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Compare Laos (2004) - Malta (2001)

Compare Laos (2004) z Malta (2001)

 Laos (2004)Malta (2001)
 LaosMalta
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 none (administered directly from Valletta)
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:
19.98% (male 40,791; female 38,062)

15-64 years:
67.49% (male 133,914; female 132,402)

65 years and over:
12.53% (male 20,643; female 28,771) (2001 est.)
Agriculture - products sweet potatoes, vegetables, corn, coffee, sugarcane, tobacco, cotton, tea, peanuts, rice, water buffalo, pigs, cattle, poultry potatoes, cauliflower, grapes, wheat, barley, tomatoes, citrus, cut flowers, green peppers; pork, milk, poultry, eggs
Airports 46 (2003 est.) 1 (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 (2004 est.)
total:
1

over 3,047 m:
1 (2000 est.)
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:
316 sq km

land:
316 sq km

water:
0 sq km
Area - comparative slightly larger than Utah slightly less than twice 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. Great Britain formally acquired possession of Malta in 1814. The island staunchly supported the UK through both World Wars and remained in the Commonwealth when it became independent in 1964. A decade later Malta became a republic. Over the last 15 years, the island has become a major freight transshipment point, financial center, and tourist destination. It is an official candidate for EU membership.
Birth rate 36.47 births/1,000 population (2004 est.) 12.75 births/1,000 population (2001 est.)
Budget revenues: $298.5 million


expenditures: $429.9 million, including capital expenditures of NA (2003 est.)
revenues:
$1.6 billion

expenditures:
$1.73 billion, including capital expenditures of $265.4 million (1999)
Capital Vientiane Valletta
Climate tropical monsoon; rainy season (May to November); dry season (December to April) Mediterranean with mild, rainy winters and hot, dry summers
Coastline 0 km (landlocked) 196.8 km (does not include 56.01 km for the island of Gozo)
Constitution promulgated 14 August 1991 1964 constitution substantially amended on 13 December 1974
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 Malta

conventional short form:
Malta

local long form:
Repubblika ta' Malta

local short form:
Malta
Currency kip (LAK) Maltese lira (MTL)
Death rate 12.1 deaths/1,000 population (2004 est.) 7.74 deaths/1,000 population (2001 est.)
Debt - external $2.49 billion (2001) $130 million (1997)
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:
Ambassador George SALIBA

embassy:
3rd Floor, Development House, Saint Anne Street, Floriana, Malta VLT 01

mailing address:
P. O. Box 535, Valletta, Malta, CMR 01

telephone:
[356] 235960 through 235965

FAX:
[356] 243229
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 George SALIBA

chancery:
2017 Connecticut Avenue NW, Washington, DC 20008

telephone:
[1] (202) 462-3611, 3612

FAX:
[1] (202) 387-5470

consulate(s):
New York
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. Major resources are limestone, a favorable geographic location, and a productive labor force. Malta produces only about 20% of its food needs, has limited freshwater supplies, and has no domestic energy sources. The economy is dependent on foreign trade, manufacturing (especially electronics and textiles), and tourism. Malta is privatizing state-controlled firms and liberalizing markets in order to prepare for membership in the European Union. However, the island is divided politically over the question of joining the EU. The sizable budget deficit remains a key concern.
Electricity - consumption 824.7 million kWh (2001) 1.534 billion 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) 1.65 billion kWh (1999)
Electricity - production by source - 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:
Mediterranean Sea 0 m

highest point:
Ta'Dmejrek 253 m (near Dingli)
Environment - current issues unexploded ordnance; deforestation; soil erosion; most of the population does not have access to potable water very limited natural fresh water resources; increasing reliance on desalination
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
party to:
Air Pollution, Biodiversity, Climate Change, Desertification, Endangered Species, Hazardous Wastes, Law of the Sea, Marine Dumping, Nuclear Test Ban, Ozone Layer Protection, Ship Pollution, Wetlands

signed, but not ratified:
Climate Change-Kyoto Protocol
Ethnic groups Lao Loum (lowland) 68%, Lao Theung (upland) 22%, Lao Soung (highland) including the Hmong and the Yao 9%, ethnic Vietnamese/Chinese 1% Maltese (descendants of ancient Carthaginians and Phoenicians, with strong elements of Italian and other Mediterranean stock)
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) Maltese liri per US dollar - 0.4370 (January 2001), 0.4376 (2000), 0.3994 (1999), 0.3885 (1998), 0.3857 (1997), 0.3604 (1996)
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:
President Guido DE MARCO (since 4 April 1999)

head of government:
Prime Minister Eddie FENECH ADAMI (since 6 September 1998); Deputy Prime Minister Lawrence GONZE (since 4 April 1999)

cabinet:
Cabinet appointed by the president on the advice of the prime minister

elections:
president elected by the House of Representatives for a five-year term; election last held NA April 1999 (next to be held by NA April 2004); following legislative elections, the leader of the majority party or leader of a majority coalition is usually appointed prime minister by the president for a five-year term; the deputy prime minister is appointed by the president on the advice of the prime minister

election results:
Guido DE MARCO elected president; percent of House of Representatives vote - 54%
Exports NA (2001) $2 billion (f.o.b., 1999)
Exports - commodities garments, wood products, coffee, electricity, tin machinery and transport equipment, manufactures
Exports - partners Thailand 20.7%, Vietnam 15.9%, France 7.3%, Germany 5.3%, Belgium 4% (2003) US 21.4%, France 15.2%, Germany 12.6%, UK 9.3%, Italy 4.9% (1999)
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 two equal vertical bands of white (hoist side) and red; in the upper hoist-side corner is a representation of the Saint George Cross, edged in red
GDP purchasing power parity - $10.32 billion (2003 est.) purchasing power parity - $5.6 billion (2000 est.)
GDP - composition by sector agriculture: 49.4%


industry: 24.5%


services: 26.1% (2003 est.)
agriculture:
2.8%

industry:
25.5%

services:
71.7% (1999)
GDP - per capita purchasing power parity - $1,700 (2003 est.) purchasing power parity - $14,300 (2000 est.)
GDP - real growth rate 5.5% (2003 est.) 3.4% (2000 est.)
Geographic coordinates 18 00 N, 105 00 E 35 50 N, 14 35 E
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 the country comprises an archipelago, with only the three largest islands (Malta, Ghawdex or Gozo, and Kemmuna or Comino) being inhabited; numerous bays provide good harbors; Malta and Tunisia are discussing the commercial exploitation of the continental shelf between their countries, particularly for oil exploration
Highways total: 21,716 km


paved: 9,664 km


unpaved: 12,052 km (1999 est.)
total:
1,742 km

paved:
1,677 km

unpaved:
65 km (1997)
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 minor transshipment point for hashish from North Africa to Western Europe
Imports NA (2001) $2.6 billion (f.o.b., 1999)
Imports - commodities machinery and equipment, vehicles, fuel, consumer goods machinery and transport equipment, manufactured and semi-manufactured goods; food, drink, and tobacco
Imports - partners Thailand 59.4%, China 12.8%, Vietnam 10.2% (2003) France 19.1%, Italy 16.7%, UK 10.9%, Germany 10.0%, US 8.5% (1999)
Independence 19 July 1949 (from France) 21 September 1964 (from UK)
Industrial production growth rate 9.7% (2001 est.) NA%
Industries tin and gypsum mining, timber, electric power, agricultural processing, construction, garments, tourism tourism; electronics, ship building and repair, construction; food and beverages, textiles, footwear, clothing, tobacco
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.)
5.83 deaths/1,000 live births (2001 est.)
Inflation rate (consumer prices) 15.3% (2003 est.) 2.5% (2000 est.)
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) C, CCC, CE, EBRD, ECE, EU (applicant), FAO, G-77, IAEA, IBRD, ICAO, ICFTU, ICRM, IFAD, IFRCS, ILO, IMF, IMO, Inmarsat, Intelsat, Interpol, IOC, IOM (observer), ISO, ITU, NAM, OPCW, OSCE, PCA, UN, UNCTAD, UNESCO, UNIDO, UPU, WCL, WHO, WIPO, WMO, WToO, WTrO
Internet Service Providers (ISPs) - 2 (2000)
Irrigated land 1,640 sq km


note: rainy season irrigation - 2,169 sq km; dry season irrigation - 750 sq km (1998 est.)
11.45 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) Constitutional Court; Court of Appeal; judges for both courts are appointed by the president on the advice of the prime minister
Labor force 2.6 million (2001 est.) 145,901 (1999)
Labor force - by occupation agriculture 80% (1997 est.) industry 24%, services 71%, agriculture 5% (1999 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:
32%

permanent crops:
3%

permanent pastures:
0%

forests and woodland:
4%

other:
61% (2000 est.)
Languages Lao (official), French, English, and various ethnic languages Maltese (official), English (official)
Legal system based on traditional customs, French legal norms and procedures, and socialist practice based on English common law and Roman civil law; accepts compulsory ICJ jurisdiction, with reservations
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
unicameral House of Representatives (usually 65 seats; note - additional seats are given to the party with the largest popular vote to ensure a legislative majority; members are elected by popular vote on the basis of proportional representation to serve five-year terms)

elections:
last held 5 September 1998 (next to be held by September 2003)

election results:
percent of vote by party - PN 51.8%, MLP 46.9%, AD 1.2%; seats by party - PN 35, MLP 30
Life expectancy at birth total population: 54.69 years


male: 52.71 years


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

male:
75.64 years

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


total population: 66.4%


male: 77.4%


female: 55.5% (2002)
definition:
age 10 and over can read and write

total population:
88.76%

male:
86.91%

female:
89.55% (1995 census)
Location Southeastern Asia, northeast of Thailand, west of Vietnam Southern Europe, islands in the Mediterranean Sea, south of Sicily (Italy)
Map references Southeast Asia Europe
Maritime claims none (landlocked) contiguous zone:
24 NM

continental shelf:
200-m depth or to the depth of exploitation

exclusive fishing zone:
25 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:
1,414 ships (1,000 GRT or over) totaling 28,191,090 GRT/46,773,603 DWT

ships by type:
bulk 443, cargo 394, chemical tanker 48, combination bulk 12, combination ore/oil 14, container 69, liquefied gas 2, livestock carrier 3, multi-functional large-load carrier 2, passenger 7, passenger/cargo 1, petroleum tanker 296, refrigerated cargo 37, roll on/roll off 50, short-sea passenger 15, specialized tanker 3, vehicle carrier 18

note:
includes some foreign-owned ships registered here as a flag of convenience: Argentina 1, Bermuda 1, Belgium 1, Bangladesh 2, Bulgaria 11, China 7, Costa Rica 1, Cuba 2, Cyprus 15, Denmark 1, Estonia 2, Finland 1, Germany 23, Greece 258, Hong Kong 3, Croatia 9, Hungary 1, India 2, Israel 2, Italy 17, South Korea 1, Lebanon 2, Latvia 2, Lithuania 1, Monaco 14, Nigeria 1, Netherlands 10, Norway 31, Poland 8, Romania 3, Russia 39, Singapore 6, Spain 3, Sweden 3, Syria 1, Switzerland 25, UAE 2, Turkey 24, UK 8, Ukraine 9, US 9, Venezuela 1, Vietnam 1 (2000 est.)
Military branches Lao People's Army (LPA; including Riverine Force), Air Force Armed Forces (including land forces, an air squadron, a maritime squadron, and the Revenue Security Corps), Maltese Police Force
Military expenditures - dollar figure $10.9 million (2003) $201 million (FY98)
Military expenditures - percent of GDP 0.5% (2003) 5.5% (FY98)
Military manpower - availability males age 15-49: 1,456,500 (2004 est.) males age 15-49:
98,953 (2001 est.)
Military manpower - fit for military service males age 15-49: 783,800 (2004 est.) males age 15-49:
78,783 (2001 est.)
Military manpower - reaching military age annually males: 68,563 (2004 est.) -
National holiday Republic Day, 2 December (1975) Independence Day, 21 September (1964)
Nationality noun: Lao(s) or Laotian(s)


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

adjective:
Maltese
Natural hazards floods, droughts NA
Natural resources timber, hydropower, gypsum, tin, gold, gemstones limestone, salt, arable land
Net migration rate 0 migrant(s)/1,000 population (2004 est.) 2.37 migrant(s)/1,000 population (2001 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 Alternativa Demokratika/Alliance for Social Justice or AD [Harry VASSALLO]; Malta Labor Party or MLP [Alfred SANT]; Nationalist Party or PN [Edward FENECH ADAMI]
Political pressure groups and leaders noncommunist political groups proscribed; most opposition leaders fled the country in 1975 NA
Population 6,068,117 (July 2004 est.) 394,583 (July 2001 est.)
Population below poverty line 40% (2002 est.) NA%
Population growth rate 2.44% (2004 est.) 0.74% (2001 est.)
Ports and harbors none Marsaxlokk, Valletta
Radio broadcast stations AM 12, FM 1, shortwave 4 (1998) AM 1, FM 18, shortwave 6 (1999)
Radios - 255,000 (1997)
Railways - 0 km
Religions Buddhist 60%, animist and other 40% (including various Christian denominations 1.5%) Roman Catholic 91%
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:
1.09 male(s)/female

under 15 years:
1.07 male(s)/female

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

65 years and over:
0.72 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: country code - 856; satellite earth station - 1 Intersputnik (Indian Ocean region)
general assessment:
automatic system satisfies normal requirements

domestic:
submarine cable and microwave radio relay between islands

international:
2 submarine cables; satellite earth station - 1 Intelsat (Atlantic Ocean)
Telephones - main lines in use 61,900 (2002) 187,000 (1997)
Telephones - mobile cellular 55,200 (2002) 17,691 (1997)
Television broadcast stations 4 (1999) 6 (2000)
Terrain mostly rugged mountains; some plains and plateaus mostly low, rocky, flat to dissected plains; many coastal cliffs
Total fertility rate 4.86 children born/woman (2004 est.) 1.92 children born/woman (2001 est.)
Unemployment rate 5.7% (1997 est.) 4.5% (3rd Quarter 2000)
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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