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Compare Laos (2008) - Madagascar (2001)

Compare Laos (2008) z Madagascar (2001)

 Laos (2008)Madagascar (2001)
 LaosMadagascar
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 6 provinces (faritany); Antananarivo, Antsiranana, Fianarantsoa, Mahajanga, Toamasina, Toliara
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:
45.02% (male 3,607,803; female 3,587,532)

15-64 years:
51.77% (male 4,093,720; female 4,180,430)

65 years and over:
3.21% (male 239,839; female 273,239) (2001 est.)
Agriculture - products sweet potatoes, vegetables, corn, coffee, sugarcane, tobacco, cotton, tea, peanuts, rice; water buffalo, pigs, cattle, poultry coffee, vanilla, sugarcane, cloves, cocoa, rice, cassava (tapioca), beans, bananas, peanuts; livestock products
Airports 42 (2007) 130 (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 (2007)
total:
29

over 3,047 m:
1

2,438 to 3,047 m:
2

1,524 to 2,437 m:
5

914 to 1,523 m:
19

under 914 m:
2 (2000 est.)
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:
101

1,524 to 2,437 m:
2

914 to 1,523 m:
56

under 914 m:
43 (2000 est.)
Area total: 236,800 sq km


land: 230,800 sq km


water: 6,000 sq km
total:
587,040 sq km

land:
581,540 sq km

water:
5,500 sq km
Area - comparative slightly larger than Utah slightly less than twice the size of Arizona
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. Formerly an independent kingdom, Madagascar became a French colony in 1886, but regained its independence in 1960. During 1992-93, free presidential and National Assembly elections were held, ending 17 years of single-party rule. In 1997 in the second presidential race, Didier RATSIRAKA, the leader during the 1970s and 1980s, was returned to the presidency.
Birth rate 34.98 births/1,000 population (2007 est.) 42.66 births/1,000 population (2001 est.)
Budget revenues: $470.4 million


expenditures: $643.5 million (2007 est.)
revenues:
$553 million

expenditures:
$735 million, including capital expenditures of $NA (1998 est.)
Capital name: Vientiane


geographic coordinates: 17 58 N, 102 36 E


time difference: UTC+7 (12 hours ahead of Washington, DC during Standard Time)
Antananarivo
Climate tropical monsoon; rainy season (May to November); dry season (December to April) tropical along coast, temperate inland, arid in south
Coastline 0 km (landlocked) 4,828 km
Constitution promulgated 14 August 1991 19 August 1992 by national referendum
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 Madagascar

conventional short form:
Madagascar

local long form:
Republique de Madagascar

local short form:
Madagascar

former:
Malagasy Republic
Currency - Malagasy franc (MGF)
Death rate 11.28 deaths/1,000 population (2007 est.) 12.42 deaths/1,000 population (2001 est.)
Debt - external $3.179 billion (2006) $4.4 billion (1999)
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 Shirley E. BARNES

embassy:
14-16 Rue Rainitovo, Antsahavola, Antananarivo

mailing address:
B. P. 620, Antsahavola, Antananarivo

telephone:
[261] (20) 22-212-57

FAX:
[261] (20) 22-345-39
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 Zina ANDRIANARIVELO-RAZAFY

chancery:
2374 Massachusetts Avenue NW, Washington, DC 20008

telephone:
[1] (202) 265-5525, 5526

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 claims Bassas da India, Europa Island, Glorioso Islands, Juan de Nova Island, and Tromelin Island (all administered by France)
Economic aid - recipient $379 million (2006 est.) $838 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. Madagascar faces problems of chronic malnutrition, underfunded health and education facilities, a roughly 3% annual population growth rate, and severe loss of forest cover, accompanied by erosion. Agriculture, including fishing and forestry, is the mainstay of the economy, accounting for 30% of GDP and contributing more than 70% to export earnings. Industry features textile manufacturing and the processing of agricultural products. Growth in output in 1992-97 averaged less than the growth rate of the population. Growth has been held back by antigovernment strikes and demonstrations, a decline in world coffee prices, and the erratic commitment of the government to economic reform. The extent of government reforms, outside financial aid, and foreign investment will be key determinants of future growth. For 2001, growth should again be about 5%.
Electricity - consumption 1.193 billion kWh (2005) 753.3 million kWh (1999)
Electricity - exports 728 million kWh (2005) 0 kWh (1999)
Electricity - imports 326 million kWh (2005) 0 kWh (1999)
Electricity - production 1.715 billion kWh (2005) 810 million kWh (1999)
Electricity - production by source - fossil fuel:
37.04%

hydro:
62.96%

nuclear:
0%

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


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

highest point:
Maromokotro 2,876 m
Environment - current issues unexploded ordnance; deforestation; soil erosion; most of the population does not have access to potable water soil erosion results from deforestation and overgrazing; desertification; surface water contaminated with raw sewage and other organic wastes; several species of flora and fauna unique to the island are endangered
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, 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% Malayo-Indonesian (Merina and related Betsileo), Cotiers (mixed African, Malayo-Indonesian, and Arab ancestry - Betsimisaraka, Tsimihety, Antaisaka, Sakalava), French, Indian, Creole, Comoran
Exchange rates kips per US dollar - 9,658 (2007), 10,235 (2006), 10,820 (2005), 10,585.5 (2004), 10,569 (2003) Malagasy francs per US dollar - 6,656.3 (November 2000), 6,283.8 (1999), 5,441.4 (1998), 5,090.9 (1997), 4,061.3 (1996)
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 Didier RATSIRAKA (since 10 February 1997)

head of government:
Prime Minister Tantely Rene Gabriot ANDRIANARIVO (since NA 1998)

cabinet:
Council of Ministers appointed by the prime minister

elections:
president elected by popular vote for a five-year term; election last held 29 December 1996 (next to be held NA November 2001); prime minister appointed by the president from a list of candidates nominated by the National Assembly

election results:
Didier RATSIRAKA elected president; percent of vote - Didier RATSIRAKA (AREMA) 50.7%, Albert ZAFY (AFFA) 49.3%
Exports 0 bbl/day (2004) $538 million (f.o.b., 1998)
Exports - commodities wood products, coffee, electricity, tin, copper, gold coffee, vanilla, shellfish, sugar; cotton cloth, chromite, petroleum products
Exports - partners Thailand 42.1%, Vietnam 9.5%, China 4% (2006) France 41%, US 19%, Germany 13%, UK 8%, Japan 6% (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 two equal horizontal bands of red (top) and green with a vertical white band of the same width on hoist side
GDP - purchasing power parity - $12.3 billion (2000 est.)
GDP - composition by sector agriculture: 41.2%


industry: 32.5%


services: 26.3% (2007 est.)
agriculture:
30%

industry:
14%

services:
56% (1999 est.)
GDP - per capita - purchasing power parity - $800 (2000 est.)
GDP - real growth rate 7% (2007 est.) 4.8% (2000 est.)
Geographic coordinates 18 00 N, 105 00 E 20 00 S, 47 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 world's fourth-largest island; strategic location along Mozambique Channel
Highways - total:
49,837 km

paved:
5,781 km

unpaved:
44,056 km (1996)
Household income or consumption by percentage share lowest 10%: 3.4%


highest 10%: 28.5% (2002)
lowest 10%:
1.9%

highest 10%:
36.7% (1993)
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 illicit producer of cannabis (cultivated and wild varieties) used mostly for domestic consumption; transshipment point for heroin
Imports 2,898 bbl/day (2004) $693 million (f.o.b., 1998)
Imports - commodities machinery and equipment, vehicles, fuel, consumer goods intermediate manufactures, capital goods, petroleum, consumer goods, food
Imports - partners Thailand 68.8%, China 11.3%, Vietnam 5.6% (2006) France 34%, Hong Kong 6%, China 6%, Japan 5%, Singapore 4% (1999)
Independence 19 July 1949 (from France) 26 June 1960 (from France)
Industrial production growth rate 12% (2007 est.) 3% (2000 est.)
Industries copper, tin, gold, and gypsum mining; timber, electric power, agricultural processing, construction, garments, tourism, cement meat processing, soap, breweries, tanneries, sugar, textiles, glassware, cement, automobile assembly plant, paper, petroleum, tourism
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.)
83.58 deaths/1,000 live births (2001 est.)
Inflation rate (consumer prices) 5% (2007 est.) 10% (1999 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) ACCT, ACP, AfDB, CCC, ECA, FAO, G-77, IAEA, IBRD, ICAO, ICC, ICFTU, ICRM, IDA, IFAD, IFC, IFRCS, ILO, IMF, IMO, InOC, Intelsat, Interpol, IOC, IOM (observer), ISO (correspondent), ITU, NAM, OAU, OPCW, UN, UNCTAD, UNESCO, UNHCR, UNIDO, UPU, WCL, WFTU, WHO, WIPO, WMO, WToO, WTrO
Internet Service Providers (ISPs) - 2 (2000)
Irrigated land 1,750 sq km (2003) 10,870 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 or Cour Supreme; High Constitutional Court or Haute Cour Constitutionnelle
Labor force 2.1 million (2006 est.) 7 million (1999)
Labor force - by occupation agriculture: 80%


industry and services: 20% (2005 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: 4.01%


permanent crops: 0.34%


other: 95.65% (2005)
arable land:
4%

permanent crops:
1%

permanent pastures:
41%

forests and woodland:
40%

other:
14% (1993 est.)
Languages Lao (official), French, English, and various ethnic languages French (official), Malagasy (official)
Legal system based on traditional customs, French legal norms and procedures, and socialist practice; has not accepted compulsory ICJ jurisdiction based on French civil law system and traditional Malagasy 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 or Assemblee Nationale (150 seats; members are directly elected by popular vote to serve four-year terms); note - the legislature is scheduled to become a bicameral Parliament with the establishment of a Senate; two-thirds of the seats of this Senate will be filled by regional assemblies whose members will be elected by popular vote; the remaining one-third of the seats will be appointed by the president; the total number of seats will be determined by the National Assembly; all members will serve four-year terms

elections:
National Assembly - last held 17 May 1998 (next to be held NA 2002)

election results:
National Assembly - percent of vote by party - NA%; seats by party - AREMA 63, LEADER/Fanilo 16, AVI 14, RPSD 11, AFFA 6, MFM 3, AKFM/Fanavaozana 3, GRAD/Iloafo 1, Fihaonana 1, independents 32
Life expectancy at birth total population: 55.89 years


male: 53.82 years


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

male:
53.08 years

female:
57.68 years (2001 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 can read and write

total population:
80%

male:
88%

female:
73% (1990 est.)
Location Southeastern Asia, northeast of Thailand, west of Vietnam Southern Africa, island in the Indian Ocean, east of Mozambique
Map references Southeast Asia Africa
Maritime claims none (landlocked) contiguous zone:
24 NM

continental shelf:
200 NM or 100 NM from the 2,500-m deep isobath

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:
13 ships (1,000 GRT or over) totaling 24,819 GRT/34,173 DWT

ships by type:
cargo 7, chemical tanker 1, liquefied gas 1, petroleum tanker 2, roll on/roll off 2 (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) -
Military branches Lao People's Armed Forces (LPAF): Lao People's Army (LPA; includes Riverine Force), Air Force (2008) Popular Armed Forces (includes Intervention Forces, Development Forces, Aeronaval Forces - includes Navy and Air Force), Gendarmerie, Presidential Security Regiment
Military expenditures - dollar figure - $29 million (FY94)
Military expenditures - percent of GDP 0.5% (2006) 1% (FY94)
Military manpower - availability - males age 15-49:
3,640,554 (2001 est.)
Military manpower - fit for military service - males age 15-49:
2,159,767 (2001 est.)
Military manpower - military age - 20 years of age
Military manpower - reaching military age annually - males:
153,856 (2001 est.)
National holiday Republic Day, 2 December (1975) Independence Day, 26 June (1960)
Nationality noun: Lao(s) or Laotian(s)


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

adjective:
Malagasy
Natural hazards floods, droughts periodic cyclones
Natural resources timber, hydropower, gypsum, tin, gold, gemstones graphite, chromite, coal, bauxite, salt, quartz, tar sands, semiprecious stones, mica, fish, hydropower
Net migration rate 0 migrant(s)/1,000 population (2007 est.) 0 migrant(s)/1,000 population (2001 est.)
Pipelines refined products 540 km (2007) -
Political parties and leaders Lao People's Revolutionary Party or LPRP [CHOUMMALI Saignason]; other parties proscribed Action, Truth, Development, and Harmony or AFFA [Professor Albert ZAFY]; Association for the Rebirth of Madagascar or AREMA [leader vacant]; Congress Party for Malagasy Independence or AKFM/Fanavaozana; Economic Liberalism and Democratic Action for National Recovery or LEADER/Fanilo [Herizo RAZAFIMAHALEO]; Fihaonana Rally or Fihaonana [Guy RAZANAMASY]; Group of Reflection and Action for the Development of Madagascar or GRAD/Iloafo; Judged by Your Work or AVI [Norbert RATSIRAHONANA]; Movement for the Progress of Madagascar or MFM [Manandafy RAKOTONIRINA]; Renewal of the Social Democratic Party or RPSD [Evariste MARSON]; Tranobe (Big House) [Ny Hasina ANDRIAMANJATO]
Political pressure groups and leaders political parties and groups other than LPRP are proscribed Federalist Movement; National Council of Christian Churches or FFKM
Population 6,521,998 (July 2007 est.) 15,982,563 (July 2001 est.)
Population below poverty line 30.7% (2005 est.) 70% (1994 est.)
Population growth rate 2.37% (2007 est.) 3.02% (2001 est.)
Ports and harbors - Antsiranana, Antsohimbondrona, Mahajanga, Toamasina, Toliara
Radio broadcast stations AM 7, FM 14, shortwave 2 (2006) AM 2 (plus 8 repeater stations), FM 7, shortwave 5 (1998)
Radios - 3.05 million (1997)
Railways - total:
883 km

narrow gauge:
883 km 1.000-m gauge (1994)
Religions Buddhist 65%, animist 32.9%, Christian 1.3%, other and unspecified 0.8% (1995 census) indigenous beliefs 52%, Christian 41%, Muslim 7%
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:
1.03 male(s)/female

under 15 years:
1.01 male(s)/female

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

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

total population:
0.99 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: 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:
system is above average for the region

domestic:
open-wire lines, coaxial cables, microwave radio relay, and tropospheric scatter links

international:
submarine cable to Bahrain; satellite earth stations - 1 Intelsat (Indian Ocean) and 1 Intersputnik (Atlantic Ocean region)
Telephones - main lines in use 90,067 (2006) 43,000 (1997)
Telephones - mobile cellular 638,200 (2006) 4,000 (1997)
Television broadcast stations 7 (includes 1 station relaying Vietnam Television from Hanoi) (2006) 1 (plus 36 repeaters) (1997)
Terrain mostly rugged mountains; some plains and plateaus narrow coastal plain, high plateau and mountains in center
Total fertility rate 4.59 children born/woman (2007 est.) 5.8 children born/woman (2001 est.)
Unemployment rate 2.4% (2005 est.) NA%
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)
note:
of local importance only
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