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Compare Laos (2001) - Martinique (2001)

Compare Laos (2001) z Martinique (2001)

 Laos (2001)Martinique (2001)
 LaosMartinique
Administrative divisions 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, Louangphabang, Oudomxai, Phongsali, Salavan, Savannakhet, Viangchan*, Viangchan, Xaignabouli, Xaisomboun**, Xekong, Xiangkhoang none (overseas department of France)
Age structure 0-14 years:
42.75% (male 1,212,577; female 1,196,795)

15-64 years:
53.94% (male 1,494,927; female 1,544,851)

65 years and over:
3.31% (male 85,632; female 101,185) (2001 est.)
0-14 years:
23.1% (male 49,016; female 47,653)

15-64 years:
66.77% (male 139,106; female 140,291)

65 years and over:
10.13% (male 18,893; female 23,495) (2001 est.)
Agriculture - products sweet potatoes, vegetables, corn, coffee, sugarcane, tobacco, cotton; tea, peanuts, rice; water buffalo, pigs, cattle, poultry pineapples, avocados, bananas, flowers, vegetables, sugarcane
Airports 51 (2000 est.) 2 (2000 est.)
Airports - with paved runways total:
8

2,438 to 3,047 m:
1

1,524 to 2,437 m:
5

914 to 1,523 m:
2 (2000 est.)
total:
1

over 3,047 m:
1 (2000 est.)
Airports - with unpaved runways total:
43

1,524 to 2,437 m:
1

914 to 1,523 m:
17

under 914 m:
25 (2000 est.)
total:
1

under 914 m:
1 (2000 est.)
Area total:
236,800 sq km

land:
230,800 sq km

water:
6,000 sq km
total:
1,100 sq km

land:
1,060 sq km

water:
40 sq km
Area - comparative slightly larger than Utah slightly more than six times the size of Washington, DC
Background In 1975 the communist Pathet Lao took control of the government, ending a six-century-old monarchy. Initial closer ties to Vietnam and socialization were replaced with a gradual return to private enterprise, an easing of foreign investment laws, and the admission into ASEAN in 1997. Colonized by France in 1635, the island has subsequently remained a French possession except for three brief periods of foreign occupation.
Birth rate 37.84 births/1,000 population (2001 est.) 15.76 births/1,000 population (2001 est.)
Budget revenues:
$211 million

expenditures:
$462 million, including capital expenditures of $NA (FY98/99 est.)
revenues:
$900 million

expenditures:
$2.5 billion, including capital expenditures of $140 million (1996)
Capital Vientiane Fort-de-France
Climate tropical monsoon; rainy season (May to November); dry season (December to April) tropical; moderated by trade winds; rainy season (June to October); vulnerable to devastating cyclones (hurricanes) every eight years on average; average temperature 17.3 degrees C; humid
Coastline 0 km (landlocked) 350 km
Constitution promulgated 14 August 1991 28 September 1958 (French Constitution)
Country name conventional long form:
Lao People's Democratic Republic

conventional short form:
Laos

local long form:
Sathalanalat Paxathipatai Paxaxon Lao

local short form:
none
conventional long form:
Department of Martinique

conventional short form:
Martinique

local long form:
Departement de la Martinique

local short form:
Martinique
Currency kip (LAK) French franc (FRF); euro (EUR)
Death rate 13.02 deaths/1,000 population (2001 est.) 6.39 deaths/1,000 population (2001 est.)
Debt - external $2.46 billion (1998 est.) $180 million (1994)
Dependency status - overseas department of France
Diplomatic representation from the US chief of mission:
Ambassador (vacant); Charge d'Affairs Karen Brevard STEWART

embassy:
19 Rue Bartholonie, B. P. 114, Vientiane

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

telephone:
[856] (21) 212581, 212582, 212585

FAX:
[856] (21) 212584
none (overseas department of France)
Diplomatic representation in the US chief of mission:
Ambassador VANG Rattanavong

chancery:
2222 S Street NW, Washington, DC 20008

telephone:
[1] (202) 332-6416

FAX:
[1] (202) 332-4923
none (overseas department of France)
Disputes - international parts of the border with Thailand are indefinite none
Economic aid - recipient $345 million (1999 est.) $NA; note - substantial annual aid from France
Economy - overview 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 7% during 1988-97. Reform efforts subsequently slowed, and GDP growth dropped an average of 3 percentage points. Because Laos depends heavily on its trade with Thailand, it was damaged by the regional financial crisis beginning in 1997. Government mismanagement deepened the crisis, and from June 1997 to June 1999 the Lao kip lost 87% of its value. Laos' foreign exchange problems peaked in September 1999 when the kip fell from 3,500 kip to the dollar to 9,000 kip to the dollar in a matter of weeks. Now that the currency has stabilized, however, the government seems content to let the current situation persist, despite limited government revenue and foreign exchange reserves. A landlocked country with a primitive infrastructure, Laos has no railroads, a rudimentary road system, and limited external and internal telecommunications. Electricity is available in only a few urban areas. Subsistence agriculture accounts for half of GDP and provides 80% of total employment. For the foreseeable future the economy will continue to depend on aid from the IMF and other international sources; Japan is currently the largest bilateral aid donor; aid from the former USSR/Eastern Europe has been cut sharply. The economy is based on sugarcane, bananas, tourism, and light industry. Agriculture accounts for about 6% of GDP and the small industrial sector for 11%. Sugar production has declined, with most of the sugarcane now used for the production of rum. Banana exports are increasing, going mostly to France. The bulk of meat, vegetable, and grain requirements must be imported, contributing to a chronic trade deficit that requires large annual transfers of aid from France. Tourism has become more important than agricultural exports as a source of foreign exchange. The majority of the work force is employed in the service sector and in administration.
Electricity - consumption 173.6 million kWh (1999) 1.023 billion kWh (1999)
Electricity - exports 705 million kWh (1999) 0 kWh (1999)
Electricity - imports 142 million kWh (1999) 0 kWh (1999)
Electricity - production 792 million kWh (1999) 1.1 billion kWh (1999)
Electricity - production by source fossil fuel:
2.78%

hydro:
97.22%

nuclear:
0%

other:
0% (1999)
fossil fuel:
100%

hydro:
0%

nuclear:
0%

other:
0% (1999)
Elevation extremes lowest point:
Mekong River 70 m

highest point:
Phou Bia 2,817 m
lowest point:
Caribbean Sea 0 m

highest point:
Montagne Pelee 1,397 m
Environment - current issues unexploded ordnance; deforestation; soil erosion; a majority of the population does not have access to potable water NA
Environment - international agreements party to:
Biodiversity, Climate Change, Desertification, Environmental Modification, Law of the Sea, Nuclear Test Ban, Ozone Layer Protection

signed, but not ratified:
none of the selected agreements
-
Ethnic groups Lao Loum (lowland) 68%, Lao Theung (upland) 22%, Lao Soung (highland) including the Hmong ("Meo") and the Yao (Mien) 9%, ethnic Vietnamese/Chinese 1% African and African-white-Indian mixture 90%, white 5%, East Indian, Chinese less than 5%
Exchange rates kips per US dollar - 7,578.00 (December 2000), 7,102.03 (1999), 3,298.33 (1998), 1,259.98 (1997), 921.02 (1996) euros per US dollar - 1.0659 (January 2001), 1.0854 (2000), 0.9386 (1999); French francs per US dollar - 5.8995 (1998), 5.8367 (1997), 5.1155 (1996)
Executive branch chief of state:
President Gen. KHAMTAI Siphandon (since 26 February 1998) and Vice President Lt. Gen. CHOUMMALI Saignason (since NA March 2001)

head of government:
Prime Minister BOUNGNANG Volachit (since NA March 2001); Deputy Prime Ministers THONGLOUN Sisolit (since NA March 2001), SOMSAVAT Lengsavat (since 26 February 1998)

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

elections:
president elected by the National Assembly for a five-year term; election last held 21 December 1997 (next to be held NA 2002); prime minister appointed by the president with the approval of the National Assembly for a five-year term

election results:
KHAMTAI Siphandon elected president; percent of National Assembly vote - NA%
chief of state:
President Jacques CHIRAC of France (since 17 May 1995); Prefect Jean-Francois CORDET (since NA)

head of government:
President of the General Council Claude LISE (since 22 March 1992); President of the Regional Council Alfred MARIE-JEANNE (since NA March 1998)

cabinet:
NA

elections:
French president elected by popular vote for a seven-year term; prefect appointed by the French president on the advice of the French Ministry of Interior; the presidents of the General and Regional Councils are elected by the members of those councils
Exports $323 million (f.o.b., 2000 est.) $250 million (f.o.b., 1997)
Exports - commodities wood products, garments, electricity, coffee, tin refined petroleum products, bananas, rum, pineapples
Exports - partners Vietnam, Thailand, Germany, France, Belgium France 45%, Guadeloupe 28% (1997)
Fiscal year 1 October - 30 September calendar year
Flag description three horizontal bands of red (top), blue (double width), and red with a large white disk centered in the blue band a light blue background is divided into four quadrants by a white cross; in the center of each rectangle is a white snake; the flag of France is used for official occasions
GDP purchasing power parity - $9 billion (2000 est.) purchasing power parity - $4.39 billion (1997 est.)
GDP - composition by sector agriculture:
51%

industry:
22%

services:
27% (1999 est.)
agriculture:
6%

industry:
11%

services:
83% (1997 est.)
GDP - per capita purchasing power parity - $1,700 (2000 est.) purchasing power parity - $11,000 (1997 est.)
GDP - real growth rate 4% (2000 est.) NA%
Geographic coordinates 18 00 N, 105 00 E 14 40 N, 61 00 W
Geography - note landlocked -
Highways total:
14,000 km

paved:
3,360 km

unpaved:
10,640 km (1991)
total:
2,105 km (2000)

paved:
NA km

unpaved:
NA km
Household income or consumption by percentage share lowest 10%:
4.2%

highest 10%:
26.4% (1992)
lowest 10%:
NA%

highest 10%:
NA%
Illicit drugs world's third-largest illicit opium producer (estimated cultivation in 1999 - 21,800 hectares, a 16% decrease over 1998; estimated potential production in 1999 - 140 metric tons, about the same as in 1998); potential heroin producer; transshipment point for heroin and methamphetamine produced in Burma; illicit producer of cannabis transshipment point for cocaine and marijuana bound for the US and Europe
Imports $540 million (f.o.b., 2000 est.) $2 billion (c.i.f., 1997)
Imports - commodities machinery and equipment, vehicles, fuel petroleum products, crude oil, foodstuffs, construction materials, vehicles, clothing and other consumer goods
Imports - partners Thailand, Japan, Vietnam, China, Singapore, Hong Kong France 62%, Venezuela 6%, Germany 4%, Italy 4%, US 3% (1997)
Independence 19 July 1949 (from France) none (overseas department of France)
Industrial production growth rate 7.5% (1999 est.) NA%
Industries tin and gypsum mining, timber, electric power, agricultural processing, construction, garments, tourism construction, rum, cement, oil refining, sugar, tourism
Infant mortality rate 92.89 deaths/1,000 live births (2001 est.) 7.8 deaths/1,000 live births (2001 est.)
Inflation rate (consumer prices) 33% (2000 est.) 3.9% (1990)
International organization participation ACCT, ARF, AsDB, ASEAN, CP, ESCAP, FAO, G-77, IBRD, ICAO, ICRM, IDA, IFAD, IFC, IFRCS, ILO, IMF, Intelsat (nonsignatory user), Interpol, IOC, ITU, NAM, OPCW, PCA, UN, UNCTAD, UNESCO, UNIDO, UPU, WFTU, WHO, WIPO, WMO, WToO, WTrO (observer) FZ, WCL, WFTU
Internet Service Providers (ISPs) 1 (2000) 2 (2000)
Irrigated land 1,250 sq km (1993 est.)

note:
rainy season irrigation - 2,169 sq km; dry season irrigation - 750 sq km (1998 est.)
40 sq km (1993 est.)
Judicial branch 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) Court of Appeal or Cour d'Appel
Labor force 1 million - 1.5 million 170,000 (1997)
Labor force - by occupation agriculture 80% (1997 est.) agriculture 10%, industry 17%, services 73% (1997)
Land boundaries total:
5,083 km

border countries:
Burma 235 km, Cambodia 541 km, China 423 km, Thailand 1,754 km, Vietnam 2,130 km
0 km
Land use arable land:
3%

permanent crops:
0%

permanent pastures:
3%

forests and woodland:
54%

other:
40% (1993 est.)
arable land:
8%

permanent crops:
8%

permanent pastures:
17%

forests and woodland:
44%

other:
23% (1993 est.)
Languages Lao (official), French, English, and various ethnic languages French, Creole patois
Legal system based on traditional customs, French legal norms and procedures, and Socialist practice French legal system
Legislative branch unicameral National Assembly (99 seats; members elected by popular vote to serve five-year terms; note - by presidential decree, on 27 October 1997, the number of seats increased from 85 to 99)

elections:
last held 21 December 1997 (next to be held NA 2002)

election results:
percent of vote by party - NA%; seats by party - LPRP or LPRP-approved (independent, non-party members) 99
unicameral General Council or Conseil General (45 seats; members are elected by popular vote to serve six-year terms) and a unicameral Regional Assembly or Conseil Regional (41 seats; members are elected by popular vote to serve six-year terms)

elections:
General Council - last held NA March 2000 (next to be held NA 2006); Regional Assembly - last held on 15 March 1998 (next to be held by March 2004)

election results:
General Council - percent of vote by party - NA%; seats by party - NA; note - the PPM won a plurality; Regional Assembly - percent of vote by party - NA%; seats by party - RPR-UDF 14, MIM 13, PPM 7, left parties 4, PMS 3

note:
Martinique elects 2 seats to the French Senate; elections last held NA September 1998 (next to be held September 2001); results - percent of vote by party - NA%; seats by party - PPM 2; Martinique also elects 4 seats to the French National Assembly; elections last held 1 June 1997 (next to be held NA 2002); results - percent of vote by party - NA%; seats by party - RPR 2, PS 1, independent 1
Life expectancy at birth total population:
53.48 years

male:
51.58 years

female:
55.44 years (2001 est.)
total population:
78.41 years

male:
79.11 years

female:
77.69 years (2001 est.)
Literacy definition:
age 15 and over can read and write

total population:
57%

male:
70%

female:
44% (1999 est.)
definition:
age 15 and over can read and write

total population:
93%

male:
92%

female:
93% (1982 est.)
Location Southeastern Asia, northeast of Thailand, west of Vietnam Caribbean, island in the Caribbean Sea, north of Trinidad and Tobago
Map references Southeast Asia Central America and the Caribbean
Maritime claims none (landlocked) exclusive economic zone:
200 NM

territorial sea:
12 NM
Merchant marine total:
1 ship (1,000 GRT or over) totaling 2,370 GRT/3,000 DWT

ships by type:
cargo 1 (2000 est.)
none (2000 est.)
Military - note - defense is the responsibility of France
Military branches Lao People's Army (LPA; includes riverine element), Air Force, National Police Department French forces (Army, Navy, Air Force), Gendarmerie
Military expenditures - dollar figure $55 million (FY98) -
Military expenditures - percent of GDP 4.2% (FY96/97) -
Military manpower - availability males age 15-49:
1,319,537 (2001 est.)
-
Military manpower - fit for military service males age 15-49:
710,627 (2001 est.)
-
Military manpower - military age 18 years of age -
Military manpower - reaching military age annually males:
64,437 (2001 est.)
-
National holiday Republic Day, 2 December (1975) Bastille Day, 14 July (1789)
Nationality noun:
Lao(s) or Laotian(s)

adjective:
Lao or Laotian
noun:
Martiniquais (singular and plural)

adjective:
Martiniquais
Natural hazards floods, droughts, and blight hurricanes, flooding, and volcanic activity (an average of one major natural disaster every five years)
Natural resources timber, hydropower, gypsum, tin, gold, gemstones coastal scenery and beaches, cultivable land
Net migration rate 0 migrant(s)/1,000 population (2001 est.) -0.08 migrant(s)/1,000 population (2001 est.)
Pipelines petroleum products 136 km -
Political parties and leaders Lao People's Revolutionary Party or LPRP [KHAMTAI Siphandon, party president]; other parties proscribed Martinique Independence Movement or MIM [Alfred MARIE-JEANNE]; Martinique Progressive Party or PPM [Camille DARSIERES]; Martinique Socialist Party or PMS [Ernest WAN-AJOUHU]; Rally for the Republic or RPR [Michel CHARLONE]; Union for French Democracy or UDF (replaced by Martinique Forces of Progress) [Jean MAREN]
Political pressure groups and leaders noncommunist political groups proscribed; most opposition leaders fled the country in 1975 Association for the Protection of Martinique's Heritage (ecologist) [Garcin MALSA]; Caribbean Revolutionary Alliance or ARC; Central Union for Martinique Workers or CSTM [Marc PULVAR]; Frantz Fanon Circle; League of Workers and Peasants; Proletarian Action Group or GAP; Socialist Revolution Group or GRS [Philippe PIERRE-CHARLES]
Population 5,635,967 (July 2001 est.) 418,454 (July 2001 est.)
Population below poverty line 46.1% (1993 est.) NA%
Population growth rate 2.48% (2001 est.) 0.93% (2001 est.)
Ports and harbors none Fort-de-France, La Trinite
Radio broadcast stations AM 12, FM 1, shortwave 4 (1998) AM 0, FM 14, shortwave 0 (1998)
Radios 730,000 (1997) 82,000 (1997)
Railways 0 km 0 km
Religions Buddhist 60%, animist and other 40% Roman Catholic 95%, Hindu and pagan African 5%
Sex ratio at birth:
1.03 male(s)/female

under 15 years:
1.01 male(s)/female

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

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

total population:
0.98 male(s)/female (2001 est.)
at birth:
1.02 male(s)/female

under 15 years:
1.03 male(s)/female

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

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

total population:
0.98 male(s)/female (2001 est.)
Suffrage 18 years of age; universal 18 years of age; universal
Telephone system general assessment:
service to general public is poor but improving, with over 20,000 telephones currently in service and an additional 48,000 expected by 2001; the government relies on a radiotelephone network to communicate with remote areas

domestic:
radiotelephone communications

international:
satellite earth station - 1 Intersputnik (Indian Ocean region)
general assessment:
domestic facilities are adequate

domestic:
NA

international:
microwave radio relay to Guadeloupe, Dominica, and Saint Lucia; satellite earth stations - 2 Intelsat (Atlantic Ocean)
Telephones - main lines in use 25,000 (1997) 170,000 (1997)
Telephones - mobile cellular 4,915 (1997) 15,000 (1997)
Television broadcast stations 4 (1999) 11 (plus nine repeaters) (1997)
Terrain mostly rugged mountains; some plains and plateaus mountainous with indented coastline; dormant volcano
Total fertility rate 5.12 children born/woman (2001 est.) 1.8 children born/woman (2001 est.)
Unemployment rate 5.7% (1997 est.) 27.2% (1998)
Waterways 4,587 km approximately

note:
primarily Mekong and tributaries; 2,897 additional km are intermittently navigable by craft drawing less than 0.5 m
none
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