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Compare Liechtenstein (2003) - Comoros (2003)

Compare Liechtenstein (2003) z Comoros (2003)

 Liechtenstein (2003)Comoros (2003)
 LiechtensteinComoros
Administrative divisions 11 communes (Gemeinden, singular - Gemeinde); Balzers, Eschen, Gamprin, Mauren, Planken, Ruggell, Schaan, Schellenberg, Triesen, Triesenberg, Vaduz 3 islands; Grande Comore (Njazidja), Anjouan (Nzwani), and Moheli (Mwali); note - there are also four municipalities named Domoni, Fomboni, Moroni, and Moutsamoudou
Age structure 0-14 years: 18.1% (male 2,979; female 3,008)


15-64 years: 70.6% (male 11,646; female 11,740)


65 years and over: 11.3% (male 1,538; female 2,234) (2003 est.)
0-14 years: 42.9% (male 136,060; female 135,277)


15-64 years: 54.2% (male 169,121; female 173,822)


65 years and over: 2.9% (male 8,863; female 9,805) (2003 est.)
Agriculture - products wheat, barley, corn, potatoes; livestock, dairy products vanilla, cloves, perfume essences, copra, coconuts, bananas, cassava (tapioca)
Airports none (2002) 4 (2002)
Airports - with paved runways - total: 4


2,438 to 3,047 m: 1


914 to 1,523 m: 3 (2002)
Area total: 160 sq km


land: 160 sq km


water: 0 sq km
total: 2,170 sq km


land: 2,170 sq km


water: 0 sq km
Area - comparative about 0.9 times the size of Washington, DC slightly more than 12 times the size of Washington, DC
Background The Principality of Liechtenstein was established within the Holy Roman Empire in 1719; it became a sovereign state in 1806. Until the end of World War I, it was closely tied to Austria, but the economic devastation caused by that conflict forced Liechtenstein to enter into a customs and monetary union with Switzerland. Since World War II (in which Liechtenstein remained neutral), the country's low taxes have spurred outstanding economic growth. However, shortcomings in banking regulatory oversight have resulted in concerns about the use of the financial institutions for money laundering. Unstable Comoros has endured 19 coups or attempted coups since gaining independence from France in 1975. In 1997, the islands of Anjouan and Moheli declared their independence from Comoros. In 1999, military chief Col. AZALI seized power. He pledged to resolve the secessionist crisis through a confederal arrangement named the 2000 Fomboni Accord. In December 2001, voters approved a new constitution and presidential elections took place in the spring of 2002. Each island in the archipelago elected its own president and a new union president was sworn in on May 26, 2002.
Birth rate 10.92 births/1,000 population (2003 est.) 38.5 births/1,000 population (2003 est.)
Budget revenues: $424.2 million


expenditures: $414.1 million, including capital expenditures of $NA (1998 est.)
revenues: $27.6 million


expenditures: $NA, including capital expenditures of $NA (2001 est.)
Capital Vaduz Moroni
Climate continental; cold, cloudy winters with frequent snow or rain; cool to moderately warm, cloudy, humid summers tropical marine; rainy season (November to May)
Coastline 0 km (doubly landlocked) 340 km
Constitution 5 October 1921 23 December 2001


note: a Transitional National Unity Government (GUNT) was formed on 20 January 2002 following the passing of the new constitution; the GUNT governed until the presidential elections on 14 April 2002
Country name conventional long form: Principality of Liechtenstein


conventional short form: Liechtenstein


local long form: Fuerstentum Liechtenstein


local short form: Liechtenstein
conventional long form: Union of the Comoros


conventional short form: Comoros


local long form: Union des Comores


local short form: Comores
Currency Swiss franc (CHF) Comoran franc (KMF)
Death rate 6.85 deaths/1,000 population (2003 est.) 8.86 deaths/1,000 population (2003 est.)
Debt - external $0 (2001) $232 million (2000 est.)
Diplomatic representation from the US the US does not have an embassy in Liechtenstein, but the US Ambassador to Switzerland is also accredited to Liechtenstein the US does not have an embassy in Comoros; the ambassador to Mauritius is accredited to Comoros
Diplomatic representation in the US chief of mission: Ambassador Claudia FRITSCHE


chancery: 1300 Eye Street NW, Suite 550W, Washington, DC 20005


telephone: [1] (202) 216-0460


FAX: [1] (202) 216-0459
chief of mission: Ambassador Mahmoud M. ABOUD (ambassador to the US and Canada and permanent representative to the UN)


chancery: (temporary) care of the Permanent Mission of the Union of the Comoros to the United Nations, 420 East 50th Street, New York, NY 10022


telephone: [1] (212) 972-8010 and 223-2711


FAX: [1] (212) 983-4712 and 715-0699
Disputes - international Liechtenstein's royal family claims restitution for 1,600 sq km of land in the Czech Republic confiscated in 1918 claims French-administered Mayotte
Economic aid - recipient none $10 million (2001 est.)
Economy - overview Despite its small size and limited natural resources, Liechtenstein has developed into a prosperous, highly industrialized, free-enterprise economy with a vital financial service sector and living standards on a par with its large European neighbors. The Liechtenstein economy is widely diversified with a large number of small businesses. Low business taxes - the maximum tax rate is 20% - and easy incorporation rules have induced many holding or so-called letter box companies to establish nominal offices in Liechtenstein, providing 30% of state revenues. The country participates in a customs union with Switzerland and uses the Swiss franc as its national currency. It imports more than 90% of its energy requirements. Liechtenstein has been a member of the European Economic Area (an organization serving as a bridge between the European Free Trade Association (EFTA) and the EU) since May 1995. The government is working to harmonize its economic policies with those of an integrated Europe. One of the world's poorest countries, Comoros is made up of three islands that have inadequate transportation links, a young and rapidly increasing population, and few natural resources. The low educational level of the labor force contributes to a subsistence level of economic activity, high unemployment, and a heavy dependence on foreign grants and technical assistance. Agriculture, including fishing, hunting, and forestry, contributes 40% to GDP, employs 80% of the labor force, and provides most of the exports. The country is not self-sufficient in food production; rice, the main staple, accounts for the bulk of imports. The government - which is hampered by internal political disputes - is struggling to upgrade education and technical training, to privatize commercial and industrial enterprises, to improve health services, to diversify exports, to promote tourism, and to reduce the high population growth rate. Increased foreign support is essential if the goal of 4% annual GDP growth is to be met. Remittances from 150,000 Comorans abroad help supplement GDP.
Electricity - consumption NA kWh 19.78 million kWh (2001)
Electricity - exports 0 kWh (2002) 0 kWh (2001)
Electricity - imports 0 kWh (2002) 0 kWh (2001)
Electricity - production - 21.27 million kWh (2001)
Electricity - production by source fossil fuel: 0%


hydro: 0%


nuclear: 0%


other: 0% (2002)
fossil fuel: 90.6%


hydro: 9.4%


nuclear: 0%


other: 0% (2001)
Elevation extremes lowest point: Ruggeller Riet 430 m


highest point: Grauspitz 2,599 m
lowest point: Indian Ocean 0 m


highest point: Le Kartala 2,360 m
Environment - current issues NA soil degradation and erosion results from crop cultivation on slopes without proper terracing; deforestation
Environment - international agreements party to: Air Pollution, Air Pollution-Nitrogen Oxides, Air Pollution-Sulphur 85, Air Pollution-Sulphur 94, Air Pollution-Volatile Organic Compounds, Biodiversity, Climate Change, Desertification, Endangered Species, Hazardous Wastes, Ozone Layer Protection, Wetlands


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


signed, but not ratified: none of the selected agreements
Ethnic groups Alemannic 86%, Italian, Turkish, and other 14% Antalote, Cafre, Makoa, Oimatsaha, Sakalava
Exchange rates Swiss francs per US dollar - 1.5586 (2002), 1.6876 (2001), 1.6888 (2000), 1.5022 (1999), 1.4498 (1998) Comoran francs (KMF) per US dollar - 522.74 (2002), 549.78 (2001), 533.98 (2000), 461.78 (1999), 442.46 (1998)


note: prior to January 1999, the official rate was pegged to the French franc at 75 Comoran francs per French franc; since 1 January 1999, the Comoran franc is pegged to the euro at a rate of 491.9677 Comoran francs per euro
Executive branch chief of state: Prince HANS ADAM II (since 13 November 1989, assumed executive powers 26 August 1984); Heir Apparent Prince ALOIS, son of the monarch (born 11 June 1968)


head of government: Head of Government Otmar HASLER (since 5 April 2001) and Deputy Head of Government Rita KIEBER-BECK (since 5 April 2001)


cabinet: Cabinet elected by the Parliament, confirmed by the monarch


elections: none; the monarch is hereditary; following legislative elections, the leader of the majority party in the Diet is usually appointed the head of government by the monarch and the leader of the largest minority party in the Diet is usually appointed the deputy head of government by the monarch
chief of state: President AZALI Assoumani (since 26 May 2002); note - following a 1999 coup AZALI was appointed president; in January 2002 he resigned his position to run in the 14 April 2002 presidential elections; Prime Minister Hamada Madi BOLERO was appointed interim president until replaced again by AZALI in May 2002 when BOLERO was appointed Minister of External Defense and Territorial Security; the president is both the chief of state and the head of government


head of government: President AZALI Assoumani (since 26 May 2002); note - following a 1999 coup AZALI was appointed president; in January 2002 he resigned his position to run in the 14 April 2002 presidential elections; Prime Minister Hamada Madi BOLERO was appointed interim president until replaced again by AZALI in May 2002 when BOLERO was appointed Minister of External Defense and Territorial Security; the president is both the chief of state and the head of government


cabinet: Council of Ministers appointed by the president


elections: as defined by the 2001 constitution, the presidency rotates every four years among the elected presidents from the three main islands in the Union; election last held 14 April 2002 (next to be held NA April 2007); prime minister appointed by the president; note - AZALI has not appointed a Prime Minister since he was sworn into office in May 2002


election results: President AZALI Assoumani elected president with 75% of the vote
Exports $2.47 billion (1996) NA (2001)
Exports - commodities small specialty machinery, connectors for audio and video, parts for motor vehicles, dental products, hardware, prepared foodstuffs, electronic equipment, optical products vanilla, ylang-ylang, cloves, perfume oil, copra
Exports - partners EU 62.6% (Germany 24.3%, Austria 9.5%, France 8.9%, Italy 6.6%, UK 4.6%), US 18.9%, Switzerland 15.7% France 32.4%, Germany 19.4%, US 17.6%, Singapore 11.5%, Netherlands 6.5% (2002)
Fiscal year calendar year calendar year
Flag description two equal horizontal bands of blue (top) and red with a gold crown on the hoist side of the blue band four equal horizontal bands of yellow (top), white, red, and blue with a green isosceles triangle based on the hoist; centered within the triangle is a white crescent with the convex side facing the hoist and four white, five-pointed stars placed vertically in a line between the points of the crescent; the horizontal bands and the four stars represent the four main islands of the archipelago - Mwali, Njazidja, Nzwani, and Mayotte (a territorial collectivity of France, but claimed by Comoros); the crescent, stars, and color green are traditional symbols of Islam
GDP purchasing power parity - $825 million (1999 est.) purchasing power parity - $441 million (2002 est.)
GDP - composition by sector agriculture: NA%


industry: 40%


services: NA% (1999)
agriculture: 40%


industry: 4%


services: 56% (2001 est.)
GDP - per capita purchasing power parity - $25,000 (1999 est.) purchasing power parity - $700 (2002 est.)
GDP - real growth rate 11% (1999 est.) 2% (2002 est.)
Geographic coordinates 47 16 N, 9 32 E 12 10 S, 44 15 E
Geography - note along with Uzbekistan, one of only two doubly landlocked countries in the world; variety of microclimatic variations based on elevation important location at northern end of Mozambique Channel
Highways total: 250 km


paved: 250 km


unpaved: 0 km
total: 880 km


paved: 673 km


unpaved: 207 km (1999 est)
Household income or consumption by percentage share lowest 10%: NA%


highest 10%: NA%
lowest 10%: NA%


highest 10%: NA%
Illicit drugs multilateral organizations engaged in issuing international guidelines for financial sector oversight found gaps in Liechtenstein's financial services controls that made it vulnerable to money laundering, but Liechtenstein has become less attractive as a haven for illicit funds, based on implementation in 2001 of new anti-money-laundering legislation and improved mutual legal assistance cooperation with other countries -
Imports $917.3 million (1996) NA (2001)
Imports - commodities agricultural products, raw materials, machinery, metal goods, textiles, foodstuffs, motor vehicles rice and other foodstuffs, consumer goods; petroleum products, cement, transport equipment
Imports - partners EU, Switzerland France 34.3%, South Africa 12%, Japan 6.1%, Kenya 5.9%, UAE 5.8%, Mauritius 4.9%, Thailand 4.6% (2002)
Independence 23 January 1719 Imperial Principality of Liechtenstein established; 12 July 1806 established independence from the Holy Roman Empire 6 July 1975 (from France)
Industrial production growth rate NA% -2% (1999 est.)
Industries electronics, metal manufacturing, dental products, ceramics, pharmaceuticals, food products, precision instruments, tourism, optical instruments tourism, perfume distillation
Infant mortality rate total: 4.85 deaths/1,000 live births


male: 6.59 deaths/1,000 live births


female: 3.09 deaths/1,000 live births (2003 est.)
total: 79.51 deaths/1,000 live births


male: 88.32 deaths/1,000 live births


female: 70.44 deaths/1,000 live births (2003 est.)
Inflation rate (consumer prices) 1% (2001) 3.5% (2001 est.)
International organization participation CE, EBRD, ECE, EFTA, IAEA, ICCt, ICRM, IFRCS, Interpol, IOC, ITU, OPCW, OSCE, PCA, UN, UNCTAD, UPU, WIPO, WTrO ACCT, ACP, AfDB, AFESD, AL, AMF, ECA, FAO, FZ, G-77, IBRD, ICAO, ICCt (signatory), ICRM, IDA, IDB, IFAD, IFC, IFRCS (associate), ILO, IMF, IMO, InOC, Interpol, IOC, ITU, NAM, OAU, OIC, OPCW (signatory), UN, UNCTAD, UNESCO, UNIDO, UPU, WCO, WHO, WMO, WTrO (applicant)
Internet Service Providers (ISPs) 44 (Liechtenstein and Switzerland) (2000) 1 (2000)
Irrigated land NA sq km NA sq km
Judicial branch Supreme Court or Oberster Gerichtshof; Court of Appeal or Obergericht Supreme Court or Cour Supremes (two members appointed by the president, two members elected by the Federal Assembly, one elected by the Council of each island, and others are former presidents of the republic)
Labor force 29,000 of which 19,000 are foreigners; 13,000 commute from Austria, Switzerland, and Germany to work each day (37256) 144,500 (1996 est.)
Labor force - by occupation industry 47.4%, services 51.3%, agriculture 1.3% (37256 est.) agriculture 80%
Land boundaries total: 76 km


border countries: Austria 34.9 km, Switzerland 41.1 km
0 km
Land use arable land: 25%


permanent crops: 0%


other: 75% (1998 est.)
arable land: 34.98%


permanent crops: 17.94%


other: 47.08% (1998 est.)
Languages German (official), Alemannic dialect Arabic (official), French (official), Shikomoro (a blend of Swahili and Arabic)
Legal system local civil and penal codes; accepts compulsory ICJ jurisdiction, with reservations French and Sharia (Islamic) law in a new consolidated code
Legislative branch unicameral Parliament or Landtag (25 seats; members are elected by direct, popular vote under proportional representation to serve four-year terms)


elections: last held 11 February 2001 (next to be held by NA 2005)


election results: percent of vote by party - FBP 49.90%, VU 41.35%, FL 8.71%; seats by party - FBP 13, VU 11, FL 1
unicameral Assembly of the Union (30 seats; half the deputies are selected by the individual islands' local assemblies and the other half by universal suffrage; deputies serve for five years) note - elections for the former legislature, the Federal Assembly, dissolved in 1999, where held on 1 and 8 December 1996; the next elections for the Assembly of the Union were scheduled to be held in April 2003 but have yet to occur
Life expectancy at birth total population: 79.25 years


male: 75.63 years


female: 82.87 years (2003 est.)
total population: 61.18 years


male: 58.92 years


female: 63.5 years (2003 est.)
Literacy definition: age 10 and over can read and write


total population: 100%


male: 100%


female: 100% (1981 est.)
definition: age 15 and over can read and write


total population: 56.5%


male: 63.6%


female: 49.3% (2003 est.)
Location Central Europe, between Austria and Switzerland Southern Africa, group of islands at the northern mouth of the Mozambique Channel, about two-thirds of the way between northern Madagascar and northern Mozambique
Map references Europe Africa
Maritime claims none (landlocked) exclusive economic zone: 200 NM


territorial sea: 12 NM
Merchant marine - total: 28 ships (1,000 GRT or over) 432,132 GRT/796,734 DWT


ships by type: bulk 4, cargo 15, chemical tanker 1, petroleum tanker 5, refrigerated cargo 1, specialized tanker 2


note: includes some foreign-owned ships registered here as a flag of convenience: Malta 1, Pakistan 1, Turkey 1 (2002 est.)
Military - note defense is the responsibility of Switzerland -
Military branches - Comoran Security Force
Military expenditures - dollar figure - $6 million (FY02)
Military expenditures - percent of GDP - 3% (FY02)
Military manpower - availability - males age 15-49: 150,079 (2003 est.)
Military manpower - fit for military service - males age 15-49: 89,090 (2003 est.)
National holiday Assumption Day, 15 August Independence Day, 6 July (1975)
Nationality noun: Liechtensteiner(s)


adjective: Liechtenstein
noun: Comoran(s)


adjective: Comoran
Natural hazards NA cyclones possible during rainy season (December to April); Le Kartala on Grand Comore is an active volcano
Natural resources hydroelectric potential, arable land NEGL
Net migration rate 4.89 migrant(s)/1,000 population (2003 est.) 0 migrant(s)/1,000 population (2003 est.)
Pipelines gas 20 km (2003) -
Political parties and leaders Fatherland Union or VU [Oswald KRANZ]; Progressive Citizens' Party or FBP [Ernst WALCH]; The Free List or FL [Dr. Pepo FRICK, Karin JENNY, Rene HASLER] Forces pour l'Action Republicaine or FAR [Col. Abdourazak ABDULHAMID]; Forum pour la Redressement National or FRN (alliance of 12 parties); Front Democratique or FD [Moustoifa Said CHEIKH]; Front National pour la Justice or FNJ (Islamic party in opposition) [Ahmed RACHID]; Movement des Citoyens pour la Republique or MCR [Mahamoud MRADABI]; Mouvement Populaire Anjouanais or MPA (Anjouan separatist movement) [leader NA]; Mouvement pour la Democratie et le Progress or MDP-NGDC [Abbas DJOUSSOUF]; Movement pour le Socialisme et la Democratie or MSD (splinter group of FD) [Abdou SOEFOU]; Parti Comorien pour la Democratie et le Progress or PCDP [Ali MROUDJAE]; Rassemblement National pour le Development or RND (party of the government) [Omar TAMOU, Abdoulhamid AFFRAITANE]
Political pressure groups and leaders NA NA
Population 33,145 (July 2003 est.) 632,948 (July 2003 est.)
Population below poverty line NA% 60% (2002 est.)
Population growth rate 0.9% (2003 est.) 2.96% (2003 est.)
Ports and harbors none Fomboni, Moroni, Moutsamoudou
Radio broadcast stations AM 0, FM 4, shortwave 0 (1998) AM 1, FM 4, shortwave 1 (2001)
Railways total: 18.5 km


standard gauge: 18.5 km 1.435-m gauge (electrified)


note: owned, operated, and included in statistics of Austrian Federal Railways (2002)
0 km
Religions Roman Catholic 76.2%, Protestant 7%, unknown 10.6%, other 6.2% (June 2002) Sunni Muslim 98%, Roman Catholic 2%
Sex ratio at birth: 1 male(s)/female


under 15 years: 0.99 male(s)/female


15-64 years: 0.99 male(s)/female


65 years and over: 0.69 male(s)/female


total population: 0.95 male(s)/female (2003 est.)
at birth: 1.03 male(s)/female


under 15 years: 1.01 male(s)/female


15-64 years: 0.97 male(s)/female


65 years and over: 0.9 male(s)/female


total population: 0.98 male(s)/female (2003 est.)
Suffrage 18 years of age; universal 18 years of age; universal
Telephone system general assessment: automatic telephone system


domestic: NA


international: linked to Swiss networks by cable and microwave radio relay
general assessment: sparse system of microwave radio relay and HF radiotelephone communication stations


domestic: HF radiotelephone communications and microwave radio relay


international: HF radiotelephone communications to Madagascar and Reunion
Telephones - main lines in use 20,072 (2000) 7,000 (2000)
Telephones - mobile cellular NA NA
Television broadcast stations NA (linked to Swiss networks) (1997) NA
Terrain mostly mountainous (Alps) with Rhine Valley in western third volcanic islands, interiors vary from steep mountains to low hills
Total fertility rate 1.5 children born/woman (2003 est.) 5.21 children born/woman (2003 est.)
Unemployment rate 1.3% (37500) 20% (1996 est.)
Waterways none none
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