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Compare Laos (2003) - Burkina Faso (2001)

Compare Laos (2003) z Burkina Faso (2001)

 Laos (2003)Burkina Faso (2001)
 LaosBurkina Faso
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 30 provinces; Bam, Bazega, Bougouriba, Boulgou, Boulkiemde, Ganzourgou, Gnagna, Gourma, Houe, Kadiogo, Kenedougou, Komoe, Kossi, Kouritenga, Mouhoun, Namentenga, Naouri, Oubritenga, Oudalan, Passore, Poni, Sanguie, Sanmatenga, Seno, Sissili, Soum, Sourou, Tapoa, Yatenga, Zoundweogo

note:
a new electoral code was approved by the National Assembly in January 1997; the number of administrative provinces was increased from 30 to 45 (Bale, Bam, Banwa, Bazega, Bougouriba, Boulgou, Boulkiemde, Comoe, Ganzourgou, Gnagna, Gourma, Houet, Ioba, Kadiogo, Kenedougou, Komandjari, Kompienga, Kossi, Koupelogo, Kouritenga, Kourweogo, Leraba, Loroum, Mouhoun, Nahouri, Namentenga, Nayala, Naumbiel, Oubritenga, Oudalan, Passore, Poni, Samentenga, Sanguie, Seno, Sissili, Soum, Sourou, Tapoa, Tuy, Yagha, Yatenga, Ziro, Zondomo, Zoundweogo), however, this change has not yet been confirmed by the US Board on Geographic Names
Age structure 0-14 years: 42.2% (male 1,255,172; female 1,242,823)


15-64 years: 54.6% (male 1,592,697; female 1,639,431)


65 years and over: 3.2% (male 87,192; female 104,230) (2003 est.)
0-14 years:
47.5% (male 2,937,285; female 2,892,107)

15-64 years:
49.59% (male 2,903,153; female 3,183,121)

65 years and over:
2.91% (male 150,688; female 205,935) (2001 est.)
Agriculture - products sweet potatoes, vegetables, corn, coffee, sugarcane, tobacco, cotton; tea, peanuts, rice; water buffalo, pigs, cattle, poultry peanuts, shea nuts, sesame, cotton, sorghum, millet, corn, rice; livestock
Airports 51 (2002) 33 (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:
2

over 3,047 m:
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:
31

1,524 to 2,437 m:
3

914 to 1,523 m:
12

under 914 m:
16 (2000 est.)
Area total: 236,800 sq km


land: 230,800 sq km


water: 6,000 sq km
total:
274,200 sq km

land:
273,800 sq km

water:
400 sq km
Area - comparative slightly larger than Utah slightly larger than Colorado
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, a liberalization of foreign investment laws, and the admission into ASEAN in 1997. Independence from France came to Burkina Faso (formerly Upper Volta) in 1960. Governmental instability during the 1970s and 1980s was followed by multiparty elections in the early 1990s. Several hundred thousand farm workers migrate south every year to Cote d'Ivoire and Ghana.
Birth rate 36.93 births/1,000 population (2003 est.) 44.79 births/1,000 population (2001 est.)
Budget revenues: $211 million


expenditures: $462 million, including capital expenditures of $NA (FY98/99 est. est.)
revenues:
$277 million

expenditures:
$492 million, including capital expenditures of $233 million (1995 est.)
Capital Vientiane Ouagadougou
Climate tropical monsoon; rainy season (May to November); dry season (December to April) tropical; warm, dry winters; hot, wet summers
Coastline 0 km (landlocked) 0 km (landlocked)
Constitution promulgated 14 August 1991 2 June 1991 approved by referendum; 11 June 1991 formally adopted
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:
none

conventional short form:
Burkina Faso

former:
Upper Volta, Republic of Upper Volta
Currency kip (LAK) Communaute Financiere Africaine franc (XOF); note - responsible authority is the Central Bank of the West African States
Death rate 12.39 deaths/1,000 population (2003 est.) 17.05 deaths/1,000 population (2001 est.)
Debt - external $2.53 billion (1999) $1.3 billion (1997)
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
chief of mission:
Ambassador Jimmy J. KOLKER

embassy:
602 Avenue Raoul Follerau, Koulouba, Secteur 4, Ouagadougou

mailing address:
B. P. 35, Ouagadougou 01

telephone:
[226] 306723

FAX:
[226] 303890
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
chief of mission:
Ambassador Bruno ZIDOUEMBA

chancery:
2340 Massachusetts Avenue NW, Washington, DC 20008

telephone:
[1] (202) 332-5577

FAX:
[1] (202) 667-1882
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.) $484.1 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. One of the poorest countries in the world, landlocked Burkina Faso has a high population density, few natural resources, and a fragile soil. About 90% of the population is engaged in (mainly subsistence) agriculture which is highly vulnerable to variations in rainfall. Industry remains dominated by unprofitable government-controlled corporations. Following the African franc currency devaluation in January 1994 the government updated its development program in conjunction with international agencies, and exports and economic growth have increased. Maintenance of its macroeconomic progress in 2001-02 depends on continued low inflation, reduction in the trade deficit, and reforms designed to encourage private investment.
Electricity - consumption 824.7 million kWh (2001) 265.1 million kWh (1999)
Electricity - exports 400 million kWh (2001) 0 kWh (1999)
Electricity - imports 0 kWh (2001) 0 kWh (1999)
Electricity - production 1.317 billion kWh (2001) 285 million kWh (1999)
Electricity - production by source fossil fuel: 1.4%


hydro: 98.6%


nuclear: 0%


other: 0% (2001)
fossil fuel:
71.93%

hydro:
28.07%

nuclear:
0%

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


highest point: Phou Bia 2,817 m
lowest point:
Mouhoun (Black Volta) River 200 m

highest point:
Tena Kourou 749 m
Environment - current issues unexploded ordnance; deforestation; soil erosion; a majority of the population does not have access to potable water recent droughts and desertification severely affecting agricultural activities, population distribution, and the economy; overgrazing; soil degradation; deforestation
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, Marine Life Conservation, Ozone Layer Protection, Wetlands

signed, but not ratified:
Law of the Sea, Nuclear Test Ban
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% Mossi over 40%, Gurunsi, Senufo, Lobi, Bobo, Mande, Fulani
Exchange rates kips per US dollar - 7,562 (2002), 8,954.58 (2001), 7,887.64 (2000), 7,102.02 (1999), 3,298.33 (1998) Communaute Financiere Africaine francs (XOF) per US dollar - 699.21 (January 2001), 711.98 (2000), 615.70 (1999), 589.95 (1998), 583.67 (1997), 511.55 (1996); note - from 1 January 1999, the XOF is pegged to the euro at a rate of 655.957 XOF per euro
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:
President Blaise COMPAORE (since 15 October 1987)

head of government:
Prime Minister Ernest Paramanga YONLI (since 6 November 2000)

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

elections:
president elected by popular vote for a seven-year term; the president may serve unlimited terms; election last held 15 November 1998 (next to be held NA 2005); prime minister appointed by the president with the consent of the legislature

election results:
Blaise COMPAORE reelected president with 87.5% percent of the vote, 56% of voter turnout

note:
President COMPAORE faces an increasingly well-coordinated opposition; recent charges against a former member of his Presidential Guard in the 1998 assassination of a newspaper editor signify an attempt to defuse chronic areas of dissatisfaction
Exports NA (2001) $220 million (f.o.b., 2000 est.)
Exports - commodities wood products, garments, electricity, coffee, tin cotton, animal products, gold
Exports - partners Vietnam 25.7%, Thailand 19%, France 7.5%, Germany 5.3% (2002) Italy 13%, France 10%, Indonesia 8%, Thailand 7% (1999)
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 two equal horizontal bands of red (top) and green with a yellow five-pointed star in the center; uses the popular pan-African colors of Ethiopia
GDP purchasing power parity - $10.4 billion (2002 est.) purchasing power parity - $12 billion (2000 est.)
GDP - composition by sector agriculture: 53%


industry: 23%


services: 24% (2001 est.)
agriculture:
26%

industry:
27%

services:
47% (1998)
GDP - per capita purchasing power parity - $1,800 (2002 est.) purchasing power parity - $1,000 (2000 est.)
GDP - real growth rate 5.7% (2002 est.) 5% (2000 est.)
Geographic coordinates 18 00 N, 105 00 E 13 00 N, 2 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 landlocked
Highways total: 21,716 km


paved: 9,664 km


unpaved: 12,052 km (1999 est.)
total:
12,506 km

paved:
2,001 km

unpaved:
10,505 km (1996)
Household income or consumption by percentage share lowest 10%: 3.2%


highest 10%: 30.6% (1997)
lowest 10%:
2.2%

highest 10%:
39.5% (1994)
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 NA (2001) $610 million (f.o.b., 2000 est.)
Imports - commodities machinery and equipment, vehicles, fuel, consumer goods machinery, food products, petroleum
Imports - partners Thailand 58.9%, Vietnam 12.3%, China 7.9% (2002) Cote d'Ivoire 30%, France 28%, Spain 3%, Benelux 3% (1999)
Independence 19 July 1949 (from France) 5 August 1960 (from France)
Industrial production growth rate 7.5% (1999 est.) 4.2% (1995)
Industries tin and gypsum mining, timber, electric power, agricultural processing, construction, garments, tourism cotton lint, beverages, agricultural processing, soap, cigarettes, textiles, gold
Infant mortality rate total: 88.94 deaths/1,000 live births


male: 99.1 deaths/1,000 live births


female: 78.41 deaths/1,000 live births (2003 est.)
106.92 deaths/1,000 live births (2001 est.)
Inflation rate (consumer prices) 10% (2002 est.) 1.5% (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) ACCT, ACP, AfDB, CCC, ECA, ECOWAS, Entente, FAO, FZ, G-77, IAEA, IBRD, ICAO, ICC, ICFTU, ICRM, IDA, IDB, IFAD, IFC, IFRCS, ILO, IMF, Intelsat, Interpol, IOC, IOM, ISO (subscriber), ITU, MONUC, NAM, OAU, OIC, OPCW, UN, UNCTAD, UNESCO, UNIDO, UPU, WADB, WAEMU, WCL, WFTU, WHO, WIPO, WMO, WToO, WTrO
Internet Service Providers (ISPs) 1 (2000) 1 (2000)
Irrigated land 1,640 sq km


note: rainy season irrigation - 2,169 sq km; dry season irrigation - 750 sq km (1998 est.)
200 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) Supreme Court; Appeals Court
Labor force 2.4 million (1999) 5 million (1999)

note:
a large part of the male labor force migrates annually to neighboring countries for seasonal employment
Labor force - by occupation agriculture 80% (1997 est.) agriculture 90% (2000 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:
3,192 km

border countries:
Benin 306 km, Cote d'Ivoire 584 km, Ghana 548 km, Mali 1,000 km, Niger 628 km, Togo 126 km
Land use arable land: 3.47%


permanent crops: 0.23%


other: 96.3% (1998 est.)
arable land:
13%

permanent crops:
0%

permanent pastures:
22%

forests and woodland:
50%

other:
15% (1993 est.)
Languages Lao (official), French, English, and various ethnic languages French (official), native African languages belonging to Sudanic family spoken by 90% of the population
Legal system based on traditional customs, French legal norms and procedures, and socialist practice based on French civil law system and customary 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
bicameral; consists of a National Assembly or Assemblee des Deputes Populaires (111 seats; members are elected by popular vote to serve five-year terms) and the purely consultative Chamber of Representations or Chambre des Representants (178 seats; members are appointed to serve three-year terms)

elections:
National Assembly election last held 11 May 1997 (next to be held NA 2002)

election results:
percent of vote by party - NA%; seats by party - CDP 101, PDP 6, RDA 2, ADF 2
Life expectancy at birth total population: 54.3 years


male: 52.34 years


female: 56.33 years (2003 est.)
total population:
46.41 years

male:
45.86 years

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


total population: 52.8%


male: 67.5%


female: 38.1% (2003 est.)
definition:
age 15 and over can read and write

total population:
19.2%

male:
29.5%

female:
9.2% (1995 est.)
Location Southeastern Asia, northeast of Thailand, west of Vietnam Western Africa, north of Ghana
Map references Southeast Asia Africa
Maritime claims none (landlocked) none (landlocked)
Merchant marine total: 1 ships (1,000 GRT or over) 2,370 GRT/3,110 DWT


ships by type: cargo 1 (2002 est.)
-
Military branches Lao People's Army (LPA; including Riverine Force), Air Force, National Police Department Army, Air Force, National Gendarmerie, National Police, People's Militia
Military expenditures - dollar figure $55 million (FY98) $66 million (FY96)
Military expenditures - percent of GDP 4.2% (FY96) 2% (FY96)
Military manpower - availability males age 15-49: 1,411,042 (2003 est.) males age 15-49:
2,592,974 (2001 est.)
Military manpower - fit for military service males age 15-49: 759,499 (2003 est.) males age 15-49:
1,329,995 (2001 est.)
Military manpower - military age 18 years of age (2003 est.) -
Military manpower - reaching military age annually males: 67,260 (2003 est.) -
National holiday Republic Day, 2 December (1975) Republic Day, 11 December (1958)
Nationality noun: Lao(s) or Laotian(s)


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

adjective:
Burkinabe
Natural hazards floods, droughts recurring droughts
Natural resources timber, hydropower, gypsum, tin, gold, gemstones manganese, limestone, marble; small deposits of gold, antimony, copper, nickel, bauxite, lead, phosphates, zinc, silver
Net migration rate 0 migrant(s)/1,000 population (2003 est.) -0.97 migrant(s)/1,000 population (2001 est.)
Pipelines refined products 540 km (2003) -
Political parties and leaders Lao People's Revolutionary Party or LPRP [KHAMTAI Siphandon, party president]; other parties proscribed African Democratic Rally-Alliance for Democracy and Federation or RDA-ADF [Herman YAMEOGO]; Congress for Democracy and Progress or CDP [Roch Marc-Christian KABORE]; Movement for Tolerance and Progress or MTP [Noyabtigungu Congo KABORE]; Party for African Independence or PAI [Philippe OUEDRAOGO]; Party for Democracy and Progress or PDP [Joseph KI-ZERBO]; Union of Greens for the Development of Burkina Faso or UVDB [Ram OVEDRAGO]
Political pressure groups and leaders noncommunist political groups proscribed; most opposition leaders fled the country in 1975 Burkinabe General Confederation of Labor or CGTB; Burkinabe Movement for Human Rights or HBDHP; Group of 14 February; National Confederation of Burkinabe Workers or CNTB; National Organization of Free Unions or ONSL; watchdog/political action groups throughout the country in both organizations and communities
Population 5,921,545 (July 2003 est.) 12,272,289

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 (July 2001 est.)
Population below poverty line 40% (2002 est.) NA%
Population growth rate 2.45% (2003 est.) 2.68% (2001 est.)
Ports and harbors none none
Radio broadcast stations AM 12, FM 1, shortwave 4 (1998) AM 2, FM 17, shortwave 1 (1998)
Radios - 370,000 (1997)
Railways 0 km total:
622 km (517 km from Ouagadougou to the Cote d'Ivoire border and 105 km from Ouagadougou to Kaya)

narrow gauge:
622 km 1.000-m gauge (1995 est.)
Religions Buddhist 60%, animist and other 40% (including various Christian denominations 1.5%) indigenous beliefs 40%, Muslim 50%, Christian (mainly Roman Catholic) 10%
Sex ratio at birth: 1.04 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 (2003 est.)
at birth:
1.03 male(s)/female

under 15 years:
1.02 male(s)/female

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

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

total population:
0.95 male(s)/female (2001 est.)
Suffrage 18 years of age; universal 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:
all services only fair

domestic:
microwave radio relay, open wire, and radiotelephone communication stations

international:
satellite earth station - 1 Intelsat (Atlantic Ocean)
Telephones - main lines in use 25,000 (1997) 36,000 (1997)
Telephones - mobile cellular 4,915 (1997) 1,503 (1997)
Television broadcast stations 4 (1999) 1 (1997)
Terrain mostly rugged mountains; some plains and plateaus mostly flat to dissected, undulating plains; hills in west and southeast
Total fertility rate 4.94 children born/woman (2003 est.) 6.35 children born/woman (2001 est.)
Unemployment rate 5.7% (1997 est.) NA%
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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