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Compare Latvia (2001) - Brunei (2004)

Compare Latvia (2001) z Brunei (2004)

 Latvia (2001)Brunei (2004)
 LatviaBrunei
Administrative divisions 26 counties (singular - rajons) and 7 municipalities*: Aizkraukles Rajons, Aluksnes Rajons, Balvu Rajons, Bauskas Rajons, Cesu Rajons, Daugavpils*, Daugavpils Rajons, Dobeles Rajons, Gulbenes Rajons, Jekabpils Rajons, Jelgava*, Jelgavas Rajons, Jurmala*, Kraslavas Rajons, Kuldigas Rajons, Leipaja*, Liepajas Rajons, Limbazu Rajons, Ludzas Rajons, Madonas Rajons, Ogres Rajons, Preilu Rajons, Rezekne*, Rezeknes Rajons, Riga*, Rigas Rajons, Saldus Rajons, Talsu Rajons, Tukuma Rajons, Valkas Rajons, Valmieras Rajons, Ventspils*, Ventspils Rajons 4 districts (daerah-daerah, singular - daerah); Belait, Brunei and Muara, Temburong, Tutong
Age structure 0-14 years:
16.55% (male 201,746; female 193,036)

15-64 years:
68.15% (male 776,509; female 848,908)

65 years and over:
15.3% (male 118,110; female 246,922) (2001 est.)
0-14 years: 29.1% (male 54,243; female 52,013)


15-64 years: 68% (male 131,682; female 116,631)


65 years and over: 2.9% (male 5,035; female 5,647) (2004 est.)
Agriculture - products grain, sugar beets, potatoes, vegetables; beef, milk, eggs; fish rice, vegetables, fruits, chickens, water buffalo
Airports 25 (2000 est.) 2 (2003 est.)
Airports - with paved runways total:
13

2,438 to 3,047 m:
7

1,524 to 2,437 m:
1

914 to 1,523 m:
1

under 914 m:
4 (2000 est.)
total: 1


over 3,047 m: 1 (2004 est.)
Airports - with unpaved runways total:
12

2,438 to 3,047 m:
1

1,524 to 2,437 m:
2

914 to 1,523 m:
2

under 914 m:
7 (2000 est.)
total: 1


914 to 1,523 m: 1 (2004 est.)
Area total:
64,589 sq km

land:
64,589 sq km

water:
0 sq km
total: 5,770 sq km


land: 5,270 sq km


water: 500 sq km
Area - comparative slightly larger than West Virginia slightly smaller than Delaware
Background After a brief period of independence between the two World Wars, Latvia was annexed by the USSR in 1940. It reestablished its independence in 1991 following the breakup of the Soviet Union. Although the last Russian troops left in 1994, the status of the Russian minority (some 30% of the population) remains of concern to Moscow. Latvia continues to revamp its economy for eventual integration into various Western European political and economic institutions. The Sultanate of Brunei's influence peaked between the 15th and 17th centuries when its control extended over coastal areas of northwest Borneo and the southern Philippines. Brunei subsequently entered a period of decline brought on by internal strife over royal succession, colonial expansion of European powers, and piracy. In 1888, Brunei became a British protectorate; independence was achieved in 1984. The same family has ruled Brunei for over six centuries. Brunei benefits from extensive petroleum and natural gas fields, the source of one of the highest per capita GDPs in the developing world.
Birth rate 8.03 births/1,000 population (2001 est.) 19.33 births/1,000 population (2004 est.)
Budget revenues:
$1.33 billion

expenditures:
$1.27 billion, including capital expenditures of $NA (1998 est.)
revenues: $2.5 billion


expenditures: $2.6 billion, including capital expenditures of $1.35 billion (1997 est.)
Capital Riga Bandar Seri Begawan
Climate maritime; wet, moderate winters tropical; hot, humid, rainy
Coastline 531 km 161 km
Constitution the 1991 Constitutional Law which supplements the 1922 constitution, provides for basic rights and freedoms 29 September 1959 (some provisions suspended under a State of Emergency since December 1962, others since independence on 1 January 1984)
Country name conventional long form:
Republic of Latvia

conventional short form:
Latvia

local long form:
Latvijas Republika

local short form:
Latvija

former:
Latvian Soviet Socialist Republic
conventional long form: Negara Brunei Darussalam


conventional short form: Brunei
Currency Latvian lat (LVL) Bruneian dollar (BND)
Death rate 14.8 deaths/1,000 population (2001 est.) 3.4 deaths/1,000 population (2004 est.)
Debt - external $800 million (2000 est.) $0
Diplomatic representation from the US chief of mission:
Ambassador James H. HOLMES

embassy:
Raina Boulevard 7, LV-1510, Riga

mailing address:
American Embassy Riga, PSC 78, Box Riga, APO AE 09723

telephone:
[371] 721-0005

FAX:
[371] 782-0047
chief of mission: Ambassador Gene B. CHRISTY


embassy: Third Floor, Teck Guan Plaza, Jalan Sultan, Bandar Seri Begawan


mailing address: PSC 470 (BSB), FPO AP 96507


telephone: [673] (2) 229670


FAX: [673] (2) 225293
Diplomatic representation in the US chief of mission:
Ambassador Aivis RONIS

chancery:
4325 17th Street NW, Washington, DC 20011

telephone:
[1] (202) 726-8213, 8214

FAX:
[1] (202) 726-6785
chief of mission: Ambassador Pengiran Anak Dato PUTEH


chancery: 3520 International Court NW, Washington, DC 20008


telephone: [1] (202) 237-1838


FAX: [1] (202) 885-0560
Disputes - international draft treaty delimiting the boundary with Russia has not been signed; has not ratified 1998 maritime boundary agreement with Lithuania (primary concern is oil exploration rights) in 2003 Brunei and Malaysia ceased gas and oil exploration in their offshore and deepwater seabeds until negotiations progress to an agreement over allocation of disputed areas; Malaysia's land boundary with Brunei around Limbang is in dispute; Brunei established an exclusive economic fishing zone encompassing Louisa Reef in southern Spratly Islands in 1984 but makes no public territorial claim to the offshore reefs; the 2002 "Declaration on the Conduct of Parties in the South China Sea" has eased tensions in the Spratly Islands but falls short of a legally binding "code of conduct" desired by several of the disputants
Economic aid - recipient $96.2 million (1995) $4.3 million (1995)
Economy - overview In 2000, Latvia's transitional economy recovered from the 1998 Russian financial crisis, largely due to the SKELE government's budget stringency and a gradual reorientation of exports toward EU countries, lessening Latvia's trade dependency on Russia. Latvia officially joined the World Trade Organization in February 1999 - the first Baltic state to join - and was invited at the Helsinki EU Summit in December 1999 to begin accession talks in early 2000. Unemployment fell to 7.8% in 2000, down from 9.6% in 1999, and 9.2% in 1998. Privatization of large state-owned utilities and the shipping industry faced more delays in 2000, and political instability will continue to delay completion of the privatization process over the next year. Latvia projects 6% GDP growth, 2.5%-3.0% inflation, and a 1.7% fiscal deficit in 2001. Preparing for EU membership over the next few years remains a top foreign policy goal. This small, wealthy economy encompasses a mixture of foreign and domestic entrepreneurship, government regulation, welfare measures, and village tradition. Crude oil and natural gas production account for nearly half of GDP. Per capita GDP is far above most other Third World countries, and substantial income from overseas investment supplements income from domestic production. The government provides for all medical services and subsidizes rice and housing. Brunei's leaders are concerned that steadily increased integration in the world economy will undermine internal social cohesion, although it became a more prominent player by serving as chairman for the 2000 APEC (Asian Pacific Economic Cooperation) forum. Plans for the future include upgrading the labor force, reducing unemployment, strengthening the banking and tourist sectors, and, in general, further widening the economic base beyond oil and gas.
Electricity - consumption 4.316 billion kWh (1999) 2.322 billion kWh (2001)
Electricity - exports 400 million kWh (1999) 0 kWh (2001)
Electricity - imports 1 billion kWh (1999) 0 kWh (2001)
Electricity - production 3.996 billion kWh (1999) 2.497 billion kWh (2001)
Electricity - production by source fossil fuel:
31.78%

hydro:
68.22%

nuclear:
0%

other:
0% (1999)
-
Elevation extremes lowest point:
Baltic Sea 0 m

highest point:
Gaizinkalns 312 m
lowest point: South China Sea 0 m


highest point: Bukit Pagon 1,850 m
Environment - current issues air and water pollution because of a lack of waste conversion equipment; Gulf of Riga and Daugava River heavily polluted; contamination of soil and groundwater with chemicals and petroleum products at military bases seasonal smoke/haze resulting from forest fires in Indonesia
Environment - international agreements party to:
Air Pollution, Biodiversity, Climate Change, Endangered Species, Hazardous Wastes, Ozone Layer Protection, Ship Pollution, Wetlands

signed, but not ratified:
Air Pollution-Persistent Organic Pollutants, Climate Change-Kyoto Protocol
party to: Endangered Species, Hazardous Wastes, Law of the Sea, Ozone Layer Protection, Ship Pollution


signed, but not ratified: none of the selected agreements
Ethnic groups Latvian 56.5%, Russian 30.4%, Byelorussian 4.3%, Ukrainian 2.8%, Polish 2.6%, other 3.4% Malay 67%, Chinese 15%, indigenous 6%, other 12%
Exchange rates lati per US dollar - 0.614 (January 2001), 0.607 (2000), 0.585 (1999), 0.590 (1998), 0.581 (1997), 0.551 (1996) Bruneian dollars per US dollar - 1.7422 (2003), 1.7906 (2002), 1.7917 (2001), 1.724 (2000), 1.695 (1999)
Executive branch chief of state:
President Vaira VIKE-FREIBERGA (since 8 July 1999)

head of government:
Prime Minister Andris BERZINS (since 5 May 2000)

cabinet:
Council of Ministers nominated by the prime minister and appointed by the Parliament

elections:
president elected by Parliament for a four-year term; election last held 17 June 1999 (next to be held by NA June 2003); prime minister appointed by the president

election results:
Vaira VIKE-FREIBERGA elected as a compromise candidate in second phase of balloting, second round (after five rounds in first phase failed); percent of parliamentary vote - Vaira VIKE-FREIBERGA 53%, Valdis BIRKAVS 20%, Ingrida UDRE 9%
chief of state: Sultan and Prime Minister Sir HASSANAL Bolkiah (since 5 October 1967); note - the monarch is both the chief of state and head of government


head of government: Sultan and Prime Minister Sir HASSANAL Bolkiah (since 5 October 1967); note - the monarch is both the chief of state and head of government


cabinet: Council of Cabinet Ministers appointed and presided over by the monarch; deals with executive matters; note - there is also a Religious Council (members appointed by the monarch) that advises on religious matters, a Privy Council (members appointed by the monarch) that deals with constitutional matters, and the Council of Succession (members appointed by the monarch) that determines the succession to the throne if the need arises


elections: none; the monarch is hereditary
Exports $2.1 billion (f.o.b., 2000) NA (2001)
Exports - commodities wood and wood products, machinery and equipment, metals, textiles, foodstuffs crude oil, natural gas, refined products
Exports - partners Germany 16%, UK 11%, Sweden 11%, Russia 7% (1999) Japan 41%, South Korea 11.2%, Thailand 9.4%, Australia 8.4%, US 7.8%, China 6.7%, Singapore 4.5% (2003)
Fiscal year calendar year calendar year
Flag description three horizontal bands of maroon (top), white (half-width), and maroon yellow with two diagonal bands of white (top, almost double width) and black starting from the upper hoist side; the national emblem in red is superimposed at the center; the emblem includes a swallow-tailed flag on top of a winged column within an upturned crescent above a scroll and flanked by two upraised hands
GDP purchasing power parity - $17.3 billion (2000 est.) purchasing power parity - $6.5 billion (2002 est.)
GDP - composition by sector agriculture:
5%

industry:
33%

services:
62% (1999)
agriculture: 5%


industry: 45%


services: 50% (2001 est.)
GDP - per capita purchasing power parity - $7,200 (2000 est.) purchasing power parity - $18,600 (2002 est.)
GDP - real growth rate 5.5% (2000 est.) 3% (2002 est.)
Geographic coordinates 57 00 N, 25 00 E 4 30 N, 114 40 E
Geography - note - close to vital sea lanes through South China Sea linking Indian and Pacific Oceans; two parts physically separated by Malaysia; almost an enclave of Malaysia
Heliports - 3 (2003 est.)
Highways total:
59,178 km

paved:
22,843 km

unpaved:
36,335 km (1998 est.)
total: 2,525 km


paved: 2,525 km


unpaved: 0 km (2000)
Household income or consumption by percentage share lowest 10%:
2.9%

highest 10%:
25.9% (1998)
lowest 10%: NA


highest 10%: NA
Illicit drugs transshipment point for opiates and cannabis from Central and Southwest Asia to Western Europe and Scandinavia and Latin American cocaine and some synthetics from Western Europe to CIS; limited production of illicit amphetamine, ephedrine, and ecstasy for export drug trafficking and illegally importing controlled substances are serious offenses in Brunei and carry a mandatory death penalty
Imports $3.2 billion (f.o.b., 2000) NA (2001)
Imports - commodities machinery and equipment, chemicals, fuels machinery and transport equipment, manufactured goods, food, chemicals
Imports - partners Russia 15%, Germany 10%, Finland 9%, Sweden 7% (1999) Singapore 19.9%, Malaysia 19.8%, US 11.4%, Japan 9.9%, Hong Kong 6.5%, China 4.8%, Australia 4.3%, Thailand 4% (2003)
Independence 18 November 1991 (from Soviet Union) 1 January 1984 (from UK)
Industrial production growth rate 6.3% (2000 est.) 5% (2002 est.)
Industries buses, vans, street and railroad cars, synthetic fibers, agricultural machinery, fertilizers, washing machines, radios, electronics, pharmaceuticals, processed foods, textiles; note - dependent on imports for energy, raw materials, and intermediate products petroleum, petroleum refining, liquefied natural gas, construction
Infant mortality rate 15.34 deaths/1,000 live births (2001 est.) total: 13.05 deaths/1,000 live births


male: 16.51 deaths/1,000 live births


female: 9.41 deaths/1,000 live births (2004 est.)
Inflation rate (consumer prices) 2.7% (2000) -2% (2002 est.)
International organization participation BIS, CBSS, CCC, CE, EAPC, EBRD, ECE, EU (applicant), FAO, IAEA, IBRD, ICAO, ICFTU, ICRM, IDA, IFC, IFRCS, ILO, IMF, IMO, Intelsat (nonsignatory user), Interpol, IOC, IOM, ISO (correspondent), ITU, NSG, OAS (observer), OPCW, OSCE, PFP, UN, UNCTAD, UNESCO, UPU, WEU (associate partner), WHO, WIPO, WMO, WTrO APEC, ARF, ASEAN, C, G-77, IBRD, ICAO, ICRM, IDB, IFRCS, IMF, IMO, Interpol, IOC, ISO (correspondent), ITU, NAM, OIC, OPCW, UN, UNCTAD, UPU, WCO, WHO, WIPO, WMO, WTO
Internet Service Providers (ISPs) 42 (2000) -
Irrigated land 160 sq km (1993 est.) 10 sq km (1998 est.)
Judicial branch Supreme Court (judges' appointments are confirmed by Parliament) Supreme Court (chief justice and judges are sworn in by the monarch for three-year terms)
Labor force 1.4 million (2000 est.) 143,400


note: includes foreign workers and military personnel; temporary residents make up about 40% of labor force (1999 est.)
Labor force - by occupation agriculture 10%, industry 25%, services 65% (2000 est.) agriculture, forestry, and fishing 10%, production of oil, natural gas, services, and construction 42%, government 48% (1999 est.)
Land boundaries total:
1,150 km

border countries:
Belarus 141 km, Estonia 339 km, Lithuania 453 km, Russia 217 km
total: 381 km


border countries: Malaysia 381 km
Land use arable land:
27%

permanent crops:
0%

permanent pastures:
13%

forests and woodland:
46%

other:
14% (1993 est.)
arable land: 0.57%


permanent crops: 0.76%


other: 98.67% (2001)
Languages Latvian or Lettish (official), Lithuanian, Russian, other Malay (official), English, Chinese
Legal system based on civil law system based on English common law; for Muslims, Islamic Shari'a law supersedes civil law in a number of areas
Legislative branch unicameral Parliament or Saeima (100 seats; members are elected by direct popular vote to serve four-year terms)

elections:
last held 3 October 1998 (next to be held NA October 2002)

election results:
percent of vote by party - People's Party 21%, LC 18%, TSP 14%, TB/LNNK 14%, Social Democrats 13%, New Party 7%; seats by party - People's Party 24, LC 21, TB/LNNK 17, TSP 16, Social Democrats 14, New Party 8
Legislative Council met on 25 September 2004 for first time in 20 years with 21 members appointed by the Sultan; passed constitutional amendments calling for a 45-seat council with 15 elected members


elections: last held in March 1962; date of next election NA
Life expectancy at birth total population:
68.7 years

male:
62.8 years

female:
74.9 years (2001 est.)
total population: 74.54 years


male: 72.13 years


female: 77.09 years (2004 est.)
Literacy definition:
age 15 and over can read and write

total population:
100%

male:
100%

female:
99% (1989 est.)
definition: age 15 and over can read and write


total population: 93.9%


male: 96.3%


female: 91.4% (2002)
Location Eastern Europe, bordering the Baltic Sea, between Estonia and Lithuania Southeastern Asia, bordering the South China Sea and Malaysia
Map references Europe Southeast Asia
Maritime claims continental shelf:
200-m depth or to the depth of exploitation

exclusive economic zone:
200 NM

territorial sea:
12 NM
territorial sea: 12 nm


exclusive economic zone: 200 nm or to median line
Merchant marine total:
8 ships (1,000 GRT or over) totaling 27,984 GRT/29,978 DWT

ships by type:
cargo 2, petroleum tanker 3, refrigerated cargo 3 (2000 est.)
total: 8 ships (1,000 GRT or over) 465,937 GRT/413,393 DWT


by type: liquefied gas 8


foreign-owned: United Kingdom 8 (2004 est.)
Military branches Ground Forces, Navy, Air and Air Defense Forces, Security Forces, Border Guard, Home Guard (Zemessardze) Royal Brunei Land Forces, Royal Brunei Navy, Royal Brunei Air Force
Military expenditures - dollar figure $60 million (FY99) $339.5 million (2003)
Military expenditures - percent of GDP 0.9% (FY99) 5.9% (2003)
Military manpower - availability males age 15-49:
590,784 (2001 est.)
males age 15-49: 112,630 (2004 est.)
Military manpower - fit for military service males age 15-49:
463,944 (2001 est.)
males age 15-49: approx. 60,000 (2004 est.)
Military manpower - military age 18 years of age -
Military manpower - reaching military age annually males:
19,114 (2001 est.)
males: 3,425 (2004 est.)
National holiday Independence Day, 18 November (1918); note - 18 November 1918 is the date of independence from Soviet Russia, 18 November 1991 is the date of independence from the Soviet Union National Day, 23 February (1984); note - 1 January 1984 was the date of independence from the UK, 23 February 1984 was the date of independence from British protection
Nationality noun:
Latvian(s)

adjective:
Latvian
noun: Bruneian(s)


adjective: Bruneian
Natural hazards NA typhoons, earthquakes, and severe flooding are rare
Natural resources minimal; amber, peat, limestone, dolomite, hydropower, arable land petroleum, natural gas, timber
Net migration rate -1.27 migrant(s)/1,000 population (2001 est.) 3.59 migrant(s)/1,000 population (2004 est.)
Pipelines crude oil 750 km; refined products 780 km; natural gas 560 km (1992) gas 665 km; oil 439 km (2004)
Political parties and leaders Anticommunist Union or PA [P. MUCENIEKS]; Christian Democrat Union or LKDS [Talavs JUNDZIS]; Christian People's Party or KTP [Uldis AUGSTKALNS]; Democratic Party "Saimnieks" or DPS [Ziedonis CEVERS, chairman]; For Fatherland and Freedom or TB [Maris GRINBLATS], merged with LNNK; For Human Rights in a United Latvia [Janis JURKANS], a coalition of the People's Harmony Party or TSP, the Latvian Socialist Party or LSP, and the Equal Rights Movement; Green Party or LZP [Olegs BATAREVSKI]; Latvian Liberal Party or LLP [J. DANOSS]; Latvian National Conservative Party or LNNK [Andrejs KRASTINS]; Latvian National Democratic Party or LNDP [A. MALINS]; Latvian Social-Democratic Workers Party (Social Democrats) or LSDWU [Juris BOJARS and Janis ADAMSONS, leaders]; Latvian Unity Party or LVP [Alberis KAULS]; Latvia's Way or LC [Andrei PANTELEJEVS]; New Christian Party [Ainars SLESERS]; New Faction [Ingrida UDRE]; "Our Land" or MZ [M. DAMBEKALNE]; Party of Russian Citizens or LKPP [V. SOROCHIN, V. IVANOV]; People's Party [Andris SKELE]; Political Union of Economists or TPA [Edvins KIDE] other parties include Brunei People's Party or PRB (banned in 1962) and Brunei National Democratic Party (registered in May 1965, deregistered by the Brunei Government in 1988)
Political pressure groups and leaders NA NA
Population 2,385,231 (July 2001 est.) 365,251 (July 2004 est.)
Population below poverty line NA% NA (1992 est.)
Population growth rate -0.81% (2001 est.) 1.95% (2004 est.)
Ports and harbors Daugavpils, Liepaja, Riga, Ventspils Bandar Seri Begawan, Kuala Belait, Muara, Seria, Tutong
Radio broadcast stations AM 8, FM 56, shortwave 1 (1998) AM 3, FM 10, shortwave 0 (1998)
Radios 1.76 million (1997) -
Railways total:
2,412 km

broad gauge:
2,379 km 1.520-m gauge (271 km electrified) (1992)

narrow gauge:
33 km 0.750-m gauge (1994)
-
Religions Lutheran, Roman Catholic, Russian Orthodox Muslim (official) 67%, Buddhist 13%, Christian 10%, indigenous beliefs and other 10%
Sex ratio at birth:
1.05 male(s)/female

under 15 years:
1.05 male(s)/female

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

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

total population:
0.85 male(s)/female (2001 est.)
at birth: 1.06 male(s)/female


under 15 years: 1.04 male(s)/female


15-64 years: 1.13 male(s)/female


65 years and over: 0.89 male(s)/female


total population: 1.1 male(s)/female (2004 est.)
Suffrage 18 years of age; universal for Latvian citizens none
Telephone system general assessment:
inadequate, but is being modernized to provide an international capability independent of the Moscow international switch; more facilities are being installed for individual use

domestic:
expansion underway in intercity trunk line connections, rural exchanges, and mobile systems; still many unsatisfied subscriber applications

international:
international connections are now available via cable and a satellite earth station at Riga, enabling direct connections for most calls (1998)
general assessment: service throughout the country is excellent; international service is good to East Asia, Europe, and the US


domestic: every service available


international: country code - 673; satellite earth stations - 2 Intelsat (1 Indian Ocean and 1 Pacific Ocean); digital submarine cable links to Malaysia, the Philippines, and Singapore (2001)
Telephones - main lines in use 748,000 (1997) 90,000 (2002)
Telephones - mobile cellular 77,100 (1997) 137,000 (2002)
Television broadcast stations 44 (plus 31 repeaters) (1995) 2 (1997)
Terrain low plain flat coastal plain rises to mountains in east; hilly lowland in west
Total fertility rate 1.15 children born/woman (2001 est.) 2.33 children born/woman (2004 est.)
Unemployment rate 7.8% (2000 est.) 10% (2001 est.)
Waterways 300 km (perennially navigable) 209 km (navigable by craft drawing less than 1.2 m) (2004)
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