Main page Compare countries Index countries Index fields

Query:
##ciekawa_strona##

Compare Hong Kong (2005) - Sao Tome and Principe (2006)

Compare Hong Kong (2005) z Sao Tome and Principe (2006)

 Hong Kong (2005)Sao Tome and Principe (2006)
 Hong KongSao Tome and Principe
Administrative divisions none (special administrative region of China) 2 provinces; Principe, Sao Tome


note: Principe has had self-government since 29 April 1995
Age structure 0-14 years: 13.8% (male 498,771/female 454,252)


15-64 years: 73.5% (male 2,479,656/female 2,591,170)


65 years and over: 12.7% (male 404,308/female 470,529) (2005 est.)
0-14 years: 47.5% (male 46,478/female 45,302)


15-64 years: 48.8% (male 45,631/female 48,661)


65 years and over: 3.8% (male 3,368/female 3,973) (2006 est.)
Agriculture - products fresh vegetables, poultry, fish, pork cocoa, coconuts, palm kernels, copra, cinnamon, pepper, coffee, bananas, papayas, beans; poultry; fish
Airports 4 (2004 est.) 2 (2006)
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: 2


1,524 to 2,437 m: 1


914 to 1,523 m: 1 (2006)
Area total: 1,092 sq km


land: 1,042 sq km


water: 50 sq km
total: 1,001 sq km


land: 1,001 sq km


water: 0 sq km
Area - comparative six times the size of Washington, DC more than five times the size of Washington, DC
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. Discovered and claimed by Portugal in the late 15th century, the islands' sugar-based economy gave way to coffee and cocoa in the 19th century - all grown with plantation slave labor, a form of which lingered into the 20th century. Although independence was achieved in 1975, democratic reforms were not instituted until the late 1980s. Though the first free elections were held in 1991, the political environment has been one of continued instability with frequent changes in leadership and coup attempts in 1995 and 2003. The recent discovery of oil in the Gulf of Guinea is likely to have a significant impact on the country's economy.
Birth rate 7.23 births/1,000 population (2005 est.) 40.25 births/1,000 population (2006 est.)
Budget revenues: $26.6 billion


expenditures: $31.7 billion, including capital expenditures of $5.9 billion (2004 est.)
revenues: $26.39 million


expenditures: $59.48 million; including capital expenditures of $54 million (2004 est.)
Capital - name: Sao Tome


geographic coordinates: 0 12 N, 6 39 E


time difference: UTC 0 (5 hours ahead of Washington, DC during Standard Time)
Climate tropical monsoon; cool and humid in winter, hot and rainy from spring through summer, warm and sunny in fall tropical; hot, humid; one rainy season (October to May)
Coastline 733 km 209 km
Constitution Basic Law, approved in March 1990 by China's National People's Congress, is Hong Kong's "mini-constitution" approved March 1990, effective 10 September 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: Democratic Republic of Sao Tome and Principe


conventional short form: Sao Tome and Principe


local long form: Republica Democratica de Sao Tome e Principe


local short form: Sao Tome e Principe
Death rate 5.98 deaths/1,000 population (2005 est.) 6.47 deaths/1,000 population (2006 est.)
Debt - external $66.94 billion (2004 est.) $318 million (2002)
Dependency status special administrative region of China -
Diplomatic representation from the US chief of mission: Consul General James B. CUNNINGHAM


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
the US does not have an embassy in Sao Tome and Principe; the Ambassador to Gabon is accredited to Sao Tome and Principe on a nonresident basis and makes periodic visits to the islands
Diplomatic representation in the US none (special administrative region of China) chief of mission: First Secretary Domingos Augusto FERREIRA


chancery: 400 Park Avenue, 7th Floor, New York, NY 10022


telephone: [1] (212) 317-0580


FAX: [1] (212) 935-7348


consulate(s): Atlanta
Disputes - international none none
Economic aid - recipient - $200 million in December 2000 under the HIPC program
Economy - overview Hong Kong has a free market, entrepot economy, highly dependent on international trade. Natural resources are limited, and food and raw materials must be imported. Gross imports and exports (i.e., including reexports to and from third countries) 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 made manufacturing in China much more cost effective. Hong Kong's reexport business to and from China is a major driver of growth. Per capita GDP is comparable to that of the four big economies of Western Europe. GDP growth averaged a strong 5% from 1989 to 1997, but Hong Kong suffered two recessions in the past six years because of the Asian financial crisis in 1998 and the global downturn in 2001 and 2002. Although the Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome (SARS) outbreak also battered Hong Kong's economy, 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 and in 2004. This small, poor island economy has become increasingly dependent on cocoa since independence in 1975. Cocoa production has substantially declined in recent years because of drought and mismanagement, but strengthening prices helped boost export earnings in 2003. Sao Tome has to import all fuels, most manufactured goods, consumer goods, and a substantial amount of food. Over the years, it has had difficulty servicing its external debt and has relied heavily on concessional aid and debt rescheduling. Sao Tome benefited from $200 million in debt relief in December 2000 under the Highly Indebted Poor Countries (HIPC) program, and is expected to benefit from an additional round of HIPC debt relief in early 2006, to help bring down the country's $300 million debt burden. In August 2005, Sao Tome signed on to a new 3-year IMF Poverty Reduction and Growth Facility (PRGF) program worth $4.3 million. Considerable potential exists for development of a tourist industry, and the government has taken steps to expand facilities in recent years. The government also has attempted to reduce price controls and subsidies. Sao Tome is optimistic about the development of petroleum resources in its territorial waters in the oil-rich Gulf of Guinea, which are being jointly developed in a 60-40 split with Nigeria. The first production licenses were sold in 2004, though a dispute over licensing with Nigeria delayed Sao Tome's receipt of more than $20 million in signing bonuses for almost a year. Real GDP growth reached 6% in 2004, and also probably in 2005, as a result of increases in public expenditures and oil-related capital investment.
Electricity - consumption 38.45 billion kWh (2003) 13.95 million kWh (2003)
Electricity - exports 3 billion kWh (2003) 0 kWh (2003)
Electricity - imports 10.4 billion kWh (2003) 0 kWh (2003)
Electricity - production 35.51 billion kWh (2003) 15 million kWh (2003)
Elevation extremes lowest point: South China Sea 0 m


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


highest point: Pico de Sao Tome 2,024 m
Environment - current issues air and water pollution from rapid urbanization deforestation; soil erosion and exhaustion
Environment - international agreements party to: Marine Dumping (associate member) party to: Biodiversity, Climate Change, Desertification, Endangered Species, Environmental Modification, Law of the Sea, Ozone Layer Protection, Ship Pollution


signed, but not ratified: none of the selected agreements
Ethnic groups Chinese 95%, other 5% mestico, angolares (descendants of Angolan slaves), forros (descendants of freed slaves), servicais (contract laborers from Angola, Mozambique, and Cape Verde), tongas (children of servicais born on the islands), Europeans (primarily Portuguese)
Exchange rates Hong Kong dollars per US dollar - 7.788 (2004), 7.7868 (2003), 7.7989 (2002), 7.7988 (2001), 7.7912 (2000) dobras per US dollar - 9,900.4 (2005), (2004), 9,347.6 (2003), 9,088.3 (2002), 8,842.1 (2001)
Executive branch chief of state: President of China HU Jintao (since 15 March 2003)


head of government: Chief Executive Donald TSANG (since 24 June 2005)


cabinet: Executive Council consists of seven non-official members and 14 official members


elections: previous chief executive TUNG Chee-hwa was elected to second five-year term in March 2002 by 800-member election committee dominated by pro-Beijing forces, resignation accepted 12 March 2005; Donald TSANG acted as chief executive between 12 March 2005 and 25 May 2005; Henry TANG acted as chief executive between 25 May 2005 and 24 June 2005; last election 16 June 2005 to fill final two years of TUNG's term (next to be held in June 2007)
chief of state: President Fradique DE MENEZES (since 3 September 2001)


head of government: Prime Minister Tome Soares da VERA CRUZ (since 21 April 2006)


cabinet: Council of Ministers appointed by the president on the proposal of the prime minister


elections: president elected by popular vote for a five-year term (eligible for a second term); election last held 30 July 2006 (next to be held July 2011); prime minister chosen by the National Assembly and approved by the president


election results: Fradique DE MENEZES elected president; percent of vote - Fradique DE MENEZES 60%, Patrice TROVOADA 38.5%
Exports NA NA bbl/day
Exports - commodities electrical machinery and appliances, textiles, apparel, footwear, watches and clocks, toys, plastics, precious stones, printed material cocoa 80%, copra, coffee, palm oil
Exports - partners China 44%, US 17%, Japan 5.3% (2004) Netherlands 61.1%, Belgium 9.2%, Turkey 5.5%, South Korea 4% (2005)
Fiscal year 1 April - 31 March calendar year
Flag description red with a stylized, white, five-petal bauhinia flower in the center three horizontal bands of green (top), yellow (double width), and green with two black five-pointed stars placed side by side in the center of the yellow band and a red isosceles triangle based on the hoist side; uses the popular pan-African colors of Ethiopia
GDP - composition by sector agriculture: 0.1%


industry: 11.3%


services: 88.6% (2004 est.)
agriculture: 16.7%


industry: 14.8%


services: 68.4% (2005 est.)
GDP - per capita purchasing power parity - $34,200 (2004 est.) -
GDP - real growth rate 7.9% (2004 est.) 6% (2004 est.)
Geographic coordinates 22 15 N, 114 10 E 1 00 N, 7 00 E
Geography - note more than 200 islands the smallest country in Africa; the two main islands form part of a chain of extinct volcanoes and both are fairly mountainous
Heliports 2 (2004 est.) -
Highways total: 1,831 km


paved: 1,831 km


unpaved: 0 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 conduit for money laundering; rising indigenous use of synthetic drugs, especially among young people -
Imports NA NA bbl/day
Imports - commodities raw materials and semi-manufactures, consumer goods, capital goods, foodstuffs, fuel (most is re-exported) machinery and electrical equipment, food products, petroleum products
Imports - partners China 43.5%, Japan 12.1%, Taiwan 7.3%, US 5.3%, Singapore 5.3%, South Korea 4.8% (2004) UK 94.2%, Portugal 2.7%, US 1% (2005)
Independence none (special administrative region of China) 12 July 1975 (from Portugal)
Industrial production growth rate 1% (2004 est.) NA%
Industries textiles, clothing, tourism, banking, shipping, electronics, plastics, toys, watches, clocks light construction, textiles, soap, beer, fish processing, timber
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 (2005 est.)
total: 41.83 deaths/1,000 live births


male: 43.74 deaths/1,000 live births


female: 39.86 deaths/1,000 live births (2006 est.)
Inflation rate (consumer prices) -0.3% (2004 est.) 15.2% (2005 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 ACCT, ACP, AfDB, AU, FAO, G-77, IBRD, ICAO, ICCt (signatory), ICFTU, ICRM, IDA, IFAD, IFRCS, ILO, IMF, IMO, Interpol, IOC, IOM (observer), IPU, ITU, NAM, OIF, OPCW, UN, UNCTAD, UNESCO, UNIDO, UPU, WCL, WHO, WIPO, WMO, WToO, WTO (observer)
Irrigated land 20 sq km (1998 est.) 100 sq km (2003)
Judicial branch Court of Final Appeal in the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region Supreme Court (judges are appointed by the National Assembly)
Labor force 3.54 million (October 2004 est.) 35,050
Labor force - by occupation manufacturing 7.5%, construction 2.9%, wholesale and retail trade, restaurants, and hotels 43.7%, financing, insurance, and real estate 19.2%, transport and communications 7.9%, community and social services 18.5%


note: above data exclude public sector (2004 est.)
note: population mainly engaged in subsistence agriculture and fishing; shortages of skilled workers
Land boundaries total: 30 km


regional border: China 30 km
0 km
Land use arable land: 5.05%


permanent crops: 1.01%


other: 93.94% (2001)
arable land: 8.33%


permanent crops: 48.96%


other: 42.71% (2005)
Languages Chinese (Cantonese), English; both are official Portuguese (official)
Legal system based on English common law based on Portuguese legal system 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; other 1
unicameral National Assembly or Assembleia Nacional (55 seats; members are elected by direct, popular vote to serve four-year terms)


elections: last held 26 March 2006 (next to be held March 2010)


election results: percent of vote by party - MDFM-PCD 37.2%, MLSTP 28.9%, ADI 20.0%, NR 4.7%, other 9.2%; seats by party - MDFM-PCD 23, MLSTP 19, ADI 12, NR 1
Life expectancy at birth total population: 81.5 years


male: 78.81 years


female: 84.41 years (2005 est.)
total population: 67.31 years


male: 65.73 years


female: 68.95 years (2006 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: 79.3%


male: 85%


female: 62% (1991 est.)
Location Eastern Asia, bordering the South China Sea and China Western Africa, islands in the Gulf of Guinea, straddling the Equator, west of Gabon
Map references Southeast Asia Africa
Maritime claims territorial sea: 3 nm measured from claimed archipelagic baselines


territorial sea: 12 nm


exclusive economic zone: 200 nm
Merchant marine total: 837 ships (1,000 GRT or over) 20,478,042 GRT/34,554,455 DWT


by type: barge carrier 1, bulk carrier 446, cargo 119, chemical tanker 44, combination ore/oil 2, container 105, liquefied gas 20, passenger 6, passenger/cargo 6, petroleum tanker 75, roll on/roll off 5, vehicle carrier 8


foreign-owned: 453 (Australia 1, Bahamas 1, Belgium 3, Canada 9, China 246, Denmark 3, France 5, Germany 13, Greece 19, India 1, Indonesia 1, Israel 1, Japan 51, Norway 16, Philippines 13, Singapore 17, South Korea 8, Taiwan 5, Thailand 4, UAE 1, United Kingdom 32, United States 3)


registered in other countries: 373 (2005)
total: 8 ships (1000 GRT or over) 21,527 GRT/29,823 DWT


by type: bulk carrier 1, cargo 7


foreign-owned: 3 (Egypt 1, Greece 1, Lebanon 1) (2006)
Military - note defense is the responsibility of China Sao Tome and Principe's army is a tiny force with almost no resources at its disposal and would be wholly ineffective operating unilaterally; infantry equipment is considered simple to operate and maintain but may require refurbishment or replacement after 25 years in tropical climates; poor pay and conditions have been a problem in the past, as has alleged nepotism in the promotion of officers, as reflected in the 1995 and 2003 coups; these issues are being addressed with foreign assistance as initial steps towards the improvement of the army and its focus on realistic security concerns; command is exercised from the president, through the Minister of Defense, to the Chief of the Armed Forces staff (2005)
Military branches no regular indigenous military forces; Hong Kong garrison of China's People's Liberation Army (PLA) includes 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 of Sao Tome and Principe (FASTP): Army, Coast Guard, Presidential Guard (2004)
Military expenditures - dollar figure Hong Kong garrison is funded by China; figures are NA $581,729 (2005 est.)
Military expenditures - percent of GDP NA 0.8% (2005 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 Independence Day, 12 July (1975)
Nationality noun: Chinese/Hong Konger


adjective: Chinese/Hong Kong
noun: Sao Tomean(s)


adjective: Sao Tomean
Natural hazards occasional typhoons NA
Natural resources outstanding deepwater harbor, feldspar fish, hydropower
Net migration rate 5.24 migrant(s)/1,000 population (2005 est.) -2.32 migrant(s)/1,000 population (2006 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
Democratic Renovation Party [Armindo GRACA]; Force for Change Democratic Movement or MDFM; Independent Democratic Action or ADI [Carlos NEVES]; Movement for the Liberation of Sao Tome and Principe-Social Democratic Party or MLSTP-PSD [Manuel Pinto Da COSTA]; Party for Democratic Convergence or PCD [Aldo BANDEIRA]; Ue-Kedadji coalition; other small parties
Political pressure groups and leaders Chinese General Chamber of Commerce (pro-China); Chinese Manufacturers' Association of Hong Kong; Confederation of Trade Unions or CTU (pro-democracy) [LAU Chin-shek, president; LEE Cheuk-yan, general secretary]; Federation of Hong Kong Industries; Federation of Trade Unions or FTU (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]; Neighborhood and Workers' Service Center or NWSC (pro-democracy); The Alliance [Bernard CHAN, exco member] NA
Population 6,898,686 (July 2005 est.) 193,413 (July 2006 est.)
Population below poverty line NA 54% (2004 est.)
Population growth rate 0.65% (2005 est.) 3.15% (2006 est.)
Ports and harbors Hong Kong -
Radio broadcast stations AM 5, FM 9, shortwave 0 (2004) AM 1, FM 5, shortwave 1 (2002)
Religions eclectic mixture of local religions 90%, Christian 10% Catholic 70.3%, Evangelical 3.4%, New Apostolic 2%, Adventist 1.8%, other 3.1%, none 19.4% (2001 census)
Sex ratio at birth: 1.1 male(s)/female


under 15 years: 1.1 male(s)/female


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


65 years and over: 0.86 male(s)/female


total population: 0.96 male(s)/female (2005 est.)
at birth: 1.03 male(s)/female


under 15 years: 1.03 male(s)/female


15-64 years: 0.94 male(s)/female


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


total population: 0.98 male(s)/female (2006 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: adequate facilities


domestic: minimal system


international: country code - 239; satellite earth station - 1 Intelsat (Atlantic Ocean)
Telephones - main lines in use 3,801,300 (2003) 7,000 (2004)
Telephones - mobile cellular 7,241,400 (2003) 12,000 (2005)
Television broadcast stations 4 (2004) 2 (2002)
Terrain hilly to mountainous with steep slopes; lowlands in north volcanic, mountainous
Total fertility rate 0.91 children born/woman (2005 est.) 5.62 children born/woman (2006 est.)
Unemployment rate 6.7% (2004 est.) NA%
Sitemap: Compare countries listing (map site) | Country listing (map site)
Links: Add to favorites | Information about this website | Stats | Polityka prywatnosci
This page was generated in ##czas## s. Size this page: ##rozmiar_strony## kB.