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Compare Montserrat (2003) - Comoros (2002)

Compare Montserrat (2003) z Comoros (2002)

 Montserrat (2003)Comoros (2002)
 MontserratComoros
Administrative divisions 3 parishes; Saint Anthony, Saint Georges, Saint Peter 3 islands; Grande Comore (Njazidja), Anjouan (Nzwani), and Moheli (Mwali); note - there are also four municipalities named Domoni, Fomboni, Moroni, and Moutsamoudou
Age structure 0-14 years: 23.4% (male 1,062; female 1,041)


15-64 years: 65.3% (male 2,805; female 3,066)


65 years and over: 11.4% (male 537; female 484) (2003 est.)
0-14 years: 42.9% (male 132,013; female 131,282)


15-64 years: 54.2% (male 164,245; female 168,793)


65 years and over: 2.9% (male 8,588; female 9,461) (2002 est.)
Agriculture - products cabbages, carrots, cucumbers, tomatoes, onions, peppers; livestock products vanilla, cloves, perfume essences, copra, coconuts, bananas, cassava (tapioca)
Airports none; only airport was destroyed by volcanic activity; a helicopter service to Antigua is used (2002) 4 (2001)
Airports - with paved runways - total: 4


2,438 to 3,047 m: 1


914 to 1,523 m: 3 (2002)
Area total: 102 sq km


land: 102 sq km


water: 0 sq km
total: 2,170 sq km


land: 2,170 sq km


water: 0 sq km
Area - comparative about 0.6 times the size of Washington, DC slightly more than 12 times the size of Washington, DC
Background Much of this island has been devastated and two-thirds of the population has fled abroad due to the eruption of the Soufriere Hills Volcano that began on 18 July 1995. Unstable Comoros has endured 19 coups or attempted coups since gaining independence from France in 1975. In 1997, the islands of Anjouan and Moheli declared their independence from Comoros. In 1999, military chief Col. AZALI seized power. He has pledged to resolve the secessionist crisis through a confederal arrangement named the 2000 Fomboni Accord. In December 2001, voters approved a new constitution and presidential elections took place in the spring of 2002.
Birth rate 17.57 births/1,000 population (2003 est.) 39.01 births/1,000 population (2002 est.)
Budget revenues: $31.4 million


expenditures: $31.6 million, including capital expenditures of $8.4 million (1997 est.)
revenues: $27.6 million


expenditures: $NA, including capital expenditures of $NA (2001 est.)
Capital Plymouth (abandoned in 1997 due to volcanic activity; interim government buildings have been built at Brades Estate, in the Carr's Bay/Little Bay vicinity at the northwest end of Montserrat) Moroni
Climate tropical; little daily or seasonal temperature variation tropical marine; rainy season (November to May)
Coastline 40 km 340 km
Constitution present constitution came into force 19 December 1989 23 December 2001


note: a Transitional National Unity Government (GUNT) was formed on 20 January 2002 following the passing of the new constitution; the GUNT governed until the presidential elections on 14 April 2002
Country name conventional long form: none


conventional short form: Montserrat
conventional long form: Union of the Comoros


conventional short form: Comoros


local long form: Union des Comores


local short form: Comores
Currency East Caribbean dollar (XCD) Comoran franc (KMF)
Death rate 7.34 deaths/1,000 population (2003 est.) 9.1 deaths/1,000 population (2002 est.)
Debt - external $8.9 million (1997) $225 million
Dependency status overseas territory of the UK -
Diplomatic representation from the US none (overseas territory of the UK) the US does not have an embassy in Comoros; the ambassador to Mauritius is accredited to Comoros
Diplomatic representation in the US none (overseas territory of the UK) chief of mission: Ambassador-designate Ahmed DJABIR (ambassador to the US and Canada and permanent representative to the UN)


chancery: (temporary) care of the Permanent Mission of the Federal and Islamic Republic of the Comoros to the United Nations, 420 East 50th Street, New York, NY 10022


telephone: [1] (212) 972-8010 and 223-2711


FAX: [1] (212) 983-4712 and 715-0699
Disputes - international none claims French-administered Mayotte; the island of Anjouan (Nzwani) has moved to secede from Comoros again after recent military coup
Economic aid - recipient Country Policy Plan (2001) is a three-year program for spending $122.8 million in British budgetary assistance $10 million (2001 est.)
Economy - overview Severe volcanic activity, which began in July 1995, has put a damper on this small, open economy. A catastrophic eruption in June 1997 closed the airports and seaports, causing further economic and social dislocation. Two-thirds of the 12,000 inhabitants fled the island. Some began to return in 1998, but lack of housing limited the number. The agriculture sector continued to be affected by the lack of suitable land for farming and the destruction of crops. Prospects for the economy depend largely on developments in relation to the volcano and on public sector construction activity. The UK has launched a three-year $122.8 million aid program to help reconstruct the economy. Half of the island is expected to remain uninhabitable for another decade. One of the world's poorest countries, Comoros is made up of three islands that have inadequate transportation links, a young and rapidly increasing population, and few natural resources. The low educational level of the labor force contributes to a subsistence level of economic activity, high unemployment, and a heavy dependence on foreign grants and technical assistance. Agriculture, including fishing, hunting, and forestry, contributes 40% to GDP, employs 80% of the labor force, and provides most of the exports. The country is not self-sufficient in food production; rice, the main staple, accounts for the bulk of imports. The government is struggling to upgrade education and technical training, to privatize commercial and industrial enterprises, to improve health services, to diversify exports, to promote tourism, and to reduce the high population growth rate. Increased foreign support is essential if the goal of 4% annual GDP growth is to be met. Remittances from 150,000 Comorans abroad help supplement GDP.
Electricity - consumption 2.325 million kWh (2001) 17.67 million kWh (2000)
Electricity - exports 0 kWh (2001) 0 kWh (2000)
Electricity - imports 0 kWh (2001) 0 kWh (2000)
Electricity - production 2.5 million kWh (2001) 19 million kWh (2000)
Electricity - production by source fossil fuel: 100%


hydro: 0%


nuclear: 0%


other: 0% (2001)
fossil fuel: 89%


hydro: 11%


nuclear: 0%


other: 0% (2000)
Elevation extremes lowest point: Caribbean Sea 0 m


highest point: Chances Peak (in the Soufriere Hills volcanic complex) 914 m
lowest point: Indian Ocean 0 m


highest point: Le Kartala 2,360 m
Environment - current issues land erosion occurs on slopes that have been cleared for cultivation soil degradation and erosion results from crop cultivation on slopes without proper terracing; deforestation
Environment - international agreements - party to: Biodiversity, Climate Change, Desertification, Endangered Species, Hazardous Wastes, Law of the Sea, Ozone Layer Protection, Ship Pollution, Wetlands


signed, but not ratified: none of the selected agreements
Ethnic groups black, white Antalote, Cafre, Makoa, Oimatsaha, Sakalava
Exchange rates East Caribbean dollars per US dollar - 2.7000 (fixed rate since 1976) Comoran francs per US dollar - 557.09 (January 2002), 549.78 (2001), 533.98 (2000), 461.77 (1999), 442.46 (1998), 437.75 (1997)


note: prior to January 1999, the official rate was pegged to the French franc at 75 Comoran francs per French franc; since 1 January 1999, the Comoran franc is pegged to the euro at a rate of 491.9677 Comoran francs per euro
Executive branch chief of state: Queen ELIZABETH II (since 6 February 1952), represented by Governor Anthony LONGRIGG (since NA May 2001)


head of government: Chief Minister John OSBORNE (since 5 April 2001)


cabinet: Executive Council consists of the governor, the chief minister, three other ministers, the attorney general, and the finance secretary


elections: the monarch is hereditary; governor appointed by the monarch; following legislative elections, the leader of the majority party usually becomes chief minister
chief of state: President AZALI Assoumani (since 26 May 2002); note - AZALI Assoumani became president on 6 May 1999 after a bloodless coup on 30 April 1999; on 16 January 2002, President AZALI resigned his position to run in the 14 April 2002 presidential elections; during that time, Prime Minister Hamada Madi BOLERO served as interim president; AZALI Assoumani sworn in as president on 26 May 2002


head of government: Prime Minister Hamada Madi BOLERO (since NA November 2000); note - on 16 January 2002, President AZALI resigned his position to run in the 14 April 2002 presidential elections; Prime Minister Hamada Madi BOLERO was appointed interim president and Djaffar SALIM interim deputy prime minister


cabinet: Council of Ministers appointed by the president


elections: president elected by popular vote for a five-year term; election last held 14 April 2002 (next to be held NA April 2007); prime minister appointed by the president


election results: President AZALI Assoumani elected president with 75% of the vote
Exports NA (2001) $35.3 million f.o.b. (2001 est.)
Exports - commodities electronic components, plastic bags, apparel, hot peppers, live plants, cattle vanilla, ylang-ylang, cloves, perfume oil, copra
Exports - partners US, Antigua and Barbuda France 46%, US 18%, Singapore 18%, Germany 9% (1999)
Fiscal year 1 April - 31 March calendar year
Flag description blue, with the flag of the UK in the upper hoist-side quadrant and the Montserratian coat of arms centered in the outer half of the flag; the coat of arms features a woman standing beside a yellow harp with her arm around a black cross four equal horizontal bands of yellow (top), white, red, and blue with a green isosceles triangle based on the hoist; centered within the triangle is a white crescent with the convex side facing the hoist and four white, five-pointed stars placed vertically in a line between the points of the crescent; the horizontal bands and the four stars represent the four main islands of the archipelago - Mwali, Njazidja, Nzwani, and Mayotte (a territorial collectivity of France, but claimed by Comoros); the crescent, stars, and color green are traditional symbols of Islam
GDP purchasing power parity - $29 million (2002 est.) purchasing power parity - $424 million (2001 est.)
GDP - composition by sector agriculture: 5.4%


industry: 13.6%


services: 81% (1996 est.)
agriculture: 40%


industry: 4%


services: 56% (2001 est.)
GDP - per capita purchasing power parity - $3,400 (2002 est.) purchasing power parity - $710 (2001 est.)
GDP - real growth rate -1% (2002 est.) 1% (2001 est.)
Geographic coordinates 16 45 N, 62 12 W 12 10 S, 44 15 E
Geography - note the island is entirely volcanic in origin and contains seven active volcanoes important location at northern end of Mozambique Channel
Highways total: 227 km


paved: NA km


unpaved: NA km


note: volcanic eruptions beginning in 1995 destroyed most of the road system (2003)
total: 880 km


paved: 673 km


unpaved: 207 km (1996)
Household income or consumption by percentage share lowest 10%: NA%


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


highest 10%: NA%
Illicit drugs transshipment point for South American narcotics destined for the US and Europe -
Imports NA (2001) $44.9 million f.o.b. (2001 est.)
Imports - commodities machinery and transportation equipment, foodstuffs, manufactured goods, fuels, lubricants, and related materials rice and other foodstuffs, consumer goods; petroleum products, cement, transport equipment
Imports - partners US, UK, Trinidad and Tobago, Japan, Canada France 34%, South Africa 14%, Kenya 7%, Pakistan 4% (1999)
Independence none (overseas territory of the UK) 6 July 1975 (from France)
Industrial production growth rate NA% -2% (1999 est.)
Industries tourism, rum, textiles, electronic appliances tourism, perfume distillation
Infant mortality rate total: 7.77 deaths/1,000 live births


male: 9.05 deaths/1,000 live births


female: 6.43 deaths/1,000 live births (2003 est.)
81.79 deaths/1,000 live births (2002 est.)
Inflation rate (consumer prices) 2.6% (2002 est.) 3.5% (2001 est.)
International organization participation Caricom, CDB, ECLAC (associate), ICFTU, Interpol (subbureau), OECS ACCT, ACP, AfDB, AFESD, AL, CCC, ECA, FAO, FZ, G-77, IBRD, ICAO, ICRM, IDA, IDB, IFAD, IFC, IFRCS (associate), ILO, IMF, IMO, InOC, Interpol, IOC, ISO (subscriber), ITU, NAM, OAU, OIC, OPCW (signatory), UN, UNCTAD, UNESCO, UNIDO, UPU, WHO, WMO, WTrO (applicant)
Internet Service Providers (ISPs) 17 (2000) 1 (2000)
Irrigated land NA sq km NA sq km
Judicial branch Eastern Caribbean Supreme Court (based in Saint Lucia, one judge of the Supreme Court is a resident of the islands and presides over the High Court) Supreme Court or Cour Supremes (two members appointed by the president, two members elected by the Federal Assembly, one elected by the Council of each island, and others are former presidents of the republic)
Labor force 4,521 ; note - lowered by flight of people from volcanic activity 144,500 (1996 est.)
Labor force - by occupation agriculture NA%, industry NA%, services NA% agriculture 80%
Land boundaries 0 km 0 km
Land use arable land: 20%


permanent crops: 0%


other: 80% (1998 est.)
arable land: 34.98%


permanent crops: 17.94%


other: 47.08% (1998 est.)
Languages English Arabic (official), French (official), Shikomoro (a blend of Swahili and Arabic)
Legal system English common law and statutory law French and Muslim law in a new consolidated code
Legislative branch unicameral Legislative Council (11 seats, 9 popularly elected; members serve five-year terms)


note: expanded in 2001 from 7 to 9 elected members with attorney general and financial secretary sitting as ex-officio members


elections: last held NA April 2001 (next to be held by November 2006)


election results: percent of vote by party - NA%; seats by party - NPLM 7, NPP 2


note: in 2001, the Elections Commission instituted a single constituency/voter-at-large system whereby all eligible voters cast ballots for all nine seats of the Legislative Council
bicameral legislature consists of the Senate (15 seats - five from each island); members selected by regional councils for six-year terms) and a Federal Assembly or Assemblee Federale (42 seats; members elected by popular vote to serve five-year terms); note - the Federal Assembly was dissolved following the coup of 30 April 1999


elections: Federal Assembly - last held 1 and 8 December 1996 (next to be held NA April 2003)


election results: Federal Assembly - percent of vote by party - NA%; seats by party - RND 39, FNJ 3, independent 1


note: the constitution stipulates that only parties that win six seats in the Federal Assembly (two from each island) are permitted to be in the opposition, but if no party accomplishes that, the second most successful party will be in the opposition; in the elections of December 1996 the FNJ appeared to qualify as opposition
Life expectancy at birth total population: 78.36 years


male: 76.24 years


female: 80.59 years (2003 est.)
total population: 60.79 years


male: 58.56 years


female: 63.09 years (2002 est.)
Literacy definition: age 15 and over has ever attended school


total population: 97%


male: 97%


female: 97% (1970 est.)
definition: age 15 and over can read and write


total population: 57.3%


male: 64.2%


female: 50.4% (1995 est.)
Location Caribbean, island in the Caribbean Sea, southeast of Puerto Rico Southern Africa, group of islands in the Mozambique Channel, about two-thirds of the way between northern Madagascar and northern Mozambique
Map references Central America and the Caribbean Africa
Maritime claims exclusive fishing zone: 200 NM


territorial sea: 3 NM
exclusive economic zone: 200 NM


territorial sea: 12 NM
Merchant marine none (2002 est.) total: 6 ships (1,000 GRT or over) totaling 139,779 GRT/205,369 DWT


ships by type: cargo 6


note: includes some foreign-owned ships registered here as a flag of convenience: Malta 1, Pakistan 1, Turkey 1 (2002 est.)
Military - note defense is the responsibility of the UK -
Military branches no regular indigenous military forces; Police Force Comoran Security Force
Military expenditures - dollar figure - $6 million (FY01)
Military expenditures - percent of GDP - 3% (FY01)
Military manpower - availability - males age 15-49: 145,509 (2002 est.)
Military manpower - fit for military service - males age 15-49: 86,455 (2002 est.)
National holiday Birthday of Queen ELIZABETH II, second Saturday in June (1926) Independence Day, 6 July (1975)
Nationality noun: Montserratian(s)


adjective: Montserratian
noun: Comoran(s)


adjective: Comoran
Natural hazards severe hurricanes (June to November); volcanic eruptions (Soufriere Hills volcano has erupted continuously since 1996) cyclones possible during rainy season (December to April); Le Kartala on Grand Comore is an active volcano
Natural resources NEGL NEGL
Net migration rate 34.8 migrant(s)/1,000 population (2003 est.) NEGL migrant(s)/1,000 population (2002 est.)
Political parties and leaders National Progressive Party or NPP [Reuben T. MEADE]; New People's Liberation Movement or NPLM [John A. OSBORNE] Front National pour la Justice or FNJ (Islamic party in opposition) [Ahmed Abdallah MOHAMED, Ahmed ABOUBACAR, Soidiki M'BAPANOZA]; Rassemblement National pour le Development or RND (party of the government) [Ali Bazi SELIM]
Political pressure groups and leaders NA NA
Population 8,995


note: an estimated 8,000 refugees left the island following the resumption of volcanic activity in July 1995; some have returned (July 2003 est.)
614,382 (July 2002 est.)
Population below poverty line NA% 60% (2001 est.)
Population growth rate 4.5% (2003 est.) 2.99% (2002 est.)
Ports and harbors Plymouth (abandoned), Little Bay (anchorages and ferry landing), Carr's Bay Fomboni, Moroni, Moutsamoudou
Radio broadcast stations AM 1, FM 2, shortwave 0 (1998) AM 1, FM 4, shortwave 1 (2001)
Radios - 90,000 (1997)
Railways 0 km 0 km
Religions Anglican, Methodist, Roman Catholic, Pentecostal, Seventh-Day Adventist, other Christian denominations Sunni Muslim 98%, Roman Catholic 2%
Sex ratio at birth: 1.05 male(s)/female


under 15 years: 1.02 male(s)/female


15-64 years: 0.91 male(s)/female


65 years and over: 1.11 male(s)/female


total population: 0.96 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: 0.91 male(s)/female


total population: 0.99 male(s)/female (2002 est.)
Suffrage 18 years of age; universal 18 years of age; universal
Telephone system general assessment: NA


domestic: NA


international: NA
general assessment: sparse system of microwave radio relay and HF radiotelephone communication stations


domestic: HF radiotelephone communications and microwave radio relay


international: HF radiotelephone communications to Madagascar and Reunion
Telephones - main lines in use 4,000 (1997) 7,000 (2000)
Telephones - mobile cellular 70 (1994) NA
Television broadcast stations 1 (1997) NA
Terrain volcanic island, mostly mountainous, with small coastal lowland volcanic islands, interiors vary from steep mountains to low hills
Total fertility rate 1.8 children born/woman (2003 est.) 5.26 children born/woman (2002 est.)
Unemployment rate 6% (1998 est.) 20% (1996 est.)
Waterways none none
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