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Compare Laos (2005) - Malawi (2001)

Compare Laos (2005) z Malawi (2001)

 Laos (2005)Malawi (2001)
 LaosMalawi
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 (Vientiane)*, Viangchan, Xaignabouli, Xaisomboun**, Xekong, Xiangkhoang 24 districts; Blantyre, Chikwawa, Chiradzulu, Chitipa, Dedza, Dowa, Karonga, Kasungu, Lilongwe, Machinga (Kasupe), Mangochi, Mchinji, Mulanje, Mwanza, Mzimba, Ntcheu, Nkhata Bay, Nkhotakota, Nsanje, Ntchisi, Rumphi, Salima, Thyolo, Zomba; note - there may be three new districts named Balaka, Likoma, and Phalombe
Age structure 0-14 years: 41.6% (male 1,300,094/female 1,289,227)


15-64 years: 55.2% (male 1,693,494/female 1,737,196)


65 years and over: 3.2% (male 88,744/female 108,386) (2005 est.)
0-14 years:
44.43% (male 2,348,940; female 2,337,290)

15-64 years:
52.78% (male 2,741,622; female 2,825,966)

65 years and over:
2.79% (male 119,283; female 175,149) (2001 est.)
Agriculture - products sweet potatoes, vegetables, corn, coffee, sugarcane, tobacco, cotton, tea, peanuts, rice, water buffalo, pigs, cattle, poultry tobacco, sugarcane, cotton, tea, corn, potatoes, cassava (tapioca), sorghum, pulses; cattle, goats
Airports 44 (2004 est.) 44 (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:
6

over 3,047 m:
1

1,524 to 2,437 m:
1

914 to 1,523 m:
4 (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.)
total:
38

1,524 to 2,437 m:
1

914 to 1,523 m:
14

under 914 m:
23 (2000 est.)
Area total: 236,800 sq km


land: 230,800 sq km


water: 6,000 sq km
total:
118,480 sq km

land:
94,080 sq km

water:
24,400 sq km
Area - comparative slightly larger than Utah slightly smaller than Pennsylvania
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. Established in 1891, the British protectorate of Nyasaland became the independent nation of Malawi in 1964. After three decades of one-party rule, the country held multiparty elections in 1994 under a provisional constitution, which took full effect the following year. National multiparty elections were held again in 1999.
Birth rate 35.99 births/1,000 population (2005 est.) 37.8 births/1,000 population (2001 est.)
Budget revenues: $284.3 million


expenditures: $416.5 million, including capital expenditures of NA (2004 est.)
revenues:
$490 million

expenditures:
$523 million, including capital expenditures of $NA (FY99/00 est.)
Capital Vientiane Lilongwe
Climate tropical monsoon; rainy season (May to November); dry season (December to April) sub-tropical; rainy season (November to May); dry season (May to November)
Coastline 0 km (landlocked) 0 km (landlocked)
Constitution promulgated 14 August 1991 18 May 1994
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 Malawi

conventional short form:
Malawi

former:
British Central African Protectorate, Nyasaland Protectorate, Nyasaland
Currency - Malawian kwacha (MWK)
Death rate 11.83 deaths/1,000 population (2005 est.) 22.81 deaths/1,000 population (2001 est.)
Debt - external $2.49 billion (2001) $2.9 billion (2000 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 Roger A. MEECE

embassy:
Area 40, Plot 24, Kenyatta Road

mailing address:
P. O. Box 30016, Lilongwe 3, Malawi

telephone:
[265] 773 166

FAX:
[265] 770 471
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 Paul Tony Steven KANDIERO

chancery:
2408 Massachusetts Avenue NW, Washington, DC 20008

telephone:
[1] (202) 797-1007
Disputes - international Southeast Asian states have enhanced border surveillance to check the spread of avian flu; Laos and Thailand pledge to complete demarcation of boundaries in 2005, while ongoing disputes over squatters and boundary encroachment by Thailand including Mekong River islets persist; in 2004 Cambodian-Laotian boundary commission agrees to re-erect missing markers in two adjoining provinces; concern among Mekong Commission members that China's construction of dams on the Mekong River will affect water levels dispute with Tanzania over the boundary in Lake Nyasa (Lake Malawi)
Economic aid - recipient $243 million (2001 est.) $427 million (1999)
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 6% in 1988-2004 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. The government has sponsored major improvements in the road system. 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. In late 2004, Laos gained Normal Trade Relations status with the US, allowing Laos-based producers to face lower tariffs on their exports; this may help spur growth. Landlocked Malawi ranks among the world's least developed countries. The economy is predominately agricultural, with about 90% of the population living in rural areas. Agriculture accounts for 37% of GDP and 85% of export revenues. The economy depends on substantial inflows of economic assistance from the IMF, the World Bank, and individual donor nations. In late 2000, Malawi was approved for relief under the Heavily Indebted Poor Countries (HIPC) program. The government faces strong challenges, e.g., to fully develop a market economy, to improve educational facilities, to face up to environmental problems, and to deal with the rapidly growing problem of HIV/AIDS.
Electricity - consumption 3.036 billion kWh (2002) 950 million kWh (1999)
Electricity - exports 400 million kWh (2002) 3 million kWh (1999)
Electricity - imports 125 million kWh (2002) 0 kWh (1999)
Electricity - production 3.56 billion kWh (2002) 1.025 billion kWh (1999)
Electricity - production by source - fossil fuel:
2.44%

hydro:
97.56%

nuclear:
0%

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


highest point: Phou Bia 2,817 m
lowest point:
junction of the Shire River and international boundary with Mozambique 37 m

highest point:
Sapitwa 3,002 m
Environment - current issues unexploded ordnance; deforestation; soil erosion; most of the population does not have access to potable water deforestation; land degradation; water pollution from agricultural runoff, sewage, industrial wastes; siltation of spawning grounds endangers fish populations
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, Desertification, Endangered Species, Environmental Modification, Hazardous Wastes, Marine Life Conservation, Nuclear Test Ban, Ozone Layer Protection, Wetlands

signed, but not ratified:
Law of the Sea
Ethnic groups Lao Loum (lowland) 68%, Lao Theung (upland) 22%, Lao Soung (highland) including the Hmong and the Yao 9%, ethnic Vietnamese/Chinese 1% Chewa, Nyanja, Tumbuko, Yao, Lomwe, Sena, Tonga, Ngoni, Ngonde, Asian, European
Exchange rates kips per US dollar - 10,820 (2004), 10,569 (2003), 10,056.3 (2002), 8,954.6 (2001), 7,887.6 (2000) Malawian kwachas per US dollar - 80.0946 (December 2000), 59.5438 (2000), 44.0881 (1999), 31.0727 (1998), 16.4442 (1997), 15.3085 (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 Siphadon elected president; percent of National Assembly vote - NA%
chief of state:
President Bakili MULUZI (since 21 May 1994); note - the president is both the chief of state and head of government

head of government:
President Bakili MULUZI (since 21 May 1994); note - the president is both the chief of state and head of government

cabinet:
36-member Cabinet named by the president

elections:
president elected by popular vote for a five-year term; election last held 15 June 1999 (next to be held NA 2004)

election results:
Bakili MULUZI reelected president; percent of vote - Bakili MULUZI (UDF) 51.4%, Gwandaguluwe CHAKUAMBA (MCP-AFORD) 44.3%
Exports NA $416 million (f.o.b., 2000)
Exports - commodities garments, wood products, coffee, electricity, tin tobacco, tea, sugar, cotton, coffee, peanuts, wood products
Exports - partners Thailand 19.3%, Vietnam 13.4%, France 8%, Germany 5.3%, UK 5% (2004) South Africa 16%, Germany 16%, US 15%, Netherlands 7%, Japan (1999)
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 three equal horizontal bands of black (top), red, and green with a radiant, rising, red sun centered in the black band
GDP - purchasing power parity - $9.4 billion (2000 est.)
GDP - composition by sector agriculture: 49.5%


industry: 27.5%


services: 23% (2004 est.)
agriculture:
37%

industry:
29%

services:
34% (1998 est.)
GDP - per capita purchasing power parity - $1,900 (2004 est.) purchasing power parity - $900 (2000 est.)
GDP - real growth rate 6% (2004 est.) 3% (2000 est.)
Geographic coordinates 18 00 N, 105 00 E 13 30 S, 34 00 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 landlocked
Highways total: 21,716 km


paved: 9,664 km


unpaved: 12,052 km (1999 est.)
total:
16,451 km

paved:
3,126 km

unpaved:
13,325 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 estimated cultivation in 2004 - 10,000 hectares, a 45% decrease from 2003; estimated potential production in 2004 - 49 metric tons, a significant decrease from 200 metric tons in 2003 (2005) -
Imports NA $435 million (f.o.b., 2000)
Imports - commodities machinery and equipment, vehicles, fuel, consumer goods food, petroleum products, semimanufactures, consumer goods, transportation equipment
Imports - partners Thailand 60.5%, China 10.3%, Vietnam 7.1%, Singapore 4% (2004) South Africa 43%, Zimbabwe 14%, UK 5%, Germany 5%, Zambia, Japan, US (1999)
Independence 19 July 1949 (from France) 6 July 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 tobacco, tea, sugar, sawmill products, cement, consumer goods
Infant mortality rate total: 85.22 deaths/1,000 live births


male: 95.04 deaths/1,000 live births


female: 75.01 deaths/1,000 live births (2005 est.)
121.12 deaths/1,000 live births (2001 est.)
Inflation rate (consumer prices) 12.3% (2004 est.) 29.5% (2000)
International organization participation ACCT, APT, 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, AfDB, C, CCC, ECA, FAO, G-77, IBRD, ICAO, ICFTU, ICRM, IDA, IFAD, IFC, IFRCS, ILO, IMF, IMO, Intelsat, Interpol, IOC, ISO (correspondent), ITU, NAM, OAU, OPCW, SADC, UN, UNCTAD, UNESCO, UNIDO, UNMIK, UPU, WFTU, WHO, WIPO, WMO, WToO, WTrO
Internet Service Providers (ISPs) - 8 (2001)
Irrigated land 1,640 sq km


note: rainy season irrigation - 2,169 sq km; dry season irrigation - 750 sq km (1998 est.)
280 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 of Appeal; High Court (chief justice appointed by the president, puisne judges appointed on the advice of the Judicial Service Commission); magistrate's courts
Labor force 2.6 million (2001 est.) 3.5 million
Labor force - by occupation agriculture 80% (1997 est.) agriculture 86% (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
total:
2,881 km

border countries:
Mozambique 1,569 km, Tanzania 475 km, Zambia 837 km
Land use arable land: 3.8%


permanent crops: 0.35%


other: 95.85% (2001)
arable land:
34%

permanent crops:
0%

permanent pastures:
20%

forests and woodland:
39%

other:
7% (1993 est.)
Languages Lao (official), French, English, and various ethnic languages English (official), Chichewa (official), other languages important regionally
Legal system based on traditional customs, French legal norms and procedures, and socialist practice based on English common law and customary law; judicial review of legislative acts in the Supreme Court of Appeal; has not accepted compulsory ICJ jurisdiction
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 National Assembly (193 seats; members elected by popular vote to serve five-year terms)

elections:
last held 15 June 1999 (next to be held NA 2004)

election results:
percent of vote by party - UDF 48%, MCP 34%, AFORD 15%, others 3%; seats by party - UDF 94, MCP 66, AFORD 29, others 4
Life expectancy at birth total population: 55.08 years


male: 53.07 years


female: 57.17 years (2005 est.)
total population:
37.08 years

male:
36.61 years

female:
37.55 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 15 and over can read and write

total population:
58%

male:
72.8%

female:
43.4% (1999 est.)
Location Southeastern Asia, northeast of Thailand, west of Vietnam Southern Africa, east of Zambia
Map references Southeast Asia Africa
Maritime claims none (landlocked) none (landlocked)
Merchant marine total: 1 ship (1,000 GRT or over) 2,370 GRT/3,110 DWT


by type: cargo 1 (2005)
-
Military - note Laos is one of the world's least developed countries; the Lao People's Armed Forces are small, poorly funded, and ineffectively resourced; there is little political will to allocate sparse funding to the military, and the armed forces' gradual degradation is likely to continue; the massive drug production and trafficking industry centered in the Golden Triangle makes Laos an important narcotics transit country, and armed Wa and Chinese smugglers are active on the Lao-Burma border (2005) -
Military branches Lao People's Army (LPA; includes Riverine Force), Air Force Army (includes Air Wing and Naval Detachment), Police (includes paramilitary Mobile Force Unit)
Military expenditures - dollar figure $10.7 million (2004) $9.5 million (FY00/01)
Military expenditures - percent of GDP 0.5% (2004) 0.76% (FY00/01)
Military manpower - availability - males age 15-49:
2,466,708 (2001 est.)
Military manpower - fit for military service - males age 15-49:
1,265,893 (2001 est.)
National holiday Republic Day, 2 December (1975) Independence Day, 6 July (1964)
Nationality noun: Lao(s) or Laotian(s)


adjective: Lao or Laotian
noun:
Malawian(s)

adjective:
Malawian
Natural hazards floods, droughts NA
Natural resources timber, hydropower, gypsum, tin, gold, gemstones limestone, arable land, hydropower, unexploited deposits of uranium, coal, and bauxite
Net migration rate 0 migrant(s)/1,000 population (2005 est.) 0 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 Siphadon, party president]; other parties proscribed Alliance for Democracy or AFORD [Chakufwa CHIHANA, president]; Malawi Congress Party or MCP [Gwanda CHAKUAMBA, president, John TEMBO, vice president]; Malawi Democratic Party or MDP [Kampelo KALUA, president]; National Independence Party; Social Democratic Party or SDP [Eston KAKHOME, president]; United Democratic Front or UDF [Bakili MULUZI] - governing party
Political pressure groups and leaders noncommunist political groups proscribed; most opposition leaders fled the country in 1975 NA
Population 6,217,141 (July 2005 est.) 10,548,250

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.) 54% (FY90/91 est.)
Population growth rate 2.42% (2005 est.) 1.5% (2001 est.)
Ports and harbors - Chipoka, Monkey Bay, Nkhata Bay, Nkhotakota, Chilumba
Radio broadcast stations AM 12, FM 1, shortwave 4 (1998) AM 9, FM 4 (plus 15 repeater stations), shortwave 3 (1998)
Radios - 2.6 million (1997)
Railways - total:
789 km

narrow gauge:
789 km 1.067-m gauge
Religions Buddhist 60%, animist and other 40% (including various Christian denominations 1.5%) Protestant 55%, Roman Catholic 20%, Muslim 20%, indigenous beliefs
Sex ratio at birth: 1.04 male(s)/female


under 15 years: 1.01 male(s)/female


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


65 years and over: 0.82 male(s)/female


total population: 0.98 male(s)/female (2005 est.)
at birth:
1.03 male(s)/female

under 15 years:
1 male(s)/female

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

65 years and over:
0.68 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:
NA

domestic:
fair system of open-wire lines, microwave radio relay links, and radiotelephone communications stations

international:
satellite earth stations - 2 Intelsat (1 Indian Ocean and 1 Atlantic Ocean)
Telephones - main lines in use 61,900 (2002) 37,000 (1997)
Telephones - mobile cellular 55,200 (2002) 7,000 (1997)
Television broadcast stations 4 (1999) 1 (1999)
Terrain mostly rugged mountains; some plains and plateaus narrow elongated plateau with rolling plains, rounded hills, some mountains
Total fertility rate 4.77 children born/woman (2005 est.) 5.18 children born/woman (2001 est.)
Unemployment rate 5.7% (1997 est.) NA%
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)
144 km

note:
on Lake Nyasa (Lake Malawi) and Shire Riverall
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