Main page Compare countries Index countries Index fields

Query:
##ciekawa_strona##

Compare Lesotho (2001) - Micronesia, Federated States of (2003)

Compare Lesotho (2001) z Micronesia, Federated States of (2003)

 Lesotho (2001)Micronesia, Federated States of (2003)
 LesothoMicronesia, Federated States of
Administrative divisions 10 districts; Berea, Butha-Buthe, Leribe, Mafeteng, Maseru, Mohales Hoek, Mokhotlong, Qacha's Nek, Quthing, Thaba-Tseka 4 states; Chuuk (Truk), Kosrae (Kosaie), Pohnpei (Ponape), Yap
Age structure 0-14 years:
39.28% (male 430,147; female 424,994)

15-64 years:
56.03% (male 588,440; female 631,404)

65 years and over:
4.69% (male 43,033; female 59,044) (2001 est.)
0-14 years: 38.4% (male 21,163; female 20,335)


15-64 years: 58.5% (male 31,746; female 31,477)


65 years and over: 3.2% (male 1,558; female 1,864) (2003 est.)
Agriculture - products corn, wheat, pulses, sorghum, barley; livestock black pepper, tropical fruits and vegetables, coconuts, cassava (tapioca), betel nuts, sweet potatoes; pigs, chickens
Airports 29 (2000 est.) 7 (2002)
Airports - with paved runways total:
4

over 3,047 m:
1

914 to 1,523 m:
1

under 914 m:
2 (2000 est.)
total: 6


1,524 to 2,437 m: 4


914 to 1,523 m: 2 (2002)
Airports - with unpaved runways total:
25

914 to 1,523 m:
4

under 914 m:
21 (2000 est.)
total: 1


914 to 1,523 m: 1 (2002)
Area total:
30,355 sq km

land:
30,355 sq km

water:
0 sq km
total: 702 sq km


land: 702 sq km


water: 0 sq km (fresh water only)


note: includes Pohnpei (Ponape), Chuuk (Truk) Islands, Yap Islands, and Kosrae (Kosaie)
Area - comparative slightly smaller than Maryland four times the size of Washington, DC (land area only)
Background Basutoland was renamed the Kingdom of Lesotho upon independence from the UK in 1966. Constitutional government was restored in 1993 after 23 years of military rule. In 1979 the Federated States of Micronesia, a UN Trust Territory under US administration, adopted a constitution. In 1986 independence was attained under a Compact of Free Association with the US. Present concerns include large-scale unemployment, overfishing, and overdependence on US aid.
Birth rate 31.24 births/1,000 population (2001 est.) 26.47 births/1,000 population (2003 est.)
Budget revenues:
$76 million

expenditures:
$80 million, including capital expenditures of $15 million (FY99/00 est.)
revenues: $161 million ($69 million less grants)


expenditures: $160 million, including capital expenditures of $NA (1998 est.)
Capital Maseru Palikir
Climate temperate; cool to cold, dry winters; hot, wet summers tropical; heavy year-round rainfall, especially in the eastern islands; located on southern edge of the typhoon belt with occasionally severe damage
Coastline 0 km (landlocked) 6,112 km
Constitution 2 April 1993 10 May 1979
Country name conventional long form:
Kingdom of Lesotho

conventional short form:
Lesotho

former:
Basutoland
conventional long form: Federated States of Micronesia


conventional short form: none


former: Ponape, Truk, and Yap Districts (Trust Territory of the Pacific Islands)


abbreviation: FSM
Currency loti (LSL); South African rand (ZAR) US dollar (USD)
Death rate 15.7 deaths/1,000 population (2001 est.) 5.1 deaths/1,000 population (2003 est.)
Debt - external $720 million (2000 est.) $53.1 million (FY 02/03 est.)
Diplomatic representation from the US chief of mission:
Ambassador Katherine H. PETERSON

embassy:
254 Kingsway, Maseru West (Consular Section)

mailing address:
P. O. Box 333, Maseru 100, Lesotho

telephone:
[266] 312666

FAX:
[266] 310116
chief of mission: Ambassador Larry M. DINGER


embassy: address NA, Kolonia


mailing address: P. O. Box 1286, Kolonia, Pohnpei, Federated States of Micronesia 96941


telephone: [691] 320-2187


FAX: [691] 320-2186
Diplomatic representation in the US chief of mission:
Ambassador Lebohang Kenneth MOLEKO

chancery:
2511 Massachusetts Avenue NW, Washington, DC 20008

telephone:
[1] (202) 797-5533 through 5536

FAX:
[1] (202) 234-6815
chief of mission: Ambassador Jesse Bibiano MAREHALAU


chancery: 1725 N Street NW, Washington, DC 20036


telephone: [1] (202) 223-4383


FAX: [1] (202) 223-4391


consulate(s) general: Honolulu and Tamuning (Guam)
Disputes - international none none
Economic aid - recipient $123.7 million (1995) under terms of the Compact of Free Association, the US pledged $1.3 billion in grant aid during the period 1986-2001
Economy - overview Small, landlocked, and mountainous, Lesotho's primary natural resource is water. Its economy is based on subsistence agriculture, livestock, and remittances from miners employed in South Africa. The number of such mineworkers has declined steadily over the past several years. A small manufacturing base depends largely on farm products that support the milling, canning, leather, and jute industries. Agricultural products are exported primarily to South Africa. Proceeds from membership in a common customs union with South Africa form the majority of government revenue. Although drought has decreased agricultural activity over the past few years, completion of a major hydropower facility in January 1998 now permits the sale of water to South Africa, generating royalties for Lesotho. The pace of substantial privatization has increased in recent years. In December 1999, the government embarked on a nine-month IMF staff-monitored program aimed at structural adjustment and stabilization of macroeconomic fundamentals. The government is in the process of applying for a three-year successor program with the IMF under its Poverty Reduction and Growth Facility. Economic activity consists primarily of subsistence farming and fishing. The islands have few mineral deposits worth exploiting, except for high-grade phosphate. The potential for a tourist industry exists, but the remote location, a lack of adequate facilities, and limited air connections hinder development. In November 2002, the country experienced a further reduction in future revenues from the Compact of Free Association - the agreement with the US in which Micronesia received $1.3 billion in financial and technical assistance over a 15-year period until 2001. The country's medium-term economic outlook appears fragile due not only to the reduction in US assistance but also to the slow growth of the private sector. Geographical isolation and a poorly developed infrastructure remain major impediments to long-term growth.
Electricity - consumption 55 million kWh (1999) NA kWh
Electricity - exports 0 kWh (1999) -
Electricity - imports 55 million kWh

note:
electricity supplied by South Africa (1999)
-
Electricity - production 0 kWh; note - electricity supplied by South Africa (1999) NA kWh
Electricity - production by source fossil fuel:
0%

hydro:
0%

nuclear:
0%

other:
0% (1999)
fossil fuel: 0%


hydro: 0%


nuclear: 0%


other: 0%
Elevation extremes lowest point:
junction of the Orange and Makhaleng Rivers 1,400 m

highest point:
Thabana Ntlenyana 3,482 m
lowest point: Pacific Ocean 0 m


highest point: Dolohmwar (Totolom) 791 m
Environment - current issues population pressure forcing settlement in marginal areas results in overgrazing, severe soil erosion, and soil exhaustion; desertification; Highlands Water Project controls, stores, and redirects water to South Africa overfishing, climate change, pollution
Environment - international agreements party to:
Biodiversity, Climate Change, Climate Change-Kyoto Protocol, Desertification, Hazardous Wastes, Marine Life Conservation, Ozone Layer Protection

signed, but not ratified:
Endangered Species, Law of the Sea, Marine Dumping
party to: Biodiversity, Climate Change, Climate Change-Kyoto Protocol, Desertification, Hazardous Wastes, Law of the Sea, Ozone Layer Protection


signed, but not ratified: none of the selected agreements
Ethnic groups Sotho 99.7%, Europeans, Asians, and other 0.3%, nine ethnic Micronesian and Polynesian groups
Exchange rates maloti per US dollar - 7.78307 (January 2001), 6.93983 (2000), 6.10948 (1999), 5.52828 (1998), 4.60796 (1997), 4.29935 (1996); note - the Lesotho loti is at par with the South African rand which is also legal tender; maloti is the plural form of loti the US dollar is used 1
Executive branch chief of state:
King LETSIE III (since 7 February 1996); note - King LETSIE III formerly occupied the throne from November 1990 to February 1995, while his father was in exile

head of government:
Prime Minister Pakalitha MOSISILI (since 23 May 1998)

cabinet:
Cabinet

elections:
none; according to the constitution, the leader of the majority party in the assembly automatically becomes prime minister; the monarch is hereditary, but, under the terms of the constitution which came into effect after the March 1993 election, the monarch is a "living symbol of national unity" with no executive or legislative powers; under traditional law the college of chiefs has the power to determine who is next in the line of succession, who shall serve as regent in the event that the successor is not of mature age, and may even depose the monarch
chief of state: President Joseph J. URUSEMAL (since 11 May 2003); Vice President Redley KILLION; note - the president is both the chief of state and head of government


head of government: President Joseph J. URUSEMAL (since 11 May 2003); Vice President Redley KILLION; note - the president is both the chief of state and head of government


cabinet: Cabinet


elections: president and vice president elected by Congress from among the four senators at large for four-year terms; election last held 11 May 2003 (next to be held NA May 2007); note - a proposed constitutional amendment to establish popular elections for president and vice president failed


election results: Joseph J. URUSEMAL elected president; percent of Congress vote - NA%; Redley KILLION elected vice president; percent of Congress vote - NA%
Exports $175 million (f.o.b., 2000 est.) $22 million (f.o.b.) (FY 99/00 est.)
Exports - commodities manufactures 75% (clothing, footwear, road vehicles), wool and mohair, food and live animals (1998) fish, garments, bananas, black pepper
Exports - partners South African Customs Union 65%, North America 34% (1998) Japan, US, Guam (2000)
Fiscal year 1 April - 31 March 1 October - 30 September
Flag description divided diagonally from the lower hoist side corner; the upper half is white, bearing the brown silhouette of a large shield with crossed spear and club; the lower half is a diagonal blue band with a green triangle in the corner light blue with four white five-pointed stars centered; the stars are arranged in a diamond pattern
GDP purchasing power parity - $5.1 billion (2000 est.) purchasing power parity - $277 million


note: $277 million $277 million GDP is supplemented by grant aid, averaging perhaps $100 million annually (2002 est.)
GDP - composition by sector agriculture:
18%

industry:
38%

services:
44% (1999)
agriculture: 50%


industry: 4%


services: 46% (2000 est.)
GDP - per capita purchasing power parity - $2,400 (2000 est.) purchasing power parity - $2,000 (2002 est.)
GDP - real growth rate 2.5% (2000 est.) 1% (2002 est.)
Geographic coordinates 29 30 S, 28 30 E 6 55 N, 158 15 E
Geography - note landlocked; surrounded by South Africa four major island groups totaling 607 islands
Highways total:
4,955 km

paved:
887 km

unpaved:
4,068 km (1996)
total: 240 km


paved: 42 km


unpaved: 198 km (1999 est.)
Household income or consumption by percentage share lowest 10%:
0.9%

highest 10%:
43.4% (1986-87)
lowest 10%: NA%


highest 10%: NA%
Imports $700 million (f.o.b., 2000 est.) $149 million f.o.b. (FY 99/00 est.)
Imports - commodities food; building materials, vehicles, machinery, medicines, petroleum products (1995) food, manufactured goods, machinery and equipment, beverages
Imports - partners South African Customs Union 90%, Asia 7% (1998) US, Australia, Japan (2000)
Independence 4 October 1966 (from UK) 3 November 1986 (from the US-administered UN Trusteeship)
Industrial production growth rate 15.5% (1999 est.) NA%
Industries food, beverages, textiles, handicrafts; construction; tourism tourism, construction, fish processing, specialized aquaculture, craft items from shell, wood, and pearls
Infant mortality rate 82.77 deaths/1,000 live births (2001 est.) total: 32.39 deaths/1,000 live births


male: 35.65 deaths/1,000 live births


female: 28.97 deaths/1,000 live births
Inflation rate (consumer prices) 6% (2000 est.) 1% (2002 est.)
International organization participation ACP, AfDB, C, CCC, ECA, FAO, G-77, IBRD, ICAO, ICRM, IDA, IFAD, IFC, IFRCS, ILO, IMF, Intelsat (nonsignatory user), Interpol, IOC, ISO (subscriber), ITU, NAM, OAU, OPCW, SACU, SADC, UN, UNCTAD, UNESCO, UNHCR, UNIDO, UPU, WFTU, WHO, WIPO, WMO, WToO, WTrO ACP, AsDB, ESCAP, G-77, IBRD, ICAO, IDA, IFC, IFRCS (associate), IMF, IOC, ITU, OPCW, Sparteca, SPC, SPF, UN, UNCTAD, UNESCO, WHO, WMO
Internet Service Providers (ISPs) 1 (2000) 1 (2000)
Irrigated land 30 sq km (1993 est.) NA sq km
Judicial branch High Court (chief justice appointed by the monarch); Court of Appeal; Magistrate's Court; customary or traditional court Supreme Court
Labor force 700,000 economically active NA
Labor force - by occupation 86% of resident population engaged in subsistence agriculture; roughly 35% of the active male wage earners work in South Africa two-thirds are government employees
Land boundaries total:
909 km

border countries:
South Africa 909 km
0 km
Land use arable land:
11%

permanent crops:
0%

permanent pastures:
66%

forests and woodland:
0%

other:
23% (1993 est.)
arable land: 5.71%


permanent crops: 45.71%


other: 48.58% (1998 est.)
Languages Sesotho (southern Sotho), English (official), Zulu, Xhosa English (official and common language), Trukese, Pohnpeian, Yapese, Kosrean, Ulithian, Woleaian, Nukuoro, Kapingamarangi
Legal system based on English common law and Roman-Dutch law; judicial review of legislative acts in High Court and Court of Appeal; has not accepted compulsory ICJ jurisdiction based on adapted Trust Territory laws, acts of the legislature, municipal, common, and customary laws
Legislative branch bicameral Parliament consists of the Senate (33 members - 22 principal chiefs and 11 other members appointed by the ruling party) and the Assembly (80 seats; members elected by popular vote for five-year terms); note - number of seats in the Assembly rose from 65 to 80 in the May 1998 election; on 28 February 2001, the Senate approved expansion of the Assembly by a further 50 seats in the next election, which may be held as early as January 2002

elections:
last held 23 May 1998 (next to be held NA March 2001)

election results:
percent of vote by party - LCD 60.7%, BNP 24.5%, other 14.8%; seats by party - LCD 79, BNP 1

note:
results contested; opposition parties claimed the election was fraudulent and staged a coup; Southern African Development Community (SADC) forces intervened in September 1998 and restored order; the Interim Political Authority (IPA) was set up in December 1998 to create a new electoral system and conduct new elections.
unicameral Congress (14 seats; members elected by popular vote; four - one elected from each state to serve four-year terms; and 10 - elected from single-member districts delineated by population to serve two-year terms)


elections: elections for four-year term seats last held 4 March 2003 (next to be held NA March 2007); elections for two-year term seats last held 4 March 2003 (next to be held NA March 2005)


election results: percent of vote - NA%; seats - independents 14
Life expectancy at birth total population:
48.84 years

male:
47.97 years

female:
49.74 years (2001 est.)
total population: 69.13 years


male: 67.39 years


female: 70.95 years (2003 est.)
Literacy definition:
age 15 and over can read and write

total population:
83%

male:
72%

female:
93% (1999 est.)
definition: age 15 and over can read and write


total population: 89%


male: 91%


female: 88% (1980 est.)
Location Southern Africa, an enclave of South Africa Oceania, island group in the North Pacific Ocean, about three-quarters of the way from Hawaii to Indonesia
Map references Africa Oceania
Maritime claims none (landlocked) exclusive economic zone: 200 NM


territorial sea: 12 NM
Merchant marine - none


note: includes a foreign-owned ship registered here as a flag of convenience: US 1 (2002 est.)
Military - note The Lesotho Government in 1999 began an open debate on the future structure, size, and role of the armed forces, especially considering the Lesotho Defense Force's (LDF) history of intervening in political affairs. Federated States of Micronesia (FSM) is a sovereign, self-governing state in free association with the US; FSM is totally dependent on the US for its defense
Military branches Lesotho Defense Force (LDF; includes Army and Air Wing), Royal Lesotho Mounted Police (RLMP) -
Military expenditures - dollar figure $34 million (1999) -
Military expenditures - percent of GDP NA% -
Military manpower - availability males age 15-49:
515,464 (2001 est.)
-
Military manpower - fit for military service males age 15-49:
277,369 (2001 est.)
-
National holiday Independence Day, 4 October (1966) Constitution Day, 10 May (1979)
Nationality noun:
Mosotho (singular), Basotho (plural)

adjective:
Basotho
noun: Micronesian(s)


adjective: Micronesian; Chuukese, Kosraen(s), Pohnpeian(s), Yapese
Natural hazards periodic droughts typhoons (June to December)
Natural resources water, agricultural and grazing land, some diamonds and other minerals forests, marine products, deep-seabed minerals
Net migration rate -0.63 migrant(s)/1,000 population (2001 est.) -20.98 migrant(s)/1,000 population (2003 est.)
Political parties and leaders Basotho Congress Party or BCP [Tseliso MAKHAKHE]; Basotho National Party or BNP [Maj. Gen. Justine Metsing LEKHANYA]; Lesotho Congress for Democracy or LCD [Phebe MOTEBANO, chairwoman; Dr. Pakalitha MOSISILI, leader] - the governing party; United Democratic Party or UDP [Charles MOFELI]; Marematlou Freedom Party or MFP and Setlamo Alliance [Vincent MALEBO]; Progressive National Party or PNP [Chief Peete Nkoebe PEETE]; Sefate Democratic Party or SDP [Bofihla NKUEBE] no formal parties
Political pressure groups and leaders NA -
Population 2,177,062

note:
estimates for this country explicitly take into account the effects of excess mortality due to AIDS; this can result in lower life expectancy, higher infant mortality and death rates, lower population and growth rates, and changes in the distribution of population by age and sex than would otherwise be expected (July 2001 est.)
108,143 (July 2003 est.)
Population below poverty line 49.2% (1999 est.) 26.7%
Population growth rate 1.49% (2001 est.) 0.04% (2003 est.)
Ports and harbors none Colonia (Yap), Kolonia (Pohnpei), Lele, Moen
Radio broadcast stations AM 1, FM 2, shortwave 1 (1998) AM 5, FM 1, shortwave 0 (1998)
Radios 104,000 (1997) -
Railways total:
2.6 km; note - owned by, operated by, and included in the statistics of South Africa

narrow gauge:
2.6 km 1.067-m gauge (1995)
0 km
Religions Christian 80%, indigenous beliefs 20% Roman Catholic 50%, Protestant 47%
Sex ratio at birth:
1.03 male(s)/female

under 15 years:
1.01 male(s)/female

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

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

total population:
0.95 male(s)/female (2001 est.)
1.05 male(s)/female (2003 est.)
Suffrage 18 years of age; universal 18 years of age; universal
Telephone system general assessment:
rudimentary system

domestic:
consists of a few landlines, a small microwave radio relay system, and a minor radiotelephone communication system

international:
satellite earth station - 1 Intelsat (Atlantic Ocean)
general assessment: adequate system


domestic: islands interconnected by shortwave radiotelephone (used mostly for government purposes)


international: satellite earth stations - 5 Intelsat (Pacific Ocean) (2002)
Telephones - main lines in use 20,000 (1997) 11,000 (2001)
Telephones - mobile cellular 1,262 (1996) newly installed in Pohnpei and Yap
Television broadcast stations 1 (2000) 2 (1997)
Terrain mostly highland with plateaus, hills, and mountains islands vary geologically from high mountainous islands to low, coral atolls; volcanic outcroppings on Pohnpei, Kosrae, and Chuuk
Total fertility rate 4.08 children born/woman (2001 est.) 3.5 children born/woman (2003 est.)
Unemployment rate 45% (2000 est.) 16% (1999 est.)
Waterways none none
Sitemap: Compare countries listing (map site) | Country listing (map site)
Links: Add to favorites | Information about this website | Stats | Polityka prywatnosci
This page was generated in ##czas## s. Size this page: ##rozmiar_strony## kB.