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Compare Micronesia, Federated States of (2003) - Laos (2001)

Compare Micronesia, Federated States of (2003) z Laos (2001)

 Micronesia, Federated States of (2003)Laos (2001)
 Micronesia, Federated States ofLaos
Administrative divisions 4 states; Chuuk (Truk), Kosrae (Kosaie), Pohnpei (Ponape), Yap 16 provinces (khoueng, singular and plural), 1 municipality* (kampheng nakhon, singular and plural), and 1 special zone** (khetphiset, singular and plural); Attapu, Bokeo, Bolikhamxai, Champasak, Houaphan, Khammouan, Louangnamtha, Louangphabang, Oudomxai, Phongsali, Salavan, Savannakhet, Viangchan*, Viangchan, Xaignabouli, Xaisomboun**, Xekong, Xiangkhoang
Age structure 0-14 years: 38.4% (male 21,163; female 20,335)


15-64 years: 58.5% (male 31,746; female 31,477)


65 years and over: 3.2% (male 1,558; female 1,864) (2003 est.)
0-14 years:
42.75% (male 1,212,577; female 1,196,795)

15-64 years:
53.94% (male 1,494,927; female 1,544,851)

65 years and over:
3.31% (male 85,632; female 101,185) (2001 est.)
Agriculture - products black pepper, tropical fruits and vegetables, coconuts, cassava (tapioca), betel nuts, sweet potatoes; pigs, chickens sweet potatoes, vegetables, corn, coffee, sugarcane, tobacco, cotton; tea, peanuts, rice; water buffalo, pigs, cattle, poultry
Airports 7 (2002) 51 (2000 est.)
Airports - with paved runways total: 6


1,524 to 2,437 m: 4


914 to 1,523 m: 2 (2002)
total:
8

2,438 to 3,047 m:
1

1,524 to 2,437 m:
5

914 to 1,523 m:
2 (2000 est.)
Airports - with unpaved runways total: 1


914 to 1,523 m: 1 (2002)
total:
43

1,524 to 2,437 m:
1

914 to 1,523 m:
17

under 914 m:
25 (2000 est.)
Area total: 702 sq km


land: 702 sq km


water: 0 sq km (fresh water only)


note: includes Pohnpei (Ponape), Chuuk (Truk) Islands, Yap Islands, and Kosrae (Kosaie)
total:
236,800 sq km

land:
230,800 sq km

water:
6,000 sq km
Area - comparative four times the size of Washington, DC (land area only) slightly larger than Utah
Background In 1979 the Federated States of Micronesia, a UN Trust Territory under US administration, adopted a constitution. In 1986 independence was attained under a Compact of Free Association with the US. Present concerns include large-scale unemployment, overfishing, and overdependence on US aid. In 1975 the communist Pathet Lao took control of the government, ending a six-century-old monarchy. Initial closer ties to Vietnam and socialization were replaced with a gradual return to private enterprise, an easing of foreign investment laws, and the admission into ASEAN in 1997.
Birth rate 26.47 births/1,000 population (2003 est.) 37.84 births/1,000 population (2001 est.)
Budget revenues: $161 million ($69 million less grants)


expenditures: $160 million, including capital expenditures of $NA (1998 est.)
revenues:
$211 million

expenditures:
$462 million, including capital expenditures of $NA (FY98/99 est.)
Capital Palikir Vientiane
Climate tropical; heavy year-round rainfall, especially in the eastern islands; located on southern edge of the typhoon belt with occasionally severe damage tropical monsoon; rainy season (May to November); dry season (December to April)
Coastline 6,112 km 0 km (landlocked)
Constitution 10 May 1979 promulgated 14 August 1991
Country name conventional long form: Federated States of Micronesia


conventional short form: none


former: Ponape, Truk, and Yap Districts (Trust Territory of the Pacific Islands)


abbreviation: FSM
conventional long form:
Lao People's Democratic Republic

conventional short form:
Laos

local long form:
Sathalanalat Paxathipatai Paxaxon Lao

local short form:
none
Currency US dollar (USD) kip (LAK)
Death rate 5.1 deaths/1,000 population (2003 est.) 13.02 deaths/1,000 population (2001 est.)
Debt - external $53.1 million (FY 02/03 est.) $2.46 billion (1998 est.)
Diplomatic representation from the US chief of mission: Ambassador Larry M. DINGER


embassy: address NA, Kolonia


mailing address: P. O. Box 1286, Kolonia, Pohnpei, Federated States of Micronesia 96941


telephone: [691] 320-2187


FAX: [691] 320-2186
chief of mission:
Ambassador (vacant); Charge d'Affairs Karen Brevard STEWART

embassy:
19 Rue Bartholonie, B. P. 114, Vientiane

mailing address:
American Embassy, Box V, APO AP 96546

telephone:
[856] (21) 212581, 212582, 212585

FAX:
[856] (21) 212584
Diplomatic representation in the US chief of mission: Ambassador Jesse Bibiano MAREHALAU


chancery: 1725 N Street NW, Washington, DC 20036


telephone: [1] (202) 223-4383


FAX: [1] (202) 223-4391


consulate(s) general: Honolulu and Tamuning (Guam)
chief of mission:
Ambassador VANG Rattanavong

chancery:
2222 S Street NW, Washington, DC 20008

telephone:
[1] (202) 332-6416

FAX:
[1] (202) 332-4923
Disputes - international none parts of the border with Thailand are indefinite
Economic aid - recipient under terms of the Compact of Free Association, the US pledged $1.3 billion in grant aid during the period 1986-2001 $345 million (1999 est.)
Economy - overview Economic activity consists primarily of subsistence farming and fishing. The islands have few mineral deposits worth exploiting, except for high-grade phosphate. The potential for a tourist industry exists, but the remote location, a lack of adequate facilities, and limited air connections hinder development. In November 2002, the country experienced a further reduction in future revenues from the Compact of Free Association - the agreement with the US in which Micronesia received $1.3 billion in financial and technical assistance over a 15-year period until 2001. The country's medium-term economic outlook appears fragile due not only to the reduction in US assistance but also to the slow growth of the private sector. Geographical isolation and a poorly developed infrastructure remain major impediments to long-term growth. The government of Laos - one of the few remaining official communist states - began decentralizing control and encouraging private enterprise in 1986. The results, starting from an extremely low base, were striking - growth averaged 7% during 1988-97. Reform efforts subsequently slowed, and GDP growth dropped an average of 3 percentage points. Because Laos depends heavily on its trade with Thailand, it was damaged by the regional financial crisis beginning in 1997. Government mismanagement deepened the crisis, and from June 1997 to June 1999 the Lao kip lost 87% of its value. Laos' foreign exchange problems peaked in September 1999 when the kip fell from 3,500 kip to the dollar to 9,000 kip to the dollar in a matter of weeks. Now that the currency has stabilized, however, the government seems content to let the current situation persist, despite limited government revenue and foreign exchange reserves. A landlocked country with a primitive infrastructure, Laos has no railroads, a rudimentary road system, and limited external and internal telecommunications. Electricity is available in only a few urban areas. Subsistence agriculture accounts for half of GDP and provides 80% of total employment. For the foreseeable future the economy will continue to depend on aid from the IMF and other international sources; Japan is currently the largest bilateral aid donor; aid from the former USSR/Eastern Europe has been cut sharply.
Electricity - consumption NA kWh 173.6 million kWh (1999)
Electricity - exports - 705 million kWh (1999)
Electricity - imports - 142 million kWh (1999)
Electricity - production NA kWh 792 million kWh (1999)
Electricity - production by source fossil fuel: 0%


hydro: 0%


nuclear: 0%


other: 0%
fossil fuel:
2.78%

hydro:
97.22%

nuclear:
0%

other:
0% (1999)
Elevation extremes lowest point: Pacific Ocean 0 m


highest point: Dolohmwar (Totolom) 791 m
lowest point:
Mekong River 70 m

highest point:
Phou Bia 2,817 m
Environment - current issues overfishing, climate change, pollution unexploded ordnance; deforestation; soil erosion; a majority of the population does not have access to potable water
Environment - international agreements party to: Biodiversity, Climate Change, Climate Change-Kyoto Protocol, Desertification, Hazardous Wastes, Law of the Sea, Ozone Layer Protection


signed, but not ratified: none of the selected agreements
party to:
Biodiversity, Climate Change, Desertification, Environmental Modification, Law of the Sea, Nuclear Test Ban, Ozone Layer Protection

signed, but not ratified:
none of the selected agreements
Ethnic groups nine ethnic Micronesian and Polynesian groups Lao Loum (lowland) 68%, Lao Theung (upland) 22%, Lao Soung (highland) including the Hmong ("Meo") and the Yao (Mien) 9%, ethnic Vietnamese/Chinese 1%
Exchange rates the US dollar is used 1 kips per US dollar - 7,578.00 (December 2000), 7,102.03 (1999), 3,298.33 (1998), 1,259.98 (1997), 921.02 (1996)
Executive branch chief of state: President Joseph J. URUSEMAL (since 11 May 2003); Vice President Redley KILLION; note - the president is both the chief of state and head of government


head of government: President Joseph J. URUSEMAL (since 11 May 2003); Vice President Redley KILLION; note - the president is both the chief of state and head of government


cabinet: Cabinet


elections: president and vice president elected by Congress from among the four senators at large for four-year terms; election last held 11 May 2003 (next to be held NA May 2007); note - a proposed constitutional amendment to establish popular elections for president and vice president failed


election results: Joseph J. URUSEMAL elected president; percent of Congress vote - NA%; Redley KILLION elected vice president; percent of Congress vote - NA%
chief of state:
President Gen. KHAMTAI Siphandon (since 26 February 1998) and Vice President Lt. Gen. CHOUMMALI Saignason (since NA March 2001)

head of government:
Prime Minister BOUNGNANG Volachit (since NA March 2001); Deputy Prime Ministers THONGLOUN Sisolit (since NA March 2001), SOMSAVAT Lengsavat (since 26 February 1998)

cabinet:
Council of Ministers appointed by the president, approved by the National Assembly

elections:
president elected by the National Assembly for a five-year term; election last held 21 December 1997 (next to be held NA 2002); prime minister appointed by the president with the approval of the National Assembly for a five-year term

election results:
KHAMTAI Siphandon elected president; percent of National Assembly vote - NA%
Exports $22 million (f.o.b.) (FY 99/00 est.) $323 million (f.o.b., 2000 est.)
Exports - commodities fish, garments, bananas, black pepper wood products, garments, electricity, coffee, tin
Exports - partners Japan, US, Guam (2000) Vietnam, Thailand, Germany, France, Belgium
Fiscal year 1 October - 30 September 1 October - 30 September
Flag description light blue with four white five-pointed stars centered; the stars are arranged in a diamond pattern three horizontal bands of red (top), blue (double width), and red with a large white disk centered in the blue band
GDP purchasing power parity - $277 million


note: $277 million $277 million GDP is supplemented by grant aid, averaging perhaps $100 million annually (2002 est.)
purchasing power parity - $9 billion (2000 est.)
GDP - composition by sector agriculture: 50%


industry: 4%


services: 46% (2000 est.)
agriculture:
51%

industry:
22%

services:
27% (1999 est.)
GDP - per capita purchasing power parity - $2,000 (2002 est.) purchasing power parity - $1,700 (2000 est.)
GDP - real growth rate 1% (2002 est.) 4% (2000 est.)
Geographic coordinates 6 55 N, 158 15 E 18 00 N, 105 00 E
Geography - note four major island groups totaling 607 islands landlocked
Highways total: 240 km


paved: 42 km


unpaved: 198 km (1999 est.)
total:
14,000 km

paved:
3,360 km

unpaved:
10,640 km (1991)
Household income or consumption by percentage share lowest 10%: NA%


highest 10%: NA%
lowest 10%:
4.2%

highest 10%:
26.4% (1992)
Illicit drugs - world's third-largest illicit opium producer (estimated cultivation in 1999 - 21,800 hectares, a 16% decrease over 1998; estimated potential production in 1999 - 140 metric tons, about the same as in 1998); potential heroin producer; transshipment point for heroin and methamphetamine produced in Burma; illicit producer of cannabis
Imports $149 million f.o.b. (FY 99/00 est.) $540 million (f.o.b., 2000 est.)
Imports - commodities food, manufactured goods, machinery and equipment, beverages machinery and equipment, vehicles, fuel
Imports - partners US, Australia, Japan (2000) Thailand, Japan, Vietnam, China, Singapore, Hong Kong
Independence 3 November 1986 (from the US-administered UN Trusteeship) 19 July 1949 (from France)
Industrial production growth rate NA% 7.5% (1999 est.)
Industries tourism, construction, fish processing, specialized aquaculture, craft items from shell, wood, and pearls tin and gypsum mining, timber, electric power, agricultural processing, construction, garments, tourism
Infant mortality rate total: 32.39 deaths/1,000 live births


male: 35.65 deaths/1,000 live births


female: 28.97 deaths/1,000 live births
92.89 deaths/1,000 live births (2001 est.)
Inflation rate (consumer prices) 1% (2002 est.) 33% (2000 est.)
International organization participation ACP, AsDB, ESCAP, G-77, IBRD, ICAO, IDA, IFC, IFRCS (associate), IMF, IOC, ITU, OPCW, Sparteca, SPC, SPF, UN, UNCTAD, UNESCO, WHO, WMO ACCT, ARF, AsDB, ASEAN, CP, ESCAP, FAO, G-77, IBRD, ICAO, ICRM, IDA, IFAD, IFC, IFRCS, ILO, IMF, Intelsat (nonsignatory user), Interpol, IOC, ITU, NAM, OPCW, PCA, UN, UNCTAD, UNESCO, UNIDO, UPU, WFTU, WHO, WIPO, WMO, WToO, WTrO (observer)
Internet Service Providers (ISPs) 1 (2000) 1 (2000)
Irrigated land NA sq km 1,250 sq km (1993 est.)

note:
rainy season irrigation - 2,169 sq km; dry season irrigation - 750 sq km (1998 est.)
Judicial branch Supreme Court People's Supreme Court (the president of the People's Supreme Court is elected by the National Assembly on the recommendation of the National Assembly Standing Committee; the vice president of the People's Supreme Court and the judges are appointed by the National Assembly Standing Committee)
Labor force NA 1 million - 1.5 million
Labor force - by occupation two-thirds are government employees agriculture 80% (1997 est.)
Land boundaries 0 km total:
5,083 km

border countries:
Burma 235 km, Cambodia 541 km, China 423 km, Thailand 1,754 km, Vietnam 2,130 km
Land use arable land: 5.71%


permanent crops: 45.71%


other: 48.58% (1998 est.)
arable land:
3%

permanent crops:
0%

permanent pastures:
3%

forests and woodland:
54%

other:
40% (1993 est.)
Languages English (official and common language), Trukese, Pohnpeian, Yapese, Kosrean, Ulithian, Woleaian, Nukuoro, Kapingamarangi Lao (official), French, English, and various ethnic languages
Legal system based on adapted Trust Territory laws, acts of the legislature, municipal, common, and customary laws based on traditional customs, French legal norms and procedures, and Socialist practice
Legislative branch unicameral Congress (14 seats; members elected by popular vote; four - one elected from each state to serve four-year terms; and 10 - elected from single-member districts delineated by population to serve two-year terms)


elections: elections for four-year term seats last held 4 March 2003 (next to be held NA March 2007); elections for two-year term seats last held 4 March 2003 (next to be held NA March 2005)


election results: percent of vote - NA%; seats - independents 14
unicameral National Assembly (99 seats; members elected by popular vote to serve five-year terms; note - by presidential decree, on 27 October 1997, the number of seats increased from 85 to 99)

elections:
last held 21 December 1997 (next to be held NA 2002)

election results:
percent of vote by party - NA%; seats by party - LPRP or LPRP-approved (independent, non-party members) 99
Life expectancy at birth total population: 69.13 years


male: 67.39 years


female: 70.95 years (2003 est.)
total population:
53.48 years

male:
51.58 years

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


total population: 89%


male: 91%


female: 88% (1980 est.)
definition:
age 15 and over can read and write

total population:
57%

male:
70%

female:
44% (1999 est.)
Location Oceania, island group in the North Pacific Ocean, about three-quarters of the way from Hawaii to Indonesia Southeastern Asia, northeast of Thailand, west of Vietnam
Map references Oceania Southeast Asia
Maritime claims exclusive economic zone: 200 NM


territorial sea: 12 NM
none (landlocked)
Merchant marine none


note: includes a foreign-owned ship registered here as a flag of convenience: US 1 (2002 est.)
total:
1 ship (1,000 GRT or over) totaling 2,370 GRT/3,000 DWT

ships by type:
cargo 1 (2000 est.)
Military - note Federated States of Micronesia (FSM) is a sovereign, self-governing state in free association with the US; FSM is totally dependent on the US for its defense -
Military branches - Lao People's Army (LPA; includes riverine element), Air Force, National Police Department
Military expenditures - dollar figure - $55 million (FY98)
Military expenditures - percent of GDP - 4.2% (FY96/97)
Military manpower - availability - males age 15-49:
1,319,537 (2001 est.)
Military manpower - fit for military service - males age 15-49:
710,627 (2001 est.)
Military manpower - military age - 18 years of age
Military manpower - reaching military age annually - males:
64,437 (2001 est.)
National holiday Constitution Day, 10 May (1979) Republic Day, 2 December (1975)
Nationality noun: Micronesian(s)


adjective: Micronesian; Chuukese, Kosraen(s), Pohnpeian(s), Yapese
noun:
Lao(s) or Laotian(s)

adjective:
Lao or Laotian
Natural hazards typhoons (June to December) floods, droughts, and blight
Natural resources forests, marine products, deep-seabed minerals timber, hydropower, gypsum, tin, gold, gemstones
Net migration rate -20.98 migrant(s)/1,000 population (2003 est.) 0 migrant(s)/1,000 population (2001 est.)
Pipelines - petroleum products 136 km
Political parties and leaders no formal parties Lao People's Revolutionary Party or LPRP [KHAMTAI Siphandon, party president]; other parties proscribed
Political pressure groups and leaders - noncommunist political groups proscribed; most opposition leaders fled the country in 1975
Population 108,143 (July 2003 est.) 5,635,967 (July 2001 est.)
Population below poverty line 26.7% 46.1% (1993 est.)
Population growth rate 0.04% (2003 est.) 2.48% (2001 est.)
Ports and harbors Colonia (Yap), Kolonia (Pohnpei), Lele, Moen none
Radio broadcast stations AM 5, FM 1, shortwave 0 (1998) AM 12, FM 1, shortwave 4 (1998)
Radios - 730,000 (1997)
Railways 0 km 0 km
Religions Roman Catholic 50%, Protestant 47% Buddhist 60%, animist and other 40%
Sex ratio 1.05 male(s)/female (2003 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:
0.85 male(s)/female

total population:
0.98 male(s)/female (2001 est.)
Suffrage 18 years of age; universal 18 years of age; universal
Telephone system general assessment: adequate system


domestic: islands interconnected by shortwave radiotelephone (used mostly for government purposes)


international: satellite earth stations - 5 Intelsat (Pacific Ocean) (2002)
general assessment:
service to general public is poor but improving, with over 20,000 telephones currently in service and an additional 48,000 expected by 2001; the government relies on a radiotelephone network to communicate with remote areas

domestic:
radiotelephone communications

international:
satellite earth station - 1 Intersputnik (Indian Ocean region)
Telephones - main lines in use 11,000 (2001) 25,000 (1997)
Telephones - mobile cellular newly installed in Pohnpei and Yap 4,915 (1997)
Television broadcast stations 2 (1997) 4 (1999)
Terrain islands vary geologically from high mountainous islands to low, coral atolls; volcanic outcroppings on Pohnpei, Kosrae, and Chuuk mostly rugged mountains; some plains and plateaus
Total fertility rate 3.5 children born/woman (2003 est.) 5.12 children born/woman (2001 est.)
Unemployment rate 16% (1999 est.) 5.7% (1997 est.)
Waterways none 4,587 km approximately

note:
primarily Mekong and tributaries; 2,897 additional km are intermittently navigable by craft drawing less than 0.5 m
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