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Compare Mauritania (2001) - Madagascar (2001)

Compare Mauritania (2001) z Madagascar (2001)

 Mauritania (2001)Madagascar (2001)
 MauritaniaMadagascar
Administrative divisions 12 regions (regions, singular - region) and 1 capital district*; Adrar, Assaba, Brakna, Dakhlet Nouadhibou, Gorgol, Guidimaka, Hodh Ech Chargui, Hodh El Gharbi, Inchiri, Nouakchott*, Tagant, Tiris Zemmour, Trarza 6 provinces (faritany); Antananarivo, Antsiranana, Fianarantsoa, Mahajanga, Toamasina, Toliara
Age structure 0-14 years:
46.14% (male 634,940; female 632,654)

15-64 years:
51.59% (male 698,433; female 718,883)

65 years and over:
2.27% (male 25,840; female 36,562) (2001 est.)
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.)
Agriculture - products dates, millet, sorghum, rice, corn, dates; cattle, sheep coffee, vanilla, sugarcane, cloves, cocoa, rice, cassava (tapioca), beans, bananas, peanuts; livestock products
Airports 26 (2000 est.) 130 (2000 est.)
Airports - with paved runways total:
8

2,438 to 3,047 m:
3

1,524 to 2,437 m:
5 (2000 est.)
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.)
Airports - with unpaved runways total:
18

2,438 to 3,047 m:
2

1,524 to 2,437 m:
4

914 to 1,523 m:
9

under 914 m:
3 (2000 est.)
total:
101

1,524 to 2,437 m:
2

914 to 1,523 m:
56

under 914 m:
43 (2000 est.)
Area total:
1,030,700 sq km

land:
1,030,400 sq km

water:
300 sq km
total:
587,040 sq km

land:
581,540 sq km

water:
5,500 sq km
Area - comparative slightly larger than three times the size of New Mexico slightly less than twice the size of Arizona
Background Independent from France in 1960, Mauritania annexed the southern third of the former Spanish Sahara (now Western Sahara) in 1976, but relinquished it after three years of raids by the Polisario guerrilla front seeking independence for the territory. Opposition parties were legalized and a new constitution approved in 1991. Two multiparty presidential elections since then were widely seen as being flawed; Mauritania remains, in reality, a one-party state. The country continues to experience ethnic tensions between its black minority population and the dominant Maur (Arab-Berber) populace. 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.
Birth rate 42.95 births/1,000 population (2001 est.) 42.66 births/1,000 population (2001 est.)
Budget revenues:
$329 million

expenditures:
$265 million, including capital expenditures of $75 million (1996 est.)
revenues:
$553 million

expenditures:
$735 million, including capital expenditures of $NA (1998 est.)
Capital Nouakchott Antananarivo
Climate desert; constantly hot, dry, dusty tropical along coast, temperate inland, arid in south
Coastline 754 km 4,828 km
Constitution 12 July 1991 19 August 1992 by national referendum
Country name conventional long form:
Islamic Republic of Mauritania

conventional short form:
Mauritania

local long form:
Al Jumhuriyah al Islamiyah al Muritaniyah

local short form:
Muritaniyah
conventional long form:
Republic of Madagascar

conventional short form:
Madagascar

local long form:
Republique de Madagascar

local short form:
Madagascar

former:
Malagasy Republic
Currency ouguiya (MRO) Malagasy franc (MGF)
Death rate 13.65 deaths/1,000 population (2001 est.) 12.42 deaths/1,000 population (2001 est.)
Debt - external $2.1 billion (1999) $4.4 billion (1999)
Diplomatic representation from the US chief of mission:
Ambassador John W. LIMBERT

embassy:
Rue Abdallaye, Nouakchott

mailing address:
B. P. 222, Nouakchott

telephone:
[222] 25-26-60, 25-26-63

FAX:
[222] 25-15-92
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
Diplomatic representation in the US chief of mission:
Ambassador Ahmed Ben Khalifa BEN JIDOU

chancery:
2129 Leroy Place NW, Washington, DC 20008

telephone:
[1] (202) 232-5700

FAX:
[1] (202) 319-2623
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
Disputes - international none claims Bassas da India, Europa Island, Glorioso Islands, Juan de Nova Island, and Tromelin Island (all administered by France)
Economic aid - recipient $300 million (1998) $838 million (1997)
Economy - overview A majority of the population still depends on agriculture and livestock for a livelihood, even though most of the nomads and many subsistence farmers were forced into the cities by recurrent droughts in the 1970s and 1980s. Mauritania has extensive deposits of iron ore, which account for half of total exports. The decline in world demand for this ore, however, has led to cutbacks in production. The nation's coastal waters are among the richest fishing areas in the world, but overexploitation by foreigners threatens this key source of revenue. The country's first deepwater port opened near Nouakchott in 1986. In the past, drought and economic mismanagement have resulted in a buildup of foreign debt. In March 1999, the government signed an agreement with a joint World Bank-IMF mission on a $54 million enhanced structural adjustment facility (ESAF). Mauritania withdrew its membership in the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) in 2000. Privatization and debt relief are in full swing, and the rate of economic growth appears to be accelerating, especially in the construction, telecommunication, and information sectors. Diamonds and petroleum are beginning to be explored and exploited. 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%.
Electricity - consumption 140.4 million kWh (1999) 753.3 million kWh (1999)
Electricity - exports 0 kWh (1999) 0 kWh (1999)
Electricity - imports 0 kWh (1999) 0 kWh (1999)
Electricity - production 151 million kWh (1999) 810 million kWh (1999)
Electricity - production by source fossil fuel:
82.78%

hydro:
17.22%

nuclear:
0%

other:
0% (1999)
fossil fuel:
37.04%

hydro:
62.96%

nuclear:
0%

other:
0% (1999)
Elevation extremes lowest point:
Sebkha de Ndrhamcha -3 m

highest point:
Kediet Ijill 910 m
lowest point:
Indian Ocean 0 m

highest point:
Maromokotro 2,876 m
Environment - current issues overgrazing, deforestation, and soil erosion aggravated by drought are contributing to desertification; very limited natural fresh water resources away from the Senegal which is the only perennial river 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
Environment - international agreements party to:
Biodiversity, Climate Change, Desertification, Endangered Species, Hazardous Wastes, Law of the Sea, Nuclear Test Ban, Ozone Layer Protection, Ship Pollution, Wetlands

signed, but not ratified:
none of the selected 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
Ethnic groups mixed Maur/black 40%, Maur 30%, black 30% Malayo-Indonesian (Merina and related Betsileo), Cotiers (mixed African, Malayo-Indonesian, and Arab ancestry - Betsimisaraka, Tsimihety, Antaisaka, Sakalava), French, Indian, Creole, Comoran
Exchange rates ouguiyas per US dollar - 250.870 (December 2000), 238.923 (2000), 209.514 (1999), 188.476 (1998), 151.853 (1997), 137.222 (1996) 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)
Executive branch chief of state:
President Col. Maaouya Ould Sid Ahmed TAYA (since 12 December 1984)

head of government:
Prime Minister Cheik El Avia Ould Mohamed KHOUNA (since 17 November 1998)

cabinet:
Council of Ministers

elections:
president elected by popular vote for a six-year term; election last held 12 December 1997 (next to be held NA December 2003); prime minister appointed by the president

election results:
President Col. Maaouya Ould Sid Ahmed TAYA reelected with 90.9% of the vote
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%
Exports $333 million (f.o.b., 1999) $538 million (f.o.b., 1998)
Exports - commodities iron ore, fish and fish products, gold coffee, vanilla, shellfish, sugar; cotton cloth, chromite, petroleum products
Exports - partners Japan 18%, France 17%, Italy 16%, Spain 11% (1998) France 41%, US 19%, Germany 13%, UK 8%, Japan 6% (1999)
Fiscal year calendar year calendar year
Flag description green with a yellow five-pointed star above a yellow, horizontal crescent; the closed side of the crescent is down; the crescent, star, and color green are traditional symbols of Islam two equal horizontal bands of red (top) and green with a vertical white band of the same width on hoist side
GDP purchasing power parity - $5.4 billion (2000 est.) purchasing power parity - $12.3 billion (2000 est.)
GDP - composition by sector agriculture:
25%

industry:
31%

services:
44% (1997)
agriculture:
30%

industry:
14%

services:
56% (1999 est.)
GDP - per capita purchasing power parity - $2,000 (2000 est.) purchasing power parity - $800 (2000 est.)
GDP - real growth rate 5% (2000 est.) 4.8% (2000 est.)
Geographic coordinates 20 00 N, 12 00 W 20 00 S, 47 00 E
Geography - note most of the population concentrated in the cities of Nouakchott and Nouadhibou and along the Senegal River in the southern part of the country world's fourth-largest island; strategic location along Mozambique Channel
Highways total:
7,660 km

paved:
866 km

unpaved:
6,794 km (1996)
total:
49,837 km

paved:
5,781 km

unpaved:
44,056 km (1996)
Household income or consumption by percentage share lowest 10%:
2.3%

highest 10%:
29.9% (1995)
lowest 10%:
1.9%

highest 10%:
36.7% (1993)
Illicit drugs - illicit producer of cannabis (cultivated and wild varieties) used mostly for domestic consumption; transshipment point for heroin
Imports $305 million (f.o.b., 1999) $693 million (f.o.b., 1998)
Imports - commodities machinery and equipment, petroleum products, capital goods, foodstuffs, consumer goods intermediate manufactures, capital goods, petroleum, consumer goods, food
Imports - partners France 27%, Benelux 9%, Germany 7%, Spain 7% (1998) France 34%, Hong Kong 6%, China 6%, Japan 5%, Singapore 4% (1999)
Independence 28 November 1960 (from France) 26 June 1960 (from France)
Industrial production growth rate 2.2% (1999) 3% (2000 est.)
Industries fish processing, mining of iron ore and gypsum meat processing, soap, breweries, tanneries, sugar, textiles, glassware, cement, automobile assembly plant, paper, petroleum, tourism
Infant mortality rate 76.7 deaths/1,000 live births (2001 est.) 83.58 deaths/1,000 live births (2001 est.)
Inflation rate (consumer prices) 4.5% (2000 est.) 10% (1999 est.)
International organization participation ABEDA, ACCT (associate), ACP, AfDB, AFESD, AL, AMF, AMU, CAEU, CCC, ECA, ECOWAS, FAO, G-77, IBRD, ICAO, ICFTU, ICRM, IDA, IDB, IFAD, IFC, IFRCS, IHO (pending member), ILO, IMF, IMO, Intelsat, Interpol, IOC, ITU, NAM, OAU, OIC, OPCW, UN, UNCTAD, UNESCO, UNIDO, UPU, WCL, WHO, WIPO, WMO, WToO, WTrO 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
Internet Service Providers (ISPs) 5 (2000) 2 (2000)
Irrigated land 490 sq km (1993 est.) 10,870 sq km (1993 est.)
Judicial branch Supreme Court or Cour Supreme; Court of Appeals; lower courts Supreme Court or Cour Supreme; High Constitutional Court or Haute Cour Constitutionnelle
Labor force 750,000 (1999) 7 million (1999)
Labor force - by occupation agriculture 47%, services 39%, industry 14% -
Land boundaries total:
5,074 km

border countries:
Algeria 463 km, Mali 2,237 km, Senegal 813 km, Western Sahara 1,561 km
0 km
Land use arable land:
0%

permanent crops:
0%

permanent pastures:
38%

forests and woodland:
4%

other:
58% (1993 est.)
arable land:
4%

permanent crops:
1%

permanent pastures:
41%

forests and woodland:
40%

other:
14% (1993 est.)
Languages Hasaniya Arabic (official), Pular, Soninke, Wolof (official), French French (official), Malagasy (official)
Legal system a combination of Shari'a (Islamic law) and French civil law based on French civil law system and traditional Malagasy law; has not accepted compulsory ICJ jurisdiction
Legislative branch bicameral legislature consists of the Senate or Majlis al-Shuyukh (56 seats; 17 up for election every two years; members elected by municipal leaders to serve six-year terms) and the National Assembly or Majlis al-Watani (79 seats; members elected by popular vote to serve five-year terms)

elections:
Senate - last held 17 April 1998 (next to be held NA 2001); National Assembly - last held 11 and 18 October 1996 (next to be held NA 2001)

election results:
Senate - percent of vote by party - NA%; seats by party - NA; National Assembly - percent of vote by party - NA%; seats by party - PRDS 71, AC 1, independents and other 7
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
Life expectancy at birth total population:
51.14 years

male:
49.06 years

female:
53.29 years (2001 est.)
total population:
55.35 years

male:
53.08 years

female:
57.68 years (2001 est.)
Literacy definition:
age 15 and over can read and write

total population:
46.7%

male:
53.4%

female:
40% (1998 est.)
definition:
age 15 and over can read and write

total population:
80%

male:
88%

female:
73% (1990 est.)
Location Northern Africa, bordering the North Atlantic Ocean, between Senegal and Western Sahara Southern Africa, island in the Indian Ocean, east of Mozambique
Map references Africa Africa
Maritime claims contiguous zone:
24 NM

continental shelf:
200 NM or to the edge of the continental margin

exclusive economic zone:
200 NM

territorial sea:
12 NM
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
Merchant marine none (2000 est.) 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 Army, Navy, Air Force, National Gendarmerie, National Guard, National Police, Presidential Guard Popular Armed Forces (includes Intervention Forces, Development Forces, Aeronaval Forces - includes Navy and Air Force), Gendarmerie, Presidential Security Regiment
Military expenditures - dollar figure $41 million (FY97/98) $29 million (FY94)
Military expenditures - percent of GDP 2.7% (FY97/98) 1% (FY94)
Military manpower - availability males age 15-49:
624,375 (2001 est.)
males age 15-49:
3,640,554 (2001 est.)
Military manpower - fit for military service males age 15-49:
302,699 (2001 est.)
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, 28 November (1960) Independence Day, 26 June (1960)
Nationality noun:
Mauritanian(s)

adjective:
Mauritanian
noun:
Malagasy (singular and plural)

adjective:
Malagasy
Natural hazards hot, dry, dust/sand-laden sirocco wind blows primarily in March and April; periodic droughts periodic cyclones
Natural resources iron ore, gypsum, fish, copper, phosphate, diamonds, gold graphite, chromite, coal, bauxite, salt, quartz, tar sands, semiprecious stones, mica, fish, hydropower
Net migration rate 0 migrant(s)/1,000 population (2001 est.) 0 migrant(s)/1,000 population (2001 est.)
Political parties and leaders Action for Change or AC [Messoud Ould BOULKHEIR]; Assembly for Democracy and Unity or RDU [Ahmed Ould SIDI BABA]; Democratic and Social Republican Party or PRDS (ruling party) [President Col. Maaouya Ould Sid Ahmed TAYA]; Mauritanian Party for Renewal and Concorde or PMRC [Molaye El Hassen Ould JIYID]; National Union for Democracy and Development or UNDD [Tidjane KOITA]; Party for Liberty, Equality and Justice or PLEJ [Daouda M'BAGNIGA]; Popular Front or FP [Ch'bih Ould CHEIKH MALAININE]; Popular Progress Alliance or APP [Mohamed El Hafed Ould ISMAEL]; Popular Social and Democratic Union or UPSD [Mohamed Mahmoud Ould MAH]; Progress Force Union or UFP [Mohamed Ould MOLOUD]; Union for Progress and Democracy or UNDD [Naha Mint MOUKNASS]

note:
parties legalized by constitution ratified 12 July 1991; however, politics continue to be tribally based
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]
Political pressure groups and leaders Arab nationalists; Ba'athists; General Confederation of Mauritanian Workers or CGTM [Abdallahi Ould MOHAMED, secretary general]; Independent Confederation of Mauritanian Workers or CLTM [Samory Ould BEYE]; Islamists; Mauritanian Workers Union or UTM [Mohamed Ely Ould BRAHIM, secretary general] Federalist Movement; National Council of Christian Churches or FFKM
Population 2,747,312 (July 2001 est.) 15,982,563 (July 2001 est.)
Population below poverty line 50% (1996 est.) 70% (1994 est.)
Population growth rate 2.93% (2001 est.) 3.02% (2001 est.)
Ports and harbors Bogue, Kaedi, Nouadhibou, Nouakchott, Rosso Antsiranana, Antsohimbondrona, Mahajanga, Toamasina, Toliara
Radio broadcast stations AM 1, FM 2, shortwave 1 (1998) AM 2 (plus 8 repeater stations), FM 7, shortwave 5 (1998)
Radios 360,000 (1997) 3.05 million (1997)
Railways total:
750 km (single track); note - owned and operated by government mining company

standard gauge:
750 km 1.435-m gauge (1995)
total:
883 km

narrow gauge:
883 km 1.000-m gauge (1994)
Religions Muslim 100% indigenous beliefs 52%, Christian 41%, Muslim 7%
Sex ratio at birth:
1.03 male(s)/female

under 15 years:
1 male(s)/female

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

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

total population:
0.98 male(s)/female (2001 est.)
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.)
Suffrage 18 years of age; universal 18 years of age; universal
Telephone system general assessment:
limited system of cable and open-wire lines, minor microwave radio relay links, and radiotelephone communications stations (improvements being made)

domestic:
mostly cable and open-wire lines; a recently completed domestic satellite telecommunications system links Nouakchott with regional capitals

international:
satellite earth stations - 1 Intelsat (Atlantic Ocean) and 2 Arabsat
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)
Telephones - main lines in use 26,000 (2000) 43,000 (1997)
Telephones - mobile cellular NA 4,000 (1997)
Television broadcast stations 1 (1997) 1 (plus 36 repeaters) (1997)
Terrain mostly barren, flat plains of the Sahara; some central hills narrow coastal plain, high plateau and mountains in center
Total fertility rate 6.22 children born/woman (2001 est.) 5.8 children born/woman (2001 est.)
Unemployment rate 23% (1995 est.) NA%
Waterways note:
ferry traffic on the Senegal River
note:
of local importance only
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