Main page Compare countries Index countries Index fields

Query:
Jah-Jah.pl / Index countries / Mauritania (2002) - Swaziland (2001) / Compare countries
##ciekawa_strona##

Compare Mauritania (2002) - Swaziland (2001)

Compare Mauritania (2002) z Swaziland (2001)

 Mauritania (2002)Swaziland (2001)
 MauritaniaSwaziland
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 4 districts; Hhohho, Lubombo, Manzini, Shiselweni
Age structure 0-14 years: 46.1% (male 653,005; female 650,530)


15-64 years: 51.7% (male 720,473; female 741,094)


65 years and over: 2.2% (male 26,251; female 37,505) (2002 est.)
0-14 years:
45.53% (male 250,327; female 252,479)

15-64 years:
51.88% (male 276,186; female 296,728)

65 years and over:
2.59% (male 11,687; female 16,936) (2001 est.)
Agriculture - products dates, millet, sorghum, rice, corn, dates; cattle, sheep sugarcane, cotton, corn, tobacco, rice, citrus, pineapples, sorghum, peanuts; cattle, goats, sheep
Airports 26 (2001) 18 (2000 est.)
Airports - with paved runways total: 10 9


2,438 to 3,047 m: 3


1,524 to 2,437 m: 3 6 (2002)
total:
1

2,438 to 3,047 m:
1 (2000 est.)
Airports - with unpaved runways total: 16 17


2,438 to 3,047 m: 2


1,524 to 2,437 m: 1 5


914 to 1,523 m: 6 7


under 914 m: 6 3 (2002)
total:
17

914 to 1,523 m:
7

under 914 m:
10 (2000 est.)
Area total: 1,030,700 sq km


land: 1,030,400 sq km


water: 300 sq km
total:
17,363 sq km

land:
17,203 sq km

water:
160 sq km
Area - comparative slightly larger than three times the size of New Mexico slightly smaller than New Jersey
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 flawed, but October 2001 legislative and municipal elections were generally free and open. 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. Autonomy for the Swazis of southern Africa was guaranteed by the British in the late 19th century; independence was granted 1968. Student and labor unrest during the 1990s have pressured the monarchy (one of the oldest on the continent) to grudgingly allow political reform and greater democracy.
Birth rate 42.54 births/1,000 population (2002 est.) 40.12 births/1,000 population (2001 est.)
Budget revenues: $421 million


expenditures: $378 million, including capital expenditures of $154 million
revenues:
$400 million

expenditures:
$450 million, including capital expenditures of $115 million (FY96/97)
Capital Nouakchott Mbabane; note - Lobamba is the royal and legislative capital
Climate desert; constantly hot, dry, dusty varies from tropical to near temperate
Coastline 754 km 0 km (landlocked)
Constitution 12 July 1991 none; constitution of 6 September 1968 was suspended 12 April 1973; a new constitution was promulgated 13 October 1978, but was not formally presented to the people; since then a few more outlines for a constitution have been compiled under the Constitutional Review Commission (CRC), but so far none have been accepted
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:
Kingdom of Swaziland

conventional short form:
Swaziland
Currency ouguiya (MRO) lilangeni (SZL)
Death rate 13.34 deaths/1,000 population (2002 est.) 21.84 deaths/1,000 population (2001 est.)
Debt - external $1.6 billion (2000) (2000) $281 million (2000 est.)
Diplomatic representation from the US chief of mission: Ambassador John W. LIMBERT


embassy: Rue Abdallaye (between Presidency building and Spanish Embassy), Nouakchott


mailing address: BP 222, Nouakchott


telephone: [222] 25-26-60, 25-26-63, 25-11-41, 25-11-45


FAX: [222] 25-25-92
chief of mission:
Ambassador Gregory L. JOHNSON

embassy:
Central Bank Building, Warner Street, Mbabane

mailing address:
P. O. Box 199, Mbabane

telephone:
[268] 404-6441 through 404-6445

FAX:
[268] 404-5959
Diplomatic representation in the US chief of mission: Ambassador Mohamedou Ould MICHEL


chancery: 2129 Leroy Place NW, Washington, DC 20008


telephone: [1] (202) 232-5700


FAX: [1] (202) 319-2623
chief of mission:
Ambassador Mary Madzandza KANYA

chancery:
3400 International Drive NW, Washington, DC 20008

telephone:
[1] (202) 362-6683

FAX:
[1] (202) 244-8059
Disputes - international none Swaziland has asked South Africa to open negotiations on reincorporating some nearby South African territories that are populated by ethnic Swazis or that were long ago part of the Swazi Kingdom
Economic aid - recipient $220 million (2000) (2000) $55 million (1995)
Economy - overview Half 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 resulted in a buildup of foreign debt. In February, 2000, Mauritania qualified for debt relief under the Heavily Indebted Poor Countries (HIPC) initiative and in December 2001 received strong support from donor and lending countries at a triennial Consultative Group review. Mauritania withdrew its membership in the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) in 2000 and subsequently increased commercial ties with Arab Maghreb Union members Morocco and Tunisia, most notably in telecommunications. In 2001, exploratory oil wells in tracts 80 km offshore indicated potential viable extraction at current world oil prices. However, the refinery in Nouadhibou historically has not exceeded 20% of its distillation capacity, and it handled no crude in the year 2000. A new Investment Code approved in December 2001 improved the opportunities for direct foreign investment. In this small landlocked economy, subsistence agriculture occupies more than 60% of the population. Manufacturing features a number of agroprocessing factories. Mining has declined in importance in recent years: diamond mines have shut down because of the depletion of easily accessible reserves; high-grade iron ore deposits were depleted by 1978; and health concerns have cut world demand for asbestos. Exports of soft drink concentrate, sugar, and wood pulp are the main earners of hard currency. Surrounded by South Africa, except for a short border with Mozambique, Swaziland is heavily dependent on South Africa from which it receives four-fifths of its imports and to which it sends two-thirds of its exports. Remittances from the Southern African Customs Union and Swazi workers in South African mines substantially supplement domestically earned income. The government is trying to improve the atmosphere for foreign investment. Overgrazing, soil depletion, drought, and sometimes floods persist as problems for the future. Prospects for 2001 are strengthened by government millennium projects for a new convention center, additional hotels, an amusement park, a new airport, and stepped-up roadbuilding and factory construction plans.
Electricity - consumption 143.22 million kWh (2000) 198 million kWh (1999)
Electricity - exports 0 kWh (2000) 852 million kWh (1999)
Electricity - imports 0 kWh (2000) 701 million kWh

note:
supplied by South Africa (1999)
Electricity - production 154 million kWh (2000) 375 million kWh (1999)
Electricity - production by source fossil fuel: 84%


hydro: 16%


nuclear: 0%


other: 0% (2000)
fossil fuel:
53.33%

hydro:
46.67%

nuclear:
0%

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


highest point: Kediet Ijill 910 m
lowest point:
Great Usutu River 21 m

highest point:
Emlembe 1,862 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 limited supplies of potable water; wildlife populations being depleted because of excessive hunting; overgrazing; soil degradation; soil erosion
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, Endangered Species, Nuclear Test Ban, Ozone Layer Protection

signed, but not ratified:
Desertification, Law of the Sea
Ethnic groups mixed Maur/black 40%, Maur 30%, black 30% African 97%, European 3%
Exchange rates ouguiyas per US dollar - 254.350 (December 2001), 238.923 (2000), 209.514 (1999), 188.476 (1998), 151.853 (1997), 137.222 (1996) emalangeni per US dollar - 7.7803 (January 2001), 6.9056 (2000), 6.1087 (1999), 5.4807 (1998), 4.6032 (1997), 4.2706 (1996); note - the Swazi lilangeni is at par with the South African rand; emalangeni is the plural form of lilangeni
Executive branch chief of state: President Maaouya Ould Sid Ahmed TAYA (since 12 December 1984)


head of government: Prime Minister Cheikh 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 Maaouya Ould Sid Ahmed TAYA reelected with 90.9% of the vote
chief of state:
King MSWATI III (since 25 April 1986)

head of government:
Prime Minister Sibusiso Barnabas DLAMINI (since 9 August 1996)

cabinet:
Cabinet recommended by the prime minister and confirmed by the monarch

elections:
none; the monarch is hereditary; prime minister appointed by the monarch
Exports $359 million f.o.b. (2000) $881 million (f.o.b., 2000)
Exports - commodities iron ore, fish and fish products, gold soft drink concentrates, sugar, wood pulp, cotton yarn, refrigerators, citrus and canned fruit
Exports - partners France 18%, Japan 16%, Italy 13%, Spain 10% (2000) South Africa 65%, EU 12%, Mozambique 11%, US 5% (1998)
Fiscal year calendar year 1 April - 31 March
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 three horizontal bands of blue (top), red (triple width), and blue; the red band is edged in yellow; centered in the red band is a large black and white shield covering two spears and a staff decorated with feather tassels, all placed horizontally
GDP purchasing power parity - $5 billion (2001 est.) purchasing power parity - $4.4 billion (2000 est.)
GDP - composition by sector agriculture: 25%


industry: 29%


services: 46% (2001 est.)
agriculture:
10%

industry:
46%

services:
44% (1998 est.)
GDP - per capita purchasing power parity - $1,800 (2001 est.) purchasing power parity - $4,000 (2000 est.)
GDP - real growth rate 4% (2001 est.) 2.4% (2000 est.)
Geographic coordinates 20 00 N, 12 00 W 26 30 S, 31 30 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 landlocked; almost completely surrounded by South Africa
Highways total: 7,720 km


paved: 830 km


unpaved: 6,890 km (2000)
total:
3,000 km

paved:
850 km

unpaved:
2,150 km (1997)
Household income or consumption by percentage share lowest 10%: 3%


highest 10%: 30% (2000) (2000)
lowest 10%:
NA%

highest 10%:
NA%
Imports $335 million f.o.b. (2000) $928 million (f.o.b., 2000)
Imports - commodities machinery and equipment, petroleum products, capital goods, foodstuffs, consumer goods motor vehicles, machinery, transport equipment, foodstuffs, petroleum products, chemicals
Imports - partners France 33%, US 10%, Spain 9%, Algeria 6%, Germany 6%, Benelux 5% (2000) South Africa 84%, EU 5%, Japan 2%, Singapore 2% (1998)
Independence 28 November 1960 (from France) 6 September 1968 (from UK)
Industrial production growth rate 2% (2000 est.) 3.7% (FY95/96)
Industries fish processing, mining of iron ore and gypsum mining (coal and asbestos), wood pulp, sugar, soft drink concentrates
Infant mortality rate 75.25 deaths/1,000 live births (2002 est.) 109.19 deaths/1,000 live births (2001 est.)
Inflation rate (consumer prices) 4.4% (2001 est.) 6.4% (2000 est.)
International organization participation ABEDA, ACCT, ACP, AfDB, AFESD, AL, AMF, AMU, CAEU, CCC, ECA, FAO, G-77, IBRD, ICAO, ICFTU, ICRM, IDA, IDB, IFAD, IFC, IFRCS, IHO (pending member), ILO, IMF, IMO, Interpol, IOC, ITU, NAM, OAU, OIC, OPCW, UN, UNCTAD, UNESCO, UNIDO, UPU, WCL, WHO, WIPO, WMO, WToO, WTrO ACP, AfDB, C, CCC, ECA, FAO, G-77, IBRD, ICAO, ICFTU, ICRM, IDA, IFAD, IFC, IFRCS, ILO, IMF, Intelsat, Interpol, IOC, ITU, NAM, OAU, OPCW, SACU, SADC, UN, UNCTAD, UNESCO, UNIDO, UPU, WHO, WIPO, WMO, WToO, WTrO
Internet Service Providers (ISPs) 5 (2001) 3 (2000)
Irrigated land 490 sq km (1998 est.) 670 sq km (1993 est.)
Judicial branch Supreme Court or Cour Supreme; Court of Appeals; lower courts High Court; Court of Appeal; judges for both courts are appointed by the monarch
Labor force 786,000 (2001) (2001) NA
Labor force - by occupation agriculture 50%, services 40%, industry 10% (2001 est.) private sector 70%, public sector 30%
Land boundaries total: 5,074 km


border countries: Algeria 463 km, Mali 2,237 km, Senegal 813 km, Western Sahara 1,561 km
total:
535 km

border countries:
Mozambique 105 km, South Africa 430 km
Land use arable land: 0.48%


permanent crops: 0.01%


other: 99.51% (1998 est.)
arable land:
11%

permanent crops:
0%

permanent pastures:
62%

forests and woodland:
7%

other:
20% (1993 est.)
Languages Hassaniya Arabic (official), Pulaar, Soninke, Wolof (official), French English (official, government business conducted in English), siSwati (official)
Legal system a combination of Shari'a (Islamic law) and French civil law based on South African Roman-Dutch law in statutory courts and Swazi traditional law and custom in traditional courts; has not accepted compulsory ICJ jurisdiction
Legislative branch bicameral legislature consists of the Senate or Majlis al-Shuyukh (56 seats, a part of the seats up for election every two years; members elected by municipal leaders to serve six-year terms) and the National Assembly or Majlis al-Watani (81 seats; members elected by popular vote to serve five-year terms)


elections: Senate - last held 12 April 2002 (next to be held NA April 2004); National Assembly - last held 19 and 26 October 2001 (next to be held NA 2006)


election results: Senate - percent of vote by party - NA%; seats by party - PRDS 54, RFD 1, UNDD 1; National Assembly - percent of vote by party - PRDS 79%, RDU 3.5%, UDP 3.5%, AC 5%, RDF 4%, UFP 3.5%, FP 1.5%; seats by party - PRDS 64, UDP 3, RDU 3, AC 4, RFD 3, UFP 3, and FP 1
bicameral Parliament or Libandla, an advisory body, consists of the Senate (30 seats - 10 appointed by the House of Assembly and 20 appointed by the monarch; members serve five-year terms) and the House of Assembly (65 seats - 10 appointed by the monarch and 55 elected by popular vote; members serve five-year terms)

elections:
House of Assembly - last held 16 and 24 October 1998 (next to be held NA 2003)

election results:
House of Assembly - balloting is done on a nonparty basis; candidates for election are nominated by the local council of each constituency and for each constituency the three candidates with the most votes in the first round of voting are narrowed to a single winner by a second round
Life expectancy at birth total population: 51.53 years


male: 49.42 years


female: 53.71 years (2002 est.)
total population:
38.62 years

male:
37.86 years

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


total population: 41.2%


male: 51.5%


female: 31.3% (2002 est.)
definition:
age 15 and over can read and write

total population:
76.7%

male:
78%

female:
75.6% (1995 est.)
Location Northern Africa, bordering the North Atlantic Ocean, between Senegal and Western Sahara Southern Africa, between Mozambique and South Africa
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
none (landlocked)
Merchant marine none (2002) -
Military branches Army, Navy, Air Force, National Gendarmerie, National Guard, National Police, Presidential Guard Umbutfo Swaziland Defense Force (Army), Royal Swaziland Police Force
Military expenditures - dollar figure $37.1 million (FY01) $19.198 million (FY00/01)
Military expenditures - percent of GDP 3.7% (FY01) 4.75% (FY00/01)
Military manpower - availability males age 15-49: 644,294 (2002 est.) males age 15-49:
248,084 (2001 est.)
Military manpower - fit for military service males age 15-49: 312,276 (2002 est.) males age 15-49:
143,618 (2001 est.)
National holiday Independence Day, 28 November (1960) Independence Day, 6 September (1968)
Nationality noun: Mauritanian(s)


adjective: Mauritanian
noun:
Swazi(s)

adjective:
Swazi
Natural hazards hot, dry, dust/sand-laden sirocco wind blows primarily in March and April; periodic droughts NA
Natural resources iron ore, gypsum, copper, phosphate, diamonds, gold, oil; fish asbestos, coal, clay, cassiterite, hydropower, forests, small gold and diamond deposits, quarry stone, and talc
Net migration rate 0 migrant(s)/1,000 population (2002 est.) 0 migrant(s)/1,000 population (2001 est.)
Political parties and leaders Action for Change or AC [Messoud Ould BOULKHEIR]; Alliance for Justice and Democracy or AJD [Kebe ABDOULAYE]; Democratic and Social Republican Party or PRDS (ruling party) [President 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 MAOULOUD]; Rally of Democratic Forces or RFD [Ahmed Ould DADDAH]; Rally for Democracy and Unity or RDU [Ahmed Ould SIDI BABA]; Union for Democracy and Progress or UDP [Naha Mint MOUKNASS]


note: the Action for Change party was banned in January 2002; parties legalized by constitution ratified 12 July 1991, however, politics continue to be tribally based
Imbokodvo National Movement or INM [leader NA]; Ngwane National Libertatory Congress or NNLC [Obed DLAMINI, president]; People's United Democratic Movement or PUDEMO [Mario MASUKU, president]; Swaziland National Front or SWANAFRO [Elmond SHONGWE, president]; Swaziland Progressive Party or SPP [J. J. NQUKU, president]; Swaziland United Front or SUF [Matsapa SHONGWE, leader]

note:
political parties are banned by the constitution promulgated on 13 October 1978; illegal parties are prohibited from holding large public gatherings; the organizations listed are political associations
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] NA
Population 2,828,858 (July 2002 est.) 1,104,343

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 2001 est.)
Population below poverty line 50% (2001 est.) NA%
Population growth rate 2.92% (2002 est.) 1.83% (2001 est.)
Ports and harbors Bogue, Kaedi, Nouadhibou, Nouakchott, Rosso none
Radio broadcast stations AM 1, FM 14, shortwave 1 (2001) AM 7, FM 6 (2000)
Radios 410,000 (2001) 155,000 (1997)
Railways 704 km


standard gauge: 704 km 1.435-m gauge


note: owned and operated by government mining company (2001)
total:
297 km; note - includes 71 km which are not in use

narrow gauge:
297 km 1.067-m gauge
Religions Muslim 100% Protestant 55%, Muslim 10%, Roman Catholic 5%, indigenous beliefs 30%
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: 0.7 male(s)/female


total population: 0.98 male(s)/female (2002 est.)
at birth:
1.03 male(s)/female

under 15 years:
0.99 male(s)/female

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

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

total population:
0.95 male(s)/female (2001 est.)
Suffrage 18 years of age; universal 18 years of age
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:
not a modern system

domestic:
system consists of carrier-equipped, open-wire lines and low-capacity, microwave radio relay

international:
satellite earth station - 1 Intelsat (Atlantic Ocean)
Telephones - main lines in use 26,500 (2001) 33,500 (2000)
Telephones - mobile cellular 35,000 (2001) 30,000 (2000)
Television broadcast stations 1 (2002) 10 (2000)
Terrain mostly barren, flat plains of the Sahara; some central hills mostly mountains and hills; some moderately sloping plains
Total fertility rate 6.15 children born/woman (2002 est.) 5.82 children born/woman (2001 est.)
Unemployment rate 21% (1999 est.) 22% (1995 est.)
Waterways note: ferry traffic on the Senegal River none
Sitemap: Compare countries listing (map site) | Country listing (map site)
Links: Add to favorites | Information about this website | Stats | Polityka prywatnosci
This page was generated in ##czas## s. Size this page: ##rozmiar_strony## kB.