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Compare Laos (2008) - Guyana (2002)

Compare Laos (2008) z Guyana (2002)

 Laos (2008)Guyana (2002)
 LaosGuyana
Administrative divisions 16 provinces (khoueng, singular and plural) and 1 capital city* (nakhon luang, singular and plural); Attapu, Bokeo, Bolikhamxai, Champasak, Houaphan, Khammouan, Louangnamtha, Louangphrabang, Oudomxai, Phongsali, Salavan, Savannakhet, Viangchan (Vientiane)*, Viangchan, Xaignabouli, Xekong, Xiangkhoang 10 regions; Barima-Waini, Cuyuni-Mazaruni, Demerara-Mahaica, East Berbice-Corentyne, Essequibo Islands-West Demerara, Mahaica-Berbice, Pomeroon-Supenaam, Potaro-Siparuni, Upper Demerara-Berbice, Upper Takutu-Upper Essequibo
Age structure 0-14 years: 41.2% (male 1,349,352/female 1,338,252)


15-64 years: 55.7% (male 1,795,029/female 1,835,168)


65 years and over: 3.1% (male 90,188/female 114,009) (2007 est.)
0-14 years: 27.6% (male 98,198; female 94,397)


15-64 years: 67.4% (male 237,324; female 233,400)


65 years and over: 5% (male 15,510; female 19,380) (2002 est.)
Agriculture - products sweet potatoes, vegetables, corn, coffee, sugarcane, tobacco, cotton, tea, peanuts, rice; water buffalo, pigs, cattle, poultry sugar, rice, wheat, vegetable oils; beef, pork, poultry, dairy products; fish (shrimp)
Airports 42 (2007) 51 (2001)
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 (2007)
total: 8


1,524 to 2,437 m: 3


914 to 1,523 m: 1


under 914 m: 5 (2002)
Airports - with unpaved runways total: 33


1,524 to 2,437 m: 1


914 to 1,523 m: 9


under 914 m: 23 (2007)
total: 43


1,524 to 2,437 m: 1


914 to 1,523 m: 8


under 914 m: 34 (2002)
Area total: 236,800 sq km


land: 230,800 sq km


water: 6,000 sq km
total: 214,970 sq km


land: 196,850 sq km


water: 18,120 sq km
Area - comparative slightly larger than Utah slightly smaller than Idaho
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 had influence reaching into present-day Cambodia and Thailand, as well as over all of what is now Laos. After centuries of gradual decline, Laos came under the domination 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. Originally a Dutch colony in the 17th century, by 1815 Guyana had become a British possession. The abolition of slavery led to black settlement of urban areas and the importation of indentured servants from India to work the sugar plantations. This ethnocultural divide has persisted and has led to turbulent politics. Guyana achieved independence from the UK in 1966, but until the early 1990s it was ruled mostly by socialist-oriented governments. In 1992, Cheddi JAGAN was elected president, in what is considered the country's first free and fair election since independence. Upon his death five years later, he was succeeded by his wife Janet, who resigned in 1999 due to poor health. Her successor, Bharrat JAGDEO, was reelected in 2001.
Birth rate 34.98 births/1,000 population (2007 est.) 17.89 births/1,000 population (2002 est.)
Budget revenues: $470.4 million


expenditures: $643.5 million (2007 est.)
revenues: $227 million


expenditures: $235.2 million, including capital expenditures of $93.4 million (2000) (2000)
Capital name: Vientiane


geographic coordinates: 17 58 N, 102 36 E


time difference: UTC+7 (12 hours ahead of Washington, DC during Standard Time)
Georgetown
Climate tropical monsoon; rainy season (May to November); dry season (December to April) tropical; hot, humid, moderated by northeast trade winds; two rainy seasons (May to mid-August, mid-November to mid-January)
Coastline 0 km (landlocked) 459 km
Constitution promulgated 14 August 1991 6 October 1980
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: Co-operative Republic of Guyana


conventional short form: Guyana


former: British Guiana
Currency - Guyanese dollar (GYD)
Death rate 11.28 deaths/1,000 population (2007 est.) 9.33 deaths/1,000 population (2002 est.)
Debt - external $3.179 billion (2006) $1.1 billion (2000) (2000)
Diplomatic representation from the US chief of mission: Ambassador Ravic R. HUSO


embassy: 19 Rue Bartholonie, That Dam, Vientiane


mailing address: American Embassy Vientiane, APO AP 96546


telephone: [856] 21-26-7000


FAX: [856] 21-26-7190
chief of mission: Ambassador Ronald D. GODARD


embassy: 100 Young and Duke Streets, Kingston, Georgetown


mailing address: P. O. Box 10507, Georgetown


telephone: [592] 225-4900 through 4909


FAX: [592] 225-8497
Diplomatic representation in the US chief of mission: Ambassador PHIANE Philakone


chancery: 2222 S Street NW, Washington, DC 20008


telephone: [1] (202) 332-6416


FAX: [1] (202) 332-4923
chief of mission: Ambassador Dr. Ali Odeen ISHMAEL


chancery: 2490 Tracy Place NW, Washington, DC 20008


telephone: [1] (202) 265-6900


FAX: [1] (202) 232-1297


consulate(s) general: New York
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 islands in the Mekong River; concern among Mekong Commission members that China's construction of dams on the Mekong River will affect water levels all of the area west of the Essequibo (river) claimed by Venezuela; Suriname claims area between New (Upper Courantyne) and Courantyne/Kutari [Koetari] rivers (all headwaters of the Courantyne); territorial sea boundary with Suriname is in dispute
Economic aid - recipient $379 million (2006 est.) $84 million (1995), Heavily Indebted Poor Country Initiative (HIPC) $253 million (1997)
Economy - overview The government of Laos, one of the few remaining one-party Communist states, began decentralizing control and encouraging private enterprise in 1986. The results, starting from an extremely low base, were striking - growth averaged 6% per year in 1988-2007 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 underdeveloped infrastructure, particularly in rural areas. 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 support from Japan and China. Electricity is available in urban areas and in most rural districts. Subsistence agriculture, dominated by rice, accounts for about 40% of GDP and provides 80% of total employment. The economy will continue to benefit from aid from international donors and from foreign investment in hydropower and mining. Construction will be another strong economic driver, especially as hydroelectric dam and road projects gain steam. Several policy changes since 2004 may help spur growth. In late 2004, Laos gained Normal Trade Relations status with the US, allowing Laos-based producers to benefit from lower tariffs on exports. Laos is taking steps to join the World Trade Organization in the next few years; the resulting trade policy reforms will improve the business environment. On the fiscal side, a value-added tax (VAT) regime, slated to begin in 2008, should help streamline the government's inefficient tax system. The Guyanese economy has exhibited moderate economic growth since 1999, based on an expansion in the agricultural and mining sectors, a more favorable atmosphere for business initiatives, a more realistic exchange rate, fairly low inflation, and the continued support of international organizations. Chronic problems include a shortage of skilled labor and a deficient infrastructure. The government is juggling a sizable external debt against the urgent need for expanded public investment. Low prices for key mining and agricultural commodities combined with troubles in the bauxite and sugar industries threaten the government's already tenuous fiscal position and dim prospects for 2002.
Electricity - consumption 1.193 billion kWh (2005) 469.65 million kWh (2000)
Electricity - exports 728 million kWh (2005) 0 kWh (2000)
Electricity - imports 326 million kWh (2005) 0 kWh (2000)
Electricity - production 1.715 billion kWh (2005) 505 million kWh (2000)
Electricity - production by source - fossil fuel: 99%


hydro: 1%


nuclear: 0%


other: 0% (2000)
Elevation extremes lowest point: Mekong River 70 m


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


highest point: Mount Roraima 2,835 m
Environment - current issues unexploded ordnance; deforestation; soil erosion; most of the population does not have access to potable water water pollution from sewage and agricultural and industrial chemicals; deforestation
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, Hazardous Wastes, Law of the Sea, Ozone Layer Protection, Ship Pollution, Tropical Timber 83, Tropical Timber 94


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% East Indian 50%, black 36%, Amerindian 7%, white, Chinese, and mixed 7%
Exchange rates kips per US dollar - 9,658 (2007), 10,235 (2006), 10,820 (2005), 10,585.5 (2004), 10,569 (2003) Guyanese dollars per US dollar - 189.5 (December 2001), 187.3 (2001), 182.4 (2000), 178.0 (1999), 150.5 (1998), 142.4 (1997)
Executive branch chief of state: President Lt. Gen. CHOUMMALI Saignason (since 8 June 2006); Vice President BOUN-GNANG Volachit (since 8 June 2006)


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


cabinet: Ministers appointed by president, approved by National Assembly


elections: president and vice president elected by National Assembly for five-year terms; election last held 8 June 2006 (next to be held in 2011); prime minister nominated by president and elected by National Assembly for 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: President Bharrat JAGDEO (since 11 August 1999); note - assumed presidency after resignation of President JAGAN


head of government: Prime Minister Samuel HINDS (since NA December 1997)


cabinet: Cabinet of Ministers appointed by the president, responsible to the legislature


elections: president elected by the majority party in the National Assembly following legislative elections, which must be held at least every five years; elections last held 19 March 2001 (next to be held by March 2006); prime minister appointed by the president


election results: President Bharrat JAGDEO reelected; percent of legislative vote - NA%
Exports 0 bbl/day (2004) $505 million f.o.b. (2000)
Exports - commodities wood products, coffee, electricity, tin, copper, gold sugar, gold, bauxite/alumina, rice, shrimp, molasses, rum, timber
Exports - partners Thailand 42.1%, Vietnam 9.5%, China 4% (2006) Canada 22%, US 22%, UK 18%, Netherlands Antilles 11% (1999)
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 green, with a red isosceles triangle (based on the hoist side) superimposed on a long, yellow arrowhead; there is a narrow, black border between the red and yellow, and a narrow, white border between the yellow and the green
GDP - purchasing power parity - $2.5 billion (2000 est.)
GDP - composition by sector agriculture: 41.2%


industry: 32.5%


services: 26.3% (2007 est.)
agriculture: 36%


industry: 32%


services: 32% (2000) (2000)
GDP - per capita - purchasing power parity - $3,600 (2000 est.)
GDP - real growth rate 7% (2007 est.) 2.8% (2001 est.)
Geographic coordinates 18 00 N, 105 00 E 5 00 N, 59 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 the third-smallest country in South America after Suriname and Uruguay; substantial portions of its western and eastern territories are claimed by Venezuela and Suriname respectively
Highways - total: 7,970 km


paved: 590 km


unpaved: 7,380 km (1996)
Household income or consumption by percentage share lowest 10%: 3.4%


highest 10%: 28.5% (2002)
lowest 10%: NA%


highest 10%: NA%
Illicit drugs estimated opium poppy cultivation in 2005 was 5,600 hectares, about a 45% decrease from 2004; estimated potential opium production in 2005 was 28 metric tons, a significant decrease from 200 metric tons in 2003; unsubstantiated reports of domestic methamphetamine production; growing domestic methamphetamine problem transshipment point for narcotics from South America - primarily Venezuela - to Europe and the US; producer of cannabis
Imports 2,898 bbl/day (2004) $585 million c.i.f. (2000)
Imports - commodities machinery and equipment, vehicles, fuel, consumer goods manufactures, machinery, petroleum, food
Imports - partners Thailand 68.8%, China 11.3%, Vietnam 5.6% (2006) US 29%, Trinidad and Tobago 18%, Netherlands Antilles 16%, UK 7% (1999)
Independence 19 July 1949 (from France) 26 May 1966 (from UK)
Industrial production growth rate 12% (2007 est.) 7.1% (1997 est.)
Industries copper, tin, gold, and gypsum mining; timber, electric power, agricultural processing, construction, garments, tourism, cement bauxite, sugar, rice milling, timber, textiles, gold mining
Infant mortality rate total: 81.44 deaths/1,000 live births


male: 90.91 deaths/1,000 live births


female: 71.56 deaths/1,000 live births (2007 est.)
38.37 deaths/1,000 live births (2002 est.)
Inflation rate (consumer prices) 5% (2007 est.) 6% (2001 est.)
International organization participation ACCT, ADB, APT, ARF, ASEAN, CP, EAS, FAO, G-77, IBRD, ICAO, ICRM, IDA, IFAD, IFC, IFRCS, ILO, IMF, Interpol, IOC, IPU, ISO (subscriber), ITU, MIGA, NAM, OIF, OPCW, PCA, UN, UNCTAD, UNESCO, UNIDO, UNWTO, UPU, WCO, WFTU, WHO, WIPO, WMO, WTO (observer) ACP, C, Caricom, CCC, CDB, ECLAC, FAO, G-77, IADB, IBRD, ICAO, ICFTU, ICRM, IDA, IFAD, IFC, IFRCS, ILO, IMF, IMO, Interpol, IOC, ISO (subscriber), ITU, LAES, NAM, OAS, OIC, OPANAL, OPCW, PCA, RG, UN, UNCTAD, UNESCO, UNIDO, UPU, WCL, WFTU, WHO, WIPO, WMO, WTrO
Internet Service Providers (ISPs) - 3 (2000)
Irrigated land 1,750 sq km (2003) 1,500 sq km (1998 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 Judicature; Judicial Court of Appeal; High Court
Labor force 2.1 million (2006 est.) 418,000 (2001 est.)
Labor force - by occupation agriculture: 80%


industry and services: 20% (2005 est.)
agriculture NA%, industry NA%, services NA%
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: 2,462 km


border countries: Brazil 1,119 km, Suriname 600 km, Venezuela 743 km
Land use arable land: 4.01%


permanent crops: 0.34%


other: 95.65% (2005)
arable land: 2.44%


permanent crops: 0.08%


other: 97.48% (1998 est.)
Languages Lao (official), French, English, and various ethnic languages English, Amerindian dialects, Creole, Hindi, Urdu
Legal system based on traditional customs, French legal norms and procedures, and socialist practice; has not accepted compulsory ICJ jurisdiction based on English common law with certain admixtures of Roman-Dutch law; has not accepted compulsory ICJ jurisdiction
Legislative branch unicameral National Assembly (115 seats; members elected by popular vote from a list of candidates selected by the Lao People's Revolutionary Party 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 National Assembly (68 seats, 65 elected by popular vote, 1 elected Speaker of the National Assembly, and 2 nonvoting members appointed by the president; members serve five-year terms)


elections: last held 19 March 2001 (next to be held NA March 2006)


election results: percent of vote by party - NA%; seats by party - PPP/C 34, PNC 27, GAP and WPA 2, ROAR 1, TUF 1
Life expectancy at birth total population: 55.89 years


male: 53.82 years


female: 58.04 years (2007 est.)
total population: 62.59 years


male: 59.96 years


female: 65.34 years (2002 est.)
Literacy definition: age 15 and over can read and write


total population: 68.7%


male: 77%


female: 60.9% (2001 est.)
definition: age 15 and over has ever attended school


total population: 98.1%


male: 98.6%


female: 97.5% (1995 est.)
Location Southeastern Asia, northeast of Thailand, west of Vietnam Northern South America, bordering the North Atlantic Ocean, between Suriname and Venezuela
Map references Southeast Asia South America
Maritime claims none (landlocked) continental shelf: 200 NM or to the outer edge of the continental margin


exclusive economic zone: 200 NM


territorial sea: 12 NM
Merchant marine total: 1 ship (1000 GRT or over) 2,370 GRT/3,110 DWT


by type: cargo 1 (2007)
total: 2 ships (1,000 GRT or over) totaling 2,929 GRT/4,507 DWT


ships by type: cargo 2 (2002 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) -
Military branches Lao People's Armed Forces (LPAF): Lao People's Army (LPA; includes Riverine Force), Air Force (2008) Guyana Defense Force (including Ground Forces, Coast Guard, and Air Corps), Guyana Police Force, Guyana People's Militia, Guyana National Service
Military expenditures - dollar figure - $NA
Military expenditures - percent of GDP 0.5% (2006) NA%
Military manpower - availability - males age 15-49: 206,199 (2002 est.)
Military manpower - fit for military service - males age 15-49: 155,058 (2002 est.)
National holiday Republic Day, 2 December (1975) Republic Day, 23 February (1970)
Nationality noun: Lao(s) or Laotian(s)


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


adjective: Guyanese
Natural hazards floods, droughts flash floods are a constant threat during rainy seasons
Natural resources timber, hydropower, gypsum, tin, gold, gemstones bauxite, gold, diamonds, hardwood timber, shrimp, fish
Net migration rate 0 migrant(s)/1,000 population (2007 est.) -6.28 migrant(s)/1,000 population (2002 est.)
Pipelines refined products 540 km (2007) -
Political parties and leaders Lao People's Revolutionary Party or LPRP [CHOUMMALI Saignason]; other parties proscribed Alliance for Guyana or AFG (includes Guyana Labor Party or GLP and Working People's Alliance or WPA) [Rupert ROOPNARAINE]; Guyana Action Party or GAP [Paul HARDY]; Guyana Labor Party or GLP [leader NA]; People's National Congress or PNC [Hugh Desmond HOYTE]; People's Progressive Party/Civic or PPP/C [Bharrat JAGDEO]; Rise, Organize, and Rebuild or ROAR [Ravi DEV]; The United Force or TUF [Manzoor NADIR]; Working People's Alliance or WPA [Rupert ROOPNARAINE]
Political pressure groups and leaders political parties and groups other than LPRP are proscribed Civil Liberties Action Committee or CLAC; Guyana Council of Indian Organizations or GCIO; Trades Union Congress or TUC


note: the GCIO and the CLAC are small and active but not well organized
Population 6,521,998 (July 2007 est.) 698,209


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 2002 est.)
Population below poverty line 30.7% (2005 est.) NA%
Population growth rate 2.37% (2007 est.) 0.23% (2002 est.)
Ports and harbors - Bartica, Georgetown, Linden, New Amsterdam, Parika
Radio broadcast stations AM 7, FM 14, shortwave 2 (2006) AM 3, FM 3, shortwave 1 (1998)
Radios - 420,000 (1997)
Railways - total: 187 km


standard gauge: 139 km 1.435-m gauge


narrow gauge: 48 km 0.914-m gauge


note: all dedicated to ore transport (2001 est.)
Religions Buddhist 65%, animist 32.9%, Christian 1.3%, other and unspecified 0.8% (1995 census) Christian 50%, Hindu 35%, Muslim 10%, other 5%
Sex ratio at birth: 1.04 male(s)/female


under 15 years: 1.008 male(s)/female


15-64 years: 0.978 male(s)/female


65 years and over: 0.791 male(s)/female


total population: 0.984 male(s)/female (2007 est.)
at birth: 1.05 male(s)/female


under 15 years: 1.04 male(s)/female


15-64 years: 1.02 male(s)/female


65 years and over: 0.8 male(s)/female


total population: 1.01 male(s)/female (2002 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: multiple service providers; combined fixed-line and mobile-cellular subscribership about 10 per 100 persons


international: country code - 856; satellite earth station - 1 Intersputnik (Indian Ocean region)
general assessment: fair system for long-distance calling


domestic: microwave radio relay network for trunk lines


international: tropospheric scatter to Trinidad; satellite earth station - 1 Intelsat (Atlantic Ocean)
Telephones - main lines in use 90,067 (2006) 70,000 (2000)
Telephones - mobile cellular 638,200 (2006) 6,100 (2000)
Television broadcast stations 7 (includes 1 station relaying Vietnam Television from Hanoi) (2006) 3 (one public station; two private stations which relay US satellite services) (1997)
Terrain mostly rugged mountains; some plains and plateaus mostly rolling highlands; low coastal plain; savanna in south
Total fertility rate 4.59 children born/woman (2007 est.) 2.09 children born/woman (2002 est.)
Unemployment rate 2.4% (2005 est.) 9.1% (2000) (understated) (2000)
Waterways 4,600 km


note: primarily Mekong and tributaries; 2,900 additional km are intermittently navigable by craft drawing less than 0.5 m (2007)
5,900 km (total length of navigable waterways)


note: Berbice, Demerara, and Essequibo rivers are navigable by oceangoing vessels for 150 km, 100 km, and 80 km, respectively
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