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Compare Marshall Islands (2004) - Comoros (2003)

Compare Marshall Islands (2004) z Comoros (2003)

 Marshall Islands (2004)Comoros (2003)
 Marshall IslandsComoros
Administrative divisions 33 municipalities; Ailinginae, Ailinglaplap, Ailuk, Arno, Aur, Bikar, Bikini, Bokak, Ebon, Enewetak, Erikub, Jabat, Jaluit, Jemo, Kili, Kwajalein, Lae, Lib, Likiep, Majuro, Maloelap, Mejit, Mili, Namorik, Namu, Rongelap, Rongrik, Toke, Ujae, Ujelang, Utirik, Wotho, Wotje 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: 38.6% (male 11,347; female 10,934)


15-64 years: 58.7% (male 17,380; female 16,520)


65 years and over: 2.7% (male 748; female 809) (2004 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 coconuts, tomatoes, melons, taro, breadfruit, fruits; pigs, chickens vanilla, cloves, perfume essences, copra, coconuts, bananas, cassava (tapioca)
Airports 15 (2003 est.) 4 (2002)
Airports - with paved runways total: 4


1,524 to 2,437 m: 3


914 to 1,523 m: 1 (2004 est.)
total: 4


2,438 to 3,047 m: 1


914 to 1,523 m: 3 (2002)
Airports - with unpaved runways total: 11


914 to 1,523 m: 10


under 914 m: 1 (2004 est.)
-
Area total: 181.3 sq km


land: 181.3 sq km


water: 0 sq km


note: includes the atolls of Bikini, Enewetak, Kwajalein, Majuro, Rongelap, and Utirik
total: 2,170 sq km


land: 2,170 sq km


water: 0 sq km
Area - comparative about the size of Washington, DC slightly more than 12 times the size of Washington, DC
Background After almost four decades under US administration as the easternmost part of the UN Trust Territory of the Pacific Islands, the Marshall Islands attained independence in 1986 under a Compact of Free Association. Compensation claims continue as a result of US nuclear testing on some of the atolls between 1947 and 1962. The Marshall Islands hosts the US Army Kwajalein Atoll (USAKA) Reagan Missile Test Site, a key installation in the US missile defense network. 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 33.88 births/1,000 population (2004 est.) 38.5 births/1,000 population (2003 est.)
Budget revenues: $42 million


expenditures: $40 million, including capital expenditures of $NA (1999)
revenues: $27.6 million


expenditures: $NA, including capital expenditures of $NA (2001 est.)
Capital Majuro Moroni
Climate tropical; hot and humid; wet season from May to November; islands border typhoon belt tropical marine; rainy season (November to May)
Coastline 370.4 km 340 km
Constitution 1 May 1979 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: Republic of the Marshall Islands


conventional short form: Marshall Islands


former: Marshall Islands District (Trust Territory of the Pacific Islands)
conventional long form: Union of the Comoros


conventional short form: Comoros


local long form: Union des Comores


local short form: Comores
Currency US dollar (USD) Comoran franc (KMF)
Death rate 4.94 deaths/1,000 population (2004 est.) 8.86 deaths/1,000 population (2003 est.)
Debt - external $86.5 million (FY99/00 est.) $232 million (2000 est.)
Diplomatic representation from the US chief of mission: Ambassador Greta N. MORRIS


embassy: Oceanside, Mejen Weto, Long Island, Majuro


mailing address: P. O. Box 1379, Majuro, Republic of the Marshall Islands 96960-1379


telephone: [692] 247-4011


FAX: [692] 247-4012
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 Banny DE BRUM


chancery: 2433 Massachusetts Avenue NW, Washington, DC 20008


telephone: [1] (202) 234-5414


FAX: [1] (202) 232-3236


consulate(s) general: Honolulu
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 claims US territory of Wake Island claims French-administered Mayotte
Economic aid - recipient more than $1 billion from the US, 1986-2002 $10 million (2001 est.)
Economy - overview US Government assistance is the mainstay of this tiny island economy. Agricultural production is primarily subsistence and is concentrated on small farms; the most important commercial crops are coconuts and breadfruit. Small-scale industry is limited to handicrafts, tuna processing, and copra. The tourist industry, now a small source of foreign exchange employing less than 10% of the labor force, remains the best hope for future added income. The islands have few natural resources, and imports far exceed exports. Under the terms of the Compact of Free Association, the US has provided more than $1 billion in aid since 1986. Negotiations have continued for an extended agreement. Government downsizing, drought, a drop in construction, the decline in tourism and foreign investment due to the Asian financial difficulties, and less income from the renewal of fishing vessel licenses have held GDP growth to an average of 1% over the past decade. 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 - 19.78 million kWh (2001)
Electricity - exports - 0 kWh (2001)
Electricity - imports - 0 kWh (2001)
Electricity - production - 21.27 million kWh (2001)
Electricity - production by source - fossil fuel: 90.6%


hydro: 9.4%


nuclear: 0%


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


highest point: unnamed location on Likiep 10 m
lowest point: Indian Ocean 0 m


highest point: Le Kartala 2,360 m
Environment - current issues inadequate supplies of potable water; pollution of Majuro lagoon from household waste and discharges from fishing vessels soil degradation and erosion results from crop cultivation on slopes without proper terracing; deforestation
Environment - international agreements party to: Biodiversity, Climate Change, Climate Change-Kyoto Protocol, Desertification, Hazardous Wastes, Law of the Sea, Ozone Layer Protection, Ship Pollution


signed, but not ratified: none of the selected agreements
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 Micronesian Antalote, Cafre, Makoa, Oimatsaha, Sakalava
Exchange rates the US dollar is the legal tender 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: President Kessai Hesa NOTE (since 5 January 2004); note - the president is both the chief of state and head of government


head of government: President Kessai Hesa NOTE (since 5 January 2004); note - the president is both the chief of state and head of government


cabinet: Cabinet selected by the president from among the members of Parliament


elections: president elected by Parliament from among its own members for a four-year term; election last held 17 November 2003 (next to be held NA November 2007)


election results: Kessai Hesa NOTE elected president; percent of Parliament vote - 100%
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 $9 million f.o.b. (2000) NA (2001)
Exports - commodities copra cake, coconut oil, handicrafts, fish vanilla, ylang-ylang, cloves, perfume oil, copra
Exports - partners US, Japan, Australia, China (2000) France 32.4%, Germany 19.4%, US 17.6%, Singapore 11.5%, Netherlands 6.5% (2002)
Fiscal year 1 October - 30 September calendar year
Flag description blue with two stripes radiating from the lower hoist-side corner - orange (top) and white; there is a white star with four large rays and 20 small rays on the hoist side above the two stripes 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 - $115 million (2001 est.) purchasing power parity - $441 million (2002 est.)
GDP - composition by sector agriculture: 14%


industry: 16%


services: 70% (2000 est.)
agriculture: 40%


industry: 4%


services: 56% (2001 est.)
GDP - per capita purchasing power parity - $1,600 (2001 est.) purchasing power parity - $700 (2002 est.)
GDP - real growth rate 1% (2001 est.) 2% (2002 est.)
Geographic coordinates 9 00 N, 168 00 E 12 10 S, 44 15 E
Geography - note two archipelagic island chains of 30 atolls and 1,152 islands; Bikini and Enewetak are former US nuclear test sites; Kwajalein, the famous World War II battleground, is now used as a US missile test range important location at northern end of Mozambique Channel
Highways total: NA km


paved: 64.5 km


unpaved: NA km


note: paved roads on major islands (Majuro, Kwajalein), otherwise stone-, coral-, or laterite-surfaced roads and tracks (2002)
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%
Imports $54 million f.o.b. (2000) NA (2001)
Imports - commodities foodstuffs, machinery and equipment, fuels, beverages and tobacco rice and other foodstuffs, consumer goods; petroleum products, cement, transport equipment
Imports - partners US, Japan, Australia, NZ, Singapore, Fiji, China, Philippines (2000) France 34.3%, South Africa 12%, Japan 6.1%, Kenya 5.9%, UAE 5.8%, Mauritius 4.9%, Thailand 4.6% (2002)
Independence 21 October 1986 (from the US-administered UN trusteeship) 6 July 1975 (from France)
Industrial production growth rate NA -2% (1999 est.)
Industries copra, fish, tourism, craft items from shell, wood, and pearls tourism, perfume distillation
Infant mortality rate total: 30.5 deaths/1,000 live births


male: 34.19 deaths/1,000 live births


female: 26.61 deaths/1,000 live births (2004 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) 2% (2001 est.) 3.5% (2001 est.)
International organization participation ACP, AsDB, FAO, G-77, IAEA, IBRD, ICAO, ICCt, IDA, IFC, IMF, IMO, Interpol, ITU, OPCW, PIF, Sparteca, UN, UNCTAD, UNESCO, WHO 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) - 1 (2000)
Irrigated land 0 sq km NA sq km
Judicial branch Supreme Court; High Court 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 28,700 (1996 est.) 144,500 (1996 est.)
Labor force - by occupation agriculture 21.4%, industry 20.9%, services 57.7% agriculture 80%
Land boundaries 0 km 0 km
Land use arable land: 16.67%


permanent crops: 38.89%


other: 44.44% (2001)
arable land: 34.98%


permanent crops: 17.94%


other: 47.08% (1998 est.)
Languages English (widely spoken as a second language, both English and Marshallese are official languages), two major Marshallese dialects from the Malayo-Polynesian family, Japanese Arabic (official), French (official), Shikomoro (a blend of Swahili and Arabic)
Legal system based on adapted Trust Territory laws, acts of the legislature, municipal, common, and customary laws French and Sharia (Islamic) law in a new consolidated code
Legislative branch unicameral Parliament or Nitijela (33 seats; members elected by popular vote to serve four-year terms)


elections: last held 17 November 2003 (next to be held not later than November 2007)


election results: percent of vote by party - NA; seats by party - NA


note: the Council of Chiefs is a 12-member body that advises on matters affecting customary law and practice
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: 69.7 years


male: 67.77 years


female: 71.73 years (2004 est.)
total population: 61.18 years


male: 58.92 years


female: 63.5 years (2003 est.)
Literacy definition: age 15 and over can read and write


total population: 93.7%


male: 93.6%


female: 93.7% (1999)
definition: age 15 and over can read and write


total population: 56.5%


male: 63.6%


female: 49.3% (2003 est.)
Location Oceania, group of atolls and reefs in the North Pacific Ocean, about one-half of the way from Hawaii to Australia 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 Oceania Africa
Maritime claims territorial sea: 12 nm


contiguous zone: 24 nm


exclusive economic zone: 200 nm
exclusive economic zone: 200 NM


territorial sea: 12 NM
Merchant marine total: 420 ships (1,000 GRT or over) 16,954,092 GRT/28,176,762 DWT


by type: barge carrier 1, bulk 81, cargo 25, chemical tanker 41, combination bulk 4, combination ore/oil 7, container 77, liquefied gas 9, multi-functional large load carrier 5, passenger 6, petroleum tanker 149, refrigerated cargo 4, roll on/roll off 7, vehicle carrier 4


foreign-owned: Australia 2, Chile 3, Croatia 2, Cyprus 10, Denmark 2, Germany 119, Greece 82, Hong Kong 12, India 2, Japan 16, Monaco 18, Netherlands 6, New Zealand 1, Norway 5, Poland 11, Singapore 1, Slovenia 1, Switzerland 4, Thailand 2, Turkey 8, United Kingdom 10, United States 92


registered in other countries: 50 (2004 est.)
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 the US -
Military branches no regular military forces; Marshall Islands Police Comoran Security Force
Military expenditures - dollar figure NA $6 million (FY02)
Military expenditures - percent of GDP NA 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 Constitution Day, 1 May (1979) Independence Day, 6 July (1975)
Nationality noun: Marshallese (singular and plural)


adjective: Marshallese
noun: Comoran(s)


adjective: Comoran
Natural hazards infrequent typhoons cyclones possible during rainy season (December to April); Le Kartala on Grand Comore is an active volcano
Natural resources coconut products, marine products, deep seabed minerals NEGL
Net migration rate -6.04 migrant(s)/1,000 population (2004 est.) 0 migrant(s)/1,000 population (2003 est.)
Political parties and leaders traditionally there have been no formally organized political parties; what has existed more closely resembles factions or interest groups because they do not have party headquarters, formal platforms, or party structures; the following two "groupings" have competed in legislative balloting in recent years - Kabua Party [Imata KABUA] and United Democratic Party or UDP [Litokwa TOMEING] 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 57,738 (July 2004 est.) 632,948 (July 2003 est.)
Population below poverty line NA 60% (2002 est.)
Population growth rate 2.29% (2004 est.) 2.96% (2003 est.)
Ports and harbors Majuro Fomboni, Moroni, Moutsamoudou
Radio broadcast stations AM 2, FM 1, shortwave 0


note: additionally, the US Armed Forces Radio and Television Services (Central Pacific Network) operate one FM and one AM station on Kwajalein (2002)
AM 1, FM 4, shortwave 1 (2001)
Railways - 0 km
Religions Christian (mostly Protestant) Sunni Muslim 98%, Roman Catholic 2%
Sex ratio at birth: 1.05 male(s)/female


under 15 years: 1.04 male(s)/female


15-64 years: 1.05 male(s)/female


65 years and over: 0.93 male(s)/female


total population: 1.04 male(s)/female (2004 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: digital switching equipment; modern services include telex, cellular, internet, international calling, caller ID, and leased data circuits


domestic: Majuro Atoll and Ebeye and Kwajalein islands have regular, seven-digit, direct-dial telephones; other islands interconnected by shortwave radiotelephone (used mostly for government purposes)


international: country code - 692; satellite earth stations - 2 Intelsat (Pacific Ocean); US Government satellite communications system on Kwajalein (2001)
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 4,500 (2003) 7,000 (2000)
Telephones - mobile cellular 600 (2002) NA
Television broadcast stations 2 (both are US military stations) (2002) NA
Terrain low coral limestone and sand islands volcanic islands, interiors vary from steep mountains to low hills
Total fertility rate 4.02 children born/woman (2004 est.) 5.21 children born/woman (2003 est.)
Unemployment rate 30.9% (1999 est.) 20% (1996 est.)
Waterways - none
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