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Compare Maldives (2002) - Western Sahara (2003)

Compare Maldives (2002) z Western Sahara (2003)

 Maldives (2002)Western Sahara (2003)
 MaldivesWestern Sahara
Administrative divisions 19 atolls (atholhu, singular and plural) and 1 other first-order administrative division*; Alifu, Baa, Dhaalu, Faafu, Gaafu Alifu, Gaafu Dhaalu, Gnaviyani, Haa Alifu, Haa Dhaalu, Kaafu, Laamu, Lhaviyani, Maale*, Meemu, Noonu, Raa, Seenu, Shaviyani, Thaa, Vaavu none (under de facto control of Morocco)
Age structure 0-14 years: 45.3% (male 74,493; female 70,394)


15-64 years: 51.7% (male 84,548; female 81,092)


65 years and over: 3% (male 4,944; female 4,694) (2002 est.)
0-14 years: NA%


15-64 years: NA%


65 years and over: NA% (2003 est.)
Agriculture - products coconuts, corn, sweet potatoes; fish fruits and vegetables (grown in the few oases); camels, sheep, goats (kept by nomads)
Airports 5 (2001) 11 (2002)
Airports - with paved runways total: 2


over 3,047 m: 1


2,438 to 3,047 m: 1 (2002)
total: 3


2,438 to 3,047 m: 3 (2002)
Airports - with unpaved runways total: 3


914 to 1,523 m: 3 (2002)
total: 8


1,524 to 2,437 m: 1


914 to 1,523 m: 4


under 914 m: 3 (2002)
Area total: 300 sq km


land: 300 sq km


water: 0 sq km
total: 266,000 sq km


land: 266,000 sq km


water: 0 sq km
Area - comparative about 1.7 times the size of Washington, DC about the size of Colorado
Background The Maldives were long a sultanate, first under Dutch and then under British protection. They became a republic in 1968, three years after independence. Tourism and fishing are being developed on the archipelago. Morocco virtually annexed the northern two-thirds of Western Sahara (formerly Spanish Sahara) in 1976, and the rest of the territory in 1979, following Mauritania's withdrawal. A guerrilla war with the Polisario Front contesting Rabat's sovereignty ended in a 1991 UN-brokered cease-fire; a UN-organized referendum on final status has been repeatedly postponed.
Birth rate 37.41 births/1,000 population (2002 est.) NA births/1,000 population (2003 est.)
Budget revenues: $166 million (excluding foreign grants)


expenditures: $192 million, including capital expenditures of $80 million
revenues: $NA


expenditures: $NA, including capital expenditures of $NA
Capital Male none
Climate tropical; hot, humid; dry, northeast monsoon (November to March); rainy, southwest monsoon (June to August) hot, dry desert; rain is rare; cold offshore air currents produce fog and heavy dew
Coastline 644 km 1,110 km
Constitution adopted January 1998 -
Country name conventional long form: Republic of Maldives


conventional short form: Maldives


local long form: Dhivehi Raajjeyge Jumhooriyyaa


local short form: Dhivehi Raajje
conventional long form: none


conventional short form: Western Sahara


former: Spanish Sahara
Currency rufiyaa (MVR) Moroccan dirham (MAD)
Death rate 7.86 deaths/1,000 population (2002 est.) NA deaths/1,000 population (2003 est.)
Debt - external $237 million (2000 est.) $NA
Diplomatic representation from the US the US does not have an embassy in Maldives; the US Ambassador to Sri Lanka is accredited to Maldives and makes periodic visits there none
Diplomatic representation in the US Maldives does not have an embassy in the US, but does have a Permanent Mission to the UN in New York; permanent representative is Dr. Mohamed LATHEEF none
Disputes - international none Morocco claims and administers Western Sahara, but sovereignty remains unresolved; UN-administered cease-fire has remained in effect since September 1991, but attempts to hold a referendum have failed and parties have rejected other proposals; Mauritanian claims to Western Sahara have been dormant in recent years; Morocco allowed Spanish fishermen to fish temporarily off the coast of Western Sahara after an oil spill soiled Spanish fishing grounds
Economic aid - recipient $NA $NA
Economy - overview Tourism, Maldives largest industry, accounts for 20% of GDP and more than 60% of the Maldives' foreign exchange receipts. Over 90% of government tax revenue comes from import duties and tourism-related taxes. Almost 400,000 tourists visited the islands in 1998. Fishing is a second leading sector. The Maldivian Government began an economic reform program in 1989 initially by lifting import quotas and opening some exports to the private sector. Subsequently, it has liberalized regulations to allow more foreign investment. Agriculture and manufacturing continue to play a minor role in the economy, constrained by the limited availability of cultivable land and the shortage of domestic labor. Most staple foods must be imported. Industry, which consists mainly of garment production, boat building, and handicrafts, accounts for about 18% of GDP. Maldivian authorities worry about the impact of erosion and possible global warming on their low-lying country; 80% of the area is one meter or less above sea level. Western Sahara depends on pastoral nomadism, fishing, and phosphate mining as the principal sources of income for the population. The territory lacks sufficient rainfall for sustainable agricultural production, and most of the food for the urban population must be imported. All trade and other economic activities are controlled by the Moroccan Government. Moroccan energy interests in 2001 signed contracts to explore for oil off the coast of Western Sahara, which has angered the Polisario. Incomes and standards of living in Western Sahara are substantially below the Moroccan level.
Electricity - consumption 102.3 million kWh (2000) 83.7 million kWh (2001)
Electricity - exports 0 kWh (2000) 0 kWh (2001)
Electricity - imports 0 kWh (2000) 0 kWh (2001)
Electricity - production 110 million kWh (2000) 90 million kWh (2001)
Electricity - production by source fossil fuel: 100%


hydro: 0%


nuclear: 0%


other: 0% (2000)
fossil fuel: 100%


hydro: 0%


nuclear: 0%


other: 0% (2001)
Elevation extremes lowest point: Indian Ocean 0 m


highest point: unnamed location on Wilingili island in the Addu Atoll 2.4 m
lowest point: Sebjet Tah -55 m


highest point: unnamed location 463 m
Environment - current issues depletion of freshwater aquifers threatens water supplies; global warming and sea level rise; coral reef bleaching sparse water and lack of arable land
Environment - international agreements party to: Biodiversity, Climate Change, Climate Change-Kyoto Protocol, Hazardous Wastes, Law of the Sea, Ozone Layer Protection


signed, but not ratified: none of the selected agreements
party to: none of the selected agreements


signed, but not ratified: none of the selected agreements
Ethnic groups South Indians, Sinhalese, Arabs Arab, Berber
Exchange rates rufiyaa per US dollar - 11.770 (fixed rate since 1995) Moroccan dirhams per US dollar - 11.584 (2002), 11.303 (2001), 10.626 (2000), 9.804 (1999), 9.604 (1998), 9.527 (1997)
Executive branch chief of state: President Maumoon Abdul GAYOOM (since 11 November 1978); note - the president is both the chief of state and head of government


head of government: President Maumoon Abdul GAYOOM (since 11 November 1978); note - the president is both the chief of state and head of government


cabinet: Cabinet of Ministers appointed by the president; note - need not be members of Majlis


elections: president nominated by the Majlis and then that nomination must be ratified by a national referendum (at least a 51% approval margin is required); president elected for a five-year term; election last held 16 October 1998 (next to be held NA October 2003)


election results: President Maumoon Abdul GAYOOM reelected; percent of popular vote - Maumoon Abdul GAYOOM 90.9%
none
Exports $88 million f.o.b. (2000 est.) NA (2001)
Exports - commodities fish, clothing phosphates 62%
Exports - partners US, UK, Sri Lanka, Japan Morocco claims and administers Western Sahara, so trade partners are included in overall Moroccan accounts
Fiscal year calendar year calendar year
Flag description red with a large green rectangle in the center bearing a vertical white crescent; the closed side of the crescent is on the hoist side of the flag -
GDP purchasing power parity - $1.2 billion (2001 est.) purchasing power parity - $NA
GDP - composition by sector agriculture: 20%


industry: 18%


services: 62% (2000 est.)
agriculture: NA%


industry: NA%


services: 40% (1996 est.)
GDP - per capita purchasing power parity - $3,870 (2001 est.) purchasing power parity - $NA
GDP - real growth rate 7% (2001 est.) NA%
Geographic coordinates 3 15 N, 73 00 E 24 30 N, 13 00 W
Geography - note 1,190 coral islands grouped into 26 atolls (200 inhabited islands, plus 80 islands with tourist resorts); archipelago with strategic location astride and along major sea lanes in Indian Ocean the waters off the coast are particularly rich fishing areas
Highways total: NA km


paved: NA km


unpaved: NA km; note - Male has 9.6 km of coral highways within the city (1988 est.)
total: 6,200 km


paved: 1,350 km


unpaved: 4,850 km (1991 est)
Household income or consumption by percentage share lowest 10%: NA%


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


highest 10%: NA%
Imports $372 million f.o.b. (2000 est.) NA (2001)
Imports - commodities consumer goods, intermediate and capital goods, petroleum products fuel for fishing fleet, foodstuffs
Imports - partners Singapore, India, Sri Lanka, Japan, Canada Morocco claims and administers Western Sahara, so trade partners are included in overall Moroccan accounts (2000)
Independence 26 July 1965 (from UK) -
Industrial production growth rate 4.4% (1996 est.) NA%
Industries fish processing, tourism, shipping, boat building, coconut processing, garments, woven mats, rope, handicrafts, coral and sand mining phosphate mining, handicrafts
Infant mortality rate 61.93 deaths/1,000 live births (2002 est.) total: NA%


male: NA%


female: NA%
Inflation rate (consumer prices) 3% (2000 est.) NA%
International organization participation AsDB, C, CCC, CP, ESCAP, FAO, G-77, IBRD, ICAO, IDA, IDB, IFAD, IFC, IMF, IMO, Interpol, IOC, ITU, NAM, OIC, OPCW, SAARC, UN, UNCTAD, UNESCO, UNIDO, UPU, WHO, WMO, WToO, WTrO none
Internet Service Providers (ISPs) 1 (2000) 1 (2000)
Irrigated land NA sq km NA sq km
Judicial branch High Court -
Labor force 67,000 (1995) (1995) 12,000
Labor force - by occupation agriculture 22%, industry 18%, services 60% (1995) (1995) animal husbandry and subsistence farming 50%
Land boundaries 0 km total: 2,046 km


border countries: Algeria 42 km, Mauritania 1,561 km, Morocco 443 km
Land use arable land: 3.33%


permanent crops: 6.67%


other: 90% (1998 est.)
arable land: 0%


permanent crops: 0%


other: 100% (1998 est.)
Languages Maldivian Dhivehi (dialect of Sinhala, script derived from Arabic), English spoken by most government officials Hassaniya Arabic, Moroccan Arabic
Legal system based on Islamic law with admixtures of English common law primarily in commercial matters; has not accepted compulsory ICJ jurisdiction -
Legislative branch unicameral People's Council or Majlis (50 seats; 42 elected by popular vote, 8 appointed by the president; members serve five-year terms)


elections: last held 20 November 1999 (next to be held NA November 2004)


election results: percent of vote - NA%; seats - independents 42
-
Life expectancy at birth total population: 62.93 years


male: 61.72 years


female: 64.2 years (2002 est.)
total population: NA years


male: NA years


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


total population: 93.2%


male: 93.3%


female: 93% (1995 est.)
definition: NA


total population: NA%


male: NA%


female: NA%
Location Southern Asia, group of atolls in the Indian Ocean, south-southwest of India Northern Africa, bordering the North Atlantic Ocean, between Mauritania and Morocco
Map references Asia Africa
Maritime claims measured from claimed archipelagic baselines


contiguous zone: 24 NM


exclusive economic zone: 200 NM


territorial sea: 12 NM
contingent upon resolution of sovereignty issue
Merchant marine total: 14 ships (1,000 GRT or over) totaling 51,532 GRT/71,298 DWT


ships by type: cargo 13, short-sea passenger 1 (2002 est.)
-
Military branches National Security Service -
Military expenditures - dollar figure $34.5 million (FY01) $NA
Military expenditures - percent of GDP 8.6% (FY01) NA%
Military manpower - availability males age 15-49: 74,893 (2002 est.) -
Military manpower - fit for military service males age 15-49: 41,672 (2002 est.) -
National holiday Independence Day, 26 July (1965) -
Nationality noun: Maldivian(s)


adjective: Maldivian
noun: Sahrawi(s), Sahraoui(s)


adjective: Sahrawian, Sahraouian
Natural hazards low level of islands makes them very sensitive to sea level rise hot, dry, dust/sand-laden sirocco wind can occur during winter and spring; widespread harmattan haze exists 60% of time, often severely restricting visibility
Natural resources fish phosphates, iron ore
Net migration rate 0 migrant(s)/1,000 population (2002 est.) -
Political parties and leaders although political parties are not banned, none exist -
Political pressure groups and leaders none none
Population 320,165 (July 2002 est.) 261,794 (July 2003 est.)
Population below poverty line NA% NA%
Population growth rate 2.95% (2002 est.) NA% (2003 est.)
Ports and harbors Gan, Male Ad Dakhla, Cabo Bojador, Laayoune (El Aaiun)
Radio broadcast stations AM 1, FM 1, shortwave 1 (1998) AM 2, FM 0, shortwave 0 (1998)
Radios 35,000 (1999) -
Railways 0 km 0 km
Religions Sunni Muslim Muslim
Sex ratio at birth: 1.05 male(s)/female


under 15 years: 1.06 male(s)/female


15-64 years: 1.04 male(s)/female


65 years and over: 1.05 male(s)/female


total population: 1.05 male(s)/female (2002 est.)
NA (2003 est.)
Suffrage 21 years of age; universal none; a UN-sponsored voter identification campaign not yet completed
Telephone system general assessment: minimal domestic and international facilities


domestic: interatoll communication through microwave links; all inhabited islands are connected with telephone and fax service


international: satellite earth station - 3 Intelsat (Indian Ocean)
general assessment: sparse and limited system


domestic: NA


international: tied into Morocco's system by microwave radio relay, tropospheric scatter, and satellite; satellite earth stations - 2 Intelsat (Atlantic Ocean) linked to Rabat, Morocco
Telephones - main lines in use 21,000 (1999) about 2,000 (1999 est.)
Telephones - mobile cellular 1,290 (1997) 0 (1999)
Television broadcast stations 1 (1997) NA
Terrain flat, with white sandy beaches mostly low, flat desert with large areas of rocky or sandy surfaces rising to small mountains in south and northeast
Total fertility rate 5.38 children born/woman (2002 est.) NA children born/woman (2003 est.)
Unemployment rate NEGL% NA%
Waterways none none
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