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Compare Laos (2004) - Micronesia, Federated States of (2003)

Compare Laos (2004) z Micronesia, Federated States of (2003)

 Laos (2004)Micronesia, Federated States of (2003)
 LaosMicronesia, Federated States of
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 4 states; Chuuk (Truk), Kosrae (Kosaie), Pohnpei (Ponape), Yap
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: 38.4% (male 21,163; female 20,335)


15-64 years: 58.5% (male 31,746; female 31,477)


65 years and over: 3.2% (male 1,558; female 1,864) (2003 est.)
Agriculture - products sweet potatoes, vegetables, corn, coffee, sugarcane, tobacco, cotton, tea, peanuts, rice, water buffalo, pigs, cattle, poultry black pepper, tropical fruits and vegetables, coconuts, cassava (tapioca), betel nuts, sweet potatoes; pigs, chickens
Airports 46 (2003 est.) 7 (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: 6


1,524 to 2,437 m: 4


914 to 1,523 m: 2 (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.)
total: 1


914 to 1,523 m: 1 (2002)
Area total: 236,800 sq km


land: 230,800 sq km


water: 6,000 sq km
total: 702 sq km


land: 702 sq km


water: 0 sq km (fresh water only)


note: includes Pohnpei (Ponape), Chuuk (Truk) Islands, Yap Islands, and Kosrae (Kosaie)
Area - comparative slightly larger than Utah four times the size of Washington, DC (land area only)
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. In 1979 the Federated States of Micronesia, a UN Trust Territory under US administration, adopted a constitution. In 1986 independence was attained under a Compact of Free Association with the US. Present concerns include large-scale unemployment, overfishing, and overdependence on US aid.
Birth rate 36.47 births/1,000 population (2004 est.) 26.47 births/1,000 population (2003 est.)
Budget revenues: $298.5 million


expenditures: $429.9 million, including capital expenditures of NA (2003 est.)
revenues: $161 million ($69 million less grants)


expenditures: $160 million, including capital expenditures of $NA (1998 est.)
Capital Vientiane Palikir
Climate tropical monsoon; rainy season (May to November); dry season (December to April) tropical; heavy year-round rainfall, especially in the eastern islands; located on southern edge of the typhoon belt with occasionally severe damage
Coastline 0 km (landlocked) 6,112 km
Constitution promulgated 14 August 1991 10 May 1979
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: Federated States of Micronesia


conventional short form: none


former: Ponape, Truk, and Yap Districts (Trust Territory of the Pacific Islands)


abbreviation: FSM
Currency kip (LAK) US dollar (USD)
Death rate 12.1 deaths/1,000 population (2004 est.) 5.1 deaths/1,000 population (2003 est.)
Debt - external $2.49 billion (2001) $53.1 million (FY 02/03 est.)
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 Larry M. DINGER


embassy: address NA, Kolonia


mailing address: P. O. Box 1286, Kolonia, Pohnpei, Federated States of Micronesia 96941


telephone: [691] 320-2187


FAX: [691] 320-2186
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 Jesse Bibiano MAREHALAU


chancery: 1725 N Street NW, Washington, DC 20036


telephone: [1] (202) 223-4383


FAX: [1] (202) 223-4391


consulate(s) general: Honolulu and Tamuning (Guam)
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.) under terms of the Compact of Free Association, the US pledged $1.3 billion in grant aid during the period 1986-2001
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. Economic activity consists primarily of subsistence farming and fishing. The islands have few mineral deposits worth exploiting, except for high-grade phosphate. The potential for a tourist industry exists, but the remote location, a lack of adequate facilities, and limited air connections hinder development. In November 2002, the country experienced a further reduction in future revenues from the Compact of Free Association - the agreement with the US in which Micronesia received $1.3 billion in financial and technical assistance over a 15-year period until 2001. The country's medium-term economic outlook appears fragile due not only to the reduction in US assistance but also to the slow growth of the private sector. Geographical isolation and a poorly developed infrastructure remain major impediments to long-term growth.
Electricity - consumption 824.7 million kWh (2001) NA kWh
Electricity - exports 400 million kWh (2001) -
Electricity - imports 0 kWh (2001) -
Electricity - production 1.317 billion kWh (2001) NA kWh
Electricity - production by source - fossil fuel: 0%


hydro: 0%


nuclear: 0%


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


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


highest point: Dolohmwar (Totolom) 791 m
Environment - current issues unexploded ordnance; deforestation; soil erosion; most of the population does not have access to potable water overfishing, climate change, pollution
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: Biodiversity, Climate Change, Climate Change-Kyoto Protocol, Desertification, 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 and the Yao 9%, ethnic Vietnamese/Chinese 1% nine ethnic Micronesian and Polynesian groups
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) the US dollar is used 1
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 Joseph J. URUSEMAL (since 11 May 2003); Vice President Redley KILLION; note - the president is both the chief of state and head of government


head of government: President Joseph J. URUSEMAL (since 11 May 2003); Vice President Redley KILLION; note - the president is both the chief of state and head of government


cabinet: Cabinet


elections: president and vice president elected by Congress from among the four senators at large for four-year terms; election last held 11 May 2003 (next to be held NA May 2007); note - a proposed constitutional amendment to establish popular elections for president and vice president failed


election results: Joseph J. URUSEMAL elected president; percent of Congress vote - NA%; Redley KILLION elected vice president; percent of Congress vote - NA%
Exports NA (2001) $22 million (f.o.b.) (FY 99/00 est.)
Exports - commodities garments, wood products, coffee, electricity, tin fish, garments, bananas, black pepper
Exports - partners Thailand 20.7%, Vietnam 15.9%, France 7.3%, Germany 5.3%, Belgium 4% (2003) Japan, US, Guam (2000)
Fiscal year 1 October - 30 September 1 October - 30 September
Flag description three horizontal bands of red (top), blue (double width), and red with a large white disk centered in the blue band light blue with four white five-pointed stars centered; the stars are arranged in a diamond pattern
GDP purchasing power parity - $10.32 billion (2003 est.) purchasing power parity - $277 million


note: $277 million $277 million GDP is supplemented by grant aid, averaging perhaps $100 million annually (2002 est.)
GDP - composition by sector agriculture: 49.4%


industry: 24.5%


services: 26.1% (2003 est.)
agriculture: 50%


industry: 4%


services: 46% (2000 est.)
GDP - per capita purchasing power parity - $1,700 (2003 est.) purchasing power parity - $2,000 (2002 est.)
GDP - real growth rate 5.5% (2003 est.) 1% (2002 est.)
Geographic coordinates 18 00 N, 105 00 E 6 55 N, 158 15 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 four major island groups totaling 607 islands
Highways total: 21,716 km


paved: 9,664 km


unpaved: 12,052 km (1999 est.)
total: 240 km


paved: 42 km


unpaved: 198 km (1999 est.)
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) $149 million f.o.b. (FY 99/00 est.)
Imports - commodities machinery and equipment, vehicles, fuel, consumer goods food, manufactured goods, machinery and equipment, beverages
Imports - partners Thailand 59.4%, China 12.8%, Vietnam 10.2% (2003) US, Australia, Japan (2000)
Independence 19 July 1949 (from France) 3 November 1986 (from the US-administered UN Trusteeship)
Industrial production growth rate 9.7% (2001 est.) NA%
Industries tin and gypsum mining, timber, electric power, agricultural processing, construction, garments, tourism tourism, construction, fish processing, specialized aquaculture, craft items from shell, wood, and pearls
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: 32.39 deaths/1,000 live births


male: 35.65 deaths/1,000 live births


female: 28.97 deaths/1,000 live births
Inflation rate (consumer prices) 15.3% (2003 est.) 1% (2002 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) ACP, AsDB, ESCAP, G-77, IBRD, ICAO, IDA, IFC, IFRCS (associate), IMF, IOC, ITU, OPCW, Sparteca, SPC, SPF, UN, UNCTAD, UNESCO, WHO, WMO
Internet Service Providers (ISPs) - 1 (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
Labor force 2.6 million (2001 est.) NA
Labor force - by occupation agriculture 80% (1997 est.) two-thirds are government employees
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: 5.71%


permanent crops: 45.71%


other: 48.58% (1998 est.)
Languages Lao (official), French, English, and various ethnic languages English (official and common language), Trukese, Pohnpeian, Yapese, Kosrean, Ulithian, Woleaian, Nukuoro, Kapingamarangi
Legal system based on traditional customs, French legal norms and procedures, and socialist practice based on adapted Trust Territory laws, acts of the legislature, municipal, common, and customary laws
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 Congress (14 seats; members elected by popular vote; four - one elected from each state to serve four-year terms; and 10 - elected from single-member districts delineated by population to serve two-year terms)


elections: elections for four-year term seats last held 4 March 2003 (next to be held NA March 2007); elections for two-year term seats last held 4 March 2003 (next to be held NA March 2005)


election results: percent of vote - NA%; seats - independents 14
Life expectancy at birth total population: 54.69 years


male: 52.71 years


female: 56.75 years (2004 est.)
total population: 69.13 years


male: 67.39 years


female: 70.95 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: 89%


male: 91%


female: 88% (1980 est.)
Location Southeastern Asia, northeast of Thailand, west of Vietnam Oceania, island group in the North Pacific Ocean, about three-quarters of the way from Hawaii to Indonesia
Map references Southeast Asia Oceania
Maritime claims none (landlocked) exclusive economic 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.)
none


note: includes a foreign-owned ship registered here as a flag of convenience: US 1 (2002 est.)
Military - note - Federated States of Micronesia (FSM) is a sovereign, self-governing state in free association with the US; FSM is totally dependent on the US for its defense
Military branches Lao People's Army (LPA; including Riverine Force), Air Force -
Military expenditures - dollar figure $10.9 million (2003) -
Military expenditures - percent of GDP 0.5% (2003) -
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) Constitution Day, 10 May (1979)
Nationality noun: Lao(s) or Laotian(s)


adjective: Lao or Laotian
noun: Micronesian(s)


adjective: Micronesian; Chuukese, Kosraen(s), Pohnpeian(s), Yapese
Natural hazards floods, droughts typhoons (June to December)
Natural resources timber, hydropower, gypsum, tin, gold, gemstones forests, marine products, deep-seabed minerals
Net migration rate 0 migrant(s)/1,000 population (2004 est.) -20.98 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 no formal parties
Political pressure groups and leaders noncommunist political groups proscribed; most opposition leaders fled the country in 1975 -
Population 6,068,117 (July 2004 est.) 108,143 (July 2003 est.)
Population below poverty line 40% (2002 est.) 26.7%
Population growth rate 2.44% (2004 est.) 0.04% (2003 est.)
Ports and harbors none Colonia (Yap), Kolonia (Pohnpei), Lele, Moen
Radio broadcast stations AM 12, FM 1, shortwave 4 (1998) AM 5, FM 1, shortwave 0 (1998)
Railways - 0 km
Religions Buddhist 60%, animist and other 40% (including various Christian denominations 1.5%) Roman Catholic 50%, Protestant 47%
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.)
1.05 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: adequate system


domestic: islands interconnected by shortwave radiotelephone (used mostly for government purposes)


international: satellite earth stations - 5 Intelsat (Pacific Ocean) (2002)
Telephones - main lines in use 61,900 (2002) 11,000 (2001)
Telephones - mobile cellular 55,200 (2002) newly installed in Pohnpei and Yap
Television broadcast stations 4 (1999) 2 (1997)
Terrain mostly rugged mountains; some plains and plateaus islands vary geologically from high mountainous islands to low, coral atolls; volcanic outcroppings on Pohnpei, Kosrae, and Chuuk
Total fertility rate 4.86 children born/woman (2004 est.) 3.5 children born/woman (2003 est.)
Unemployment rate 5.7% (1997 est.) 16% (1999 est.)
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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