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Compare Mauritania (2003) - Christmas Island (2002)

Compare Mauritania (2003) z Christmas Island (2002)

 Mauritania (2003)Christmas Island (2002)
 MauritaniaChristmas Island
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 none (territory of Australia)
Age structure 0-14 years: 46% (male 671,080; female 668,408)


15-64 years: 51.8% (male 743,573; female 764,358)


65 years and over: 2.2% (male 26,669; female 38,496) (2003 est.)
0-14 years: NA%


15-64 years: NA%


65 years and over: NA%
Agriculture - products dates, millet, sorghum, rice, corn, dates; cattle, sheep NA
Airports 26 (2002) 1 (2001)
Airports - with paved runways total: 10


2,438 to 3,047 m: 3


1,524 to 2,437 m: 7 (2002)
total: 1


1,524 to 2,437 m: 1 (2002)
Airports - with unpaved runways total: 16


2,438 to 3,047 m: 1


1,524 to 2,437 m: 6


914 to 1,523 m: 6


under 914 m: 3 (2002)
-
Area total: 1,030,700 sq km


land: 1,030,400 sq km


water: 300 sq km
total: 135 sq km


land: 135 sq km


water: 0 sq km
Area - comparative slightly larger than three times the size of New Mexico about 0.7 times the size of Washington, DC
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. Named in 1643 for the day of its discovery, the island was annexed and settlement was begun by the UK in 1888. Phosphate mining began in the 1890s. The UK transferred sovereignty to Australia in 1958. Almost two-thirds of the island has been declared a national park.
Birth rate 42.16 births/1,000 population (2003 est.) NA births/1,000 population
Budget revenues: $421 million


expenditures: $378 million, including capital expenditures of $154 million (2002 est.)
revenues: $NA


expenditures: $NA, including capital expenditures of $NA
Capital Nouakchott The Settlement
Climate desert; constantly hot, dry, dusty tropical; heat and humidity moderated by trade winds
Coastline 754 km 80 km
Constitution 12 July 1991 NA
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: Territory of Christmas Island


conventional short form: Christmas Island
Currency ouguiya (MRO) Australian dollar (AUD)
Death rate 13.04 deaths/1,000 population (2003 est.) NA deaths/1,000 population
Debt - external $2.5 billion (2000) $NA
Dependency status - territory of Australia; administered by the Australian Department of Transport and Regional Services
Diplomatic representation from the US chief of mission: Ambassador Joseph E. LEBARON


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
none (territory of Australia)
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
none (territory of Australia)
Disputes - international Mauritanian claims to Western Sahara have been dormant in recent years none
Economic aid - recipient $220 million (2000) $NA
Economy - overview Half the population still depends on agriculture and livestock for a livelihood, even though many of the nomads and 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 nearly 40% 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. In 2001, exploratory oil wells in tracts 80 km offshore indicated potential extraction at current world oil prices. A new investment code approved in December 2001 improved the opportunities for direct foreign investment. Ongoing negotiations with the IMF involve problems of economic reforms and fiscal discipline. Substantial oil production and exports probably will not begin until 2005. Phosphate mining had been the only significant economic activity, but in December 1987 the Australian Government closed the mine. In 1991, the mine was reopened. With the support of the government, a $34 million casino opened in 1993. The casino closed in 1998. The Australian Government in 2001 agreed to support the creation of a commercial space-launching site on the island, slated to begin operation in 2003.
Electricity - consumption 146.3 million kWh (2001) NA kWh
Electricity - exports 0 kWh (2001) -
Electricity - imports 0 kWh (2001) -
Electricity - production 157.4 million kWh (2001) NA kWh
Electricity - production by source fossil fuel: 85.9%


hydro: 14.1%


nuclear: 0%


other: 0% (2001)
fossil fuel: NA%


hydro: NA%


nuclear: NA%


other: NA%
Elevation extremes lowest point: Sebkha de Ndrhamcha -3 m


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


highest point: Murray Hill 361 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 NA
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
-
Ethnic groups mixed Maur/black 40%, Maur 30%, black 30% Chinese 70%, European 20%, Malay 10%


note: no indigenous population (2001)
Exchange rates ouguiyas per US dollar - ouguiyas per US dollar - 254.350 (December 2001), 238.923 (2000), 209.514 (1999), 188.476 (1998), 151.853 (1997), 137.222 (1996) Australian dollars per US dollar - 1.9354 (January 2002), 1.9320 (2001), 1.7173 (2000), 1.5497 (1999), 1.5888 (1998), 1.3439 (1997)
Executive branch chief of state: President Maaouya Ould Sid Ahmed TAYA (since 12 December 1984)


head of government: Prime Minister Sghair Ould M'BARECK (since 6 July 2003)


cabinet: Council of Ministers


elections: president elected by popular vote for a six-year term; election last held 7 November 2003 (next to be held NA 2009); prime minister appointed by the president


election results: President Maaouya Ould Sid Ahmed TAYA reelected for a third term with 60.8% of the vote
chief of state: Queen ELIZABETH II (since 6 February 1952), represented by the Australian governor general


head of government: Administrator William Leonard TAYLOR (since 4 February 1999)


elections: none; the monarch is hereditary; administrator appointed by the governor general of Australia and represents the monarch and Australia
Exports NA (2001) $NA
Exports - commodities iron ore, fish and fish products, gold phosphate
Exports - partners Italy 14.3%, France 14%, Spain 11.7%, Germany 10.9%, Belgium 9.9%, Japan 7.1% (2002) Australia, NZ
Fiscal year calendar year 1 July - 30 June
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 the flag of Australia is used; note - in early 1986, the Christmas Island Assembly held a design competition for an island flag, however, the winning design has never been formally adopted as the official flag of the territory
GDP purchasing power parity - $4.891 billion (2002 est.) purchasing power parity - $NA
GDP - composition by sector agriculture: 25%


industry: 29%


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


industry: NA%


services: NA%
GDP - per capita purchasing power parity - $1,700 (2002 est.) purchasing power parity - $NA
GDP - real growth rate 3.3% (2002 est.) NA%
Geographic coordinates 20 00 N, 12 00 W 10 30 S, 105 40 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 located along major sea lanes of Indian Ocean
Highways total: 7,720 km


paved: 830 km


unpaved: 6,890 km (2000)
total: 140 km (not including 100 km that is maintained by private industry)


paved: 30 km


unpaved: 110 km (1999)
Household income or consumption by percentage share lowest 10%: 2.5%


highest 10%: 30.2% (2000)
lowest 10%: NA%


highest 10%: NA%
Imports NA (2001) $NA
Imports - commodities machinery and equipment, petroleum products, capital goods, foodstuffs, consumer goods consumer goods
Imports - partners France 18.5%, Belgium 7.8%, China 7%, Spain 5.9%, Germany 5.2% (2002) principally Australia
Independence 28 November 1960 (from France) none (territory of Australia)
Industrial production growth rate 2% (2000 est.) NA%
Industries fish processing, mining of iron ore and gypsum tourism, phosphate extraction (near depletion)
Infant mortality rate total: 73.8 deaths/1,000 live births


male: 76.62 deaths/1,000 live births


female: 70.89 deaths/1,000 live births (2003 est.)
NA deaths/1,000 live births
Inflation rate (consumer prices) 3% (2002 est.) NA%
International organization participation ABEDA, ACCT, ACP, AfDB, AFESD, AL, AMF, AMU, CAEU, ECA, FAO, G-77, IBRD, ICAO, ICFTU, ICRM, IDA, IDB, IFAD, IFC, IFRCS, IHO (pending member), ILO, IMF, IMO, Interpol, IOC, IOM (observer), ITU, NAM, OAU, OIC, OPCW, UN, UNCTAD, UNESCO, UNIDO, UPU, WCL, WCO, WHO, WIPO, WMO, WToO, WTrO none
Internet Service Providers (ISPs) 5 (2001) 2 (2000)
Irrigated land 490 sq km (1998 est.) NA sq km
Judicial branch Supreme Court or Cour Supreme; Court of Appeals; lower courts Supreme Court; District Court; Magistrate's Court
Labor force 786,000 (2001) NA
Labor force - by occupation agriculture 50%, services 40%, industry 10% (2001 est.) tourism 400 people, mining 100 people (1995)
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: 0.48%


permanent crops: 0.01%


other: 99.51% (1998 est.)
arable land: 0%


permanent crops: 0%


other: 100%


note: mainly tropical rainforest; 63% of the island is a national park (1998 est.)
Languages Hassaniya Arabic (official), Pulaar, Soninke, Wolof (official), French English (official), Chinese, Malay
Legal system a combination of Shari'a (Islamic law) and French civil law under the authority of the governor general of Australia and Australian law
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%, UFP 3.5%, FP 1.5%; seats by party - PRDS 64, UDP 3, RDU 3, AC 4, RFD 3, UFP 3, and FP 1
unicameral Christmas Island Shire Council (9 seats; members elected by popular vote to serve one-year terms)


elections: last held NA December 2001 (next to be held NA December 2002)


election results: percent of vote - NA%; seats - independents 9
Life expectancy at birth total population: 51.93 years


male: 49.78 years


female: 54.13 years (2003 est.)
total population: NA years


male: NA years


female: NA years
Literacy definition: age 15 and over can read and write


total population: 41.7%


male: 51.8%


female: 31.9% (2003 est.)
NA
Location Northern Africa, bordering the North Atlantic Ocean, between Senegal and Western Sahara Southeastern Asia, island in the Indian Ocean, south of Indonesia
Map references Africa Southeast Asia
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: 12 NM


exclusive fishing zone: 200 NM


territorial sea: 12 NM
Merchant marine none (2002) none (2002 est.)
Military - note - defense is the responsibility of Australia
Military branches Army, Navy, Air Force, National Gendarmerie, National Guard, National Police, Presidential Guard -
Military expenditures - dollar figure $37.11 million (FY02) -
Military expenditures - percent of GDP 3.7% (FY02) -
Military manpower - availability males age 15-49: 665,112 (2003 est.) -
Military manpower - fit for military service males age 15-49: 322,288 (2003 est.) -
National holiday Independence Day, 28 November (1960) NA
Nationality noun: Mauritanian(s)


adjective: Mauritanian
noun: Christmas Islander(s)


adjective: Christmas Island
Natural hazards hot, dry, dust/sand-laden sirocco wind blows primarily in March and April; periodic droughts the narrow fringing reef surrounding the island can be a maritime hazard
Natural resources iron ore, gypsum, copper, phosphate, diamonds, gold, oil, fish phosphate, beaches
Net migration rate 0 migrant(s)/1,000 population (2003 est.) NA migrant(s)/1,000 population
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
none
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] none
Population 2,912,584 (July 2003 est.) 474 (July 2002 est.)
Population below poverty line 50% (2001 est.) NA%
Population growth rate 2.91% (2003 est.) -9% (2002 est.)
Ports and harbors Bogue, Kaedi, Nouadhibou, Nouakchott, Rosso Flying Fish Cove
Radio broadcast stations AM 1, FM 14, shortwave 1 (2001) AM 1, FM 1, shortwave 0 (1998)
Radios - 1,000 (1997)
Railways 717 km


standard gauge: 717 km 1.435-m gauge (2002)
24 km to serve phosphate mines
Religions Muslim 100% Buddhist 36%, Muslim 25%, Christian 18%, other 21% (1997)
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: 0.69 male(s)/female


total population: 0.98 male(s)/female (2003 est.)
NA
Suffrage 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: service provided by the Australian network


domestic: only analog mobile telephone service is available


international: satellite earth stations - one Intelsat earth station provides telephone and telex service (2000)
Telephones - main lines in use 26,500 (2001) NA
Telephones - mobile cellular 35,000 (2001) NA
Television broadcast stations 1 (2002) NA
Terrain mostly barren, flat plains of the Sahara; some central hills steep cliffs along coast rise abruptly to central plateau
Total fertility rate 6.08 children born/woman (2003 est.) NA children born/woman
Unemployment rate 21% (1999 est.) NA%
Waterways note: ferry traffic on the Senegal River none
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