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Compare Laos (2006) - Faroe Islands (2001)

Compare Laos (2006) z Faroe Islands (2001)

 Laos (2006)Faroe Islands (2001)
 LaosFaroe Islands
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 none (part of the Kingdom of Denmark; self-governing overseas administrative division of Denmark); there are no first-order administrative divisions as defined by the US Government, but there are 49 municipalities
Age structure 0-14 years: 41.4% (male 1,324,207/female 1,313,454)


15-64 years: 55.4% (male 1,744,206/female 1,786,139)


65 years and over: 3.1% (male 89,451/female 111,024) (2006 est.)
0-14 years:
22.62% (male 5,193; female 5,136)

15-64 years:
63.64% (male 15,463; female 13,596)

65 years and over:
13.74% (male 2,802; female 3,471) (2001 est.)
Agriculture - products sweet potatoes, vegetables, corn, coffee, sugarcane, tobacco, cotton, tea, peanuts, rice; water buffalo, pigs, cattle, poultry milk, potatoes, vegetables; sheep; salmon, other fish
Airports 44 (2006) 1 (2000 est.)
Airports - with paved runways total: 9


2,438 to 3,047 m: 2


1,524 to 2,437 m: 4


914 to 1,523 m: 3 (2006)
total:
1

914 to 1,523 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 (2006)
-
Area total: 236,800 sq km


land: 230,800 sq km


water: 6,000 sq km
total:
1,399 sq km

land:
1,399 sq km

water:
0 sq km (some lakes and streams)
Area - comparative slightly larger than Utah eight times the size of Washington, DC
Background Modern-day Laos has its roots in the ancient Lao kingdom of Lan Xang, established in the 14th Century under King FA NGUM. For three hundred years Lan Xang included large parts of present-day Cambodia and Thailand, as well as all of what is now Laos. After centuries of gradual decline, Laos came 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 and instituting a strict socialist regime closely aligned to Vietnam. A gradual return to private enterprise and the liberalization of foreign investment laws began in 1986. Laos became a member of ASEAN in 1997. The population of the Faroe Islands is largely descended from Viking settlers who arrived in the 9th century. The islands have been connected politically to Denmark since the 14th century. A high degree of self-government was attained in 1948.
Birth rate 35.49 births/1,000 population (2006 est.) 13.64 births/1,000 population (2001 est.)
Budget revenues: $319.3 million


expenditures: $434.6 million; including capital expenditures of $NA (2005 est.)
revenues:
$488 million

expenditures:
$484 million, including capital expenditures of $21 million (1999)
Capital name: Vientiane


geographic coordinates: 17 58 N, 102 36 E


time difference: UTC+7 (12 hours ahead of Washington, DC during Standard Time)
Torshavn
Climate tropical monsoon; rainy season (May to November); dry season (December to April) mild winters, cool summers; usually overcast; foggy, windy
Coastline 0 km (landlocked) 1,117 km
Constitution promulgated 14 August 1991 5 June 1953 (Danish constitution)
Country name conventional long form: Lao People's Democratic Republic


conventional short form: Laos PDR or Laos


local long form: Sathalanalat Paxathipatai Paxaxon Lao


local short form: none
conventional long form:
none

conventional short form:
Faroe Islands

local long form:
none

local short form:
Foroyar
Currency - Danish krone (DKK)
Death rate 11.55 deaths/1,000 population (2006 est.) 8.69 deaths/1,000 population (2001 est.)
Debt - external $2.49 billion (2001) $64 million (1999)
Dependency status - part of the Kingdom of Denmark; self-governing overseas administrative division of Denmark since 1948
Diplomatic representation from the US chief of mission: Ambassador Patricia M. HASLACH


embassy: 19 Rue Bartholonie, That Dam Road, Vientiane


mailing address: American Embassy Vientiane, Box V, APO AP 96546


telephone: [856] 21-26 7000


FAX: [856] 21-26 7074
none (self-governing overseas administrative division of Denmark)
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 (self-governing overseas administrative division of Denmark)
Disputes - international Southeast Asian states have enhanced border surveillance to check the spread of avian flu; talks continue on completion of demarcation with Thailand but disputes remain over several areas along Mekong River and Thai squatters; concern among Mekong Commission members that China's construction of dams on the Mekong River will affect water levels Faroese are considering proposals for full independence
Economic aid - recipient $243 million (2001 est.) $135 million (annual subsidy from Denmark) (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, though the government is sponsoring major improvements in the road system with possible support from Japan. Electricity is available in only a few urban areas. Subsistence agriculture, dominated by rice, accounts for about half of GDP and provides 80% of total employment. The economy will continue to benefit from aid by the IMF and other international sources and from new foreign investment in food processing and mining. Construction will be another strong economic driver, especially as hydroelectric dam and road projects gain steam. In late 2004, Laos gained Normal Trade Relations status with the US, allowing Laos-based producers to face lower tariffs on exports. This new status may help spur growth. In addition, the European Union has agreed to provide $1 million to the Lao Government for technical assistance in preparations for WTO membership. If the avian flu worsens and spreads in the region, however, prospects for tourism could dim. The Faroese economy has had a strong performance since 1994, mostly as a result of increasing fish landings and high and stable export prices. Unemployment is falling and there are signs of labor shortages in several sectors. The positive economic development has helped the Faroese Home Rule Government produce increasing budget surpluses which in turn help to reduce the large public debt, most of it owed to Denmark. However, the total dependence on fishing makes the Faroese economy extremely vulnerable, and the present fishing efforts appear in excess of what is required to ensure a sustainable level of fishing in the long term. Oil finds close to the Faroese area give hope for deposits in the immediate Faroese area, which may eventually lay the basis for a more diversified economy and thus less dependence on Denmark and Danish economic assistance. Aided by a substantial annual subsidy (15% of GDP) from Denmark, the Faroese have a standard of living not far below the Danes and other Scandinavians.
Electricity - consumption 3.298 billion kWh (2003) 158.1 million kWh (1999)
Electricity - exports 435 million kWh (2003) 0 kWh (1999)
Electricity - imports 230 million kWh (2003) 0 kWh (1999)
Electricity - production 3.767 billion kWh (2003) 170 million kWh (1999)
Electricity - production by source - fossil fuel:
58.82%

hydro:
41.18%

nuclear:
0%

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


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

highest point:
Slaettaratindur 882 m
Environment - current issues unexploded ordnance; deforestation; soil erosion; most of the population does not have access to potable water NA
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% Scandinavian
Exchange rates kips per US dollar - 10,820 (2005), 10,585.5 (2004), 10,569 (2003), 10,056.3 (2002), 8,954.6 (2001) Danish kroner per US dollar - 7.951 (January 2001), 8.093 (2000), 6.976 (1999), 6.701 (1998), 6.604 (1997), 5.799 (1966)
Executive branch chief of state: President Lt. Gen. CHOUMMALI Saignason (since 8 June 2006) and Vice President BOUN-GNANG Volachit (since 8 June 2006)


head of government: Prime Minister BOUASONE Bouphavanh (since 8 June 2006); Deputy Prime Minister Maj. Gen. ASANG Laoli (since May 2002), Deputy Prime Minister Maj. Gen. DOUANGCHAI Phichit [since 8 June 2006], Deputy Prime Minister SOMSAVAT Lengsavat (since 26 February 1998), and Deputy Prime Minister THONGLOUN Sisolit (since 27 March 2001)


cabinet: Council of Ministers appointed by the president, approved by the National Assembly


elections: president and vice president elected by the National Assembly for five-year terms; election last held 8 June 2006 (next to be held in 2011); prime minister nominated by the president and elected by the National Assembly for a five-year term


election results: CHOUMMALI Saignason elected president; BOUN-GNANG Volachit elected vice president; percent of National Assembly vote - 100%; BOUASONE Bouphavanh elected prime minister; percent of National Assembly vote - 97%
chief of state:
Queen MARGRETHE II of Denmark (since 14 January 1972), represented by High Commissioner Ms. Vibeke LARSEN, chief administrative officer (since NA)

head of government:
Prime Minister Anfinn KALLSBERG (since 15 May 1998)

cabinet:
Landsstyri appointed by the prime minister

elections:
the monarch is hereditary; high commissioner appointed by the monarch; following legislative elections, the leader of the party that wins the most seats is usually elected prime minister by the Faroese Parliament; election last held 30 April 1998 (next to be held no later than April 2002)

election results:
Anfinn KALLSBERG elected prime minister; percent of parliamentary vote - 52.8%

note:
coalition of People's Party, Republican Party and Home Rule Party
Exports NA bbl/day $471 million (f.o.b., 1999)
Exports - commodities garments, wood products, coffee, electricity, tin fish and fish products 94%, stamps, ships (1999)
Exports - partners Thailand 29.6%, Vietnam 12%, France 6.1%, Germany 4.6% (2005) Denmark 32%, UK 21%, France 9%, Germany 7%, Iceland 5%, US 5% (1996)
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 white with a red cross outlined in blue that extends to the edges of the flag; the vertical part of the cross is shifted to the hoist side in the style of the Dannebrog (Danish flag)
GDP - purchasing power parity - $910 million (2000 est.)
GDP - composition by sector agriculture: 45.5%


industry: 28.7%


services: 25.8% (2005 est.)
agriculture:
27%

industry:
11%

services:
62% (1999)
GDP - per capita - purchasing power parity - $20,000 (2000 est.)
GDP - real growth rate 7.3% (2005 est.) 5% (2000 est.)
Geographic coordinates 18 00 N, 105 00 E 62 00 N, 7 00 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 archipelago of 17 inhabited islands and one uninhabited island, and a few uninhabited islets; strategically located along important sea lanes in northeastern Atlantic; precipitous terrain limits habitation to small coastal lowlands
Highways - total:
463 km

paved:
454 km

unpaved:
9 km (1999)
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 bbl/day $469 million (c.i.f., 1999)
Imports - commodities machinery and equipment, vehicles, fuel, consumer goods machinery and transport equipment 29%, consumer goods 36%, raw materials and semi-manufactures 32%, fuels, fish and salt (1999)
Imports - partners Thailand 66.1%, China 9%, Vietnam 6.7% (2005) Denmark 28%, Norway 26%, Germany 7%, UK 6% Sweden 5%, Iceland 4%, US (1999)
Independence 19 July 1949 (from France) none (part of the Kingdom of Denmark; self-governing overseas administrative division of Denmark)
Industrial production growth rate 13% (2005 est.) 8% (1999 est.)
Industries copper, tin, and gypsum mining; timber, electric power, agricultural processing, construction, garments, tourism, cement fishing, fish processing, shipbuilding, construction, handicrafts
Infant mortality rate total: 83.31 deaths/1,000 live births


male: 92.95 deaths/1,000 live births


female: 73.26 deaths/1,000 live births (2006 est.)
6.8 deaths/1,000 live births (2001 est.)
Inflation rate (consumer prices) 7% (2005 est.) 5.1% (1999)
International organization participation ACCT, APT, ARF, AsDB, ASEAN, CP, EAS, FAO, G-77, IBRD, ICAO, ICRM, IDA, IFAD, IFC, IFRCS, ILO, IMF, Interpol, IOC, IPU, ITU, MIGA, NAM, OIF, OPCW, PCA, UN, UNCTAD, UNESCO, UNIDO, UPU, WFTU, WHO, WIPO, WMO, WToO, WTO (observer) NC, NIB
Internet Service Providers (ISPs) - 2 (2000)
Irrigated land 1,750 sq km (2003) 0 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) none
Labor force 2.8 million (2002 est.) 24,250 (October 2000)
Labor force - by occupation agriculture: 80%


industry and services: 20% (1997 est.)
fishing, fish processing, and manufacturing 33%, construction and private services 33%, public services 34%
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: 4.01%


permanent crops: 0.34%


other: 95.65% (2005)
arable land:
6%

permanent crops:
0%

permanent pastures:
0%

forests and woodland:
0%

other:
94% (1996)
Languages Lao (official), French, English, and various ethnic languages Faroese (derived from Old Norse), Danish
Legal system based on traditional customs, French legal norms and procedures, and socialist practice Danish
Legislative branch unicameral National Assembly (115 seats; members elected by popular vote to serve five-year terms)


elections: last held 30 April 2006 (next to be held in 2011)


election results: percent of vote by party - NA; seats by party - LPRP 113, independents 2
unicameral Faroese Parliament or Logting (32 seats; members are elected by popular vote on a proportional basis from the seven constituencies to serve four-year terms)

elections:
last held 30 April 1998 (next to be held not later than April 2002)

election results:
percent of vote by party - Republican Party 23.8%, People's Party 21.3%, Social Democratic Party 21.9%, Union Party 18%, Home Rue Party 7.7%, Center Party 4.1%; seats by party - Republican Party 8, People's Party 8, Social Democratic Party 7, Union Party 6, Home Rule Party 2, Center Party 1

note:
election of 2 seats to the Danish Parliament was last held on 11 March 1998 (next to be held not later than March 2002); results - percent of vote by party - NA; seats by party - Social Democratic Party 1, People's Party 1
Life expectancy at birth total population: 55.49 years


male: 53.45 years


female: 57.61 years (2006 est.)
total population:
78.59 years

male:
75.12 years

female:
82.06 years
Literacy definition: age 15 and over can read and write


total population: 66.4%


male: 77.4%


female: 55.5% (2002)
definition:
NA

total population:
NA%

male:
NA%

female:
NA%

note:
similar to Denmark proper
Location Southeastern Asia, northeast of Thailand, west of Vietnam Northern Europe, island group between the Norwegian Sea and the North Atlantic Ocean, about one-half of the way from Iceland to Norway
Map references Southeast Asia Europe
Maritime claims none (landlocked) continental shelf:
200 NM or agreed boundaries or median line

exclusive fishing zone:
200 NM or agreed boundaries or median line

territorial sea:
3 NM
Merchant marine total: 1 ship (1000 GRT or over) 2,370 GRT/3,110 DWT


by type: cargo 1 (2006)
total:
6 ships (1,000 GRT or over) totaling 23,247 GRT/11,736 DWT

ships by type:
cargo 2, petroleum tanker 1, refrigerated cargo 1, roll on/roll off 1, short-sea passenger 1 (2000 est.)
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) defense is the responsibility of Denmark
Military branches Lao People's Army (LPA; includes Riverine Force), Air Force defense is the responsibility of Denmark; no organized native military forces; only a small Police Force and Coast Guard are maintained
Military expenditures - dollar figure $11.04 million (2005 est.) $NA
Military expenditures - percent of GDP 0.4% (2005 est.) NA%
National holiday Republic Day, 2 December (1975) Olaifest, 29 July
Nationality noun: Lao(s) or Laotian(s)


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

adjective:
Faroese
Natural hazards floods, droughts NA
Natural resources timber, hydropower, gypsum, tin, gold, gemstones fish, whales, hydropower
Net migration rate 0 migrant(s)/1,000 population (2006 est.) 2.89 migrant(s)/1,000 population (2001 est.)
Pipelines refined products 540 km (2006) -
Political parties and leaders Lao People's Revolutionary Party or LPRP [CHOUMMALY Sayasone]; other parties proscribed Center Party [Jenis A. RANA]; Home Rule Party [Helena Dam a NEYSTABO]; People's Party [Oli BRECKMANN]; Republican Party [Hogni HOYDAL]; Social Democratic Party [Joannes EIDESGAARD]; Union Party [Edmund JOENSEN]
Political pressure groups and leaders noncommunist political groups proscribed; most opposition leaders fled the country in 1975 NA
Population 6,368,481 (July 2006 est.) 45,661 (July 2001 est.)
Population below poverty line 34% (2005 est.) NA%
Population growth rate 2.39% (2006 est.) 0.78% (2001 est.)
Ports and harbors - Torshavn, Klaksvik, Tvoroyri, Runavik, Fuglafjorour
Radio broadcast stations AM 7, FM 13, shortwave 2 (2006) AM 1, FM 13, shortwave 0 (1998)
Radios - 26,000 (1997)
Railways - 0 km
Religions Buddhist 60%, animist and other 40% (including various Christian denominations 1.5%) Evangelical Lutheran
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: 0.81 male(s)/female


total population: 0.98 male(s)/female (2006 est.)
at birth:
1 male(s)/female

under 15 years:
1.01 male(s)/female

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

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

total population:
1.06 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; 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:
good international communications; good domestic facilities

domestic:
digitalization was completed in 1998; both NMT (analog) and GSM (digital) mobile telephone systems are installed

international:
satellite earth stations - 1 Orion; 1 fiber-optic submarine cable to the Shetland Islands, linking the Faroe Islands with Denmark and Iceland; fiber-optic submarine cable connection to Canada-Europe cable
Telephones - main lines in use 90,067 (2006) 24,851 (1999)
Telephones - mobile cellular 520,546 (2006) 10,761 (1999)
Television broadcast stations 7; note - including one station relaying Vietnam Television from Hanoi (2006) 3 (plus 43 low-power repeaters) (September 1995)
Terrain mostly rugged mountains; some plains and plateaus rugged, rocky, some low peaks; cliffs along most of coast
Total fertility rate 4.68 children born/woman (2006 est.) 2.3 children born/woman (2001 est.)
Unemployment rate 2.4% (2005 est.) 1% (October 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 (2005)
none
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