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Compare Kuwait (2002) - Christmas Island (2001)

Compare Kuwait (2002) z Christmas Island (2001)

 Kuwait (2002)Christmas Island (2001)
 KuwaitChristmas Island
Administrative divisions 5 governorates (muhafazat, singular - muhafazah); Al Ahmadi, Al Farwaniyah, Al 'Asimah, Al Jahra', Hawalli none (territory of Australia)
Age structure 0-14 years: 28.3% (male 304,200; female 292,900)


15-64 years: 69.2% (male 934,115; female 527,331)


65 years and over: 2.5% (male 34,106; female 18,909) (2002 est.)
0-14 years:
NA%

15-64 years:
NA%

65 years and over:
NA%
Agriculture - products practically no crops; fish NA
Airports 7 (2001) 1 (2000 est.)
Airports - with paved runways total: 3


over 3,047 m: 1


2,438 to 3,047 m: 2 (2002)
total:
1

1,524 to 2,437 m:
1 (2000 est.)
Airports - with unpaved runways total: 3


1,524 to 2,437 m: 1


under 914 m: 2 (2002)
-
Area total: 17,820 sq km


land: 17,820 sq km


water: 0 sq km
total:
135 sq km

land:
135 sq km

water:
0 sq km
Area - comparative slightly smaller than New Jersey about 0.7 times the size of Washington, DC
Background Britain oversaw foreign relations and defense for the ruling Kuwaiti AL-SABAH dynasty from 1899 until independence in 1961. Kuwait was attacked and overrun by Iraq on 2 August 1990. Following several weeks of aerial bombardment, a US-led UN coalition began a ground assault on 23 February 1991 that completely liberated Kuwait in four days. Kuwait spent more than $5 billion to repair oil infrastructure damaged during 1990-91. Named in 1643 for the day of its discovery, the island was annexed and settlement was begun by the UK in 1888. Phosphate mining began in the 1890s. The UK transferred sovereignty to Australia in 1958. The phosphate mine, closed in 1987, was reopened four years later, but the need for an alternative industry has spurred investment in tourism. Old mining areas are being restored, and almost two-thirds of the island has been declared a national park.
Birth rate 21.84 births/1,000 population (2002 est.) NA births/1,000 population
Budget revenues: $11.5 billion


expenditures: $17.2 billion, including capital expenditures of $NA (FY01/02 )
revenues:
$NA

expenditures:
$NA, including capital expenditures of $NA
Capital Kuwait The Settlement
Climate dry desert; intensely hot summers; short, cool winters tropical; heat and humidity moderated by trade winds
Coastline 499 km 138.9 km
Constitution approved and promulgated 11 November 1962 Christmas Island Act of 1958
Country name conventional long form: State of Kuwait


conventional short form: Kuwait


local long form: Dawlat al Kuwayt


local short form: Al Kuwayt
conventional long form:
Territory of Christmas Island

conventional short form:
Christmas Island
Currency Kuwaiti dinar (KD) Australian dollar (AUD)
Death rate 2.46 deaths/1,000 population (2002 est.) NA deaths/1,000 population
Debt - external $6.9 billion (2000 est.) $NA
Dependency status - territory of Australia; administered from Canberra by the Australian Department of the Environment, Sport, and Territories
Diplomatic representation from the US chief of mission: Ambassador Richard H. JONES


embassy: Bayan, Area 14, Al-Masjed Al-Aqsa Street (near the Bayan palace), Kuwait City


mailing address: P. O. Box 77 Safat, 13001 Safat, Kuwait Unit 69000, APO AE 09880-9000


telephone: [965] 539-5307, ext. 2240


FAX: [965] 538-0282
none (territory of Australia)
Diplomatic representation in the US chief of mission: Ambassador Sheikh Salem Abdullah Al Jaber AL SABAH


chancery: 2940 Tilden Street NW, Washington, DC 20008


telephone: [1] (202) 966-0702


FAX: [1] (202) 966-0517
none (territory of Australia)
Disputes - international in November 1994, Iraq formally accepted the UN-demarcated border with Kuwait which had been spelled out in Security Council Resolutions 687 (1991), 773 (1993), and 883 (1993); this formally ends earlier claims to Kuwait and to Bubiyan and Warbah islands, although the Iraqi Government continues periodic rhetorical challenges none
Economic aid - recipient NA $NA
Economy - overview Kuwait is a small, rich, relatively open economy with proved crude oil reserves of 94 billion barrels - 10% of world reserves. Petroleum accounts for nearly half of GDP, 90% of export revenues, and 75% of government income. Kuwait's climate limits agricultural development. Consequently, with the exception of fish, it depends almost wholly on food imports. About 75% of potable water must be distilled or imported. Higher oil prices put the FY99/00 budget into a $2 billion surplus. The FY00/01 budget covers only nine months because of a change in the fiscal year. The budget for FY01/02 envisioned higher expenditures for salaries, construction, and other general categories. Kuwait continues its discussions with foreign oil companies to develop fields in the northern part of the country. Phosphate mining had been the only significant economic activity, but in December 1987 the Australian Government closed the mine. In 1991, the mine was reopened by union workers. With the support of the government, Australian-based Casinos Austria International Ltd. built a $34 million casino on Christmas Island, which opened in 1993. As of yearend 1999, gaming facilities at the casino were temporarily closed but were expected to reopen in early 2000. Another economic prospect is the possible location of a space-launching site on the island.
Electricity - consumption 29.016 billion kWh (2000) NA kWh
Electricity - exports 0 kWh (2000) -
Electricity - imports 0 kWh (2000) -
Electricity - production 31.2 billion kWh (2000) NA kWh
Electricity - production by source fossil fuel: 100%


hydro: 0%


nuclear: 0%


other: 0% (2000)
fossil fuel:
NA%

hydro:
NA%

nuclear:
NA%

other:
NA%
Elevation extremes lowest point: Persian Gulf 0 m


highest point: unnamed location 306 m
lowest point:
Indian Ocean 0 m

highest point:
Murray Hill 361 m
Environment - current issues limited natural fresh water resources; some of world's largest and most sophisticated desalination facilities provide much of the water; air and water pollution; desertification NA
Environment - international agreements party to: Climate Change, Desertification, Environmental Modification, Hazardous Wastes, Law of the Sea, Nuclear Test Ban, Ozone Layer Protection


signed, but not ratified: Biodiversity, Endangered Species, Marine Dumping
-
Ethnic groups Kuwaiti 45%, other Arab 35%, South Asian 9%, Iranian 4%, other 7% Chinese 61%, Malay 25%, European 11%, other 3%, no indigenous population
Exchange rates Kuwaiti dinars per US dollar - 0.3075 (January 2002), 0.3066, (2001), 0.3067 (2000), 0.3044 (1999), 0.3047 (1998), 0.3033 (1997) Australian dollars per US dollar - 1.7995 (January 2001), 1.7173 (2000), 1.5497 (1999), 1.5888 (1998), 1.3439 (1997), 1.2773 (1996)
Executive branch chief of state: Amir JABIR al-Ahmad al-Jabir Al Sabah (since 31 December 1977)


head of government: Prime Minister and Crown Prince SAAD al-Abdallah al-Salim Al Sabah (since 8 February 1978); First Deputy Prime Minister SABAH al-Ahmad al-Jabir Al Sabah (since 17 October 1992); Deputy Prime Ministers JABIR MUBARAK al-Hamud Al Sabah (since NA) and MUHAMMAD KHALID al-Hamed Al Sabah (since NA)


cabinet: Council of Ministers appointed by the prime minister and approved by the monarch


elections: none; the monarch is hereditary; prime minister and deputy prime ministers appointed by the monarch
chief of state:
Queen ELIZABETH II (since 6 February 1952), represented by the Australian governor general

head of government:
Administrator William Leonard TAYLOR (since 4 February 1999)

elections:
none; the monarch is hereditary; administrator appointed by the governor general of Australia and represents the monarch and Australia
Exports $16.2 billion f.o.b. (2001 est.) $NA
Exports - commodities oil and refined products, fertilizers phosphate
Exports - partners Japan 23%, US 14%, South Korea 13%, Singapore 7%, Netherlands 6%, Pakistan 6%, Indonesia 4%, UK 2% (2000) Australia, NZ
Fiscal year 1 April - 31 March 1 July - 30 June
Flag description three equal horizontal bands of green (top), white, and red with a black trapezoid based on the hoist side the flag of Australia is used
GDP purchasing power parity - $30.9 billion (2001 est.) purchasing power parity - $NA
GDP - composition by sector industry: 60%


services: 40%


agriculture: 0% (2000)
agriculture:
NA%

industry:
NA%

services:
NA%
GDP - per capita purchasing power parity - $15,100 (2001 est.) purchasing power parity - $NA
GDP - real growth rate 4% (2001 est.) NA%
Geographic coordinates 29 30 N, 45 45 E 10 30 S, 105 40 E
Geography - note strategic location at head of Persian Gulf located along major sea lanes of Indian Ocean
Heliports 3 (2002) -
Highways total: 4,450 km


paved: 3,590 km


unpaved: 860 km (1999 est.)
total:
140 km (not including 100 km that is maintained by private industry)

paved:
30 km

unpaved:
110 km (1999)
Household income or consumption by percentage share lowest 10%: NA%


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

highest 10%:
NA%
Imports $7.4 billion f.o.b. (2001 est.) $NA
Imports - commodities food, construction materials, vehicles and parts, clothing consumer goods
Imports - partners US 12%, Japan 8%, UK 8%, Germany 7%, China 5%, France 4%, Australia 3%, Netherlands 2% (2000) principally Australia
Independence 19 June 1961 (from UK) none (territory of Australia)
Industrial production growth rate 1% (1997 est.) NA%
Industries petroleum, petrochemicals, desalination, food processing, construction materials tourism, phosphate extraction (near depletion)
Infant mortality rate 10.87 deaths/1,000 live births (2002 est.) NA deaths/1,000 live births
Inflation rate (consumer prices) 2.7% (2001) NA%
International organization participation ABEDA, AfDB, AFESD, AL, AMF, BDEAC, CAEU, CCC, ESCWA, FAO, G-77, GCC, IAEA, IBRD, ICAO, ICC, ICRM, IDA, IDB, IFAD, IFC, IFRCS, ILO, IMF, IMO, Interpol, IOC, ISO, ITU, NAM, OAPEC, OIC, OPCW, OPEC, UN, UNCTAD, UNESCO, UNIDO, UNITAR, UPU, WFTU, WHO, WIPO, WMO, WTrO none
Internet Service Providers (ISPs) 3 (2000) 2 (2000)
Irrigated land 60 sq km (1998 est.) NA sq km
Judicial branch High Court of Appeal Supreme Court; District Court; Magistrate's Court
Labor force 1.3 million


note: 68% of the population in the 15-64 age group is non-national (July 1998 est.) (1998 est.)
NA
Labor force - by occupation agriculture NA%, industry NA%, services NA% tourism 400 people, mining 100 people (1995)
Land boundaries total: 462 km


border countries: Iraq 240 km, Saudi Arabia 222 km
0 km
Land use arable land: 0.34%


permanent crops: 0.06%


other: 99.6% (1998 est.)
arable land:
NA%

permanent crops:
NA%

permanent pastures:
NA%

forests and woodland:
NA%

other:
NA%

note:
mainly tropical rainforest of which 60%-70% is in a national park
Languages Arabic (official), English widely spoken English, Chinese, Malay
Legal system civil law system with Islamic law significant in personal matters; has not accepted compulsory ICJ jurisdiction under the authority of the governor general of Australia and Australian law
Legislative branch unicameral National Assembly or Majlis al-Umma (50 seats; members elected by popular vote to serve four-year terms)


elections: last held 3 July 1999 (next to be held NA 2003)


election results: percent of vote - NA%; seats - independents 50; note - all cabinet ministers are also ex officio members of the National Assembly
unicameral Christmas Island Shire Council (9 seats; members elected by popular vote to serve one-year terms)

elections:
last held NA December 2000 (next to be held NA December 2001)

election results:
percent of vote - NA%; seats - independents 9
Life expectancy at birth total population: 76.46 years


male: 75.56 years


female: 77.39 years (2002 est.)
total population:
NA years

male:
NA years

female:
NA years
Literacy definition: age 15 and over can read and write


total population: 78.6%


male: 82.2%


female: 74.9% (1995 est.)
-
Location Middle East, bordering the Persian Gulf, between Iraq and Saudi Arabia Southeastern Asia, island in the Indian Ocean, south of Indonesia
Map references Middle East Southeast Asia
Maritime claims territorial sea: 12 NM contiguous zone:
12 NM

exclusive fishing zone:
200 NM

territorial sea:
3 NM
Merchant marine total: 38 ships (1,000 GRT or over) totaling 2,274,515 GRT/3,627,835 DWT


ships by type: bulk 1, cargo 1, container 6, liquefied gas 6, livestock carrier 5, petroleum tanker 19


note: includes some foreign-owned ships registered here as a flag of convenience: Monaco 1, Saudi Arabia 1 (2002 est.)
none (2000 est.)
Military - note - defense is the responsibility of Australia
Military branches Army, Navy, Air Force (including Air Defense Force), National Police Force, National Guard, Coast Guard -
Military expenditures - dollar figure $1,967.3 million (FY01)


note: Kuwait is changing its fiscal year; the above figure is for July-March 2001; future budget years will be April-March annually
-
Military expenditures - percent of GDP 5.5% (FY01) -
Military manpower - availability males age 15-49: 812,059 (2002 est.) -
Military manpower - fit for military service males age 15-49: 486,906 (2002 est.) -
Military manpower - military age 18 years of age (2002 est.) -
Military manpower - reaching military age annually males: 18,309 (2002 est.) -
National holiday National Day, 25 February (1950) NA
Nationality noun: Kuwaiti(s)


adjective: Kuwaiti
noun:
Christmas Islander(s)

adjective:
Christmas Island
Natural hazards sudden cloudbursts are common from October to April; they bring heavy rain which can damage roads and houses; sandstorms and dust storms occur throughout the year, but are most common between March and August the narrow fringing reef surrounding the island can be a maritime hazard
Natural resources petroleum, fish, shrimp, natural gas phosphate
Net migration rate 13.88 migrant(s)/1,000 population (2002 est.) NA migrant(s)/1,000 population
Pipelines crude oil 877 km; petroleum products 40 km; natural gas 165 km -
Political parties and leaders none; formation of political parties is illegal none
Political pressure groups and leaders several political groups act as de facto parties: Bedouins, merchants, Sunni and Shi'a activists, and secular leftists and nationalists none
Population 2,111,561


note: includes 1,159,913 non-nationals (July 2002 est.)
2,771 (July 2001 est.)
Population below poverty line NA% NA%
Population growth rate 3.33%


note: this rate reflects a return to pre-Gulf crisis immigration of expatriates (2002 est.)
7.77% (2001 est.)
Ports and harbors Ash Shu'aybah, Ash Shuwaykh, Kuwait, Mina' 'Abd Allah, Mina' al Ahmadi, Mina' Su'ud Flying Fish Cove
Radio broadcast stations AM 6, FM 11, shortwave 1 (1998) AM 1, FM 1, shortwave 0 (1998)
Radios 1.175 million (1997) 1,000 (1997)
Railways 0 km 24 km to serve phosphate mines
Religions Muslim 85% (Sunni 70%, Shi'a 30%), Christian, Hindu, Parsi, and other 15% Buddhist 55%, Christian 15%, Muslim 10%, other 20% (1991)
Sex ratio at birth: 1.04 male(s)/female


under 15 years: 1.04 male(s)/female


15-64 years: 1.77 male(s)/female


65 years and over: 1.8 male(s)/female


total population: 1.52 male(s)/female (2002 est.)
-
Suffrage adult males who have been naturalized for 30 years or more or have resided in Kuwait since before 1920 and their male descendants at age 21


note: only 10% of all citizens are eligible to vote; in 1996, naturalized citizens who do not meet the pre-1920 qualification but have been naturalized for 30 years were eligible to vote for the first time
-
Telephone system general assessment: the quality of service is excellent


domestic: new telephone exchanges provide a large capacity for new subscribers; trunk traffic is carried by microwave radio relay, coaxial cable, open wire, and fiber-optic cable; a cellular telephone system operates throughout Kuwait, and the country is well supplied with pay telephones


international: coaxial cable and microwave radio relay to Saudi Arabia; linked to Bahrain, Qatar, UAE via the Fiber-Optic Gulf (FOG) cable; satellite earth stations - 3 Intelsat (1 Atlantic Ocean, 2 Indian Ocean), 1 Inmarsat (Atlantic Ocean), and 2 Arabsat
general assessment:
NA

domestic:
NA

international:
satellite earth stations - one Intelsat earth station provides telephone and telex service
Telephones - main lines in use 412,000 (1997) NA
Telephones - mobile cellular 210,000 (1997) 0 (1999)
Television broadcast stations 13 (plus several satellite channels) (1997) NA
Terrain flat to slightly undulating desert plain steep cliffs along coast rise abruptly to central plateau
Total fertility rate 3.14 children born/woman (2002 est.) NA children born/woman
Unemployment rate 1.8% (1996 est.) NA%
Waterways none none
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