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Compare Madagascar (2001) - Benin (2008)

Compare Madagascar (2001) z Benin (2008)

 Madagascar (2001)Benin (2008)
 MadagascarBenin
Administrative divisions 6 provinces (faritany); Antananarivo, Antsiranana, Fianarantsoa, Mahajanga, Toamasina, Toliara 12 departments; Alibori, Atakora, Atlantique, Borgou, Collines, Kouffo, Donga, Littoral, Mono, Oueme, Plateau, Zou
Age structure 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.)
0-14 years: 43.9% (male 1,788,248/female 1,754,940)


15-64 years: 53.7% (male 2,138,649/female 2,203,291)


65 years and over: 2.4% (male 77,844/female 115,342) (2007 est.)
Agriculture - products coffee, vanilla, sugarcane, cloves, cocoa, rice, cassava (tapioca), beans, bananas, peanuts; livestock products cotton, corn, cassava (tapioca), yams, beans, palm oil, peanuts, cashews; livestock
Airports 130 (2000 est.) 5 (2007)
Airports - with paved runways 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.)
total: 1


1,524 to 2,437 m: 1 (2007)
Airports - with unpaved runways total:
101

1,524 to 2,437 m:
2

914 to 1,523 m:
56

under 914 m:
43 (2000 est.)
total: 4


2,438 to 3,047 m: 1


1,524 to 2,437 m: 1


914 to 1,523 m: 2 (2007)
Area total:
587,040 sq km

land:
581,540 sq km

water:
5,500 sq km
total: 112,620 sq km


land: 110,620 sq km


water: 2,000 sq km
Area - comparative slightly less than twice the size of Arizona slightly smaller than Pennsylvania
Background 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. Present day Benin was the site of Dahomey, a prominent West African kingdom that rose in the 15th century. The territory became a French Colony in 1872 and achieved independence on 1 August 1960, as the Republic of Benin. A succession of military governments ended in 1972 with the rise to power of Mathieu KEREKOU and the establishment of a government based on Marxist-Leninist principles. A move to representative government began in 1989. Two years later, free elections ushered in former Prime Minister Nicephore SOGLO as president, marking the first successful transfer of power in Africa from a dictatorship to a democracy. KEREKOU was returned to power by elections held in 1996 and 2001, though some irregularities were alleged. KEREKOU stepped down at the end of his second term in 2006 and was succeeded by Thomas YAYI Boni, a political outsider and independent. YAYI has begun a high profile fight against corruption and has strongly promoted accelerating Benin's economic growth.
Birth rate 42.66 births/1,000 population (2001 est.) 38.1 births/1,000 population (2007 est.)
Budget revenues:
$553 million

expenditures:
$735 million, including capital expenditures of $NA (1998 est.)
revenues: $936.9 million


expenditures: $1.226 billion (2007 est.)
Capital Antananarivo name: Porto-Novo (official capital)


geographic coordinates: 6 29 N, 2 37 E


time difference: UTC+1 (6 hours ahead of Washington, DC during Standard Time)


note: Cotonou (seat of government)
Climate tropical along coast, temperate inland, arid in south tropical; hot, humid in south; semiarid in north
Coastline 4,828 km 121 km
Constitution 19 August 1992 by national referendum adopted by referendum 2 December 1990
Country name conventional long form:
Republic of Madagascar

conventional short form:
Madagascar

local long form:
Republique de Madagascar

local short form:
Madagascar

former:
Malagasy Republic
conventional long form: Republic of Benin


conventional short form: Benin


local long form: Republique du Benin


local short form: Benin


former: Dahomey
Currency Malagasy franc (MGF) -
Death rate 12.42 deaths/1,000 population (2001 est.) 11.94 deaths/1,000 population (2007 est.)
Debt - external $4.4 billion (1999) $1.2 billion (2007)
Diplomatic representation from the US 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
chief of mission: Ambassador Gayleatha B. BROWN


embassy: Rue Caporal Bernard Anani, Cotonou


mailing address: 01 B. P. 2012, Cotonou


telephone: [229] 21-30-06-50


FAX: [229] 21-30-03-84
Diplomatic representation in the US 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
chief of mission: Ambassador Cyrille Segbe OGUIN


chancery: 2124 Kalorama Road NW, Washington, DC 20008


telephone: [1] (202) 232-6656


FAX: [1] (202) 265-1996
Disputes - international claims Bassas da India, Europa Island, Glorioso Islands, Juan de Nova Island, and Tromelin Island (all administered by France) two villages remain in dispute along the border with Burkina Faso; Benin accused Burkina Faso of moving boundary pillars; much of Benin-Niger boundary, including tripoint with Nigeria, remains undemarcated; in 2005, Nigeria ceded thirteen villages to Benin, but border relations remain strained by rival gang clashes; Benin and Togo announced plans in 2006 to construct a joint hydroelectric dam on the Mona River at the southern end of the border
Economic aid - recipient $838 million (1997) $374.7 million (2006)
Economy - overview 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%. The economy of Benin remains underdeveloped and dependent on subsistence agriculture, cotton production, and regional trade. Growth in real output has averaged around 5% in the past seven years, but rapid population growth has offset much of this increase. Inflation has subsided over the past several years. In order to raise growth still further, Benin plans to attract more foreign investment, place more emphasis on tourism, facilitate the development of new food processing systems and agricultural products, and encourage new information and communication technology. Specific projects to improve the business climate by reforms to the land tenure system, the commercial justice system, and the financial sector were included in Benin's $307 million Millennium Challenge Account grant signed in February 2006. The 2001 privatization policy continues in telecommunications, water, electricity, and agriculture though the government annulled the privatization of Benin's state cotton company in November 2007 after the discovery of irregularities in the bidding process. The Paris Club and bilateral creditors have eased the external debt situation, with Benin benefiting from a G8 debt reduction announced in July 2005, while pressing for more rapid structural reforms. An insufficient electrical supply continues to adversely affect Benin's economic growth though the government recently has taken steps to increase domestic power production.
Electricity - consumption 753.3 million kWh (1999) 587 million kWh (2005)
Electricity - exports 0 kWh (1999) 0 kWh (2005)
Electricity - imports 0 kWh (1999) 595 million kWh (2005)
Electricity - production 810 million kWh (1999) 105 million kWh (2005)
Electricity - production by source fossil fuel:
37.04%

hydro:
62.96%

nuclear:
0%

other:
0% (1999)
-
Elevation extremes lowest point:
Indian Ocean 0 m

highest point:
Maromokotro 2,876 m
lowest point: Atlantic Ocean 0 m


highest point: Mont Sokbaro 658 m
Environment - current issues 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 inadequate supplies of potable water; poaching threatens wildlife populations; deforestation; desertification
Environment - international 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
party to: Biodiversity, Climate Change, Climate Change-Kyoto Protocol, Desertification, Endangered Species, Environmental Modification, Hazardous Wastes, Law of the Sea, Ozone Layer Protection, Ship Pollution, Wetlands, Whaling


signed, but not ratified: none of the selected agreements
Ethnic groups Malayo-Indonesian (Merina and related Betsileo), Cotiers (mixed African, Malayo-Indonesian, and Arab ancestry - Betsimisaraka, Tsimihety, Antaisaka, Sakalava), French, Indian, Creole, Comoran Fon and related 39.2%, Adja and related 15.2%, Yoruba and related 12.3%, Bariba and related 9.2%, Peulh and related 7%, Ottamari and related 6.1%, Yoa-Lokpa and related 4%, Dendi and related 2.5%, other 1.6% (includes Europeans), unspecified 2.9% (2002 census)
Exchange rates 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) Communaute Financiere Africaine francs (XOF) per US dollar - 493.51 (2007), 522.59 (2006), 527.47 (2005), 528.29 (2004), 581.2 (2003)
Executive branch 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%
chief of state: President Thomas YAYI Boni (since 6 April 2006); note - the president is both the chief of state and head of government


head of government: President Thomas YAYI Boni (since 6 April 2006)


cabinet: Council of Ministers appointed by the president


elections: president elected by popular vote for a five-year term (eligible for a second term); runoff election held 19 March 2006 (next to be held in March 2011)


election results: Thomas YAYI Boni elected president; percent of vote - Thomas YAYI Boni 74.5%, Adrien HOUNGBEDJI 25.5%
Exports $538 million (f.o.b., 1998) 0 bbl/day (2007)
Exports - commodities coffee, vanilla, shellfish, sugar; cotton cloth, chromite, petroleum products cotton, cashews, shea butter, textiles, palm products, seafood
Exports - partners France 41%, US 19%, Germany 13%, UK 8%, Japan 6% (1999) China 20.9%, Indonesia 7.7%, India 7%, Netherlands 6.2%, Niger 5.7%, Togo 4.6%, Nigeria 4.3% (2006)
Fiscal year calendar year calendar year
Flag description two equal horizontal bands of red (top) and green with a vertical white band of the same width on hoist side two equal horizontal bands of yellow (top) and red (bottom) with a vertical green band on the hoist side
GDP purchasing power parity - $12.3 billion (2000 est.) -
GDP - composition by sector agriculture:
30%

industry:
14%

services:
56% (1999 est.)
agriculture: 33.2%


industry: 14.5%


services: 52.3% (2007 est.)
GDP - per capita purchasing power parity - $800 (2000 est.) -
GDP - real growth rate 4.8% (2000 est.) 4.5% (2007 est.)
Geographic coordinates 20 00 S, 47 00 E 9 30 N, 2 15 E
Geography - note world's fourth-largest island; strategic location along Mozambique Channel sandbanks create difficult access to a coast with no natural harbors, river mouths, or islands
Highways total:
49,837 km

paved:
5,781 km

unpaved:
44,056 km (1996)
-
Household income or consumption by percentage share lowest 10%:
1.9%

highest 10%:
36.7% (1993)
lowest 10%: 3.1%


highest 10%: 29% (2003)
Illicit drugs illicit producer of cannabis (cultivated and wild varieties) used mostly for domestic consumption; transshipment point for heroin transshipment point used by Nigerian traffickers for narcotics destined for Western Europe; vulnerable to money laundering due to poorly enforced financial regulations
Imports $693 million (f.o.b., 1998) 16,830 bbl/day (2007 est.)
Imports - commodities intermediate manufactures, capital goods, petroleum, consumer goods, food foodstuffs, capital goods, petroleum products
Imports - partners France 34%, Hong Kong 6%, China 6%, Japan 5%, Singapore 4% (1999) China 46.6%, France 7.5%, Thailand 6% (2006)
Independence 26 June 1960 (from France) 1 August 1960 (from France)
Industrial production growth rate 3% (2000 est.) 4.5% (2007 est.)
Industries meat processing, soap, breweries, tanneries, sugar, textiles, glassware, cement, automobile assembly plant, paper, petroleum, tourism textiles, food processing, construction materials, cement
Infant mortality rate 83.58 deaths/1,000 live births (2001 est.) total: 77.85 deaths/1,000 live births


male: 82.32 deaths/1,000 live births


female: 73.26 deaths/1,000 live births (2007 est.)
Inflation rate (consumer prices) 10% (1999 est.) 2.5% (2007 est.)
International organization participation 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 ACCT, ACP, AfDB, AU, ECOWAS, Entente, FAO, FZ, G-77, IAEA, IBRD, ICAO, ICCt, ICRM, IDA, IDB, IFAD, IFC, IFRCS, ILO, IMF, IMO, Interpol, IOC, IOM, IPU, ISO (correspondent), ITSO, ITU, ITUC, MIGA, MONUC, NAM, OIC, OIF, OPCW, PCA, UN, UNCTAD, UNESCO, UNIDO, UNMIL, UNMIS, UNOCI, UNWTO, UPU, WADB (regional), WAEMU, WCL, WCO, WFTU, WHO, WIPO, WMO, WTO
Internet Service Providers (ISPs) 2 (2000) -
Irrigated land 10,870 sq km (1993 est.) 120 sq km (2003)
Judicial branch Supreme Court or Cour Supreme; High Constitutional Court or Haute Cour Constitutionnelle Constitutional Court or Cour Constitutionnelle; Supreme Court or Cour Supreme; High Court of Justice
Labor force 7 million (1999) 5.38 million (2007 est.)
Land boundaries 0 km total: 1,989 km


border countries: Burkina Faso 306 km, Niger 266 km, Nigeria 773 km, Togo 644 km
Land use arable land:
4%

permanent crops:
1%

permanent pastures:
41%

forests and woodland:
40%

other:
14% (1993 est.)
arable land: 23.53%


permanent crops: 2.37%


other: 74.1% (2005)
Languages French (official), Malagasy (official) French (official), Fon and Yoruba (most common vernaculars in south), tribal languages (at least six major ones in north)
Legal system based on French civil law system and traditional Malagasy law; has not accepted compulsory ICJ jurisdiction based on French civil law and customary law; has not accepted compulsory ICJ jurisdiction
Legislative branch 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
unicameral National Assembly or Assemblee Nationale (83 seats; members are elected by direct popular vote to serve four-year terms)


elections: last held 31 March 2007 (next to be held by March 2011)


election results: percent of vote by party - NA; seats by party - FCBE 35, ADD 20, PRD 10, other and independents 18
Life expectancy at birth total population:
55.35 years

male:
53.08 years

female:
57.68 years (2001 est.)
total population: 53.44 years


male: 52.28 years


female: 54.63 years (2007 est.)
Literacy definition:
age 15 and over can read and write

total population:
80%

male:
88%

female:
73% (1990 est.)
definition: age 15 and over can read and write


total population: 34.7%


male: 47.9%


female: 23.3% (2002 census)
Location Southern Africa, island in the Indian Ocean, east of Mozambique Western Africa, bordering the Bight of Benin, between Nigeria and Togo
Map references Africa Africa
Maritime claims 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
territorial sea: 200 nm
Merchant marine 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 branches Popular Armed Forces (includes Intervention Forces, Development Forces, Aeronaval Forces - includes Navy and Air Force), Gendarmerie, Presidential Security Regiment Benin Armed Forces (FAB): Army (l'Arme de Terre), Benin Navy (Forces Navales Beninois, FNB), Benin People's Air Force (Force Aerienne Populaire de Benin, FAPB) (2008)
Military expenditures - dollar figure $29 million (FY94) -
Military expenditures - percent of GDP 1% (FY94) 1.7% (2006)
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 Independence Day, 26 June (1960) National Day, 1 August (1960)
Nationality noun:
Malagasy (singular and plural)

adjective:
Malagasy
noun: Beninese (singular and plural)


adjective: Beninese
Natural hazards periodic cyclones hot, dry, dusty harmattan wind may affect north from December to March
Natural resources graphite, chromite, coal, bauxite, salt, quartz, tar sands, semiprecious stones, mica, fish, hydropower small offshore oil deposits, limestone, marble, timber
Net migration rate 0 migrant(s)/1,000 population (2001 est.) 0.58 migrant(s)/1,000 population (2007 est.)
Political parties and leaders 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] Alliance for Dynamic Democracy or ADD; Alliance of Progress Forces or AFP; African Movement for Democracy and Progress or MADEP [Sefou FAGBOHOUN]; Benin Renaissance or RB [Rosine SOGLO]; Democratic Renewal Party or PRD [Adrien HOUNGBEDJI]; Force Cowrie for an Emerging Benin or FCBE; Impulse for Progress and Democracy or IPD [Theophile NATA]; Key Force or FC [Lazare SÈHOUÉTO]; Movement for the People's Alternative or MAP [Olivier CAPO-CHICHI]; Rally for Democracy and Progress or RDP [Dominique HOUNGNINOU]; Social Democrat Party or PSD [Bruno AMOUSSOU]; Union for the Relief or UPR [Issa SALIFOU]; Union for Democracy and National Solidarity or UDS [Sacca LAFIA]


note: approximately 20 additional minor parties
Political pressure groups and leaders Federalist Movement; National Council of Christian Churches or FFKM NA
Population 15,982,563 (July 2001 est.) 8,078,314


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 2007 est.)
Population below poverty line 70% (1994 est.) 37.4% (2007 est.)
Population growth rate 3.02% (2001 est.) 2.674% (2007 est.)
Ports and harbors Antsiranana, Antsohimbondrona, Mahajanga, Toamasina, Toliara -
Radio broadcast stations AM 2 (plus 8 repeater stations), FM 7, shortwave 5 (1998) AM 1, FM 34, shortwave 1 (2007)
Radios 3.05 million (1997) -
Railways total:
883 km

narrow gauge:
883 km 1.000-m gauge (1994)
total: 758 km


narrow gauge: 758 km 1.000-m gauge (2006)
Religions indigenous beliefs 52%, Christian 41%, Muslim 7% Christian 42.8% (Catholic 27.1%, Celestial 5%, Methodist 3.2%, other Protestant 2.2%, other 5.3%), Muslim 24.4%, Vodoun 17.3%, other 15.5% (2002 census)
Sex ratio 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.)
at birth: 1.03 male(s)/female


under 15 years: 1.019 male(s)/female


15-64 years: 0.971 male(s)/female


65 years and over: 0.675 male(s)/female


total population: 0.983 male(s)/female (2007 est.)
Suffrage 18 years of age; universal 18 years of age; universal
Telephone system 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)
general assessment: inadequate; fixed-line network is almost saturated with fixed-line teledensity stuck at a meager 1 per 100 persons; mobile-cellular telephone subscribership is increasing


domestic: fair system of open-wire, microwave radio relay, and cellular connections; four mobile-cellular providers


international: country code - 229; landing point for the SAT-3/WASC fiber-optic submarine cable that provides connectivity to Europe and Asia; satellite earth station - 7 (Intelsat-Atlantic Ocean) (2007)
Telephones - main lines in use 43,000 (1997) 77,300 (2006)
Telephones - mobile cellular 4,000 (1997) 1.056 million (2006)
Television broadcast stations 1 (plus 36 repeaters) (1997) 6 (2007)
Terrain narrow coastal plain, high plateau and mountains in center mostly flat to undulating plain; some hills and low mountains
Total fertility rate 5.8 children born/woman (2001 est.) 5.08 children born/woman (2007 est.)
Unemployment rate NA% NA%
Waterways note:
of local importance only
150 km (on River Niger along northern border) (2005)
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