years later, free elections ushered in former Prime Minister Nicephore SOGLO as president, marking the first successful transfer of power in Africa from a dictatorship to a democracy. KEREKOU was returned to power by elections held in 1996 and 2001, though some irregularities were alleged.
Birth rate 7.23 births/1,000 population (2004 est.) 43.15 births/1,000 population (2003 est.)
Budget revenues: $26.17 billion


expenditures: $32.64 billion, including capital expenditures of $5 billion (2003)
revenues: $377.4 million


expenditures: $561.8 million, including capital expenditures of $NA (2001)
Capital - Porto-Novo is the official capital; Cotonou is the seat of government
Climate tropical monsoon; cool and humid in winter, hot and rainy from spring through summer, warm and sunny in fall tropical; hot, humid in south; semiarid in north
Coastline 733 km 121 km
Constitution Basic Law approved in March 1990 by China's National People's Congress is Hong Kong's "mini-constitution" December 1990
Country name conventional long form: Hong Kong Special Administrative Region


conventional short form: Hong Kong


local long form: Xianggang Tebie Xingzhengqu


local short form: Xianggang


abbreviation: HK
conventional long form: Republic of Benin


conventional short form: Benin


local long form: Republique du Benin


local short form: Benin


former: Dahomey
Currency Hong Kong dollar (HKD) Communaute Financiere Africaine franc (XOF); note - responsible authority is the Central Bank of the West African States
Death rate 5.98 deaths/1,000 population (2004 est.) 13.65 deaths/1,000 population (2003 est.)
Debt - external $59.21 billion (2003 est.) $1.6 billion (2000)
Dependency status special administrative region of China -
Diplomatic representation from the US chief of mission: Consul General James KEITH


consulate(s) general: 26 Garden Road, Hong Kong


mailing address: PSC 461, Box 1, FPO AP 96521-0006


telephone: [852] 2523-9011


FAX: [852] 2524-0860
chief of mission: Ambassador Wayne NEILL


embassy: Rue Caporal Bernard Anani, Cotonou


mailing address: 01 B. P. 2012, Cotonou


telephone: [229] 30-06-50


FAX: [229] 30-06-70
Diplomatic representation in the US none (special administrative region of China) chief of mission: Ambassador Cyrille Segbe OGUIN


chancery: 2124 Kalorama Road NW, Washington, DC 20008


telephone: [1] (202) 232-6656


FAX: [1] (202) 265-1996
Disputes - international none two villages are in dispute along the border with Burkina Faso; much of Benin-Niger boundary, including tripoint with Nigeria, remains undemarcated, but states accept 2001 arbitration over disputed Niger River islands; several villages along the Okpara River are in dispute with Nigeria; in 2001, Benin claimed Togo moved the boundary stones - joint commission presently resurveying the boundary
Economic aid - recipient - $342.6 million (2000)
Economy - overview Hong Kong has a free market economy highly dependent on international trade. Natural resources are limited, and food and raw materials must be imported. Imports and exports, including reexports, each exceed GDP in dollar value. Even before Hong Kong reverted to Chinese administration on 1 July 1997 it had extensive trade and investment ties with China. Hong Kong has been further integrating its economy with China because China's growing openness to the world economy has increased competitive pressure on Hong Kong's service industries, and Hong Kong's re-export business from China is a major driver of growth. Per capita GDP compares with the level in the four big economies of Western Europe. GDP growth averaged a strong 5% in 1989-1997, but Hong Kong suffered two recessions in the past 6 years because of the Asian financial crisis in 1998 and the global downturn of 2001-2002. The Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome (SARS) outbreak also battered Hong Kong's economy, but a boom in tourism from the mainland because of China's easing of travel restrictions, a return of consumer confidence, and a solid rise in exports resulted in the resumption of strong growth in late 2003. The economy of Benin remains underdeveloped and dependent on subsistence agriculture, cotton production, and regional trade. Growth in real output has averaged a stable 5% in the past six years, but rapid population rise has offset much of this increase. Inflation has subsided over the past several years. In order to raise growth still further, Benin plans to attract more foreign investment, place more emphasis on tourism, facilitate the development of new food processing systems and agricultural products, and encourage new information and communication technology. The 2001 privatization policy should continue in telecommunications, water, electricity, and agriculture in spite of initial government reluctance. The Paris Club and bilateral creditors have eased the external debt situation, while pressing for speeded-up structural reforms.
Electricity - consumption 37.12 billion kWh (2001) 631.1 million kWh (2001)
Electricity - exports 1.581 billion kWh (2001) 0 kWh (2001)
Electricity - imports 10.36 billion kWh (2001) 376 million kWh (2001)
Electricity - production 30.48 billion kWh (2001) 274.3 million kWh (2001)
Electricity - production by source - fossil fuel: 14.2%


hydro: 85.8%


nuclear: 0%


other: 0% (2001)
Elevation extremes lowest point: South China Sea 0 m


highest point: Tai Mo Shan 958 m
lowest point: Atlantic Ocean 0 m


highest point: Mont Sokbaro 658 m
Environment - current issues air and water pollution from rapid urbanization inadequate supplies of potable water; poaching threatens wildlife populations; deforestation; desertification
Environment - international agreements party to: Marine Dumping (associate member) party to: Biodiversity, Climate Change, Desertification, Endangered Species, Environmental Modification, Hazardous Wastes, Law of the Sea, Nuclear Test Ban, Ozone Layer Protection, Ship Pollution, Wetlands


signed, but not ratified: none of the selected agreements
Ethnic groups Chinese 95%, other 5% African 99% (42 ethnic groups, most important being Fon, Adja, Yoruba, Bariba), Europeans 5,500
Exchange rates Hong Kong dollars per US dollar - 7.7868 (2003), 7.7989 (2002), 7.7988 (2001), 7.7912 (2000), 7.7575 (1999) Communaute Financiere Africaine francs (XOF) per US dollar - 696.99 (2002), 733.04 (2001), 711.98 (2000), 615.7 (1999), 589.95 (1998)
Executive branch chief of state: President of China HU Jintao (since 15 March 2003)


head of government: Chief Executive TUNG Chee-hwa (since 1 July 1997)


cabinet: Executive Council consists of seven non-official members and 14 official members; including Chief Secretary Donald TSANG Yam-kuen (since 1 May 2001), Financial Secretary Henry TANG (since 2 August 2003), and Secretary of Justice Elsie LEUNG (since 1 July 1997)


elections: TUNG Chee-hwa was elected to a second term in March 2002 by an 800-member election committee dominated by pro-Beijing forces; the next election is scheduled to be held in 2007
chief of state: President Mathieu KEREKOU (since 4 April 1996); note - the president is both the chief of state and head of government


head of government: President Mathieu KEREKOU (since 4 April 1996); note - the president is both the chief of state and head of government


cabinet: Council of Ministers appointed by the president


elections: president reelected by popular vote for a five-year term; runoff election held 22 March 2001 (next to be held NA March 2006)


election results: Mathieu KEREKOU reelected president; percent of vote - Mathieu KEREKOU 84.1%, Bruno AMOUSSOU 15.9%


note: the four top-ranking contenders following the first-round presidential elections were: Mathieu KEREKOU (incumbent) 45.4%, Nicephore SOGOLO (former president) 27.1%, Adrien HOUNGBEDJI (National Assembly Speaker) 12.6%, and Bruno AMOUSSOU (Minister of State) 8.6%; the second-round balloting, originally scheduled for 18 March 2001, was postponed four days because both SOGOLO and HOUNGBEDJI withdrew alleging electoral fraud; this left KEREKOU to run against his own Minister of State, AMOUSSOU, in what was termed a "friendly match"
Exports NA (2001) NA (2001)
Exports - commodities electrical machinery and appliances, textiles, apparel, footwear, watches and clocks, toys, plastics, precious stones cotton, crude oil, palm products, cocoa
Exports - partners China 42.6%, US 18.7%, Japan 5.4% (2003) India 25%, Italy 11.1%, Indonesia 7.4%, China 7.2%, Thailand 6.7%, Brazil 6.1%, UK 4.4%, Niger 4% (2002)
Fiscal year 1 April - 31 March calendar year
Flag description red with a stylized, white, five-petal bauhinia flower in the center two equal horizontal bands of yellow (top) and red with a vertical green band on the hoist side
GDP purchasing power parity - $213 billion (2003 est.) purchasing power parity - $7.38 billion (2002 est.)
GDP - composition by sector agriculture: 0.1%


industry: 12.1%


services: 87.9% (2003 est.)
agriculture: 38%


industry: 15%


services: 47% (2002 est.)
GDP - per capita purchasing power parity - $28,800 (2003 est.) purchasing power parity - $1,100 (2002 est.)
GDP - real growth rate 3.3% (2003 est.) 6% (2002 est.)
Geographic coordinates 22 15 N, 114 10 E 9 30 N, 2 15 E
Geography - note more than 200 islands sandbanks create difficult access to a coast with no natural harbors, river mouths, or islands
Heliports 2 (2003 est.) -
Highways total: 1,831 km


paved: 1,831 km


unpaved: 0 km (1999 est.)
total: 6,787 km


paved: 1,357 km (including 10 km of expressways)


unpaved: 5,430 km (1999 est.)
Household income or consumption by percentage share lowest 10%: NA


highest 10%: NA
lowest 10%: NA%


highest 10%: NA%
Illicit drugs Makes strenuous law enforcement efforts, but faces difficult challenges in controlling transit of heroin and methamphetamine to regional and world markets; modern banking system provides a conduit for money laundering; rising indigenous use of synthetic drugs, especially among young people transshipment point for narcotics associated with Nigerian trafficking organizations and most commonly destined for Western Europe and the US; vulnerable to money laundering due to a poorly regulated financial infrastructure
Imports NA (2001) NA (2001)
Imports - commodities electrical machinery and appliances, textiles, foodstuffs, transport equipment, raw materials, semimanufactures, petroleum, plastics; a large share is reexported foodstuffs, capital goods, petroleum products
Imports - partners China 43.5%, Japan 11.9%, Taiwan 6.9%, US 5.5%, Singapore 5%, South Korea 4.8% (2003) China 30.7%, France 15.7%, UK 4.8%, Italy 4.2% (2002)
Independence none (special administrative region of China) 1 August 1960 (from France)
Industrial production growth rate -9.2% (2003 est.) 8.3% (2001 est.)
Industries textiles, clothing, tourism, banking, shipping, electronics, plastics, toys, watches, clocks textiles, food processing, chemical production, construction materials (2001)
Infant mortality rate total: 2.97 deaths/1,000 live births


male: 3.16 deaths/1,000 live births


female: 2.77 deaths/1,000 live births (2004 est.)
total: 86.76 deaths/1,000 live births


male: 91.79 deaths/1,000 live births


female: 81.58 deaths/1,000 live births (2003 est.)
Inflation rate (consumer prices) -2.6% (2003 est.) 3.3% (2002 est.)
International organization participation APEC, AsDB, BIS, ICC, ICFTU, IHO, IMF, IMO (associate), Interpol (subbureau), IOC, ISO (correspondent), UPU, WCL, WCO, WMO, WToO (associate), WTO ACP, AfDB, ECA, ECOWAS, Entente, FAO, FZ, G-77, IAEA, IBRD, ICAO, ICCt, ICFTU, ICRM, IDA, IDB, IFAD, IFC, IFRCS, ILO, IMF, IMO, Interpol, IOC, IOM, ITU, MIPONUH, MONUC, NAM, OAU, OIC, OPCW, UN, UNCTAD, UNESCO, UNIDO, UNMEE, UPU, WADB (regional), WAEMU, WCL, WCO, WFTU, WHO, WIPO, WMO, WToO, WTrO
Internet Service Providers (ISPs) - 4 (2002)
Irrigated land 20 sq km (1998 est.) 120 sq km (1998 est.)
Judicial branch Court of Final Appeal in the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region Constitutional Court or Cour Constitutionnelle; Supreme Court or Cour Supreme; High Court of Justice
Labor force 3.5 million (2003 est.) NA
Labor force - by occupation manufacturing 8.2%, construction 2.9%, wholesale and retail trade, restaurants, and hotels 43.5%, financing, insurance, and real estate 19.5%, transport and communications 7.8%, community and social services 17.8% (Note: above data exclude public sector) (2002 est.) -
Land boundaries total: 30 km


regional border: China 30 km
total: 1,989 km


border countries: Burkina Faso 306 km, Niger 266 km, Nigeria 773 km, Togo 644 km
Land use arable land: 5.05%


permanent crops: 1.01%


other: 93.94% (2001)
arable land: 15.28%


permanent crops: 1.36%


other: 83.36% (1998 est.)
Languages Chinese (Cantonese), English; both are official French (official), Fon and Yoruba (most common vernaculars in south), tribal languages (at least six major ones in north)
Legal system based on English common law based on French civil law and customary law; has not accepted compulsory ICJ jurisdiction
Legislative branch unicameral Legislative Council or LEGCO (60 seats; in 2004 30 seats indirectly elected by functional constituencies, 30 elected by popular vote; members serve four-year terms)


elections: last held 12 September 2004 (next to be held in September 2008)


election results: percent of vote by party - pro-democracy group 62%; seats by party - (pro-Beijing 34) DAB 12, Liberal Party 10, independents 11, FTU 1; (pro-democracy 25) independents 11, Democratic Party 9, CTU 2, ADPL 1, Frontier Party 1, NWSC 1
unicameral National Assembly or Assemblee Nationale (83 seats; members are elected by direct popular vote to serve four-year terms)


elections: last held 30 March 2003 (next to be held NA March 2007)


election results: percent of vote by party - NA%; seats by party - Presidential Movement 52, opposition (PRB, PRD, E'toile, and 5 other small parties) 31
Life expectancy at birth total population: 81.39 years


male: 78.72 years


female: 84.3 years (2004 est.)
total population: 51.08 years


male: 50.35 years


female: 51.84 years (2003 est.)
Literacy definition: age 15 and over has ever attended school


total population: 93.5%


male: 96.9%


female: 89.6% (2002)
definition: age 15 and over can read and write


total population: 40.9%


male: 56.2%


female: 26.5% (2000)
Location Eastern Asia, bordering the South China Sea and China Western Africa, bordering the Bight of Benin, between Nigeria and Togo
Map references Southeast Asia Africa
Maritime claims territorial sea: 3 nm territorial sea: 200 NM
Merchant marine total: 663 ships (1,000 GRT or over) 20,478,042 GRT/34,554,455 DWT


by type: barge carrier 1, bulk 364, cargo 78, chemical tanker 23, combination bulk 2, combination ore/oil 3, container 97, liquefied gas 20, multi-functional large load carrier 1, petroleum tanker 60, refrigerated cargo 3, roll on/roll off 4, short-sea/passenger 1, specialized tanker 2, vehicle carrier 4


foreign-owned: Australia 2, Belgium 1, British Virgin Islands 1, China 178, Cyprus 1, Denmark 3, France 2, Germany 14, Greece 4, India 9, Indonesia 2, Japan 22, South Korea 2, Malaysia 3, Monaco 9, Norway 16, Panama 4, Philippines 17, Singapore 22, Taiwan 3, Thailand 1, United Kingdom 22, United States 1


registered in other countries: 569 (2004 est.)
none (2002 est.)
Military - note defense is the responsibility of China -
Military branches no regular indigenous military forces; Hong Kong garrison of China's People's Liberation Army (PLA) including elements of the PLA Ground Forces, PLA Navy, and PLA Air Force; these forces are under the direct leadership of the Central Military Commission in Beijing and under administrative control of the adjacent Guangzhou Military Region Armed Forces (including Army, Navy, Air Force), National Gendarmerie
Military expenditures - dollar figure Hong Kong garrison is funded by China; figures are NA $80.8 million (FY02)
Military expenditures - percent of GDP NA (FY02) 2.7% (FY02)
Military manpower - availability males age 15-49: 1,878,574 (2004 est.) note: both sexes are liable for military service


males age 15-49: 1,597,562


females age 15-49: 1,536,036 (2003 est.)
Military manpower - fit for military service males age 15-49: 1,404,705 (2004 est.) males age 15-49: 805,603


females age 15-49: 809,961 (2003 est.)
Military manpower - military age - 18 years of age (2003 est.)
Military manpower - reaching military age annually males: 41,821 (2004 est.) males: 75,021


females: 78,998 (2003 est.)
National holiday National Day (Anniversary of the Founding of the People's Republic of China), 1 October (1949); note - 1 July 1997 is celebrated as Hong Kong Special Administrative Region Establishment Day National Day, 1 August (1960)
Nationality noun: Chinese/Hong Konger


adjective: Chinese/Hong Kong
noun: Beninese (singular and plural)


adjective: Beninese
Natural hazards occasional typhoons hot, dry, dusty harmattan wind may affect north from December to March
Natural resources outstanding deepwater harbor, feldspar small offshore oil deposits, limestone, marble, timber
Net migration rate 5.24 migrant(s)/1,000 population (2004 est.) 0 migrant(s)/1,000 population (2003 est.)
Political parties and leaders Association for Democracy and People's Livelihood or ADPL [Frederick FUNG Kin-kee, chairman]; Citizens Party [Alex CHAN Kai-chung]; Democratic Alliance for the Betterment of Hong Kong or DAB [MA Lik, chairman]; Democratic Party [LEE Wing-tat, chairman]; Frontier Party [Emily LAU Wai-hing, chairwoman]; Liberal Party [James TIEN Pei-chun, chairman]


note: political blocs include: pro-democracy - Association for Democracy and People's Livelihood, Democratic Party, Frontier Party; pro-Beijing - Democratic Alliance for the Betterment of Hong Kong, Hong Kong Progressive Alliance, Liberal Party
African Congress for Renewal or DUNYA [Saka SALEY]; African Movement for Democracy and Progress or MADEP [Sefou FAGBOHOUN]; Alliance of the Social Democratic Party or PSD [Bruno AMOUSSOU]; Coalition of Democratic Forces [Gatien HOUNGBEDJI]; Democratic Renewal Party or PRD [Adrien HOUNGBEDJI]; Front for Renewal and Development or FARD-ALAFIA [Jerome Sakia KINA]; Impulse for Progress and Democracy or IPD [Bertin BORNA]; Key Force or FC [leader NA]; Presidential Movement (UBF, MADEP, FC, IDP, and 4 other small parties); Renaissance Party du Benin or PRB [Nicephore SOGLO]; The Star Alliance (Alliance E'toile) [Sacca LAFIA]; Union of Tomorrow's Benin or UBF [Bruno AMOUSSOU]


note: approximately 20 additional minor parties
Political pressure groups and leaders Chinese General Chamber of Commerce (pro-China); Chinese Manufacturers' Association of Hong Kong; Confederation of Trade Unions (pro-democracy) [LAU Chin-shek, president; LEE Cheuk-yan, general secretary]; Federation of Hong Kong Industries; Federation of Trade Unions (pro-China) [CHENG Yiu-tong, executive councilor]; Hong Kong Alliance in Support of the Patriotic Democratic Movement in China [Szeto WAH, chairman]; Hong Kong and Kowloon Trade Union Council (pro-Taiwan); Hong Kong General Chamber of Commerce; Hong Kong Professional Teachers' Union [CHEUNG Man-kwong, president]; The Alliance [Bernard CHAN, exco member] NA
Population 6,855,125 (July 2004 est.) 7,041,490


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 2003 est.)
Population below poverty line NA 37% (2001 est.)
Population growth rate 0.65% (2004 est.) 2.95% (2003 est.)
Ports and harbors Hong Kong Cotonou, Porto-Novo
Radio broadcast stations AM 5, FM 9, shortwave 0 (2004) AM 2, FM 9, shortwave 4 (2000)
Railways - total: 578 km


narrow gauge: 578 km 1.000-m gauge (2002)
Religions eclectic mixture of local religions 90%, Christian 10% indigenous beliefs 50%, Christian 30%, Muslim 20%
Sex ratio at birth: 1.09 male(s)/female


under 15 years: 1.1 male(s)/female


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


65 years and over: 0.85 male(s)/female


total population: 0.97 male(s)/female (2004 est.)
at birth: 1.03 male(s)/female


under 15 years: 1.02 male(s)/female


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


65 years and over: 0.72 male(s)/female


total population: 0.97 male(s)/female (2003 est.)
Suffrage direct election 18 years of age; universal for permanent residents living in the territory of Hong Kong for the past seven years; indirect election limited to about 200,000 members of functional constituencies and an 800-member election committee drawn from broad regional groupings, municipal organizations, and central government bodies 18 years of age; universal
Telephone system general assessment: modern facilities provide excellent domestic and international services


domestic: microwave radio relay links and extensive fiber-optic network


international: country code - 852; satellite earth stations - 3 Intelsat (1 Pacific Ocean and 2 Indian Ocean); coaxial cable to Guangzhou, China; access to 5 international submarine cables providing connections to ASEAN member nations, Japan, Taiwan, Australia, Middle East, and Western Europe
general assessment: NA


domestic: fair system of open-wire, microwave radio relay, and cellular connections


international: satellite earth station - 1 Intelsat (Atlantic Ocean); submarine cable
Telephones - main lines in use 3,801,300 (2003) 51,000 (2000)
Telephones - mobile cellular 7,241,400 (2003) 55,500 (2000)
Television broadcast stations 4 (2004) 1;; (2001)
Terrain hilly to mountainous with steep slopes; lowlands in north mostly flat to undulating plain; some hills and low mountains
Total fertility rate 0.91 children born/woman (2004 est.) 6.04 children born/woman (2003 est.)
Unemployment rate 7.9% (2003) NA%
Waterways - streams navigable along small sections, important only locally
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