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Compare Moldova (2004) - Western Sahara (2002)

Compare Moldova (2004) z Western Sahara (2002)

 Moldova (2004)Western Sahara (2002)
 MoldovaWestern Sahara
Administrative divisions 32 raions (raioane, singular - raionul), 3 municipalities (municipiul), 1 autonomous territorial unit (unitatea teritoriala autonoma), and 1 territorial unit (unitatea teritoriala)

counties: Anenii Noi, Basarabeasca, Briceni, Cahul, Cantemir, Calarasi, Causeni, Cimislia, Criuleni, Donduseni, Drochia, Dubasari, Edinet, Falesti, Floresti, Glodeni, Hincesti, Ialoveni, Leova, Nisporeni, Ocnita, Orhei, Rezina, Riscani, Singerei, Soldanesti, Soroca, Stefan-Voda, Straseni, Taraclia, Telenesti, Ungheni

municipalities: Balti, Bender, Chisinau

autonomous territorial unit: Gagauzia

territorial unit: Stinga Nistrului
none (under de facto control of Morocco)
Age structure 0-14 years: 20.6% (male 466,485; female 449,645)


15-64 years: 69.1% (male 1,478,220; female 1,595,695)


65 years and over: 10.3% (male 169,026; female 287,384) (2004 est.)
0-14 years: NA%


15-64 years: NA%


65 years and over: NA%
Agriculture - products vegetables, fruits, wine, grain, sugar beets, sunflower seed, tobacco; beef, milk fruits and vegetables (grown in the few oases); camels, sheep, goats (kept by nomads)
Airports 24 (2003 est.) 11 (2001)
Airports - with paved runways total: 6


over 3,047 m: 1


2,438 to 3,047 m: 2


1,524 to 2,437 m: 2


under 914 m: 1 (2003 est.)
total: 3


2,438 to 3,047 m: 3 (2002)
Airports - with unpaved runways total: 18


2,438 to 3,047 m: 2


1,524 to 2,437 m: 1


914 to 1,523 m: 4


under 914 m: 11 (2003 est.)
total: 8


1,524 to 2,437 m: 1


914 to 1,523 m: 4


under 914 m: 3 (2002)
Area total: 33,843 sq km


land: 33,371 sq km


water: 472 sq km
total: 266,000 sq km


land: 266,000 sq km


water: 0 sq km
Area - comparative slightly larger than Maryland about the size of Colorado
Background Formerly part of Romania, Moldova was incorporated into the Soviet Union at the close of World War II. Although independent from the USSR since 1991, Russian forces have remained on Moldovan territory east of the Dniester River supporting the Slavic majority population, mostly Ukrainians and Russians, who have proclaimed a "Transnistria" republic. The poorest nation in Europe, Moldova became the first former Soviet state to elect a Communist as its president in 2001. Morocco virtually annexed the northern two-thirds of Western Sahara (formerly Spanish Sahara) in 1976, and the rest of the territory in 1979, following Mauritania's withdrawal. A guerrilla war with the Polisario Front contesting Rabat's sovereignty ended in a 1991 cease-fire; a referendum on final status has been repeatedly postponed.
Birth rate 14.81 births/1,000 population (2004 est.) NA births/1,000 population
Budget revenues: $474.8 million


expenditures: $443.4 million, including capital expenditures of NA (2003 est.)
revenues: $NA


expenditures: $NA, including capital expenditures of $NA
Capital Chisinau none
Climate moderate winters, warm summers hot, dry desert; rain is rare; cold offshore air currents produce fog and heavy dew
Coastline 0 km (landlocked) 1,110 km
Constitution new constitution adopted 28 July 1994; replaces old Soviet constitution of 1979 -
Country name conventional long form: Republic of Moldova


conventional short form: Moldova


local long form: Republica Moldova


local short form: none


former: Moldavian Soviet Socialist Republic; Moldovan Soviet Socialist Republic
conventional long form: none


conventional short form: Western Sahara


former: Spanish Sahara
Currency Moldovan leu (MDL) Moroccan dirham (MAD)
Death rate 12.76 deaths/1,000 population (2004 est.) NA deaths/1,000 population
Debt - external $1.515 billion (2003) $NA
Diplomatic representation from the US chief of mission: Ambassador Heather M. HODGES


embassy: 103 Mateevici Street, Chisinau MD-2009


mailing address: use embassy street address


telephone: [373] (22) 408-300


FAX: [373] (22) 23-30-44
none
Diplomatic representation in the US chief of mission: Ambassador Mihail MANOLI


chancery: 2101 S Street NW, Washington, DC 20008


telephone: [1] (202) 667-1130


FAX: [1] (202) 667-1204
none
Disputes - international difficulties with the Transnistria region complicate controlling border crossing and customs regimes with Ukraine, despite concordance on 2003 delimitation and customs protocols and OSCE assistance Morocco claims and administers Western Sahara, but sovereignty remains unresolved; UN-administered cease-fire has remained in effect since September 1991, but attempts to hold a referendum have failed and parties reject other proposals
Economic aid - recipient $100 million (2000) $NA
Economy - overview Moldova remains the poorest country in Europe despite recent progress from its small economic base. It enjoys a favorable climate and good farmland but has no major mineral deposits. As a result, the economy depends heavily on agriculture, featuring fruits, vegetables, wine, and tobacco. Moldova must import almost all of its energy supplies from Russia. Energy shortages contributed to sharp production declines after the breakup of the Soviet Union in 1991. As part of an ambitious reform effort, Moldova introduced a convertible currency, freed prices, stopped issuing preferential credits to state enterprises, backed steady land privatization, removed export controls, and freed interest rates. The government entered into agreements with the World Bank and the IMF to promote growth and reduce poverty. The economy returned to positive growth, of 2.1% in 2000, 6.1% in 2001, 7.2% in 2002, and 6.3% in 2003. Further reforms will come slowly because of strong political forces backing government controls. The economy remains vulnerable to higher fuel prices, poor agricultural weather, and the skepticism of foreign investors. Western Sahara depends on pastoral nomadism, fishing, and phosphate mining as the principal sources of income for the population. The territory lacks sufficient rainfall for sustainable agricultural production, and most of the food for the urban population must be imported. All trade and other economic activities are controlled by the Moroccan Government. Moroccan energy interests in 2001 signed contracts to explore for oil off the coast of Western Sahara, which has angered the Polisario. Incomes and standards of living in Western Sahara are substantially below the Moroccan level.
Electricity - consumption 3.216 billion kWh (2001) 83.7 million kWh (2000)
Electricity - exports 0 kWh (2001) 0 kWh (2000)
Electricity - imports 60 million kWh (2001) 0 kWh (2000)
Electricity - production 3.394 billion kWh (2001) 90 million kWh (2000)
Electricity - production by source - fossil fuel: 100%


hydro: 0%


nuclear: 0%


other: 0% (2000)
Elevation extremes lowest point: Dniester River 2 m


highest point: Dealul Balanesti 430 m
lowest point: Sebjet Tah -55 m


highest point: unnamed location 463 m
Environment - current issues heavy use of agricultural chemicals, including banned pesticides such as DDT, has contaminated soil and groundwater; extensive soil erosion from poor farming methods sparse water and lack of arable land
Environment - international agreements party to: Air Pollution, Biodiversity, Climate Change, Climate Change-Kyoto Protocol, Desertification, Endangered Species, Hazardous Wastes, Ozone Layer Protection


signed, but not ratified: Air Pollution-Persistent Organic Pollutants
party to: none of the selected agreements


signed, but not ratified: none of the selected agreements
Ethnic groups Moldovan/Romanian 64.5%, Ukrainian 13.8%, Russian 13%, Jewish 1.5%, Bulgarian 2%, Gagauz and other 5.2% (1989 est.)


note: internal disputes with ethnic Slavs in the Transnistrian region
Arab, Berber
Exchange rates lei per US dollar - 13.9449 (2003), 13.5705 (2002), 12.8651 (2001), 12.4342 (2000), 10.5158 (1999) Moroccan dirhams per US dollar - 11.584 (January 2002), 11.303 (2001), 10.626 (2000), 9.804 (1999), 9.604 (1998), 9.527 (1997)
Executive branch chief of state: President Vladimir VORONIN (since 4 April 2001)


head of government: Prime Minister Vasile TARLEV (since 15 April 2001), First Deputy Prime Minister Vasile IOVV (since 29 January 2002)


cabinet: selected by president, subject to approval of Parliament


elections: president elected by Parliament for a four-year term; election last held 4 April 2001 (next to be held NA 2005); note - presidential elections were scheduled for December 2000, but in July 2000, Parliament canceled direct, popular elections; Parliament's failure to choose a new president in December 2000 led to early parliamentary elections in February 2001; prime minister designated by the president, upon consultation with Parliament; note - within 15 days from designation, the prime minister-designate must request a vote of confidence from the Parliament regarding his/her work program and entire cabinet; prime minister designated 15 April 2001, cabinet received a vote of confidence 19 April 2001


election results: Vladimir VORONIN elected president; parliamentary votes - Vladimir VORONIN 71, Dumitru BRAGHIS 15, Valerian CRISTEA 3; Vasile TARLEV designated prime minister; parliamentary votes of confidence - 75 of 101
none
Exports NA (2001) $NA
Exports - commodities foodstuffs, textiles, machinery phosphates 62%
Exports - partners Russia 39%, Romania 11.4%, Italy 10.4%, Germany 7.1%, Ukraine 7.1%, Belarus 5.2%, US 4.3% (2003) Morocco claims and administers Western Sahara, so trade partners are included in overall Moroccan accounts
Fiscal year calendar year calendar year
Flag description same color scheme as Romania - three equal vertical bands of blue (hoist side), yellow, and red; emblem in center of flag is of a Roman eagle of gold outlined in black with a red beak and talons carrying a yellow cross in its beak and a green olive branch in its right talons and a yellow scepter in its left talons; on its breast is a shield divided horizontally red over blue with a stylized ox head, star, rose, and crescent all in black-outlined yellow -
GDP purchasing power parity - $7.792 billion (2003 est.) purchasing power parity - $NA
GDP - composition by sector agriculture: 21%


industry: 27%


services: 52% (2003)
agriculture: NA%


industry: NA%


services: 40%-45% (1996 est.) (1996 est.)
GDP - per capita purchasing power parity - $1,800 (2003 est.) purchasing power parity - $NA
GDP - real growth rate 6.3% (2003 est.) NA%
Geographic coordinates 47 00 N, 29 00 E 24 30 N, 13 00 W
Geography - note landlocked; well endowed with various sedimentary rocks and minerals including sand, gravel, gypsum, and limestone the waters off the coast are particularly rich fishing areas
Highways total: 12,657 km


paved: 11,012 km


unpaved: 1,645 km (1999)
total: 6,200 km


paved: 1,350 km


unpaved: 4,850 km (1991 est.)
Household income or consumption by percentage share lowest 10%: 2.2%


highest 10%: 30.7% (1997)
lowest 10%: NA%


highest 10%: NA%
Illicit drugs limited cultivation of opium poppy and cannabis, mostly for CIS consumption; transshipment point for illicit drugs from Southwest Asia via Central Asia to Russia, Western Europe, and possibly the US; widespread crime and underground economic activity -
Imports NA (2001) $NA
Imports - commodities mineral products and fuel 32%, machinery and equipment, chemicals, textiles (2000) fuel for fishing fleet, foodstuffs
Imports - partners Ukraine 22%, Russia 13%, Germany 9.7%, Italy 8.3%, Romania 7% (2003) Morocco claims and administers Western Sahara, so trade partners are included in overall Moroccan accounts
Independence 27 August 1991 (from Soviet Union) -
Industrial production growth rate 17% (2003 est.) NA%
Industries food processing, agricultural machinery, foundry equipment, refrigerators and freezers, washing machines, hosiery, sugar, vegetable oil, shoes, textiles phosphate mining, handicrafts
Infant mortality rate total: 41 deaths/1,000 live births


male: 43.96 deaths/1,000 live births


female: 37.89 deaths/1,000 live births (2004 est.)
NA deaths/1,000 live births
Inflation rate (consumer prices) 11.6% (2003 est.) NA%
International organization participation ACCT, BSEC, CE, CEI, CIS, EAPC, EBRD, FAO, GUUAM, IAEA, IBRD, ICAO, ICCt (signatory), ICFTU, IDA, IFAD, IFC, IFRCS, ILO, IMF, IMO, Interpol, IOC, IOM, ISO (correspondent), ITU, MIGA, OPCW, OSCE, PFP, UN, UNCTAD, UNESCO, UNIDO, UNMIL, UNOCI, UPU, WCO, WHO, WIPO, WMO, WToO, WTO none
Internet Service Providers (ISPs) - 1 (2000)
Irrigated land 3,070 sq km (1998 est.) NA sq km
Judicial branch Supreme Court; Constitutional Court (the sole authority for constitutional judicature) -
Labor force 1.383 million (2003) 12,000
Labor force - by occupation agriculture 40%, industry 14%, services 46% (1998) animal husbandry and subsistence farming 50%
Land boundaries total: 1,389 km


border countries: Romania 450 km, Ukraine 939 km
total: 2,046 km


border countries: Algeria 42 km, Mauritania 1,561 km, Morocco 443 km
Land use arable land: 55.3%


permanent crops: 10.79%


other: 33.91% (2001)
arable land: 0%


permanent crops: 0%


other: 100% (1998 est.)
Languages Moldovan (official, virtually the same as the Romanian language), Russian, Gagauz (a Turkish dialect) Hassaniya Arabic, Moroccan Arabic
Legal system based on civil law system; Constitutional Court reviews legality of legislative acts and governmental decisions of resolution; it is unclear if Moldova accepts compulsory ICJ jurisdiction but accepts many UN and Organization for Security and Cooperation in Europe (OSCE) documents -
Legislative branch unicameral Parliament or Parlamentul (101 seats; parties and electoral blocs elected by popular vote to serve four-year terms)


elections: last held 25 February 2001 (next to be held NA 2005)


election results: percent of vote by party - PCRM 50.1%, Braghis Alliance (now Our Moldova Alliance) 13.4%, PPCD 8.2%, other parties 28.3%; seats by party - PCRM 71, Braghis Alliance (now Our Moldova Alliance) 19, PPCD 11
-
Life expectancy at birth total population: 65.03 years


male: 60.88 years


female: 69.39 years (2004 est.)
total population: NA years


male: NA years


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


total population: 99.1%


male: 99.6%


female: 98.7% (2003 est.)
definition: NA


total population: NA%


male: NA%


female: NA%
Location Eastern Europe, northeast of Romania Northern Africa, bordering the North Atlantic Ocean, between Mauritania and Morocco
Map references Europe Africa
Maritime claims none (landlocked) contingent upon resolution of sovereignty issue
Merchant marine total: 1 ships (1,000 GRT or over) 1,636 GRT/1,088 DWT


by type: cargo 1


foreign-owned: 2 Russia 1


registered in other countries: 4
-
Military branches National Army: Ground Forces, Air Force -
Military expenditures - dollar figure $9.5 million (FY03) $NA
Military expenditures - percent of GDP 0.4% (FY02) NA%
Military manpower - availability males age 15-49: 1,186,818 (2004 est.) -
Military manpower - fit for military service males age 15-49: 942,071 (2004 est.) -
Military manpower - reaching military age annually males: 44,466 (2004 est.) -
National holiday Independence Day, 27 August (1991) -
Nationality noun: Moldovan(s)


adjective: Moldovan
noun: Sahrawi(s), Sahraoui(s)


adjective: Sahrawian, Sahraouian
Natural hazards landslides (57 cases in 1998) hot, dry, dust/sand-laden sirocco wind can occur during winter and spring; widespread harmattan haze exists 60% of time, often severely restricting visibility
Natural resources lignite, phosphorites, gypsum, arable land, limestone phosphates, iron ore
Net migration rate -0.26 migrant(s)/1,000 population (2004 est.) -
Pipelines gas 606 km (2004) -
Political parties and leaders Democratic Modova Bloc [Serafim URECHEANU] includes: Democratic Party [Dumitru DIACOV], Our Moldova Alliance [Dumitru BRAGHIS, Serafim URECHEANU], Social Liberal Party [Oleg SEREBRIAN]; Communist Party of the Republic of Moldova or PCRM [Vladimir VORONIN, first chairman]; Popular Christian Democratic Party or PPCD [Iurie ROSCA] -
Political pressure groups and leaders NA none
Population 4,446,455 (July 2004 est.) 256,177 (July 2002 est.)
Population below poverty line 80% (2001 est.) NA%
Population growth rate 0.18% (2004 est.) NA (2002 est.)
Ports and harbors none Ad Dakhla, Cabo Bojador, Laayoune (El Aaiun)
Radio broadcast stations AM 7, FM 50, shortwave 3 (1998) AM 2, FM 0, shortwave 0 (1998)
Radios - 56,000 (1997)
Railways total: 1,138 km


broad gauge: 1,124 km 1.520-m gauge


standard gauge: 14 km 1.435-m gauge (2003)
0 km
Religions Eastern Orthodox 98%, Jewish 1.5%, Baptist and other 0.5% (2000) Muslim
Sex ratio at birth: 1.05 male(s)/female


under 15 years: 1.04 male(s)/female


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


65 years and over: 0.59 male(s)/female


total population: 0.91 male(s)/female (2004 est.)
NA
Suffrage 18 years of age; universal none; a UN-sponsored voter identification campaign not yet completed
Telephone system general assessment: inadequate, outmoded, poor service outside Chisinau; some effort to modernize is under way


domestic: new subscribers face long wait for service; mobile cellular telephone service being introduced


international: country code - 373; service through Romania and Russia via landline; satellite earth stations - Intelsat, Eutelsat, and Intersputnik
general assessment: sparse and limited system


domestic: NA


international: tied into Morocco's system by microwave radio relay, tropospheric scatter, and satellite; satellite earth stations - 2 Intelsat (Atlantic Ocean) linked to Rabat, Morocco
Telephones - main lines in use 706,900 (2002) about 2,000 (1999 est.)
Telephones - mobile cellular 338,200 (2002) 0 (1999)
Television broadcast stations 1 (plus 30 repeaters) (1995) NA
Terrain rolling steppe, gradual slope south to Black Sea mostly low, flat desert with large areas of rocky or sandy surfaces rising to small mountains in south and northeast
Total fertility rate 1.78 children born/woman (2004 est.) NA children born/woman
Unemployment rate 8% (roughly 25% of working age Moldovans are employed abroad) (2002 est.) NA%
Waterways 424 km (2004) none
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