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Compare Mauritania (2008) - Faroe Islands (2001)

Compare Mauritania (2008) z Faroe Islands (2001)

 Mauritania (2008)Faroe Islands (2001)
 MauritaniaFaroe Islands
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 (part of the Kingdom of Denmark; self-governing overseas administrative division of Denmark); there are no first-order administrative divisions as defined by the US Government, but there are 49 municipalities
Age structure 0-14 years: 45.5% (male 744,995/female 741,369)


15-64 years: 52.4% (male 845,272/female 866,998)


65 years and over: 2.2% (male 28,564/female 42,867) (2007 est.)
0-14 years:
22.62% (male 5,193; female 5,136)

15-64 years:
63.64% (male 15,463; female 13,596)

65 years and over:
13.74% (male 2,802; female 3,471) (2001 est.)
Agriculture - products dates, millet, sorghum, rice, corn; cattle, sheep milk, potatoes, vegetables; sheep; salmon, other fish
Airports 25 (2007) 1 (2000 est.)
Airports - with paved runways total: 8


2,438 to 3,047 m: 3


1,524 to 2,437 m: 5 (2007)
total:
1

914 to 1,523 m:
1 (2000 est.)
Airports - with unpaved runways total: 17


1,524 to 2,437 m: 9


914 to 1,523 m: 7


under 914 m: 1 (2007)
-
Area total: 1,030,700 sq km


land: 1,030,400 sq km


water: 300 sq km
total:
1,399 sq km

land:
1,399 sq km

water:
0 sq km (some lakes and streams)
Area - comparative slightly larger than three times the size of New Mexico eight 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. Maaouya Ould Sid Ahmed TAYA seized power in a coup in 1984 and ruled Mauritania with a heavy hand for over two decades. A series of presidential elections that he held were widely seen as flawed. A bloodless coup in August 2005 deposed President TAYA and ushered in a military council that oversaw a transition to democratic rule. Independent candidate Sidi Ould Cheikh ABDALLAHI was inaugurated in April 2007 as Mauritania's first freely and fairly elected president. The country continues to experience ethnic tensions among its black population (Afro-Mauritanians) and White and Black Moor (Arab-Berber) communities, although the new government is attempting to ameliorate some of these tensions. The population of the Faroe Islands is largely descended from Viking settlers who arrived in the 9th century. The islands have been connected politically to Denmark since the 14th century. A high degree of self-government was attained in 1948.
Birth rate 40.56 births/1,000 population (2007 est.) 13.64 births/1,000 population (2001 est.)
Budget revenues: $421 million


expenditures: $378 million (2002 est.)
revenues:
$488 million

expenditures:
$484 million, including capital expenditures of $21 million (1999)
Capital name: Nouakchott


geographic coordinates: 18 07 N, 16 02 W


time difference: UTC 0 (5 hours ahead of Washington, DC during Standard Time)
Torshavn
Climate desert; constantly hot, dry, dusty mild winters, cool summers; usually overcast; foggy, windy
Coastline 754 km 1,117 km
Constitution 12 July 1991 5 June 1953 (Danish constitution)
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:
none

conventional short form:
Faroe Islands

local long form:
none

local short form:
Foroyar
Currency - Danish krone (DKK)
Death rate 11.89 deaths/1,000 population (2007 est.) 8.69 deaths/1,000 population (2001 est.)
Debt - external $2.5 billion (2000) $64 million (1999)
Dependency status - part of the Kingdom of Denmark; self-governing overseas administrative division of Denmark since 1948
Diplomatic representation from the US chief of mission: Ambassador Mark M. BOULWARE


embassy: 288 Rue Abdallaye (between Presidency building and Spanish Embassy), Nouakchott


mailing address: BP 222, Nouakchott


telephone: [222] 525-2660/525-2663


FAX: [222] 525-1592
none (self-governing overseas administrative division of Denmark)
Diplomatic representation in the US chief of mission: Ambassador Ibrahima DIA


chancery: 2129 Leroy Place NW, Washington, DC 20008


telephone: [1] (202) 232-5700, 5701


FAX: [1] (202) 319-2623
none (self-governing overseas administrative division of Denmark)
Disputes - international Mauritanian claims to Western Sahara remain dormant Faroese are considering proposals for full independence
Economic aid - recipient $190.4 million (2005) $135 million (annual subsidy from Denmark) (1999)
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 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, which now stands at more than three times the level of annual exports. 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. 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. In 2001, exploratory oil wells in tracts 80 km offshore indicated potential extraction at current world oil prices. Oil prospects, while initially promising, have failed to materialize. Meantime the government emphasizes reduction of poverty, improvement of health and education, and promoting privatization of the economy. The Faroese economy has had a strong performance since 1994, mostly as a result of increasing fish landings and high and stable export prices. Unemployment is falling and there are signs of labor shortages in several sectors. The positive economic development has helped the Faroese Home Rule Government produce increasing budget surpluses which in turn help to reduce the large public debt, most of it owed to Denmark. However, the total dependence on fishing makes the Faroese economy extremely vulnerable, and the present fishing efforts appear in excess of what is required to ensure a sustainable level of fishing in the long term. Oil finds close to the Faroese area give hope for deposits in the immediate Faroese area, which may eventually lay the basis for a more diversified economy and thus less dependence on Denmark and Danish economic assistance. Aided by a substantial annual subsidy (15% of GDP) from Denmark, the Faroese have a standard of living not far below the Danes and other Scandinavians.
Electricity - consumption 230.6 million kWh (2005) 158.1 million kWh (1999)
Electricity - exports 0 kWh (2005) 0 kWh (1999)
Electricity - imports 0 kWh (2005) 0 kWh (1999)
Electricity - production 248 million kWh (2005) 170 million kWh (1999)
Electricity - production by source - fossil fuel:
58.82%

hydro:
41.18%

nuclear:
0%

other:
0% (1999)
Elevation extremes lowest point: Sebkhet Te-n-Dghamcha -5 m


highest point: Kediet Ijill 915 m
lowest point:
Atlantic Ocean 0 m

highest point:
Slaettaratindur 882 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; locust infestation NA
Environment - international agreements party to: Biodiversity, Climate Change, Climate Change-Kyoto Protocol, Desertification, Endangered Species, Hazardous Wastes, Law of the Sea, Ozone Layer Protection, Ship Pollution, Wetlands, Whaling


signed, but not ratified: none of the selected agreements
-
Ethnic groups mixed Moor/black 40%, Moor 30%, black 30% Scandinavian
Exchange rates ouguiyas per US dollar - NA (2007), 271.3 (2006), 267.04 (2005), 265.8 (2004), 263.03 (2003) Danish kroner per US dollar - 7.951 (January 2001), 8.093 (2000), 6.976 (1999), 6.701 (1998), 6.604 (1997), 5.799 (1966)
Executive branch chief of state: Sidi Ould Cheikh ABDELLAHI (since 19 April 2007)


head of government: Prime Minister Zeine Ould ZEIDANE (since 20 April 2007)


cabinet: Council of Ministers


elections: president elected by popular vote for a five-year term (eligible for a second consecutive term); election last held 11 March 2007 with a runoff between the two leading candidates held on 25 March 2007 (next to be held 2012); prime minister appointed by the president


election results: percent of vote - (second round) Sidi Ould Cheikh ABDELLAHI 52.8%, Ahmed Ould DADDAH 47.2%
chief of state:
Queen MARGRETHE II of Denmark (since 14 January 1972), represented by High Commissioner Ms. Vibeke LARSEN, chief administrative officer (since NA)

head of government:
Prime Minister Anfinn KALLSBERG (since 15 May 1998)

cabinet:
Landsstyri appointed by the prime minister

elections:
the monarch is hereditary; high commissioner appointed by the monarch; following legislative elections, the leader of the party that wins the most seats is usually elected prime minister by the Faroese Parliament; election last held 30 April 1998 (next to be held no later than April 2002)

election results:
Anfinn KALLSBERG elected prime minister; percent of parliamentary vote - 52.8%

note:
coalition of People's Party, Republican Party and Home Rule Party
Exports 0 bbl/day (2004) $471 million (f.o.b., 1999)
Exports - commodities iron ore, fish and fish products, gold fish and fish products 94%, stamps, ships (1999)
Exports - partners China 26.1%, Italy 11.7%, France 10.5%, Spain 6.9%, Belgium 6.8%, Japan 5.4%, Cote d'Ivoire 4.6% (2006) Denmark 32%, UK 21%, France 9%, Germany 7%, Iceland 5%, US 5% (1996)
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 white with a red cross outlined in blue that extends to the edges of the flag; the vertical part of the cross is shifted to the hoist side in the style of the Dannebrog (Danish flag)
GDP - purchasing power parity - $910 million (2000 est.)
GDP - composition by sector agriculture: 25%


industry: 29%


services: 46% (2001 est.)
agriculture:
27%

industry:
11%

services:
62% (1999)
GDP - per capita - purchasing power parity - $20,000 (2000 est.)
GDP - real growth rate 1.5% (2007 est.) 5% (2000 est.)
Geographic coordinates 20 00 N, 12 00 W 62 00 N, 7 00 W
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 archipelago of 17 inhabited islands and one uninhabited island, and a few uninhabited islets; strategically located along important sea lanes in northeastern Atlantic; precipitous terrain limits habitation to small coastal lowlands
Highways - total:
463 km

paved:
454 km

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


highest 10%: 29.5% (2000)
lowest 10%:
NA%

highest 10%:
NA%
Imports 19,960 bbl/day (2004) $469 million (c.i.f., 1999)
Imports - commodities machinery and equipment, petroleum products, capital goods, foodstuffs, consumer goods machinery and transport equipment 29%, consumer goods 36%, raw materials and semi-manufactures 32%, fuels, fish and salt (1999)
Imports - partners France 11.9%, China 8.1%, Belgium 6.8%, US 6.7%, Italy 5.9%, Spain 5.7%, Brazil 5.5% (2006) Denmark 28%, Norway 26%, Germany 7%, UK 6% Sweden 5%, Iceland 4%, US (1999)
Independence 28 November 1960 (from France) none (part of the Kingdom of Denmark; self-governing overseas administrative division of Denmark)
Industrial production growth rate 2% (2000 est.) 8% (1999 est.)
Industries fish processing, mining of iron ore and gypsum fishing, fish processing, shipbuilding, construction, handicrafts
Infant mortality rate total: 68.07 deaths/1,000 live births


male: 71.07 deaths/1,000 live births


female: 64.98 deaths/1,000 live births (2007 est.)
6.8 deaths/1,000 live births (2001 est.)
Inflation rate (consumer prices) 7% (2003 est.) 5.1% (1999)
International organization participation ABEDA, ACCT, ACP, AfDB, AFESD, AMF, AMU, AU, CAEU, FAO, G-77, IAEA, IBRD, ICAO, ICRM, IDA, IDB, IFAD, IFC, IFRCS, ILO, IMF, IMO, Interpol, IOC, IOM, ITSO, ITU, ITUC, LAS, MIGA, NAM, OIC, OIF, OPCW, UN, UNCTAD, UNESCO, UNIDO, UNWTO, UPU, WCL, WCO, WHO, WIPO, WMO, WTO NC, NIB
Internet Service Providers (ISPs) - 2 (2000)
Irrigated land 490 sq km (2002) 0 sq km
Judicial branch Supreme Court or Cour Supreme; Court of Appeals; lower courts none
Labor force 786,000 (2001) 24,250 (October 2000)
Labor force - by occupation agriculture: 50%


industry: 10%


services: 40% (2001 est.)
fishing, fish processing, and manufacturing 33%, construction and private services 33%, public services 34%
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: 0.2%


permanent crops: 0.01%


other: 99.79% (2005)
arable land:
6%

permanent crops:
0%

permanent pastures:
0%

forests and woodland:
0%

other:
94% (1996)
Languages Arabic (official), Pulaar, Soninke, French, Hassaniya, Wolof Faroese (derived from Old Norse), Danish
Legal system a combination of Islamic law and French civil law; has not accepted compulsory ICJ jurisdiction Danish
Legislative branch bicameral legislature consists of the Senate or Majlis al-Shuyukh (56 seats; members elected by municipal leaders to serve six-year terms; a portion of seats up for election every two years) and the National Assembly or Majlis al-Watani (95 seats; members elected by popular vote to serve five-year terms)


elections: Senate - last held 21 January and 4 February 2007 (next to be held 2009); National Assembly - last held 19 November and 3 December 2006 (next to be held in 2011)


election results: Senate - percent of vote by party - NA; seats by party - Mithaq (coalition of independents and parties associated with the former regime) 37, CFCD (coalition of political parties) 15, representatives of the diaspora (yet to be chosen) 3, undecided 1; National Assembly - percent of vote by party - NA; seats by party - Mithaq 51 (independents 37, PRDR 7, UDP 3, RDU 3, Alternative (El-Badil) 1), CFCD 41 (RFD 16, UFP 9, APP 6, Centrist Reformists 4, HATEM-PMUC 3, RD 2, PUDS 1), RNDLE 1, UCD 1, FP 1
unicameral Faroese Parliament or Logting (32 seats; members are elected by popular vote on a proportional basis from the seven constituencies to serve four-year terms)

elections:
last held 30 April 1998 (next to be held not later than April 2002)

election results:
percent of vote by party - Republican Party 23.8%, People's Party 21.3%, Social Democratic Party 21.9%, Union Party 18%, Home Rue Party 7.7%, Center Party 4.1%; seats by party - Republican Party 8, People's Party 8, Social Democratic Party 7, Union Party 6, Home Rule Party 2, Center Party 1

note:
election of 2 seats to the Danish Parliament was last held on 11 March 1998 (next to be held not later than March 2002); results - percent of vote by party - NA; seats by party - Social Democratic Party 1, People's Party 1
Life expectancy at birth total population: 53.51 years


male: 51.24 years


female: 55.85 years (2007 est.)
total population:
78.59 years

male:
75.12 years

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


total population: 51.2%


male: 59.5%


female: 43.4% (2000 census)
definition:
NA

total population:
NA%

male:
NA%

female:
NA%

note:
similar to Denmark proper
Location Northern Africa, bordering the North Atlantic Ocean, between Senegal and Western Sahara Northern Europe, island group between the Norwegian Sea and the North Atlantic Ocean, about one-half of the way from Iceland to Norway
Map references Africa Europe
Maritime claims 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
continental shelf:
200 NM or agreed boundaries or median line

exclusive fishing zone:
200 NM or agreed boundaries or median line

territorial sea:
3 NM
Merchant marine - total:
6 ships (1,000 GRT or over) totaling 23,247 GRT/11,736 DWT

ships by type:
cargo 2, petroleum tanker 1, refrigerated cargo 1, roll on/roll off 1, short-sea passenger 1 (2000 est.)
Military - note - defense is the responsibility of Denmark
Military branches Mauritanian Armed Forces: Army, Mauritanian Navy (Marine Mauritanienne; includes naval infantry), Air Force (Force Aerienne Islamique de Mauritanie, FAIM) (2007) defense is the responsibility of Denmark; no organized native military forces; only a small Police Force and Coast Guard are maintained
Military expenditures - dollar figure - $NA
Military expenditures - percent of GDP 5.5% (2006) NA%
National holiday Independence Day, 28 November (1960) Olaifest, 29 July
Nationality noun: Mauritanian(s)


adjective: Mauritanian
noun:
Faroese (singular and plural)

adjective:
Faroese
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 fish, whales, hydropower
Net migration rate 0 migrant(s)/1,000 population (2007 est.) 2.89 migrant(s)/1,000 population (2001 est.)
Political parties and leaders Alternative or El-Badil; Centrist Reformists (independent moderate Islamists); Coalition for Forces for Democratic Change or CFCD (coalition of political parties including APP, Centrist Reformists (independent moderate Islamists), HATEM-PMUC, PUDS, RD, RFD, UFP); Democratic and Social Republican Party or PRDS; Democratic Renewal or RD; Mauritanian Party for Unity and Change or HATEM-PMUC; Mithaq (coalition of independents and parties associated with the former regime including Alternative or El-Badil, PRDR, UDP, RDU); National Rally for Freedom, Democracy and Equality or RNDLE; Popular Front or FP [Ch'bih Ould CHEIKH MALAININE]; Popular Progressive Alliance or APP [Messoud Ould BOULKHEIR]; Rally of Democratic Forces or RFD [Ahmed Ould DADDAH]; Rally for Democracy and Unity or RDU [Ahmed Ould SIDI BABA]; Republican Party for Democracy and Renewal or PRDR [Boullah Ould MOGUEYA] (formerly ruling Democratic and Social Republican Party or PRDS); Socialist and Democratic Unity Party or PUDS; Union for Democracy and Progress or UDP [Naha Mint MOUKNASS]; Union of Democratic Centre or UCD; Union of the Forces for Progress or UFP Center Party [Jenis A. RANA]; Home Rule Party [Helena Dam a NEYSTABO]; People's Party [Oli BRECKMANN]; Republican Party [Hogni HOYDAL]; Social Democratic Party [Joannes EIDESGAARD]; Union Party [Edmund JOENSEN]
Political pressure groups and leaders Arab nationalists; Ba'thists; 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 3,270,065 (July 2007 est.) 45,661 (July 2001 est.)
Population below poverty line 40% (2004 est.) NA%
Population growth rate 2.867% (2007 est.) 0.78% (2001 est.)
Ports and harbors - Torshavn, Klaksvik, Tvoroyri, Runavik, Fuglafjorour
Radio broadcast stations AM 1, FM 14, shortwave 1 (2001) AM 1, FM 13, shortwave 0 (1998)
Radios - 26,000 (1997)
Railways 717 km


standard gauge: 717 km 1.435-m gauge (2006)
0 km
Religions Muslim 100% Evangelical Lutheran
Sex ratio at birth: 1.03 male(s)/female


under 15 years: 1.005 male(s)/female


15-64 years: 0.975 male(s)/female


65 years and over: 0.666 male(s)/female


total population: 0.98 male(s)/female (2007 est.)
at birth:
1 male(s)/female

under 15 years:
1.01 male(s)/female

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

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

total population:
1.06 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; mobile-cellular services expanding rapidly


domestic: Mauritel, the national telecommunications company, was privatized in 2001 but remains the monopoly provider of fixed-line services; fixed-line teledensity 1 per 100 persons; mobile-cellular network coverage extends mainly to urban areas with a teledensity approaching 35 per 100 persons; mostly cable and open-wire lines; a domestic satellite telecommunications system links Nouakchott with regional capitals


international: country code - 222; satellite earth stations - 1 Intelsat (Atlantic Ocean), 2 Arabsat
general assessment:
good international communications; good domestic facilities

domestic:
digitalization was completed in 1998; both NMT (analog) and GSM (digital) mobile telephone systems are installed

international:
satellite earth stations - 1 Orion; 1 fiber-optic submarine cable to the Shetland Islands, linking the Faroe Islands with Denmark and Iceland; fiber-optic submarine cable connection to Canada-Europe cable
Telephones - main lines in use 34,900 (2006) 24,851 (1999)
Telephones - mobile cellular 1.06 million (2006) 10,761 (1999)
Television broadcast stations 1 (2002) 3 (plus 43 low-power repeaters) (September 1995)
Terrain mostly barren, flat plains of the Sahara; some central hills rugged, rocky, some low peaks; cliffs along most of coast
Total fertility rate 5.78 children born/woman (2007 est.) 2.3 children born/woman (2001 est.)
Unemployment rate 20% (2004 est.) 1% (October 2000)
Waterways - none
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