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Compare Namibia (2004) - Congo, Republic of the (2003)

Compare Namibia (2004) z Congo, Republic of the (2003)

 Namibia (2004)Congo, Republic of the (2003)
 NamibiaCongo, Republic of the
Administrative divisions 13 regions; Caprivi, Erongo, Hardap, Karas, Khomas, Kunene, Ohangwena, Okavango, Omaheke, Omusati, Oshana, Oshikoto, Otjozondjupa 9 regions (regions, singular - region) and 1 commune*; Bouenza, Brazzaville*, Cuvette, Kouilou, Lekoumou, Likouala, Niari, Plateaux, Pool, Sangha
Age structure 0-14 years: 42.4% (male 419,700; female 409,156)


15-64 years: 54% (male 527,553; female 528,386)


65 years and over: 3.5% (male 30,427; female 38,811) (2004 est.)
0-14 years: 38.4% (male 570,491; female 563,079)


15-64 years: 58% (male 844,655; female 868,851)


65 years and over: 3.6% (male 44,166; female 63,016) (2003 est.)
Agriculture - products millet, sorghum, peanuts; livestock; fish cassava (tapioca), sugar, rice, corn, peanuts, vegetables, coffee, cocoa; forest products
Airports 136 (2003 est.) 31 (2002)
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 (2004 est.)
total: 4


over 3,047 m: 1


1,524 to 2,437 m: 3 (2002)
Airports - with unpaved runways total: 115


2,438 to 3,047 m: 2


1,524 to 2,437 m: 22


914 to 1,523 m: 71


under 914 m: 20 (2004 est.)
total: 27


1,524 to 2,437 m: 6


914 to 1,523 m: 10


under 914 m: 11 (2002)
Area total: 825,418 sq km


land: 825,418 sq km


water: 0 sq km
total: 342,000 sq km


land: 341,500 sq km


water: 500 sq km
Area - comparative slightly more than half the size of Alaska slightly smaller than Montana
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. Namibia won its independence in 1990 and has been governed by SWAPO since. Hifikepunye POHAMBA was elected president in November 2004 in a landslide victory replacing Sam NUJOMA who led the country during its first 14 years of self rule. Upon independence in 1960, the former French region of Middle Congo became the Republic of the Congo. A quarter century of experimentation with Marxism was abandoned in 1990 and a democratically elected government installed in 1992. A brief civil war in 1997 restored former Marxist President SASSOU-NGUESSO, but ushered in a period of ethnically based unrest. Southern-based rebel groups agreed to a final peace accord in March 2003. The Republic of Congo is one of Africa's largest petroleum producers with significant potential for offshore development.
Birth rate 33.51 births/1,000 population (2004 est.) 29.46 births/1,000 population (2003 est.)
Budget revenues: $1.434 billion


expenditures: $1.62 billion, including capital expenditures of $NA (2003)
revenues: $870 million


expenditures: $970 million, including capital expenditures of $NA (1997 est.)
Capital Windhoek Brazzaville
Climate desert; hot, dry; rainfall sparse and erratic tropical; rainy season (March to June); dry season (June to October); constantly high temperatures and humidity; particularly enervating climate astride the Equator
Coastline 1,572 km 169 km
Constitution ratified 9 February 1990; effective 12 March 1990 constitution approved by referendum 20 January 2002
Country name conventional long form: Republic of Namibia


conventional short form: Namibia


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


conventional short form: Congo (Brazzaville)


local long form: Republique du Congo


local short form: none


former: Middle Congo, Congo/Brazzaville, Congo
Currency Namibian dollar (NAD); South African rand (ZAR) Communaute Financiere Africaine franc (XAF); note - responsible authority is the Bank of the Central African States
Death rate 21.02 deaths/1,000 population (2004 est.) 14.2 deaths/1,000 population (2003 est.)
Debt - external $1.04 billion (2003 est.) $5 billion (2000 est.)
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 Robin R. SANDERS


embassy: NA


mailing address: NA


telephone: [243] (88) 43608


note: the embassy is temporarily collocated with the US Embassy in the Democratic Republic of the Congo (US Embassy Kinshasa, 310 Avenue des Aviateurs, Kinshasa)
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 Serge MOMBOULI


chancery: 4891 Colorado Avenue NW, Washington, DC 20011


telephone: [1] (202) 726-5500


FAX: [1] (202) 726-1860
Disputes - international commission established with Botswana to resolve small residual disputes along the Caprivi Strip, including the Situngu marshlands along the Linyanti River; Botswana residents protest Namibia's planned construction of the Okavango hydroelectric dam on Popa Falls; managed dispute with South Africa over the location of the boundary in the Orange River; Botswana, Namibia, Zambia, and Zimbabwe boundary convergence is not clearly defined or delimited; Angolan rebels and refugees still reside in Namibia most of the Congo River boundary with the Democratic Republic of the Congo is indefinite (no agreement has been reached on the division of the river or its islands, except in the Stanley Pool/Pool Malebo area)
Economic aid - recipient ODA $160 million (2000 est.) $159.1 million (1995)
Economy - overview The economy is heavily dependent on the extraction and processing of minerals for export. Mining accounts for 20% of GDP. Rich alluvial diamond deposits make Namibia a primary source for gem-quality diamonds. Namibia is the fourth-largest exporter of nonfuel minerals in Africa, the world's fifth-largest producer of uranium, and the producer of large quantities of lead, zinc, tin, silver, and tungsten. The mining sector employs only about 3% of the population while about half of the population depends on subsistence agriculture for its livelihood. Namibia normally imports about 50% of its cereal requirements; in drought years food shortages are a major problem in rural areas. A high per capita GDP, relative to the region, hides the great inequality of income distribution; nearly one-third of Namibians had annual incomes of less than $1,400 in constant 1994 dollars, according to a 1993 study. The Namibian economy is closely linked to South Africa with the Namibian dollar pegged to the South African rand. Privatization of several enterprises in coming years may stimulate long-run foreign investment. Mining of zinc, copper, and silver and increased fish production led growth in 2003. The economy is a mixture of village agriculture and handicrafts, an industrial sector based largely on oil, support services, and a government characterized by budget problems and overstaffing. Oil has supplanted forestry as the mainstay of the economy, providing a major share of government revenues and exports. In the early 1980s, rapidly rising oil revenues enabled the government to finance large-scale development projects with GDP growth averaging 5% annually, one of the highest rates in Africa. The government has mortgaged a substantial portion of its oil earnings, contributing to a shortage of revenues. The 12 January 1994 devaluation of Franc Zone currencies by 50% resulted in inflation of 61% in 1994, but inflation has subsided since. Economic reform efforts continued with the support of international organizations, notably the World Bank and the IMF. The reform program came to a halt in June 1997 when civil war erupted. Denis SASSOU-NGUESSO, who returned to power when the war ended in October 1997, publicly expressed interest in moving forward on economic reforms and privatization and in renewing cooperation with international financial institutions. However, economic progress was badly hurt by slumping oil prices and the resumption of armed conflict in December 1998, which worsened the republic's budget deficit. The current administration presides over an uneasy internal peace and faces difficult economic problems of stimulating recovery and reducing poverty.
Electricity - consumption 603.1 million kWh (2001) 633 million kWh (2001)
Electricity - exports 0 kWh (2001) 0 kWh (2001)
Electricity - imports 578 million kWh; note - electricity supplied by South Africa (2001) 300 million kWh (2001)
Electricity - production 26.95 million kWh (2001) 358.1 million kWh (2001)
Electricity - production by source - fossil fuel: 0.3%


hydro: 99.7%


nuclear: 0%


other: 0% (2001)
Elevation extremes lowest point: Atlantic Ocean 0 m


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


highest point: Mount Berongou 903 m
Environment - current issues very limited natural fresh water resources; desertification; wildlife poaching; land degradation has led to few conservation areas air pollution from vehicle emissions; water pollution from the dumping of raw sewage; tap water is not potable; deforestation
Environment - international agreements party to: Antarctic-Marine Living Resources, Biodiversity, Climate Change, Climate Change-Kyoto Protocol, 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, Desertification, Endangered Species, Ozone Layer Protection, Tropical Timber 83, Tropical Timber 94, Wetlands


signed, but not ratified: Law of the Sea
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%
Kongo 48%, Sangha 20%, M'Bochi 12%, Teke 17%, Europeans and other 3%


note: Europeans estimated at 8,500, mostly French, before the 1997 civil war; may be half that in 1998, following the widespread destruction of foreign businesses in 1997
Exchange rates Namibian dollars per US dollar - 7.5648 (2003), 10.5407 (2002), 8.6092 (2001), 6.9398 (2000), 6.1095 (1999) Communaute Financiere Africaine francs (XAF) per US dollar - 697 (2002), 733.04 (2001), 711.98 (2000), 615.7 (1999), 589.95 (1998)
Executive branch chief of state: President Hifikepunye POHAMBA (since November 2004)


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 15 November 2004 (next to be held November 2009)


election results: Hifikepunye POHAMBA elected president; percent of vote - NA%
chief of state: President Denis SASSOU-NGUESSO (since 25 October 1997, following the civil war in which he toppled elected president Pascal LISSOUBA); note - the president is both the chief of state and head of government


head of government: President Denis SASSOU-NGUESSO (since 25 October 1997, following the civil war in which he toppled elected president Pascal LISSOUBA); note - the president is both the chief of state and head of government


cabinet: Council of Ministers appointed by the president


elections: president elected by popular vote for a seven-year term (eligible for a second seven-year term); election last held 10 March 2002 (next to be held NA 2009)


election results: Denis SASSOU-NGUESSO reelected president; percent of vote - Denis SASSOU-NGUESSO 89.4%, Joseph Kignoumbi Kia MBOUNGOU 2.7%
Exports NA (2001) NA (2001)
Exports - commodities diamonds, copper, gold, zinc, lead, uranium; cattle, processed fish, karakul skins petroleum, lumber, plywood, sugar, cocoa, coffee, diamonds
Exports - partners EU 79%, US 4% (2001) Taiwan 28.1%, South Korea 20.4%, China 9.3%, US 8.4%, Germany 6.6%, France 5.2% (2002)
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 divided diagonally from the lower hoist side by a yellow band; the upper triangle (hoist side) is green and the lower triangle is red; uses the popular pan-African colors of Ethiopia
GDP purchasing power parity - $13.85 billion (2003 est.) purchasing power parity - $2.5 billion (2002 est.)
GDP - composition by sector agriculture: 11.5%


industry: 29.8%


services: 58.7% (2003 est.)
agriculture: 10%


industry: 48%


services: 42% (2001 est.)
GDP - per capita purchasing power parity - $7,200 (2003 est.) purchasing power parity - $900 (2002 est.)
GDP - real growth rate 3.3% (2003 est.) 0% (2002 est.)
Geographic coordinates 22 00 S, 17 00 E 1 00 S, 15 00 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 about 70% of the population lives in Brazzaville, Pointe-Noire, or along the railroad between them
Highways total: 66,467 km


paved: 9,172 km


unpaved: 57,285 km (2000)
total: 12,800 km


paved: 1,242 km


unpaved: 11,558 km (1999 est.)
Household income or consumption by percentage share lowest 10%: NA


highest 10%: NA
lowest 10%: NA%


highest 10%: NA%
Imports NA (2001) NA (2001)
Imports - commodities foodstuffs; petroleum products and fuel, machinery and equipment, chemicals capital equipment, construction materials, foodstuffs
Imports - partners US 50%, EU 31% (2001) France 22.1%, Italy 8.5%, Belgium 6%, US 5.2%, India 4.1% (2002)
Independence 21 March 1990 (from South African mandate) 15 August 1960 (from France)
Industrial production growth rate NA 0% (2002 est.)
Industries meatpacking, fish processing, dairy products; mining (diamond, lead, zinc, tin, silver, tungsten, uranium, copper) petroleum extraction, cement, lumber, brewing, sugar, palm oil, soap, flour, cigarettes
Infant mortality rate total: 69.58 deaths/1,000 live births


male: 72.65 deaths/1,000 live births


female: 66.43 deaths/1,000 live births (2004 est.)
total: 95.34 deaths/1,000 live births


male: 101.45 deaths/1,000 live births


female: 89.04 deaths/1,000 live births (2003 est.)
Inflation rate (consumer prices) 7.3% (2003) 4% (2002 est.)
International organization participation ACP, AfDB, AU, C, FAO, G-77, IAEA, IBRD, ICAO, ICCt, ICFTU, ICRM, IFAD, IFC, IFRCS, ILO, IMF, IMO, Interpol, IOC, IOM (observer), ISO (correspondent), ITU, MIGA, NAM, ONUB, OPCW, SACU, SADC, UN, UNCTAD, UNESCO, UNHCR, UNIDO, UNMEE, UNMIL, UNOCI, UPU, WCL, WCO, WHO, WIPO, WMO, WToO, WTO ACCT, ACP, AfDB, BDEAC, CEEAC, CEMAC, ECA, FAO, FZ, G-77, IBRD, ICAO, ICCt (signatory), ICFTU, ICRM, IDA, IFAD, IFC, IFRCS, ILO, IMF, IMO, Interpol, IOC, IOM, ITU, NAM, OAU, OPCW (signatory), UN, UNCTAD, UNESCO, UNIDO, UPU, WCL, WCO, WFTU, WHO, WIPO, WMO, WToO, WTrO
Internet Service Providers (ISPs) - 1 (2000)
Irrigated land 70 sq km (1998 est.) 10 sq km (1998 est.)
Judicial branch Supreme Court (judges appointed by the president on the recommendation of the Judicial Service Commission) Supreme Court or Cour Supreme
Labor force 760,000 (2003) NA
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: 5,504 km


border countries: Angola 201 km, Cameroon 523 km, Central African Republic 467 km, Democratic Republic of the Congo 2,410 km, Gabon 1,903 km
Land use arable land: 0.99%


permanent crops: 0%


other: 99.01% (2001)
arable land: 0.5%


permanent crops: 0.13%


other: 99.37% (1998 est.)
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), Lingala and Monokutuba (lingua franca trade languages), many local languages and dialects (of which Kikongo has the most users)
Legal system based on Roman-Dutch law and 1990 constitution based on French civil law system and customary law
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 15-16 November 2004 (next to be held November 2009); National Assembly - last held 15-16 November 2004 (next to be held November 2009)


election results: National Council - percent of vote by party - NA%; seats by party - NA; National Assembly - percent of vote by party - NA%; seats by party - SWAPO 55, COD 5, DTA 4, UDF 3, MAG 1, other 4


note: the National Council is primarily an advisory body
bicameral Parliament consists of the Senate (66 seats; members are elected by popular vote to serve five-year terms) and the National Assembly (137 seats; members are elected by popular vote to serve five-year terms)


elections: Senate - last held 11 July 2002 (next to be held NA July 2007); National Assembly - last held 27 May and 26 June 2002 (next to be held by NA May 2007)


election results: Senate - percent of vote by party - NA%; seats by party - FDP 56, other 10; National Assembly - percent of vote by party - NA%; seats by party - FDP 83, UDR 6, UPADS 3, other 45
Life expectancy at birth total population: 40.53 years


male: 42.36 years


female: 38.64 years (2004 est.)
total population: 50.02 years


male: 49.04 years


female: 51.02 years (2003 est.)
Literacy definition: age 15 and over can read and write


total population: 84%


male: 84.4%


female: 83.7% (2003 est.)
definition: age 15 and over can read and write


total population: 83.8%


male: 89.6%


female: 78.4% (2003 est.)
Location Southern Africa, bordering the South Atlantic Ocean, between Angola and South Africa Western Africa, bordering the South Atlantic Ocean, between Angola and Gabon
Map references Africa Africa
Maritime claims territorial sea: 12 nm


contiguous zone: 24 nm


exclusive economic zone: 200 nm
territorial sea: 200 NM
Merchant marine none (2004 est.) -
Military branches Namibian Defense Force: Army (including Naval Wing, Air Wing), Police Army, Air Force, Navy, Gendarmerie, National Police
Military expenditures - dollar figure $111.6 million (2003) $84 million (FY01)
Military expenditures - percent of GDP 2.5% (2003) 2.8% (FY01)
Military manpower - availability males age 15-49: 468,934 (2004 est.) males age 15-49: 754,814 (2003 est.)
Military manpower - fit for military service males age 15-49: 279,755 (2004 est.) males age 15-49: 381,556 (2003 est.)
Military manpower - military age - 20 years of age (2003 est.)
Military manpower - reaching military age annually - males: 31,644 (2003 est.)
National holiday Independence Day, 21 March (1990) Independence Day, 15 August (1960)
Nationality noun: Namibian(s)


adjective: Namibian
noun: Congolese (singular and plural)


adjective: Congolese or Congo
Natural hazards prolonged periods of drought seasonal flooding
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
petroleum, timber, potash, lead, zinc, uranium, copper, phosphates, natural gas, hydropower
Net migration rate 0 migrant(s)/1,000 population (2004 est.) 0 migrant(s)/1,000 population (2003 est.)
Pipelines - gas 53 km; oil 673 km (2003)
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] the most important of the many parties are the Democratic and Patriotic Forces or FDP (an alliance of Convention for Alternative Democracy, Congolese Labor Party or PCT, Liberal Republican Party, National Union for Democracy and Progress, Patriotic Union for the National Reconstruction, and Union for the National Renewal) [Denis SASSOU-NGUESSO, president]; Congolese Movement for Democracy and Integral Development or MCDDI [Michel MAMPOUYA]; Pan-African Union for Social Development or UPADS [Martin MBERI]; Rally for Democracy and Social Progress or RDPS [Jean-Pierre Thystere TCHICAYA, president]; Rally for Democracy and the Republic or RDR [Raymond Damasge NGOLLO]; Union for Democracy and Republic or UDR [leader NA]; Union of Democratic Forces or UFD [Sebastian EBAO]
Political pressure groups and leaders NA Congolese Trade Union Congress or CSC; General Union of Congolese Pupils and Students or UGEEC; Revolutionary Union of Congolese Women or URFC; Union of Congolese Socialist Youth or UJSC
Population 1,954,033


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 2004 est.)
2,954,258


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 2003 est.)
Population below poverty line 50% (2002 est.) NA%
Population growth rate 1.25% (2004 est.) 1.53% (2003 est.)
Ports and harbors Luderitz, Walvis Bay Brazzaville, Impfondo, Ouesso, Oyo, Pointe-Noire
Radio broadcast stations AM 2, FM 39, shortwave 4 (2001) AM 1, FM 5, shortwave 3 (2001)
Railways total: 2,382 km


narrow gauge: 2,382 km 1.067-m gauge (2003)
total: 894 km


narrow gauge: 894 km 1.067-m gauge (2002)
Religions Christian 80% to 90% (Lutheran 50% at least), indigenous beliefs 10% to 20% Christian 50%, animist 48%, Muslim 2%
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: 0.78 male(s)/female


total population: 1 male(s)/female (2004 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: 0.7 male(s)/female


total population: 0.98 male(s)/female (2003 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: country code - 264; 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: services barely adequate for government use; key exchanges are in Brazzaville, Pointe-Noire, and Loubomo; intercity lines frequently out of order


domestic: primary network consists of microwave radio relay and coaxial cable


international: satellite earth station - 1 Intelsat (Atlantic Ocean)
Telephones - main lines in use 127,400 (2003) 22,000 (1998)
Telephones - mobile cellular 223,700 (2003) 3,300 (1998)
Television broadcast stations 8 (plus about 20 low-power repeaters) (1997) 1 (2002)
Terrain mostly high plateau; Namib Desert along coast; Kalahari Desert in east coastal plain, southern basin, central plateau, northern basin
Total fertility rate 4.65 children born/woman (2004 est.) 3.65 children born/woman (2003 est.)
Unemployment rate 35% (1998) NA%
Waterways - 1,120 km


note: the Congo and Ubangi (Oubangui) rivers provide 1,120 km of commercially navigable water transport; other rivers are used for local traffic only
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