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Compare Laos (2002) - Tonga (2001)

Compare Laos (2002) z Tonga (2001)

 Laos (2002)Tonga (2001)
 LaosTonga
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 3 island groups; Ha'apai, Tongatapu, Vava'u
Age structure 0-14 years: 42.5% (male 1,233,659; female 1,219,872)


15-64 years: 54.2% (male 1,543,246; female 1,591,419)


65 years and over: 3.3% (male 86,375; female 102,609) (2002 est.)
0-14 years:
40.93% (male 21,739; female 20,916)

15-64 years:
54.99% (male 28,231; female 29,082)

65 years and over:
4.08% (male 1,912; female 2,347) (2001 est.)
Agriculture - products sweet potatoes, vegetables, corn, coffee, sugarcane, tobacco, cotton; tea, peanuts, rice; water buffalo, pigs, cattle, poultry squash, coconuts, copra, bananas, vanilla beans, cocoa, coffee, ginger, black pepper; fish
Airports 51 (2001) 6 (2000 est.)
Airports - with paved runways total: 9


2,438 to 3,047 m: 1


1,524 to 2,437 m: 5


914 to 1,523 m: 3 (2002)
total:
1

2,438 to 3,047 m:
1 (2000 est.)
Airports - with unpaved runways total: 42


1,524 to 2,437 m: 1


914 to 1,523 m: 15


under 914 m: 26 (2002)
total:
5

1,524 to 2,437 m:
1

914 to 1,523 m:
2

under 914 m:
2 (2000 est.)
Area total: 236,800 sq km


land: 230,800 sq km


water: 6,000 sq km
total:
748 sq km

land:
718 sq km

water:
30 sq km
Area - comparative slightly larger than Utah four 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. The archipelago of "The Friendly Islands" was united into a Polynesian kingdom in 1845. It became a constitutional monarchy in 1875 and a British protectorate in 1900. Tonga acquired its independence in 1970 and became a member of the Commonwealth of Nations. It remains the only monarchy in the Pacific.
Birth rate 37.39 births/1,000 population (2002 est.) 23.59 births/1,000 population (2001 est.)
Budget revenues: $211 million


expenditures: $462 million, including capital expenditures of $NA (FY98/99 est.)
revenues:
$49 million

expenditures:
$120 million, including capital expenditures of $75 million (FY96/97 est.)
Capital Vientiane Nuku'alofa
Climate tropical monsoon; rainy season (May to November); dry season (December to April) tropical; modified by trade winds; warm season (December to May), cool season (May to December)
Coastline 0 km (landlocked) 419 km
Constitution promulgated 14 August 1991 4 November 1875, revised 1 January 1967
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:
Kingdom of Tonga

conventional short form:
Tonga

former:
Friendly Islands
Currency kip (LAK) pa'anga (TOP)
Death rate 12.71 deaths/1,000 population (2002 est.) 5.74 deaths/1,000 population (2001 est.)
Debt - external $2.53 billion (1999) $62 million (1998)
Diplomatic representation from the US chief of mission: Ambassador Douglas A. HARTWICK


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
the US does not have an embassy in Tonga; the ambassador to Fiji is accredited to Tonga
Diplomatic representation in the US chief of mission: Ambassador PHANTHONG Phommahaxay


chancery: 2222 S Street NW, Washington, DC 20008


telephone: [1] (202) 332-6416


FAX: [1] (202) 332-4923
Tonga does not have an embassy in the US; Ambassador Fetu'utolo TUPOU, resides in London; address: Embassy of the Kingdom of Tonga, c/o Tonga High Commission, 36 Molyneux Street, London W1H 6AB, telephone [44] (171) 724-5828, FAX [44] (171) 723-9074

consulate(s) general:
San Francisco
Disputes - international demarcation of boundaries with Cambodia, Thailand, and Vietnam is nearing completion, but with Thailand, several areas including Mekong River islets, remain in dispute; ongoing disputes with Thailand and Vietnam over squatters none
Economic aid - recipient $345 million (1999 est.) $38.8 million (1995)
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% in 1988-2001 except during the short-lived drop caused by the Asian financial crisis beginning in 1997. Despite this high growth rate, Laos remains a country with a primitive infrastructure; it 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. The economy will continue to benefit from aid from the IMF and other international sources and from new foreign investment in food-processing and mining. Tonga has a small, open economy with a narrow export base in agricultural goods, which contributes 30% to GDP. Squash, coconuts, bananas, and vanilla beans are the main crops, and agricultural exports make up two-thirds of total exports. The country must import a high proportion of its food, mainly from New Zealand. The industrial sector accounts for only 10% of GDP. Tourism is the primary source of hard currency earnings. The country remains dependent on sizable external aid and remittances from Tongan communities overseas to offset its trade deficit. The government is emphasizing the development of the private sector, especially the encouragement of investment, and is committing increased funds for health and education. Tonga has a reasonable basic infrastructure and well-developed social services.
Electricity - consumption 690.6 million kWh (2000) 32.6 million kWh (1999)
Electricity - exports 400 million kWh (2000) 0 kWh (1999)
Electricity - imports 142 million kWh (2000) 0 kWh (1999)
Electricity - production 1.02 billion kWh (2000) 35 million kWh (1999)
Electricity - production by source fossil fuel: 2%


hydro: 98%


nuclear: 0%


other: 0% (2000)
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:
Pacific Ocean 0 m

highest point:
unnamed location on Kao Island 1,033 m
Environment - current issues unexploded ordnance; deforestation; soil erosion; a majority of the population does not have access to potable water deforestation results as more and more land is being cleared for agriculture and settlement; some damage to coral reefs from starfish and indiscriminate coral and shell collectors; overhunting threatens native sea turtle populations
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, Law of the Sea, Marine Life Conservation, Nuclear Test Ban, Ozone Layer Protection, Ship Pollution

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% Polynesian, Europeans about 300
Exchange rates kips per US dollar - 9,467.00 (December 2001), 8,954.58 (2001), 7,887.64 (2000), 7,102.03 (1999), 3,298.33 (1998), 1,259.98 (1997) pa'anga per US dollar - 1.9885 (January 2001), 1.7585 (2000), 1.5991 (1999), 1.4920 (1998), 1.2635 (1997), 1.2323 (1996)
Executive branch chief of state: President Gen. KHAMTAI Siphandon (since 26 February 1998) and Vice President Lt. Gen. CHOUMMALI Saignason (since 27 March 2001)


head of government: Prime Minister BOUNGNANG Volachit (since 27 March 2001); First Deputy Prime Minister Maj. Gen. ASANG Laoli (since NA May 2002), Deputy Prime Minister THONGLOUN Sisolit (since 27 March 2001), and Deputy Prime Minister 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 24 February 2002 (next to be held NA 2007); 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:
King Taufa'ahau TUPOU IV (since 16 December 1965)

head of government:
Prime Minister Prince Lavaka ata ULUKALALA (since NA February 2000) and Deputy Prime Minister Tevita TOPOU (since NA January 2001)

cabinet:
Cabinet appointed by the monarch

note:
there is also a Privy Council that consists of the monarch and the Cabinet

elections:
none; the monarch is hereditary; prime minister and deputy prime minister appointed for life by the monarch
Exports $325 million (2001 est.) $8 million (f.o.b., 1998)
Exports - commodities wood products, garments, electricity, coffee, tin squash, fish, vanilla beans
Exports - partners Thailand 20%, France 7.5%, Germany 5.9%, UK 4.1%, Belgium 4% (2000) Japan 53%, US 18%, NZ 6%, Australia 6% (1997 est.)
Fiscal year 1 October - 30 September 1 July - 30 June
Flag description three horizontal bands of red (top), blue (double width), and red with a large white disk centered in the blue band red with a bold red cross on a white rectangle in the upper hoist-side corner
GDP purchasing power parity - $9.2 billion (2001 est.) purchasing power parity - $225 million (2000 est.)
GDP - composition by sector agriculture: 53%


industry: 22%


services: 25% (2000 est.)
agriculture:
30%

industry:
10%

services:
60% (1997)
GDP - per capita purchasing power parity - $1,630 (2001 est.) purchasing power parity - $2,200 (2000 est.)
GDP - real growth rate 5% (2001 est.) 5% (2000 est.)
Geographic coordinates 18 00 N, 105 00 E 20 00 S, 175 00 W
Geography - note landlocked; most of the country is mountainous and thickly forested; the Mekong forms a large part of the western boundary with Thailand archipelago of 170 islands (36 inhabited)
Highways total: 14,000 km


paved: 3,360 km


unpaved: 10,640 km (1991)
total:
680 km

paved:
184 km

unpaved:
496 km (1996)
Household income or consumption by percentage share lowest 10%: 3%


highest 10%: 31% (1997)
lowest 10%:
NA%

highest 10%:
NA%
Illicit drugs world's third-largest illicit opium producer (estimated cultivation in 2002 - 23,200 hectares, a 5% increase over 2001; estimated potential production in 2002 - 180 metric tons, a 10% decrease from 2001); potential heroin producer; transshipment point for heroin and methamphetamine produced in Burma; illicit producer of cannabis; growing methamphetamine abuse problem -
Imports $540 million f.o.b. (2000 est.) $69 million (f.o.b., 1998)
Imports - commodities machinery and equipment, vehicles, fuel foodstuffs, machinery and transport equipment, fuels, chemicals
Imports - partners Thailand 52%, Singapore 3.9%, Japan 1.6%, Hong Kong 1.5%, China 0.8% (2000) NZ 30%, Australia 19%, US 11%, UK 11%, Japan 3% (1997 est.)
Independence 19 July 1949 (from France) 4 June 1970 (from UK protectorate)
Industrial production growth rate 7.5% (1999 est.) 8.6% (FY98/99)
Industries tin and gypsum mining, timber, electric power, agricultural processing, construction, garments, tourism tourism, fishing
Infant mortality rate 90.98 deaths/1,000 live births (2002 est.) 14.08 deaths/1,000 live births (2001 est.)
Inflation rate (consumer prices) 10% (2001 est.) 7% (2000 est.)
International organization participation ACCT, ARF, AsDB, ASEAN, CP, ESCAP, FAO, G-77, IBRD, ICAO, ICRM, IDA, IFAD, IFC, IFRCS, ILO, IMF, Interpol, IOC, ITU, NAM, OPCW, PCA, UN, UNCTAD, UNESCO, UNIDO, UPU, WFTU, WHO, WIPO, WMO, WToO, WTrO (observer) ACP, AsDB, C, ESCAP, FAO, G-77, IBRD, ICAO, ICFTU, ICRM, IDA, IFAD, IFC, IFRCS, IHO, IMF, IMO, Intelsat (nonsignatory user), Interpol, IOC, ITU, Sparteca, SPC, SPF, UN, UNCTAD, UNESCO, UNIDO, UPU, WHO, WIPO, WMO, WTrO (observer)
Internet Service Providers (ISPs) 1 (2000) 2 (2000)
Irrigated land 1,640 sq km


note: rainy season irrigation - 2,169 sq km; dry season irrigation - 750 sq km (1998 est.)
NA sq km
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 (judges are appointed by the monarch); Court of Appeal (consists of the Privy Council with the addition of the chief justice of the Supreme Court)
Labor force 2.4 million (1999) 34,000 (FY96/97)
Labor force - by occupation agriculture 80% (1997 est.) agriculture 65% (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
0 km
Land use arable land: 3.47%


permanent crops: 0.23%


other: 96.3% (1998 est.)
arable land:
24%

permanent crops:
43%

permanent pastures:
6%

forests and woodland:
11%

other:
16% (1993 est.)
Languages Lao (official), French, English, and various ethnic languages Tongan, English
Legal system based on traditional customs, French legal norms and procedures, and Socialist practice based on English law
Legislative branch unicameral National Assembly (109 seats; members elected by popular vote to serve five-year terms; note - total number of seats increased from 99 to 109 for the 2002 election)


elections: last held 24 February 2002 (next to be held NA 2007)


election results: percent of vote by party - NA%; seats by party - LPRP or LPRP-approved (independent, non-party members) 109
unicameral Legislative Assembly or Fale Alea (30 seats - 12 reserved for cabinet ministers sitting ex officio, nine for nobles selected by the country's 33 nobles, and nine elected by popular vote; members serve three-year terms)

elections:
last held NA March 1999 (next to be held NA 2002)

election results:
percent of vote - pro-democratic 40%; seats - pro-democratic 5, traditionalist 4
Life expectancy at birth total population: 53.88 years


male: 51.95 years


female: 55.87 years (2002 est.)
total population:
68.25 years

male:
65.83 years

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


total population: 57%


male: 70%


female: 44% (1999 est.)
definition:
can read and write Tongan and/or English

total population:
98.5%

male:
98.4%

female:
98.7% (1996 est.)
Location Southeastern Asia, northeast of Thailand, west of Vietnam Oceania, archipelago in the South Pacific Ocean, about two-thirds of the way from Hawaii to New Zealand
Map references Southeast Asia Oceania
Maritime claims none (landlocked) continental shelf:
200-m depth or to the depth of exploitation

exclusive economic zone:
200 NM

territorial sea:
12 NM
Merchant marine total: 1 ship (1,000 GRT or over) totaling 2,370 GRT/3,110 DWT


ships by type: cargo 1 (2002 est.)
total:
8 ships (1,000 GRT or over) totaling 20,626 GRT/29,468 DWT

ships by type:
bulk 1, cargo 2, liquefied gas 3, petroleum tanker 1, roll on/roll off 1 (2000 est.)
Military branches Lao People's Army (LPA; including Riverine Force), Air Force, National Police Department Tonga Defense Services (includes Royal Tongan Marines, Tongan Royal Guards, Maritime Force, Police); note - a new Air Wing which will be subordinate to the Defense Ministry is being developed
Military expenditures - dollar figure $55 million (FY98) $NA
Military expenditures - percent of GDP 4.2% (FY96/97) NA%
Military manpower - availability males age 15-49: 1,365,027 (2002 est.) -
Military manpower - fit for military service males age 15-49: 734,945 (2002 est.) -
Military manpower - military age 18 years of age (2002 est.) -
Military manpower - reaching military age annually males: 64,437 (2002 est.) -
National holiday Republic Day, 2 December (1975) Independence Day, 4 June (1970)
Nationality noun: Lao(s) or Laotian(s)


adjective: Lao or Laotian
noun:
Tongan(s)

adjective:
Tongan
Natural hazards floods, droughts cyclones (October to April); earthquakes and volcanic activity on Fonuafo'ou
Natural resources timber, hydropower, gypsum, tin, gold, gemstones fish, fertile soil
Net migration rate 0 migrant(s)/1,000 population (2002 est.) 0 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 Human Rights and Democracy Movement [Huliki WATAB, chairman, Viliami FUKOFUKA, president, 'Akilisi POHIVA, vice president]
Political pressure groups and leaders noncommunist political groups proscribed; most opposition leaders fled the country in 1975 Pro-Democracy and Human Rights Movement [leader NA]
Population 5,777,180 (July 2002 est.) 104,227 (July 2001 est.)
Population below poverty line 40% (2001 est.) NA%
Population growth rate 2.47% (2002 est.) 1.79% (2001 est.)
Ports and harbors none Neiafu, Nuku'alofa, Pangai
Radio broadcast stations AM 12, FM 1, shortwave 4 (1998) AM 1, FM 2, shortwave 1 (2001)
Radios 730,000 (1997) 61,000 (1997)
Railways 0 km (2001) 0 km
Religions Buddhist 60%, animist and other 40% (including various Christian denominations 1.5%) Christian (Free Wesleyan Church claims over 30,000 adherents)
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: 0.84 male(s)/female


total population: 0.98 male(s)/female (2002 est.)
at birth:
1.05 male(s)/female

under 15 years:
1.04 male(s)/female

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

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

total population:
0.99 male(s)/female (2001 est.)
Suffrage 18 years of age; universal 21 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:
NA

domestic:
NA

international:
satellite earth station - 1 Intelsat (Pacific Ocean)
Telephones - main lines in use 25,000 (1997) 8,000 (1996)
Telephones - mobile cellular 4,915 (1997) 302 (1996)
Television broadcast stations 4 (1999) 1 (2001)
Terrain mostly rugged mountains; some plains and plateaus most islands have limestone base formed from uplifted coral formation; others have limestone overlying volcanic base
Total fertility rate 5.03 children born/woman (2002 est.) 3 children born/woman (2001 est.)
Unemployment rate 5.7% (1997 est.) 13.3% (FY96/97)
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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