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Compare Laos (2004) - Bermuda (2003)

Compare Laos (2004) z Bermuda (2003)

 Laos (2004)Bermuda (2003)
 LaosBermuda
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, Louangphrabang, Oudomxai, Phongsali, Salavan, Savannakhet, Viangchan*, Viangchan, Xaignabouli, Xaisomboun**, Xekong, Xiangkhoang 9 parishes and 2 municipalities*; Devonshire, Hamilton, Hamilton*, Paget, Pembroke, Saint George*, Saint George's, Sandys, Smith's, Southampton, Warwick
Age structure 0-14 years: 41.9% (male 1,277,152; female 1,265,761)


15-64 years: 54.9% (male 1,642,895; female 1,688,175)


65 years and over: 3.2% (male 87,995; female 106,139) (2004 est.)
0-14 years: 19.2% (male 6,195; female 6,205)


15-64 years: 69.3% (male 22,110; female 22,574)


65 years and over: 11.5% (male 3,215; female 4,183) (2003 est.)
Agriculture - products sweet potatoes, vegetables, corn, coffee, sugarcane, tobacco, cotton, tea, peanuts, rice, water buffalo, pigs, cattle, poultry bananas, vegetables, citrus, flowers; dairy products
Airports 46 (2003 est.) 1 (2002)
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 (2004 est.)
total: 1


2,438 to 3,047 m: 1 (2002)
Airports - with unpaved runways total: 35


1,524 to 2,437 m: 1


914 to 1,523 m: 13


under 914 m: 21 (2004 est.)
-
Area total: 236,800 sq km


land: 230,800 sq km


water: 6,000 sq km
total: 53.3 sq km


land: 53.3 sq km


water: 0 sq km
Area - comparative slightly larger than Utah about one-third the size of Washington, DC
Background Laos was under the control of Siam (Thailand) from the late 18th century until the late 19th century when it became part of French Indochina. The Franco-Siamese Treaty of 1907 defined the current Lao border with Thailand. 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. Bermuda was first settled in 1609 by shipwrecked English colonists headed for Virginia. Tourism to the island to escape North American winters first developed in Victorian times. Tourism continues to be important to the island's economy, although international business has overtaken it in recent years. Bermuda has developed into a highly successful offshore financial center. A referendum on independence was soundly defeated in 1995.
Birth rate 36.47 births/1,000 population (2004 est.) 12.13 births/1,000 population (2003 est.)
Budget revenues: $298.5 million


expenditures: $429.9 million, including capital expenditures of NA (2003 est.)
revenues: $609.5 million


expenditures: $574.6 million, including capital expenditures of $54.8 million (FY 00/01)
Capital Vientiane Hamilton
Climate tropical monsoon; rainy season (May to November); dry season (December to April) subtropical; mild, humid; gales, strong winds common in winter
Coastline 0 km (landlocked) 103 km
Constitution promulgated 14 August 1991 8 June 1968, amended 1989
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: Bermuda


former: Somers Islands
Currency kip (LAK) Bermudian dollar (BMD)
Death rate 12.1 deaths/1,000 population (2004 est.) 7.46 deaths/1,000 population (2003 est.)
Debt - external $2.49 billion (2001) $145 million (FY 99/00)
Dependency status - overseas territory of the UK
Diplomatic representation from the US chief of mission: Ambassador Patricia M. HASLACH


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: Consul General Denis Patrick COLEMAN, Jr.


consulate(s) general: Crown Hill, 16 Middle Road, Devonshire DVO3


mailing address: P. O. Box HM325, Hamilton HMBX; American Consulate General Hamilton, Department of State, 5300 Hamilton Place, Washington, DC 20520-5300


telephone: [1] (441) 295-1342


FAX: [1] (441) 295-1592, [1] (441) 296-9233
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
none (overseas territory of the UK)
Disputes - international demarcation of boundaries with Cambodia, Thailand, and Vietnam is largely complete, but with Thailand several areas including Mekong River islets remain in dispute; ongoing disputes with Thailand and Vietnam over squatters; concern among Mekong Commission members that China's construction of dams on the Mekong River will affect water levels none
Economic aid - recipient $243 million (2001 est.) $NA
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. Bermuda enjoys one of the highest per capita incomes in the world, with its economy primarily based on providing financial services for international business and luxury facilities for tourists. The effects of 11 September 2001 have had both positive and negative ramifications for Bermuda. On the positive side, a number of new reinsurance companies have located on the island, contributing to the expansion of an already robust international business sector. On the negative side, Bermuda's tourism industry - which derives over 80% of its visitors from the US - has been severely hit as American tourists have chosen not to travel. Tourism rebounded somewhat in 2002, but remains below the pre-11 September level. Most capital equipment and food must be imported. Bermuda's industrial sector is small, although construction continues to be important. Agriculture is limited, only 6% of the land being arable.
Electricity - consumption 824.7 million kWh (2001) 598.6 million kWh (2001)
Electricity - exports 400 million kWh (2001) 0 kWh (2001)
Electricity - imports 0 kWh (2001) 0 kWh (2001)
Electricity - production 1.317 billion kWh (2001) 643.7 million kWh (2001)
Electricity - production by source - fossil fuel: 100%


hydro: 0%


nuclear: 0%


other: 0% (2001)
Elevation extremes lowest point: Mekong River 70 m


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


highest point: Town Hill 76 m
Environment - current issues unexploded ordnance; deforestation; soil erosion; most of the population does not have access to potable water asbestos disposal; water pollution; preservation of open space; sustainable development
Environment - international agreements party to: Biodiversity, Climate Change, Climate Change-Kyoto Protocol, Desertification, Endangered Species, Environmental Modification, 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 and the Yao 9%, ethnic Vietnamese/Chinese 1% black 58%, white 36%, other 6%
Exchange rates kips per US dollar - 10,443 (2003), 10,056.3 (2002), 8,954.58 (2001), 7,887.64 (2000), 7,102.02 (1999) Bermudian dollar per US dollar - 1.0000 (fixed rate pegged to the US dollar)
Executive branch chief of state: President Gen. KHAMTAI Siphadon (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 Bouasone BOUPHAVANH (since 3 October 2003) Deputy Prime Minister Maj. Gen. ASANG Laoli (since 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 in 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: Queen ELIZABETH II (since 6 February 1952), represented by Governor Sir John VEREKER (since NA April 2002)


head of government: Premier Alex SCOTT (since 24 July 2003)


cabinet: Cabinet nominated by the premier, appointed by the governor


elections: none; the monarch is hereditary; governor appointed by the monarch; following legislative elections, the leader of the majority party or the leader of the majority coalition is usually appointed premier by the governor
Exports NA (2001) NA (2001)
Exports - commodities garments, wood products, coffee, electricity, tin reexports of pharmaceuticals
Exports - partners Thailand 20.7%, Vietnam 15.9%, France 7.3%, Germany 5.3%, Belgium 4% (2003) France 77.4%, UK 2.8%, US 2.4% (2002)
Fiscal year 1 October - 30 September 1 April - 31 March
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 the flag of the UK in the upper hoist-side quadrant and the Bermudian coat of arms (white and green shield with a red lion holding a scrolled shield showing the sinking of the ship Sea Venture off Bermuda in 1609) centered on the outer half of the flag
GDP purchasing power parity - $10.32 billion (2003 est.) purchasing power parity - $2.25 billion (2002 est.)
GDP - composition by sector agriculture: 49.4%


industry: 24.5%


services: 26.1% (2003 est.)
agriculture: 1%


industry: 10%


services: 89% (2002 est.)
GDP - per capita purchasing power parity - $1,700 (2003 est.) purchasing power parity - $35,200 (2002 est.)
GDP - real growth rate 5.5% (2003 est.) 0.5% (2002 est.)
Geographic coordinates 18 00 N, 105 00 E 32 20 N, 64 45 W
Geography - note landlocked; most of the country is mountainous and thickly forested; the Mekong River forms a large part of the western boundary with Thailand consists of about 138 coral islands and islets with ample rainfall, but no rivers or freshwater lakes; some land was leased by US Government from 1941 to 1995
Highways total: 21,716 km


paved: 9,664 km


unpaved: 12,052 km (1999 est.)
total: 450 km


paved: 450 km


unpaved: 0 km


note: public roads - 209 km; private roads - 241 km (2002)
Household income or consumption by percentage share lowest 10%: 3.2%


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


highest 10%: NA%
Illicit drugs world's third-largest illicit opium producer (estimated cultivation in 2003 - 18,900 hectares, a 19% decrease over 2002; estimated potential production in 2003 - 200 metric tons, a 11% increase from 2002); potential heroin producer; transshipment point for heroin and methamphetamine produced in Burma; illicit producer of cannabis; growing methamphetamine abuse problem -
Imports NA (2001) NA (2001)
Imports - commodities machinery and equipment, vehicles, fuel, consumer goods machinery and transport equipment, construction materials, chemicals, food and live animals
Imports - partners Thailand 59.4%, China 12.8%, Vietnam 10.2% (2003) Kazakhstan 30.9%, France 24.7%, Italy 10.5%, US 9.7%, South Korea 8.4%, Mexico 4.3% (2002)
Independence 19 July 1949 (from France) none (overseas territory of the UK)
Industrial production growth rate 9.7% (2001 est.) NA%
Industries tin and gypsum mining, timber, electric power, agricultural processing, construction, garments, tourism tourism, international business, light manufacturing
Infant mortality rate total: 87.06 deaths/1,000 live births


male: 97.05 deaths/1,000 live births


female: 76.69 deaths/1,000 live births (2004 est.)
total: 9.05 deaths/1,000 live births


male: 10.77 deaths/1,000 live births


female: 7.3 deaths/1,000 live births (2003 est.)
Inflation rate (consumer prices) 15.3% (2003 est.) 2.3% (July 2002)
International organization participation ACCT, ARF, AsDB, ASEAN, CP, FAO, G-77, IBRD, ICAO, ICRM, IDA, IFAD, IFC, IFRCS, ILO, IMF, Interpol, IOC, ITU, MIGA, NAM, OPCW, PCA, UN, UNCTAD, UNESCO, UNIDO, UPU, WFTU, WHO, WIPO, WMO, WToO, WTO (observer) Caricom (observer), ICFTU, Interpol (subbureau), IOC, WCO
Internet Service Providers (ISPs) - 20 (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; Court of Appeal; Magistrate Courts
Labor force 2.6 million (2001 est.) 37,472 (2000)
Labor force - by occupation agriculture 80% (1997 est.) clerical 22%, services 20%, laborers 17%, professional and technical 17%, administrative and managerial 13%, sales 8%, agriculture and fishing 3% (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
0 km
Land use arable land: 3.8%


permanent crops: 0.35%


other: 95.85% (2001)
arable land: 6%


permanent crops: 0%


other: 94% (55% developed, 45% rural/open space) (1998 est.)
Languages Lao (official), French, English, and various ethnic languages English (official), Portuguese
Legal system based on traditional customs, French legal norms and procedures, and socialist practice 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 in 2007)


election results: percent of vote by party - NA; seats by party - LPRP or LPRP-approved (independent, non-party members) 109
bicameral Parliament consists of the Senate (an 11-member body appointed by the governor, the premier, and the opposition) and the House of Assembly (36 seats; members are elected by popular vote to serve five-year terms)


elections: last general election held 24 July 2003 (next to be held NA July 2008)


election results: percent of vote by party - PLP 51.7%, UBP 48%; seats by party - PLP 22, UBP 14
Life expectancy at birth total population: 54.69 years


male: 52.71 years


female: 56.75 years (2004 est.)
total population: 77.41 years


male: 75.38 years


female: 79.49 years (2003 est.)
Literacy definition: age 15 and over can read and write


total population: 66.4%


male: 77.4%


female: 55.5% (2002)
definition: age 15 and over can read and write


total population: 98%


male: 98%


female: 99% (1970 est.)
Location Southeastern Asia, northeast of Thailand, west of Vietnam North America, group of islands in the North Atlantic Ocean, east of North Carolina (US)
Map references Southeast Asia North America
Maritime claims none (landlocked) exclusive fishing zone: 200 NM


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


by type: cargo 1 (2004 est.)
total: 93 ships (1,000 GRT or over) 4,993,227 GRT/7,089,760 DWT


ships by type: bulk 25, cargo 4, chemical tanker 1, container 14, liquefied gas 9, passenger 5, petroleum tanker 11, refrigerated cargo 13, roll on/roll off 7, short-sea passenger 4


note: includes some foreign-owned ships registered here as a flag of convenience: Croatia 5, Denmark 2, Germany 1, Greece 1, Hong Kong 9, Indonesia 1, Norway 2, Sweden 11, United Kingdom 52, United States 13 (2002 est.)
Military - note - defense is the responsibility of the UK
Military branches Lao People's Army (LPA; including Riverine Force), Air Force no regular indigenous military forces; Bermuda Regiment, Bermuda Police Force, Bermuda Reserve Constabulary
Military expenditures - dollar figure $10.9 million (2003) $4.028 million (January 2002)
Military expenditures - percent of GDP 0.5% (2003) 0.11% (FY00/01)
Military manpower - availability males age 15-49: 1,456,500 (2004 est.) -
Military manpower - fit for military service males age 15-49: 783,800 (2004 est.) -
Military manpower - reaching military age annually males: 68,563 (2004 est.) -
National holiday Republic Day, 2 December (1975) Bermuda Day, 24 May
Nationality noun: Lao(s) or Laotian(s)


adjective: Lao or Laotian
noun: Bermudian(s)


adjective: Bermudian
Natural hazards floods, droughts hurricanes (June to November)
Natural resources timber, hydropower, gypsum, tin, gold, gemstones limestone, pleasant climate fostering tourism
Net migration rate 0 migrant(s)/1,000 population (2004 est.) 2.56 migrant(s)/1,000 population (2003 est.)
Pipelines refined products 540 km (2004) -
Political parties and leaders Lao People's Revolutionary Party or LPRP [KHAMTAI Siphandon, party president]; other parties proscribed National Liberal Party or NLP [Dessaline WALDRON]; Progressive Labor Party or PLP [Jennifer SMITH]; United Bermuda Party or UBP [Chairman Wayne FURBERT]
Political pressure groups and leaders noncommunist political groups proscribed; most opposition leaders fled the country in 1975 Bermuda Employer's Union [Eddie SAINTS]; Bermuda Industrial Union or BIU [Derrick BURGESS]; Bermuda Public Services Association or BPSA [leader NA]; Bermuda Union of Teachers [Michael CHARLES]
Population 6,068,117 (July 2004 est.) 64,482 (July 2003 est.)
Population below poverty line 40% (2002 est.) NA%
Population growth rate 2.44% (2004 est.) 0.72% (2003 est.)
Ports and harbors none Hamilton, Saint George's, Dockyard
Radio broadcast stations AM 12, FM 1, shortwave 4 (1998) AM 5, FM 3, shortwave 0 (1998)
Railways - 0 km
Religions Buddhist 60%, animist and other 40% (including various Christian denominations 1.5%) non-Anglican Protestant 39%, Anglican 27%, Roman Catholic 15%, other 19%
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: 0.83 male(s)/female


total population: 0.98 male(s)/female (2004 est.)
at birth: 1.02 male(s)/female


under 15 years: 1 male(s)/female


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


65 years and over: 0.77 male(s)/female


total population: 0.96 male(s)/female (2003 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: country code - 856; satellite earth station - 1 Intersputnik (Indian Ocean region)
general assessment: NA


domestic: modern, fully automatic telephone system


international: 3 submarine cables; satellite earth stations - 3 Intelsat (Atlantic Ocean)
Telephones - main lines in use 61,900 (2002) 52,000 (1997)
Telephones - mobile cellular 55,200 (2002) 7,980 (1996)
Television broadcast stations 4 (1999) 3 (1997)
Terrain mostly rugged mountains; some plains and plateaus low hills separated by fertile depressions
Total fertility rate 4.86 children born/woman (2004 est.) 1.9 children born/woman (2003 est.)
Unemployment rate 5.7% (1997 est.) 4.5% (1993)
Waterways 4,600 km


note: primarily Mekong and tributaries; 2,897 additional km are intermittently navigable by craft drawing less than 0.5 m (2003)
none
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