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Compare Maldives (2004) - Cook Islands (2003)

Compare Maldives (2004) z Cook Islands (2003)

 Maldives (2004)Cook Islands (2003)
 MaldivesCook Islands
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
Age structure 0-14 years: 44.4% (male 77,424; female 73,191)


15-64 years: 52.6% (male 91,045; female 87,331)


65 years and over: 3% (male 5,207; female 5,132) (2004 est.)
0-14 years: NA%


15-64 years: NA%


65 years and over: NA% (2003 est.)
Agriculture - products coconuts, corn, sweet potatoes; fish copra, citrus, pineapples, tomatoes, beans, pawpaws, bananas, yams, taro, coffee; pigs, poultry
Airports 5 (2003 est.) 7 (2002)
Airports - with paved runways total: 2


over 3,047 m: 1


2,438 to 3,047 m: 1 (2004 est.)
total: 1


1,524 to 2,437 m: 1 (2002)
Airports - with unpaved runways total: 3


914 to 1,523 m: 3 (2004 est.)
total: 6


1,524 to 2,437 m: 3


914 to 1,523 m: 3 (2002)
Area total: 300 sq km


land: 300 sq km


water: 0 sq km
total: 240 sq km


land: 240 sq km


water: 0 sq km
Area - comparative about 1.7 times the size of Washington, DC 1.3 times the size of Washington, DC
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. Since 1978, President Maumoon Abdul GAYOOM - currently in his sixth term in office - has dominated the island's political scene. Following riots in the capital Male in August 2004, the president and his government have pledged to embark upon democratic reforms, including a more representative political system and expanded political freedoms. Tourism and fishing are being developed on the archipelago. Named after Captain Cook, who sighted them in 1770, the islands became a British protectorate in 1888. By 1900, administrative control was transferred to New Zealand; in 1965 residents chose self-government in free association with New Zealand. The emigration of skilled workers to New Zealand and government deficits are continuing problems.
Birth rate 36.06 births/1,000 population (2004 est.) NA births/1,000 population (2003 est.)
Budget revenues: $224 million (excluding foreign grants)


expenditures: $282 million, including capital expenditures of $80 million (2002 est.)
revenues: $28 million


expenditures: $27 million, including capital expenditures of $3.3 million (FY 00/01 est.)
Capital Male Avarua
Climate tropical; hot, humid; dry, northeast monsoon (November to March); rainy, southwest monsoon (June to August) tropical; moderated by trade winds
Coastline 644 km 120 km
Constitution adopted January 1998 4 August 1965
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: Cook Islands


former: Harvey Islands
Currency rufiyaa (MVR) New Zealand dollar (NZD)
Death rate 7.44 deaths/1,000 population (2004 est.) NA deaths/1,000 population (2003 est.)
Debt - external $281 million (2003 est.) $141 million (1996 est.)
Dependency status - self-governing in free association with New Zealand; Cook Islands is fully responsible for internal affairs; New Zealand retains responsibility for external affairs and defense, in consultation with the Cook Islands
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 (self-governing in free association with New Zealand)
Diplomatic representation in the US chief of mission: Dr. Mohamed LATHEEF


chancery: 800 2nd Avenue, Suite 400E, New York, NY 10017


telephone: [1] (212) 599-6195
none (self-governing in free association with New Zealand)
Disputes - international none none
Economic aid - recipient NA (1995) $13.1 million; note - New Zealand continues to furnish the greater part (1995)
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. 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 lesser 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. Like many other South Pacific island nations, the Cook Islands' economic development is hindered by the isolation of the country from foreign markets, the limited size of domestic markets, lack of natural resources, periodic devastation from natural disasters, and inadequate infrastructure. Agriculture provides the economic base with major exports made up of copra and citrus fruit. Manufacturing activities are limited to fruit processing, clothing, and handicrafts. Trade deficits are offset by remittances from emigrants and by foreign aid, overwhelmingly from New Zealand. In the 1980s and 1990s, the country lived beyond its means, maintaining a bloated public service and accumulating a large foreign debt. Subsequent reforms, including the sale of state assets, the strengthening of economic management, the encouragement of tourism, and a debt restructuring agreement, have rekindled investment and growth.
Electricity - consumption 108.8 million kWh (2001) 25.51 million kWh (2001)
Electricity - exports 0 kWh (2001) 0 kWh (2001)
Electricity - imports 0 kWh (2001) 0 kWh (2001)
Electricity - production 117 million kWh (2001) 27.43 million kWh (2001)
Electricity - production by source - 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: Pacific Ocean 0 m


highest point: Te Manga 652 m
Environment - current issues depletion of freshwater aquifers threatens water supplies; global warming and sea level rise; coral reef bleaching NA
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: Biodiversity, Climate Change, Climate Change-Kyoto Protocol, Desertification, Law of the Sea


signed, but not ratified: none of the selected agreements
Ethnic groups South Indians, Sinhalese, Arabs Polynesian (full blood) 81.3%, Polynesian and European 7.7%, Polynesian and non-European 7.7%, European 2.4%, other 0.9%
Exchange rates rufiyaa per US dollar - 12.8 (2003), 12.8 (2002), 12.2421 (2001), 11.77 (2000), 11.77 (1999) New Zealand dollars per US dollar - 2.3535 (January 2002), 2.3776 (2001), 2.1863 (2000), 1.8886 (1999), 1.8632 (1998), 1.5083 (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


elections: president nominated by the Majlis and then the 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 17 October 2003 (next to be held NA 2008)


election results: President Maumoon Abdul GAYOOM reelected in referendum held 17 October 2003; percent of popular vote - Maumoon Abdul GAYOOM 90.3%
chief of state: Queen ELIZABETH II (since 6 February 1952), represented by Frederick GOODWIN (since NA); New Zealand High Commissioner Kurt MEYER (since NA), representative of New Zealand


head of government: Prime Minister Dr. Robert WOONTON (since 12 February 2002); Deputy Prime Minister Ngamau MUNOKOA (since 5 November 2003)


cabinet: Cabinet chosen by the prime minister; collectively responsible to Parliament


elections: none; the monarch is hereditary; the UK representative is appointed by the monarch; the New Zealand high commissioner is appointed by the New Zealand Government; following legislative elections, the leader of the majority party or the leader of the majority coalition usually becomes prime minister
Exports NA (2001) NA (2001)
Exports - commodities fish, clothing copra, papayas, fresh and canned citrus fruit, coffee; fish; pearls and pearl shells; clothing
Exports - partners US 32.1%, Thailand 17%, Sri Lanka 13.4%, Japan 10.7%, UK 9.8%, Indonesia 4.5% (2003) Australia 34%, Japan 27%, New Zealand 25%, US 8% (2000)
Fiscal year calendar year 1 April - 31 March
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 blue, with the flag of the UK in the upper hoist-side quadrant and a large circle of 15 white five-pointed stars (one for every island) centered in the outer half of the flag
GDP purchasing power parity - $1.25 billion (2002 est.) purchasing power parity - $105 million (2001 est.)
GDP - composition by sector agriculture: 20%


industry: 18%


services: 62% (2000 est.)
agriculture: 17%


industry: 7.8%


services: 75.2% (2000 est.)
GDP - per capita purchasing power parity - $3,900 (2002 est.) purchasing power parity - $5,000 (2001 est.)
GDP - real growth rate 2.3% (2002 est.) 7.1% (2001 est.)
Geographic coordinates 3 15 N, 73 00 E 21 14 S, 159 46 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 northern Cook Islands are seven low-lying, sparsely populated, coral atolls; the southern Cook Islands consist of eight elevated, fertile, volcanic isles where most of the populace lives
Highways total: NA km


paved: NA km


unpaved: NA km
total: 320 km


paved: 33 km


unpaved: 287 km (2000)
Household income or consumption by percentage share lowest 10%: NA


highest 10%: NA
lowest 10%: NA%


highest 10%: NA%
Imports NA (2001) NA (2001)
Imports - commodities consumer goods, intermediate and capital goods, petroleum products foodstuffs, textiles, fuels, timber, capital goods
Imports - partners Singapore 24.8%, Sri Lanka 13.8%, India 10.2%, Malaysia 7.6%, UAE 7.6%, Thailand 5.1% (2003) NZ 61%, Fiji 19%, US 9%, Australia 6%, Japan 2% (2000)
Independence 26 July 1965 (from UK) none (became self-governing in free association with New Zealand on 4 August 1965 and has the right at any time to move to full independence by unilateral action)
Industrial production growth rate 4.4% (1996 est.) 1% (2002)
Industries fish processing, tourism, shipping, boat building, coconut processing, garments, woven mats, rope, handicrafts, coral and sand mining fruit processing, tourism, fishing, clothing, handicrafts
Infant mortality rate total: 58.32 deaths/1,000 live births


male: 57.43 deaths/1,000 live births


female: 59.26 deaths/1,000 live births (2004 est.)
total: NA%


male: NA%


female: NA%
Inflation rate (consumer prices) 1% (2002 est.) 3.2% (2000 est.)
International organization participation AsDB, C, CP, FAO, G-77, IBRD, ICAO, IDA, IDB, IFAD, IFC, IMF, IMO, Interpol, IOC, ITU, NAM, OIC, OPCW, SAARC, SACEP, UN, UNCTAD, UNESCO, UNIDO, UPU, WCO, WHO, WIPO, WMO, WToO, WTO ACP, AsDB, ESCAP (associate), FAO, ICAO, ICFTU, IFAD, IFRCS (associate), IOC, OPCW, Sparteca, SPC, SPF, UNESCO, WHO, WMO
Internet Service Providers (ISPs) - 3 (2000)
Irrigated land NA sq km NA sq km
Judicial branch High Court High Court
Labor force 88,000 (2000) 8,000 (1996)
Labor force - by occupation agriculture 22%, industry 18%, services 60% (1995) agriculture 29%, industry 15%, services 56%


note: shortage of skilled labor (1995)
Land boundaries 0 km 0 km
Land use arable land: 13.33%


permanent crops: 16.67%


other: 70% (2001)
arable land: 17.39%


permanent crops: 13.04%


other: 69.57% (1998 est.)
Languages Maldivian Dhivehi (dialect of Sinhala, script derived from Arabic), English spoken by most government officials English (official), Maori
Legal system based on Islamic law with admixtures of English common law primarily in commercial matters; has not accepted compulsory ICJ jurisdiction based on New Zealand law and English common law
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 22 January 2005 (next to be held NA 2010)


election results: percent of vote - NA%; seats - independents 50
unicameral Parliament (25 seats; members elected by popular vote to serve five-year terms)


elections: last held 16 June 1999 (next to be held by NA 2004)


election results: percent of vote by party - NA%; seats by party - CIP 12, DAP 12, NAP 1


note: the House of Ariki (chiefs) advises on traditional matters and maintains considerable influence, but has no legislative powers
Life expectancy at birth total population: 63.68 years


male: 62.41 years


female: 65.01 years (2004 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: 97.2%


male: 97.1%


female: 97.3% (2003 est.)
definition: NA


total population: 95%


male: NA%


female: NA%
Location Southern Asia, group of atolls in the Indian Ocean, south-southwest of India Oceania, group of islands in the South Pacific Ocean, about one-half of the way from Hawaii to New Zealand
Map references Asia Oceania
Maritime claims measured from claimed archipelagic straight baselines


territorial sea: 12 nm


contiguous zone: 24 nm


exclusive economic zone: 200 nm
continental shelf: 200 NM or to the edge of the continental margin


exclusive economic zone: 200 NM


territorial sea: 12 NM
Merchant marine total: 16 ships (1,000 GRT or over) 54,164 GRT/68,973 DWT


by type: cargo 13, petroleum tanker 1, refrigerated cargo 1, short-sea/passenger 1


foreign-owned: North Korea 1


registered in other countries: 2 (2004 est.)
-
Military - note - defense is the responsibility of New Zealand, in consultation with the Cook Islands and at its request
Military branches National Security Service: comprising Security Branch (ground forces), Air Element; Coast Guard -
Military expenditures - dollar figure $43.1 million (2003) -
Military expenditures - percent of GDP 8.6% (2003) -
Military manpower - availability males age 15-49: 81,221 (2004 est.) -
Military manpower - fit for military service males age 15-49: 45,142 (2004 est.) -
National holiday Independence Day, 26 July (1965) Constitution Day, first Monday in August (1965)
Nationality noun: Maldivian(s)


adjective: Maldivian
noun: Cook Islander(s)


adjective: Cook Islander
Natural hazards low level of islands makes them very sensitive to sea level rise typhoons (November to March)
Natural resources fish NEGL
Net migration rate 0 migrant(s)/1,000 population (2004 est.) -
Political parties and leaders although political parties are not banned, none exist Cook Islands People's Party or CIP [Geoffrey HENRY]; Democratic Alliance Party or DAP [Terepai MAOATE]; New Alliance Party or NAP [Norman GEORGE]; Cook Islands National Party or CIN [Teariki HEATHER]
Political pressure groups and leaders none NA
Population 339,330 (July 2004 est.) 21,008 (July 2003 est.)
Population below poverty line NA NA%
Population growth rate 2.86% (2004 est.) NA% (2003 est.)
Ports and harbors Gan, Male Avarua, Avatiu
Radio broadcast stations AM 1, FM 1, shortwave 1 (1998) AM 1, FM 2, shortwave 0 (1998)
Railways - 0 km
Religions Sunni Muslim Christian (majority of populace are members of the Cook Islands Christian Church)
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: 1.02 male(s)/female


total population: 1.05 male(s)/female (2004 est.)
NA (2003 est.)
Suffrage 21 years of age; universal NA years of age; universal adult
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: country code - 960; satellite earth station - 3 Intelsat (Indian Ocean)
general assessment: NA


domestic: the individual islands are connected by a combination of satellite earth stations, microwave systems, and VHF and HF radiotelephone; within the islands, service is provided by small exchanges connected to subscribers by open-wire, cable, and fiber-optic cable


international: satellite earth station - 1 Intelsat (Pacific Ocean)
Telephones - main lines in use 28,700 (2002) 5,000 (1997)
Telephones - mobile cellular 41,900 (2002) 0 (1994)
Television broadcast stations 1 (1997) 2 (plus eight low-power repeaters) (1997)
Terrain flat, with white sandy beaches low coral atolls in north; volcanic, hilly islands in south
Total fertility rate 5.14 children born/woman (2004 est.) NA children born/woman (2003 est.)
Unemployment rate NEGL% (2003 est.) 13% (1996)
Waterways - none
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