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Compare Namibia (2002) - Benin (2008)

Compare Namibia (2002) z Benin (2008)

 Namibia (2002)Benin (2008)
 NamibiaBenin
Administrative divisions 13 regions; Caprivi, Erongo, Hardap, Karas, Khomas, Kunene, Ohangwena, Okavango, Omaheke, Omusati, Oshana, Oshikoto, Otjozondjupa 12 departments; Alibori, Atakora, Atlantique, Borgou, Collines, Kouffo, Donga, Littoral, Mono, Oueme, Plateau, Zou
Age structure 0-14 years: 42.6% (male 392,706; female 382,690)


15-64 years: 53.7% (male 490,151; female 488,052)


65 years and over: 3.7% (male 29,345; female 37,972) (2002 est.)
0-14 years: 43.9% (male 1,788,248/female 1,754,940)


15-64 years: 53.7% (male 2,138,649/female 2,203,291)


65 years and over: 2.4% (male 77,844/female 115,342) (2007 est.)
Agriculture - products millet, sorghum, peanuts; livestock; fish cotton, corn, cassava (tapioca), yams, beans, palm oil, peanuts, cashews; livestock
Airports 137 (2001) 5 (2007)
Airports - with paved runways total: 21


over 3,047 m: 2


2,438 to 3,047 m: 2


1,524 to 2,437 m: 13


914 to 1,523 m: 4 (2002)
total: 1


1,524 to 2,437 m: 1 (2007)
Airports - with unpaved runways total: 114


2,438 to 3,047 m: 2


1,524 to 2,437 m: 22


914 to 1,523 m: 71


under 914 m: 19 (2002)
total: 4


2,438 to 3,047 m: 1


1,524 to 2,437 m: 1


914 to 1,523 m: 2 (2007)
Area total: 825,418 sq km


land: 825,418 sq km


water: 0 sq km
total: 112,620 sq km


land: 110,620 sq km


water: 2,000 sq km
Area - comparative slightly more than half the size of Alaska slightly smaller than Pennsylvania
Background South Africa occupied the German colony of South-West Africa during World War I and administered it as a mandate until after World War II when it annexed the territory. In 1966 the Marxist South-West Africa People's Organization (SWAPO) guerrilla group launched a war of independence for the area that was soon named Namibia, but it was not until 1988 that South Africa agreed to end its administration in accordance with a UN peace plan for the entire region. Independence came in 1990. Present day Benin was the site of Dahomey, a prominent West African kingdom that rose in the 15th century. The territory became a French Colony in 1872 and achieved independence on 1 August 1960, as the Republic of Benin. A succession of military governments ended in 1972 with the rise to power of Mathieu KEREKOU and the establishment of a government based on Marxist-Leninist principles. A move to representative government began in 1989. Two years later, free elections ushered in former Prime Minister Nicephore SOGLO as president, marking the first successful transfer of power in Africa from a dictatorship to a democracy. KEREKOU was returned to power by elections held in 1996 and 2001, though some irregularities were alleged. KEREKOU stepped down at the end of his second term in 2006 and was succeeded by Thomas YAYI Boni, a political outsider and independent. YAYI has begun a high profile fight against corruption and has strongly promoted accelerating Benin's economic growth.
Birth rate 34.17 births/1,000 population (2002 est.) 38.1 births/1,000 population (2007 est.)
Budget revenues: $883 million


expenditures: $950 million, including capital expenditures of $NA (1998) (1998)
revenues: $936.9 million


expenditures: $1.226 billion (2007 est.)
Capital Windhoek name: Porto-Novo (official capital)


geographic coordinates: 6 29 N, 2 37 E


time difference: UTC+1 (6 hours ahead of Washington, DC during Standard Time)


note: Cotonou (seat of government)
Climate desert; hot, dry; rainfall sparse and erratic tropical; hot, humid in south; semiarid in north
Coastline 1,572 km 121 km
Constitution ratified 9 February 1990; effective 12 March 1990 adopted by referendum 2 December 1990
Country name conventional long form: Republic of Namibia


conventional short form: Namibia


former: German Southwest Africa, South-West Africa
conventional long form: Republic of Benin


conventional short form: Benin


local long form: Republique du Benin


local short form: Benin


former: Dahomey
Currency Namibian dollar (NAD); South African rand (ZAR) -
Death rate 22.28 deaths/1,000 population (2002 est.) 11.94 deaths/1,000 population (2007 est.)
Debt - external $217 million (2000 est.) $1.2 billion (2007)
Diplomatic representation from the US chief of mission: Ambassador Kevin J. McGUIRE


embassy: Ausplan Building, 14 Lossen Street, Windhoek


mailing address: Private Bag 12029 Ausspannplatz, Windhoek


telephone: [264] (61) 221601


FAX: [264] (61) 229792
chief of mission: Ambassador Gayleatha B. BROWN


embassy: Rue Caporal Bernard Anani, Cotonou


mailing address: 01 B. P. 2012, Cotonou


telephone: [229] 21-30-06-50


FAX: [229] 21-30-03-84
Diplomatic representation in the US chief of mission: Ambassador Leonard Nangolo IIPUMBU


chancery: 1605 New Hampshire Avenue NW, Washington, DC 20009


telephone: [1] (202) 986-0540


FAX: [1] (202) 986-0443
chief of mission: Ambassador Cyrille Segbe OGUIN


chancery: 2124 Kalorama Road NW, Washington, DC 20008


telephone: [1] (202) 232-6656


FAX: [1] (202) 265-1996
Disputes - international none two villages remain in dispute along the border with Burkina Faso; Benin accused Burkina Faso of moving boundary pillars; much of Benin-Niger boundary, including tripoint with Nigeria, remains undemarcated; in 2005, Nigeria ceded thirteen villages to Benin, but border relations remain strained by rival gang clashes; Benin and Togo announced plans in 2006 to construct a joint hydroelectric dam on the Mona River at the southern end of the border
Economic aid - recipient $127 million (1998) (1998) $374.7 million (2006)
Economy - overview The economy is heavily dependent on the extraction and processing of minerals for export. Mining accounts for 20% of GDP. Namibia is the fourth-largest exporter of nonfuel minerals in Africa and the world's fifth-largest producer of uranium. Rich alluvial diamond deposits make Namibia a primary source for gem-quality diamonds. Namibia also produces large quantities of lead, zinc, tin, silver, and tungsten. About half of the population depends on agriculture (largely subsistence agriculture) for its livelihood. Namibia must import some of its food. Although per capita GDP is five times the per capita GDP of Africa's poorest countries, the majority of Namibia's people live in pronounced poverty because of large-scale unemployment, the great inequality of income distribution, and the large amount of wealth going to foreigners. The Namibian economy has close links to South Africa. Agreement has been reached on the privatization of several more enterprises in coming years, which should stimulate long-run foreign investment. The economy of Benin remains underdeveloped and dependent on subsistence agriculture, cotton production, and regional trade. Growth in real output has averaged around 5% in the past seven years, but rapid population growth has offset much of this increase. Inflation has subsided over the past several years. In order to raise growth still further, Benin plans to attract more foreign investment, place more emphasis on tourism, facilitate the development of new food processing systems and agricultural products, and encourage new information and communication technology. Specific projects to improve the business climate by reforms to the land tenure system, the commercial justice system, and the financial sector were included in Benin's $307 million Millennium Challenge Account grant signed in February 2006. The 2001 privatization policy continues in telecommunications, water, electricity, and agriculture though the government annulled the privatization of Benin's state cotton company in November 2007 after the discovery of irregularities in the bidding process. The Paris Club and bilateral creditors have eased the external debt situation, with Benin benefiting from a G8 debt reduction announced in July 2005, while pressing for more rapid structural reforms. An insufficient electrical supply continues to adversely affect Benin's economic growth though the government recently has taken steps to increase domestic power production.
Electricity - consumption 890.9 million kWh (2000) 587 million kWh (2005)
Electricity - exports 0 kWh (2000) 0 kWh (2005)
Electricity - imports 863 million kWh


note: supplied by South Africa (2000)
595 million kWh (2005)
Electricity - production 30 million kWh (2000) 105 million kWh (2005)
Electricity - production by source fossil fuel: 2%


hydro: 98%


nuclear: 0%


other: 0% (2000)
-
Elevation extremes lowest point: Atlantic Ocean 0 m


highest point: Konigstein 2,606 m
lowest point: Atlantic Ocean 0 m


highest point: Mont Sokbaro 658 m
Environment - current issues very limited natural fresh water resources; desertification; wildlife poaching; land degradation has led to few conservation areas inadequate supplies of potable water; poaching threatens wildlife populations; deforestation; desertification
Environment - international agreements party to: Antarctic-Marine Living Resources, Biodiversity, Climate Change, Desertification, Endangered Species, Hazardous Wastes, Law of the Sea, Ozone Layer Protection, Wetlands


signed, but not ratified: none of the selected agreements
party to: Biodiversity, Climate Change, Climate Change-Kyoto Protocol, Desertification, Endangered Species, Environmental Modification, Hazardous Wastes, Law of the Sea, Ozone Layer Protection, Ship Pollution, Wetlands, Whaling


signed, but not ratified: none of the selected agreements
Ethnic groups black 87.5%, white 6%, mixed 6.5%


note: about 50% of the population belong to the Ovambo tribe and 9% to the Kavangos tribe; other ethnic groups are: Herero 7%, Damara 7%, Nama 5%, Caprivian 4%, Bushmen 3%, Baster 2%, Tswana 0.5%
Fon and related 39.2%, Adja and related 15.2%, Yoruba and related 12.3%, Bariba and related 9.2%, Peulh and related 7%, Ottamari and related 6.1%, Yoa-Lokpa and related 4%, Dendi and related 2.5%, other 1.6% (includes Europeans), unspecified 2.9% (2002 census)
Exchange rates Namibian dollars per US dollar - 11.58786 (January 2002), 8.60918 (2001), 6.93983 (2000), 6.10948 (1999), 5.52828 (1998), 4.60796 (1997) Communaute Financiere Africaine francs (XOF) per US dollar - 493.51 (2007), 522.59 (2006), 527.47 (2005), 528.29 (2004), 581.2 (2003)
Executive branch chief of state: President Sam Shafishuna NUJOMA (since 21 March 1990)


head of government: Prime Minister Theo-Ben GURIRAB (since 28 August 2002)


cabinet: Cabinet appointed by the president from among the members of the National Assembly


elections: president elected by popular vote for a five-year term; election last held 30 November-1 December 1999 (next to be held NA 2004)


election results: Sam Shafishuna NUJOMA elected president; percent of vote - Sam Shafishuna NUJOMA 77%
chief of state: President Thomas YAYI Boni (since 6 April 2006); note - the president is both the chief of state and head of government


head of government: President Thomas YAYI Boni (since 6 April 2006)


cabinet: Council of Ministers appointed by the president


elections: president elected by popular vote for a five-year term (eligible for a second term); runoff election held 19 March 2006 (next to be held in March 2011)


election results: Thomas YAYI Boni elected president; percent of vote - Thomas YAYI Boni 74.5%, Adrien HOUNGBEDJI 25.5%
Exports $1.58 billion f.o.b. (2001 est.) 0 bbl/day (2007)
Exports - commodities diamonds, copper, gold, zinc, lead, uranium; cattle, processed fish, karakul skins cotton, cashews, shea butter, textiles, palm products, seafood
Exports - partners UK 43%, South Africa 26%, Spain 14%, France 8%, Japan (1998 est.) China 20.9%, Indonesia 7.7%, India 7%, Netherlands 6.2%, Niger 5.7%, Togo 4.6%, Nigeria 4.3% (2006)
Fiscal year 1 April - 31 March calendar year
Flag description a large blue triangle with a yellow sunburst fills the upper left section and an equal green triangle (solid) fills the lower right section; the triangles are separated by a red stripe that is contrasted by two narrow white-edge borders two equal horizontal bands of yellow (top) and red (bottom) with a vertical green band on the hoist side
GDP purchasing power parity - $8.1 billion (2001 est.) -
GDP - composition by sector agriculture: 11%


industry: 28%


services: 61% (2000 est.)
agriculture: 33.2%


industry: 14.5%


services: 52.3% (2007 est.)
GDP - per capita purchasing power parity - $4,500 (2001 est.) -
GDP - real growth rate 4% (2001 est.) 4.5% (2007 est.)
Geographic coordinates 22 00 S, 17 00 E 9 30 N, 2 15 E
Geography - note first country in the world to incorporate the protection of the environment into its constitution; some 14% of the land is protected, including virtually the entire Namib Desert coastal strip sandbanks create difficult access to a coast with no natural harbors, river mouths, or islands
Highways total: 64,800 km


paved: 5,378 km


unpaved: 59,430 km (2001)
-
Household income or consumption by percentage share lowest 10%: NA%


highest 10%: NA%
lowest 10%: 3.1%


highest 10%: 29% (2003)
Illicit drugs - transshipment point used by Nigerian traffickers for narcotics destined for Western Europe; vulnerable to money laundering due to poorly enforced financial regulations
Imports $1.71 billion f.o.b. (2001 est.) 16,830 bbl/day (2007 est.)
Imports - commodities foodstuffs; petroleum products and fuel, machinery and equipment, chemicals foodstuffs, capital goods, petroleum products
Imports - partners South Africa 81%, US 4%, Germany 2% (1997 est.) China 46.6%, France 7.5%, Thailand 6% (2006)
Independence 21 March 1990 (from South African mandate) 1 August 1960 (from France)
Industrial production growth rate NA 4.5% (2007 est.)
Industries meatpacking, fish processing, dairy products; mining (diamond, lead, zinc, tin, silver, tungsten, uranium, copper) textiles, food processing, construction materials, cement
Infant mortality rate 72.43 deaths/1,000 live births (2002 est.) total: 77.85 deaths/1,000 live births


male: 82.32 deaths/1,000 live births


female: 73.26 deaths/1,000 live births (2007 est.)
Inflation rate (consumer prices) 8.8% (2001) 2.5% (2007 est.)
International organization participation ACP, AfDB, C, CCC, ECA, FAO, G-77, IAEA, IBRD, ICAO, ICFTU, ICRM, IFAD, IFC, IFRCS, ILO, IMF, IMO, Interpol, IOC, IOM (observer), ISO (correspondent), ITU, NAM, OAU, OPCW, SACU, SADC, UN, UNCTAD, UNESCO, UNHCR, UNIDO, UNMEE, UPU, WCL, WHO, WIPO, WMO, WToO, WTrO ACCT, ACP, AfDB, AU, ECOWAS, Entente, FAO, FZ, G-77, IAEA, IBRD, ICAO, ICCt, ICRM, IDA, IDB, IFAD, IFC, IFRCS, ILO, IMF, IMO, Interpol, IOC, IOM, IPU, ISO (correspondent), ITSO, ITU, ITUC, MIGA, MONUC, NAM, OIC, OIF, OPCW, PCA, UN, UNCTAD, UNESCO, UNIDO, UNMIL, UNMIS, UNOCI, UNWTO, UPU, WADB (regional), WAEMU, WCL, WCO, WFTU, WHO, WIPO, WMO, WTO
Internet Service Providers (ISPs) 2 (2000) -
Irrigated land 70 sq km (1998 est.) 120 sq km (2003)
Judicial branch Supreme Court (judges appointed by the president on the recommendation of the Judicial Service Commission) Constitutional Court or Cour Constitutionnelle; Supreme Court or Cour Supreme; High Court of Justice
Labor force 500,000 5.38 million (2007 est.)
Labor force - by occupation agriculture 47%, industry 20%, services 33% (1999 est.) -
Land boundaries total: 3,936 km


border countries: Angola 1,376 km, Botswana 1,360 km, South Africa 967 km, Zambia 233 km
total: 1,989 km


border countries: Burkina Faso 306 km, Niger 266 km, Nigeria 773 km, Togo 644 km
Land use arable land: 0.99%


permanent crops: 0%


other: 99.01% (1998 est.)
arable land: 23.53%


permanent crops: 2.37%


other: 74.1% (2005)
Languages English 7% (official), Afrikaans common language of most of the population and about 60% of the white population, German 32%, indigenous languages: Oshivambo, Herero, Nama French (official), Fon and Yoruba (most common vernaculars in south), tribal languages (at least six major ones in north)
Legal system based on Roman-Dutch law and 1990 constitution based on French civil law and customary law; has not accepted compulsory ICJ jurisdiction
Legislative branch bicameral legislature consists of the National Council (26 seats; two members are chosen from each regional council to serve six-year terms) and the National Assembly (72 seats; members are elected by popular vote to serve five-year terms)


elections: National Council - elections for regional councils, to determine members of the National Council, held 30 November-1 December 1998 (next to be held by December 2004); National Assembly - last held 30 November-1 December 1999 (next to be held by December 2004)


election results: National Council - percent of vote by party - NA%; seats by party - SWAPO 21, DTA 4, UDF 1; National Assembly - percent of vote by party - SWAPO 76%, COD 10%, DTA 9%, UDF 3%, MAG 1%, other 1%; seats by party - SWAPO 55, COD 7, DTA 7, UDF 2, MAG 1,


note: the National Council is primarily an advisory body
unicameral National Assembly or Assemblee Nationale (83 seats; members are elected by direct popular vote to serve four-year terms)


elections: last held 31 March 2007 (next to be held by March 2011)


election results: percent of vote by party - NA; seats by party - FCBE 35, ADD 20, PRD 10, other and independents 18
Life expectancy at birth total population: 38.97 years


male: 40.81 years


female: 37.07 years (2002 est.)
total population: 53.44 years


male: 52.28 years


female: 54.63 years (2007 est.)
Literacy definition: age 15 and over can read and write


total population: 38%


male: 45%


female: 31% (1960 est.)
definition: age 15 and over can read and write


total population: 34.7%


male: 47.9%


female: 23.3% (2002 census)
Location Southern Africa, bordering the South Atlantic Ocean, between Angola and South Africa Western Africa, bordering the Bight of Benin, between Nigeria and Togo
Map references Africa Africa
Maritime claims contiguous zone: 24 NM


exclusive economic zone: 200 NM


territorial sea: 12 NM
territorial sea: 200 nm
Merchant marine none (2002 est.) -
Military branches National Defense Force (Army, including Air Wing), Police Benin Armed Forces (FAB): Army (l'Arme de Terre), Benin Navy (Forces Navales Beninois, FNB), Benin People's Air Force (Force Aerienne Populaire de Benin, FAPB) (2008)
Military expenditures - dollar figure $104.4 million (2001) -
Military expenditures - percent of GDP 2.6% (FY97/98) 1.7% (2006)
Military manpower - availability males age 15-49: 436,642 (2002 est.) -
Military manpower - fit for military service males age 15-49: 260,879 (2002 est.) -
National holiday Independence Day, 21 March (1990) National Day, 1 August (1960)
Nationality noun: Namibian(s)


adjective: Namibian
noun: Beninese (singular and plural)


adjective: Beninese
Natural hazards prolonged periods of drought hot, dry, dusty harmattan wind may affect north from December to March
Natural resources diamonds, copper, uranium, gold, lead, tin, lithium, cadmium, zinc, salt, vanadium, natural gas, hydropower, fish


note: suspected deposits of oil, coal, and iron ore
small offshore oil deposits, limestone, marble, timber
Net migration rate 0 migrant(s)/1,000 population (2002 est.) 0.58 migrant(s)/1,000 population (2007 est.)
Political parties and leaders Congress of Democrats or COD [Ben ULENGA]; Democratic Turnhalle Alliance of Namibia or DTA [Katuutire KAURA, president]; Monitor Action Group or MAG [Kosie PRETORIUS]; South West Africa People's Organization or SWAPO [Sam Shafishuna NUJOMA]; United Democratic Front or UDF [Justus GAROEB] Alliance for Dynamic Democracy or ADD; Alliance of Progress Forces or AFP; African Movement for Democracy and Progress or MADEP [Sefou FAGBOHOUN]; Benin Renaissance or RB [Rosine SOGLO]; Democratic Renewal Party or PRD [Adrien HOUNGBEDJI]; Force Cowrie for an Emerging Benin or FCBE; Impulse for Progress and Democracy or IPD [Theophile NATA]; Key Force or FC [Lazare SÈHOUÉTO]; Movement for the People's Alternative or MAP [Olivier CAPO-CHICHI]; Rally for Democracy and Progress or RDP [Dominique HOUNGNINOU]; Social Democrat Party or PSD [Bruno AMOUSSOU]; Union for the Relief or UPR [Issa SALIFOU]; Union for Democracy and National Solidarity or UDS [Sacca LAFIA]


note: approximately 20 additional minor parties
Political pressure groups and leaders NA NA
Population 1,820,916


note: estimates for this country explicitly take into account the effects of excess mortality due to AIDS; this can result in lower life expectancy, higher infant mortality and death rates, lower population and growth rates, and changes in the distribution of population by age and sex than would otherwise be expected (July 2002 est.)
8,078,314


note: estimates for this country explicitly take into account the effects of excess mortality due to AIDS; this can result in lower life expectancy, higher infant mortality and death rates, lower population and growth rates, and changes in the distribution of population by age and sex than would otherwise be expected (July 2007 est.)
Population below poverty line NA% 37.4% (2007 est.)
Population growth rate 1.19% (2002 est.) 2.674% (2007 est.)
Ports and harbors Luderitz, Walvis Bay -
Radio broadcast stations AM 2, FM 39, shortwave 4 (2001) AM 1, FM 34, shortwave 1 (2007)
Radios 232,000 (1997) -
Railways total: 2,382 km


narrow gauge: 2,382 km 1.067-m gauge (2001)
total: 758 km


narrow gauge: 758 km 1.000-m gauge (2006)
Religions Christian 80% to 90% (Lutheran 50% at least), indigenous beliefs 10% to 20% Christian 42.8% (Catholic 27.1%, Celestial 5%, Methodist 3.2%, other Protestant 2.2%, other 5.3%), Muslim 24.4%, Vodoun 17.3%, other 15.5% (2002 census)
Sex ratio at birth: 1.03 male(s)/female


under 15 years: 1.03 male(s)/female


15-64 years: 1 male(s)/female


65 years and over: 0.77 male(s)/female


total population: 1 male(s)/female (2002 est.)
at birth: 1.03 male(s)/female


under 15 years: 1.019 male(s)/female


15-64 years: 0.971 male(s)/female


65 years and over: 0.675 male(s)/female


total population: 0.983 male(s)/female (2007 est.)
Suffrage 18 years of age; universal 18 years of age; universal
Telephone system general assessment: good system; about 6 telephones for each 100 persons


domestic: good urban services; fair rural service; microwave radio relay links major towns; connections to other populated places are by open wire; 100% digital


international: fiber-optic cable to South Africa, microwave radio relay link to Botswana, direct links to other neighboring countries; connected to Africa ONE and South African Far East (SAFE) submarine cables through South Africa; satellite earth stations - 4 Intelsat (2002)
general assessment: inadequate; fixed-line network is almost saturated with fixed-line teledensity stuck at a meager 1 per 100 persons; mobile-cellular telephone subscribership is increasing


domestic: fair system of open-wire, microwave radio relay, and cellular connections; four mobile-cellular providers


international: country code - 229; landing point for the SAT-3/WASC fiber-optic submarine cable that provides connectivity to Europe and Asia; satellite earth station - 7 (Intelsat-Atlantic Ocean) (2007)
Telephones - main lines in use 110,200 (2000) 77,300 (2006)
Telephones - mobile cellular 82,000 (2000 est) 1.056 million (2006)
Television broadcast stations 8 (plus about 20 low-power repeaters) (1997) 6 (2007)
Terrain mostly high plateau; Namib Desert along coast; Kalahari Desert in east mostly flat to undulating plain; some hills and low mountains
Total fertility rate 4.77 children born/woman (2002 est.) 5.08 children born/woman (2007 est.)
Unemployment rate 30% to 40%, including underemployment (1997 est.) NA%
Waterways none 150 km (on River Niger along northern border) (2005)
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