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Compare Laos (2001) - Mozambique (2001)

Compare Laos (2001) z Mozambique (2001)

 Laos (2001)Mozambique (2001)
 LaosMozambique
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 10 provinces (provincias, singular - provincia); Cabo Delgado, Gaza, Inhambane, Manica, Maputo, Nampula, Niassa, Sofala, Tete, Zambezia
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:
42.72% (male 4,124,093; female 4,152,135)

15-64 years:
54.53% (male 5,222,477; female 5,339,615)

65 years and over:
2.75% (male 221,678; female 311,059) (2001 est.)
Agriculture - products sweet potatoes, vegetables, corn, coffee, sugarcane, tobacco, cotton; tea, peanuts, rice; water buffalo, pigs, cattle, poultry cotton, cashew nuts, sugarcane, tea, cassava (tapioca), corn, rice, coconuts, sisal, tropical fruits; beef, poultry
Airports 51 (2000 est.) 168 (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:
22

over 3,047 m:
1

2,438 to 3,047 m:
3

1,524 to 2,437 m:
10

914 to 1,523 m:
3

under 914 m:
5 (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:
146

2,438 to 3,047 m:
1

1,524 to 2,437 m:
16

914 to 1,523 m:
37

under 914 m:
92 (2000 est.)
Area total:
236,800 sq km

land:
230,800 sq km

water:
6,000 sq km
total:
801,590 sq km

land:
784,090 sq km

water:
17,500 sq km
Area - comparative slightly larger than Utah slightly less than twice the size of California
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. Almost five centuries as a Portuguese colony came to a close with independence in 1975. Large-scale emigration by whites, economic dependence on South Africa, a severe drought, and a prolonged civil war hindered the country's development. The ruling party formally abandoned Marxism in 1989, and a new constitution the following year provided for multiparty elections and a free market economy. A UN-negotiated peace agreement with rebel forces ended the fighting in 1992.
Birth rate 37.84 births/1,000 population (2001 est.) 37.2 births/1,000 population (2001 est.)
Budget revenues:
$211 million

expenditures:
$462 million, including capital expenditures of $NA (FY98/99 est.)
revenues:
$466.9 million

expenditures:
$1.004 billion, including capital expenditures of $502.5 million (2000 est.)
Capital Vientiane Maputo
Climate tropical monsoon; rainy season (May to November); dry season (December to April) tropical to subtropical
Coastline 0 km (landlocked) 2,470 km
Constitution promulgated 14 August 1991 30 November 1990
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:
Republic of Mozambique

conventional short form:
Mozambique

local long form:
Republica de Mocambique

local short form:
Mocambique

former:
Portuguese East Africa
Currency kip (LAK) metical (MZM)
Death rate 13.02 deaths/1,000 population (2001 est.) 24.21 deaths/1,000 population (2001 est.)
Debt - external $2.46 billion (1998 est.) $1.4 billion (2000 est.)
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
chief of mission:
Ambassador Sharon P. WILKINSON

embassy:
Avenida Kenneth Kuanda 193, Maputo

mailing address:
P. O. Box 783, Maputo

telephone:
[258] (1) 492797

FAX:
[258] (1) 490114
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
chief of mission:
Ambassador Marcos Geraldo NAMASHULUA

chancery:
Suite 570, 1990 M Street NW, Washington, DC 20036

telephone:
[1] (202) 293-7146

FAX:
[1] (202) 835-0245
Disputes - international parts of the border with Thailand are indefinite none
Economic aid - recipient $345 million (1999 est.) $1.04 billion (1998)
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. Before the peace accord of October 1992, Mozambique's economy was devastated by a protracted civil war and socialist mismanagement. In 1994, it ranked as one of the poorest countries in the world. Since then, Mozambique has undertaken a series of economic reforms. Almost all aspects of the economy have been liberalized to some extent. More than 900 state enterprises have been privatized. A value-added tax, introduced in 1999, launched the government's comprehensive tax reform program. Pending are much needed commercial code reform and greater private sector involvement in the transportation, telecommunications, and energy sectors. Since 1996, inflation has been low and foreign exchange rates relatively stable. Albeit from a small base, Mozambique's economy grew at an annual 10% rate in 1997-99, one of the highest growth rates in the world. Growth slowed and inflation rose in 2000 due to devastating flooding in the early part of the year. Both indicators should recover in 2001. The country depends on foreign assistance to balance the budget and to pay for a trade imbalance in which imports greatly outnumber exports. The trade situation should improve in the medium term, however, as trade and transportation links to South Africa and the rest of the region have been improved and sizeable foreign investments are beginning to materialize. Among these investments are metal production (aluminum, steel), natural gas, power generation, agriculture, fishing, timber, and transportation services. Mozambique has received a formal cancellation of a large portion of its external debt through an IMF initiative and is scheduled to receive additional relief.
Electricity - consumption 173.6 million kWh (1999) 307 million kWh (1999)
Electricity - exports 705 million kWh (1999) 1.9 billion kWh (1999)
Electricity - imports 142 million kWh (1999) 68 million kWh (1999)
Electricity - production 792 million kWh (1999) 2.3 billion kWh (1999)
Electricity - production by source fossil fuel:
2.78%

hydro:
97.22%

nuclear:
0%

other:
0% (1999)
fossil fuel:
13.04%

hydro:
86.96%

nuclear:
0%

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

highest point:
Phou Bia 2,817 m
lowest point:
Indian Ocean 0 m

highest point:
Monte Binga 2,436 m
Environment - current issues unexploded ordnance; deforestation; soil erosion; a majority of the population does not have access to potable water a long civil war and recurrent drought in the hinterlands have resulted in increased migration of the population to urban and coastal areas with adverse environmental consequences; desertification; pollution of surface and coastal waters
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
party to:
Biodiversity, Climate Change, Desertification, Endangered Species, Hazardous Wastes, Law of the Sea, 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% indigenous tribal groups 99.66% (Shangaan, Chokwe, Manyika, Sena, Makua, and others), Europeans 0.06%, Euro-Africans 0.2%, Indians 0.08%
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) meticais per US dollar - 17,331.0 (January 2001), 5,199.8 (2000), 12,775.1 (1999), 11,874.6 (1998), 11.543.6 (1997), 11,293.8 (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 Joaquim Alberto CHISSANO (since 6 November 1986); note - before being popularly elected, CHISSANO was elected president by Frelimo's Central Committee 4 November 1986 (reelected by the Committee 30 July 1989)

head of government:
Prime Minister Pascoal MOCUMBI (since NA December 1994)

cabinet:
Cabinet

elections:
president elected by popular vote for a five-year term; election last held 3-5 December 1999 (next to be held NA 2004); prime minister appointed by the president

election results:
Joaquim Alberto CHISSANO reelected president; percent of vote - Joaquim Alberto CHISSANO 52.29%, Afonso DHLAKAMA 47.71%
Exports $323 million (f.o.b., 2000 est.) $390 million (f.o.b., 2000 est.)
Exports - commodities wood products, garments, electricity, coffee, tin prawns 40%, cashews, cotton, sugar, citrus, timber; bulk electricity (2000)
Exports - partners Vietnam, Thailand, Germany, France, Belgium EU 27%, South Africa 26%, Zimbabwe 15%, India 12%, US 5%, Japan 4% (1999 est.)
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 three equal horizontal bands of green (top), black, and yellow with a red isosceles triangle based on the hoist side; the black band is edged in white; centered in the triangle is a yellow five-pointed star bearing a crossed rifle and hoe in black superimposed on an open white book
GDP purchasing power parity - $9 billion (2000 est.) purchasing power parity - $19.1 billion (2000 est.)
GDP - composition by sector agriculture:
51%

industry:
22%

services:
27% (1999 est.)
agriculture:
44%

industry:
19%

services:
37% (1999 est.)
GDP - per capita purchasing power parity - $1,700 (2000 est.) purchasing power parity - $1,000 (2000 est.)
GDP - real growth rate 4% (2000 est.) 3.8% (2000 est.)
Geographic coordinates 18 00 N, 105 00 E 18 15 S, 35 00 E
Geography - note landlocked -
Highways total:
14,000 km

paved:
3,360 km

unpaved:
10,640 km (1991)
total:
30,400 km

paved:
5,685 km

unpaved:
24,715 km (1996)
Household income or consumption by percentage share lowest 10%:
4.2%

highest 10%:
26.4% (1992)
lowest 10%:
2.5%

highest 10%:
31.7% (1996-97)
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 Southern African transit point for South Asian hashish, South Asian heroin, and South American cocaine probably destined for the European and South African markets; producer of cannabis (for local consumption) and methaqualone (for export to South Africa)
Imports $540 million (f.o.b., 2000 est.) $1.4 billion (c.i.f., 2000 est.)
Imports - commodities machinery and equipment, vehicles, fuel machinery and equipment, mineral products, chemicals, metals, foodstuffs, textiles (2000)
Imports - partners Thailand, Japan, Vietnam, China, Singapore, Hong Kong South Africa 44%, EU 16%, US 6.5%, Japan 6.5%, Pakistan 3%, India 3% (1999 est.)
Independence 19 July 1949 (from France) 25 June 1975 (from Portugal)
Industrial production growth rate 7.5% (1999 est.) 7.2% (1999)
Industries tin and gypsum mining, timber, electric power, agricultural processing, construction, garments, tourism food, beverages, chemicals (fertilizer, soap, paints), petroleum products, textiles, cement, glass, asbestos, tobacco
Infant mortality rate 92.89 deaths/1,000 live births (2001 est.) 139.2 deaths/1,000 live births (2001 est.)
Inflation rate (consumer prices) 33% (2000 est.) 11.4% (2000 est.)
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) ACP, AfDB, C, CCC, ECA, FAO, G-77, IBRD, ICAO, ICFTU, ICRM, IDA, IDB, IFAD, IFC, IFRCS, IHO, ILO, IMF, IMO, Inmarsat, Intelsat, Interpol, IOC, IOM (observer), ISO (correspondent), ITU, NAM, OAU, OIC, OPCW, SADC, UN, UNCTAD, UNESCO, UNHCR, UNIDO, UNTAET, UPU, WFTU, WHO, WIPO, WMO, WToO, WTrO
Internet Service Providers (ISPs) 1 (2000) 8 (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.)
1,200 sq km (2000 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) Supreme Court (the court of final appeal; some of its professional judges are appointed by the president and some are elected by the Assembly); other courts include an Administrative Court, customs courts, maritime courts, courts marshal, labor courts

note:
although the constitution provides for the creation of a separate Constitutional Court, one has never been established; in its absence the Supreme Court reviews constitutional cases
Labor force 1 million - 1.5 million 7.4 million (1997 est.)
Labor force - by occupation agriculture 80% (1997 est.) agriculture 81%, industry 6%, services 13% (1997 est.)
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
total:
4,571 km

border countries:
Malawi 1,569 km, South Africa 491 km, Swaziland 105 km, Tanzania 756 km, Zambia 419 km, Zimbabwe 1,231 km
Land use arable land:
3%

permanent crops:
0%

permanent pastures:
3%

forests and woodland:
54%

other:
40% (1993 est.)
arable land:
4%

permanent crops:
0%

permanent pastures:
56%

forests and woodland:
18%

other:
22% (1993 est.)
Languages Lao (official), French, English, and various ethnic languages Portuguese (official), indigenous dialects
Legal system based on traditional customs, French legal norms and procedures, and Socialist practice based on Portuguese civil law system and customary law
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 Assembly of the Republic or Assembleia da Republica (250 seats; members are directly elected by popular vote on a secret ballot to serve five-year terms)

elections:
last held 3-5 December 1999 (next to be held NA 2004)

election results:
percent of vote by party - Frelimo 48.54%, Renamo-UE 38.81%; seats by party - Frelimo 133, Renamo-UE 117

note:
Renamo-UE ran as a multiparty coalition; none of the other opposition parties received the 5% required to win parliamentary seats
Life expectancy at birth total population:
53.48 years

male:
51.58 years

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

male:
37.25 years

female:
35.62 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:
42.3%

male:
58.4%

female:
27% (1998 est.)
Location Southeastern Asia, northeast of Thailand, west of Vietnam Southern Africa, bordering the Mozambique Channel, between South Africa and Tanzania
Map references Southeast Asia Africa
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.)
total:
3 ships (1,000 GRT or over) totaling 4,125 GRT/7,024 DWT

ships by type:
cargo 3 (2000 est.)
Military branches Lao People's Army (LPA; includes riverine element), Air Force, National Police Department Army, Naval Command, Air and Air Defense Forces, Militia
Military expenditures - dollar figure $55 million (FY98) $35.1 million (2000 est.)
Military expenditures - percent of GDP 4.2% (FY96/97) 1% (2000 est.)
Military manpower - availability males age 15-49:
1,319,537 (2001 est.)
males age 15-49:
4,627,052 (2001 est.)
Military manpower - fit for military service males age 15-49:
710,627 (2001 est.)
males age 15-49:
2,670,933 (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) Independence Day, 25 June (1975)
Nationality noun:
Lao(s) or Laotian(s)

adjective:
Lao or Laotian
noun:
Mozambican(s)

adjective:
Mozambican
Natural hazards floods, droughts, and blight severe droughts and floods occur in central and southern provinces; devastating cyclones
Natural resources timber, hydropower, gypsum, tin, gold, gemstones coal, titanium, natural gas, hydropower, tantalum, graphite
Net migration rate 0 migrant(s)/1,000 population (2001 est.) 0 migrant(s)/1,000 population (2001 est.)
Pipelines petroleum products 136 km crude oil 306 km; petroleum products 289 km

note:
not operating
Political parties and leaders Lao People's Revolutionary Party or LPRP [KHAMTAI Siphandon, party president]; other parties proscribed Front for the Liberation of Mozambique (Frente de Liberatacao de Mocambique) or Frelimo [Joaquim Alberto CHISSANO, chairman]; Mozambique National Resistance - Electoral Union (Resistencia Nacional Mocambicana - Uniao Eleitoral) or Renamo-UE [Afonso DHLAKAMA, president]
Political pressure groups and leaders noncommunist political groups proscribed; most opposition leaders fled the country in 1975 NA
Population 5,635,967 (July 2001 est.) 19,371,057

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; the 1997 Mozambican census reported a population of 16,099,246 (July 2001 est.)
Population below poverty line 46.1% (1993 est.) 70% (2000 est.)
Population growth rate 2.48% (2001 est.) 1.3% (2001 est.)
Ports and harbors none Beira, Inhambane, Maputo, Nacala, Pemba, Quelimane
Radio broadcast stations AM 12, FM 1, shortwave 4 (1998) AM 13, FM 16, shortwave 12 (2000)
Radios 730,000 (1997) 730,000 (1997)
Railways 0 km total:
3,131 km

narrow gauge:
2,988 km 1.067-m gauge; 143 km 0.762-m gauge (1994)
Religions Buddhist 60%, animist and other 40% indigenous beliefs 50%, Christian 30%, Muslim 20%
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:
1.03 male(s)/female

under 15 years:
0.99 male(s)/female

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

65 years and over:
0.71 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:
fair system but not available generally (telephone density is only 3.5 telephones for each 1,000 persons)

domestic:
the system consists of open-wire lines and trunk connection by microwave radio relay and tropospheric scatter

international:
satellite earth stations - 5 Intelsat (2 Atlantic Ocean and 3 Indian Ocean)
Telephones - main lines in use 25,000 (1997) 65,354 (2000)
Telephones - mobile cellular 4,915 (1997) 18,500 (2000)
Television broadcast stations 4 (1999) 1 (2000)
Terrain mostly rugged mountains; some plains and plateaus mostly coastal lowlands, uplands in center, high plateaus in northwest, mountains in west
Total fertility rate 5.12 children born/woman (2001 est.) 4.82 children born/woman (2001 est.)
Unemployment rate 5.7% (1997 est.) 21% (1997 est.)
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
3,750 km (navigable routes)
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