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Compare New Zealand (2003) - Laos (2006)

Compare New Zealand (2003) z Laos (2006)

 New Zealand (2003)Laos (2006)
 New ZealandLaos
Administrative divisions 16 regions; Auckland, Bay of Plenty, Canterbury, Gisborne, Hawke's Bay, Marlborough, Nelson, Northland, Otago, Southland, Taranaki, Tasman, Waikato, Manawatu-Wanganui, Wellington, West Coast 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, Louangphrabang, Oudomxai, Phongsali, Salavan, Savannakhet, Viangchan (Vientiane)*, Viangchan, Xaignabouli, Xaisomboun**, Xekong, Xiangkhoang
Age structure 0-14 years: 21.9% (male 443,837; female 423,118)


15-64 years: 66.5% (male 1,318,751; female 1,307,796)


65 years and over: 11.6% (male 199,722; female 258,083) (2003 est.)
0-14 years: 41.4% (male 1,324,207/female 1,313,454)


15-64 years: 55.4% (male 1,744,206/female 1,786,139)


65 years and over: 3.1% (male 89,451/female 111,024) (2006 est.)
Agriculture - products wheat, barley, potatoes, pulses, fruits, vegetables; wool, beef, dairy products; fish sweet potatoes, vegetables, corn, coffee, sugarcane, tobacco, cotton, tea, peanuts, rice; water buffalo, pigs, cattle, poultry
Airports 113 (2002) 44 (2006)
Airports - with paved runways total: 46


over 3,047 m: 2


2,438 to 3,047 m: 1


1,524 to 2,437 m: 10


914 to 1,523 m: 28


under 914 m: 5 (2002)
total: 9


2,438 to 3,047 m: 2


1,524 to 2,437 m: 4


914 to 1,523 m: 3 (2006)
Airports - with unpaved runways total: 67


1,524 to 2,437 m: 2


914 to 1,523 m: 26


under 914 m: 39 (2002)
total: 35


1,524 to 2,437 m: 1


914 to 1,523 m: 13


under 914 m: 21 (2006)
Area total: 268,680 sq km


land: NA sq km


water: NA sq km


note: includes Antipodes Islands, Auckland Islands, Bounty Islands, Campbell Island, Chatham Islands, and Kermadec Islands
total: 236,800 sq km


land: 230,800 sq km


water: 6,000 sq km
Area - comparative about the size of Colorado slightly larger than Utah
Background The Polynesian Maori reached New Zealand in about A.D. 800. In 1840, their chieftains entered into a compact with Britain, the Treaty of Waitangi, in which they ceded sovereignty to Queen Victoria while retaining territorial rights. In that same year, the British began the first organized colonial settlement. A series of land wars between 1843 and 1872 ended with the defeat of the native peoples. The British colony of New Zealand became an independent dominion in 1907 and supported the UK militarily in both World Wars. New Zealand's full participation in a number of defense alliances lapsed by the 1980s. In recent years, the government has sought to address longstanding Maori grievances. Modern-day Laos has its roots in the ancient Lao kingdom of Lan Xang, established in the 14th Century under King FA NGUM. For three hundred years Lan Xang included large parts of present-day Cambodia and Thailand, as well as all of what is now Laos. After centuries of gradual decline, Laos came under the control of Siam (Thailand) from the late 18th century until the late 19th century when it became part of French Indochina. The Franco-Siamese Treaty of 1907 defined the current Lao border with Thailand. In 1975, the Communist Pathet Lao took control of the government ending a six-century-old monarchy and instituting a strict socialist regime closely aligned to Vietnam. A gradual return to private enterprise and the liberalization of foreign investment laws began in 1986. Laos became a member of ASEAN in 1997.
Birth rate 14.14 births/1,000 population (2003 est.) 35.49 births/1,000 population (2006 est.)
Budget revenues: $29.2 billion


expenditures: $31.2 billion, including capital expenditures of $NA (2002)
revenues: $319.3 million


expenditures: $434.6 million; including capital expenditures of $NA (2005 est.)
Capital Wellington name: Vientiane


geographic coordinates: 17 58 N, 102 36 E


time difference: UTC+7 (12 hours ahead of Washington, DC during Standard Time)
Climate temperate with sharp regional contrasts tropical monsoon; rainy season (May to November); dry season (December to April)
Coastline 15,134 km 0 km (landlocked)
Constitution consists of a series of legal documents, including certain acts of the UK and New Zealand Parliaments and The Constitution Act 1986 which is the principal formal charter promulgated 14 August 1991
Country name conventional long form: none


conventional short form: New Zealand


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


conventional short form: Laos PDR or Laos


local long form: Sathalanalat Paxathipatai Paxaxon Lao


local short form: none
Currency New Zealand dollar (NZD) -
Death rate 7.54 deaths/1,000 population (2003 est.) 11.55 deaths/1,000 population (2006 est.)
Debt - external $33 billion (2002 est.) $2.49 billion (2001)
Dependent areas Cook Islands, Niue, Tokelau -
Diplomatic representation from the US chief of mission: Ambassador Charles J. SWINDELLS


embassy: 29 Fitzherbert Terrace, Thorndon, Wellington


mailing address: P. O. Box 1190, Wellington; PSC 467, Box 1, APO AP 96531-1034


telephone: [64] (4) 462-6000


FAX: [64] (4) 472-3478


consulate(s) general: Auckland
chief of mission: Ambassador Patricia M. HASLACH


embassy: 19 Rue Bartholonie, That Dam Road, Vientiane


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


telephone: [856] 21-26 7000


FAX: [856] 21-26 7074
Diplomatic representation in the US chief of mission: Ambassador L. John WOOD


chancery: 37 Observatory Circle NW, Washington, DC 20008


telephone: [1] (202) 328-4800


FAX: [1] (202) 667-5227


consulate(s) general: Los Angeles, New York
chief of mission: Ambassador PHANTHONG Phommahaxay


chancery: 2222 S Street NW, Washington, DC 20008


telephone: [1] (202) 332-6416


FAX: [1] (202) 332-4923
Disputes - international territorial claim in Antarctica (Ross Dependency) Southeast Asian states have enhanced border surveillance to check the spread of avian flu; talks continue on completion of demarcation with Thailand but disputes remain over several areas along Mekong River and Thai squatters; concern among Mekong Commission members that China's construction of dams on the Mekong River will affect water levels
Economic aid - donor ODA, $99.7 million -
Economic aid - recipient - $243 million (2001 est.)
Economy - overview Since 1984 the government has accomplished major economic restructuring, transforming New Zealand from an agrarian economy dependent on concessionary British market access to a more industrialized, free market economy that can compete globally. This dynamic growth has boosted real incomes (but left behind many at the bottom of the ladder), broadened and deepened the technological capabilities of the industrial sector, and contained inflationary pressures. While per capita incomes have been rising, however, they remain below the level of the four largest EU economies, and there is some government concern that New Zealand is not closing the gap. New Zealand is heavily dependent on trade - particularly in agricultural products - to drive growth, and it has been affected by the global economic slowdown and the slump in commodity prices. Thus far the New Zealand economy has been relatively resilient, although growth may slow to 2.5% in 2003. 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 6% in 1988-2004 except during the short-lived drop caused by the Asian financial crisis beginning in 1997. Despite this high growth rate, Laos remains a country with a primitive infrastructure. It has no railroads, a rudimentary road system, and limited external and internal telecommunications, though the government is sponsoring major improvements in the road system with possible support from Japan. Electricity is available in only a few urban areas. Subsistence agriculture, dominated by rice, accounts for about half of GDP and provides 80% of total employment. The economy will continue to benefit from aid by the IMF and other international sources and from new foreign investment in food processing and mining. Construction will be another strong economic driver, especially as hydroelectric dam and road projects gain steam. In late 2004, Laos gained Normal Trade Relations status with the US, allowing Laos-based producers to face lower tariffs on exports. This new status may help spur growth. In addition, the European Union has agreed to provide $1 million to the Lao Government for technical assistance in preparations for WTO membership. If the avian flu worsens and spreads in the region, however, prospects for tourism could dim.
Electricity - consumption 34.88 billion kWh (2001) 3.298 billion kWh (2003)
Electricity - exports 0 kWh (2001) 435 million kWh (2003)
Electricity - imports 0 kWh (2001) 230 million kWh (2003)
Electricity - production 37.51 billion kWh (2001) 3.767 billion kWh (2003)
Electricity - production by source fossil fuel: 31.6%


hydro: 57.8%


nuclear: 0%


other: 10.7% (2001)
-
Elevation extremes lowest point: Pacific Ocean 0 m


highest point: Aoraki-Mount Cook 3,754 m
lowest point: Mekong River 70 m


highest point: Phou Bia 2,817 m
Environment - current issues deforestation; soil erosion; native flora and fauna hard-hit by species introduced from outside unexploded ordnance; deforestation; soil erosion; most of the population does not have access to potable water
Environment - international agreements party to: Antarctic-Environmental Protocol, Antarctic-Marine Living Resources, Antarctic Treaty, Biodiversity, Climate Change, Desertification, Endangered Species, Environmental Modification, Hazardous Wastes, Law of the Sea, Marine Dumping, Nuclear Test Ban, Ozone Layer Protection, Ship Pollution, Tropical Timber 83, Tropical Timber 94, Wetlands, Whaling


signed, but not ratified: Antarctic Seals, Climate Change-Kyoto Protocol, Marine Life Conservation
party to: Biodiversity, Climate Change, Climate Change-Kyoto Protocol, Desertification, Endangered Species, Environmental Modification, Law of the Sea, Ozone Layer Protection


signed, but not ratified: none of the selected agreements
Ethnic groups New Zealand European 74.5%, Maori 9.7%, other European 4.6%, Pacific Islander 3.8%, Asian and others 7.4% Lao Loum (lowland) 68%, Lao Theung (upland) 22%, Lao Soung (highland) including the Hmong and the Yao 9%, ethnic Vietnamese/Chinese 1%
Exchange rates New Zealand dollars per US dollar - 2.16 (2002), 2.38 (2001), 2.2 (2000), 1.89 (1999), 1.87 (1998) kips per US dollar - 10,820 (2005), 10,585.5 (2004), 10,569 (2003), 10,056.3 (2002), 8,954.6 (2001)
Executive branch chief of state: Queen ELIZABETH II (since 6 February 1952), represented by Governor General Dame Silvia CARTWRIGHT (since 4 April 2001)


head of government: Prime Minister Helen CLARK (since 10 December 1999) and Deputy Prime Minister Michael CULLEN (since NA July 2002)


cabinet: Executive Council appointed by the governor general on the recommendation of the prime minister


elections: none; the monarch is hereditary; governor general appointed by the monarch; following legislative elections, the leader of the majority party or the leader of a majority coalition is usually appointed prime minister by the governor general; deputy prime minister appointed by the governor general
chief of state: President Lt. Gen. CHOUMMALI Saignason (since 8 June 2006) and Vice President BOUN-GNANG Volachit (since 8 June 2006)


head of government: Prime Minister BOUASONE Bouphavanh (since 8 June 2006); Deputy Prime Minister Maj. Gen. ASANG Laoli (since May 2002), Deputy Prime Minister Maj. Gen. DOUANGCHAI Phichit [since 8 June 2006], Deputy Prime Minister SOMSAVAT Lengsavat (since 26 February 1998), and Deputy Prime Minister THONGLOUN Sisolit (since 27 March 2001)


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


elections: president and vice president elected by the National Assembly for five-year terms; election last held 8 June 2006 (next to be held in 2011); prime minister nominated by the president and elected by the National Assembly for a five-year term


election results: CHOUMMALI Saignason elected president; BOUN-GNANG Volachit elected vice president; percent of National Assembly vote - 100%; BOUASONE Bouphavanh elected prime minister; percent of National Assembly vote - 97%
Exports 30,220 bbl/day (2001) NA bbl/day
Exports - commodities dairy products, meat, wood and wood products, fish, machinery garments, wood products, coffee, electricity, tin
Exports - partners Australia 20.3%, US 15.5%, Japan 11.5%, UK 4.8%, China 4.6%, South Korea 4.4% (2002) Thailand 29.6%, Vietnam 12%, France 6.1%, Germany 4.6% (2005)
Fiscal year 1 July - 30 June 1 October - 30 September
Flag description blue with the flag of the UK in the upper hoist-side quadrant with four red five-pointed stars edged in white centered in the outer half of the flag; the stars represent the Southern Cross constellation 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 - $78.4 billion (2002 est.) -
GDP - composition by sector agriculture: 8%


industry: 23%


services: 69% (2001)
agriculture: 45.5%


industry: 28.7%


services: 25.8% (2005 est.)
GDP - per capita purchasing power parity - $20,100 (2002 est.) -
GDP - real growth rate 3.3% (2002 est.) 7.3% (2005 est.)
Geographic coordinates 41 00 S, 174 00 E 18 00 N, 105 00 E
Geography - note about 80% of the population lives in cities; Wellington is the southernmost national capital in the world landlocked; most of the country is mountainous and thickly forested; the Mekong River forms a large part of the western boundary with Thailand
Heliports 1 (2002) -
Highways total: 92,053 km


paved: 57,809 km (including at least 190 km of expressways)


unpaved: 34,244 km (2000)
-
Household income or consumption by percentage share lowest 10%: 0.3%


highest 10%: 29.8% (1991 est.)
lowest 10%: 3.2%


highest 10%: 30.6% (1997)
Illicit drugs - estimated cultivation in 2004 - 10,000 hectares, a 45% decrease from 2003; estimated potential production in 2004 - 49 metric tons, a significant decrease from 200 metric tons in 2003 (2005)
Imports 119,700 bbl/day (2001) NA bbl/day
Imports - commodities machinery and equipment, vehicles and aircraft, petroleum, electronics, textiles, plastics machinery and equipment, vehicles, fuel, consumer goods
Imports - partners Australia 22.1%, US 13.6%, Japan 12%, China 8%, Germany 5.2% (2002) Thailand 66.1%, China 9%, Vietnam 6.7% (2005)
Independence 26 September 1907 (from UK) 19 July 1949 (from France)
Industrial production growth rate 3% (2001 est.) 13% (2005 est.)
Industries food processing, wood and paper products, textiles, machinery, transportation equipment, banking and insurance, tourism, mining copper, tin, and gypsum mining; timber, electric power, agricultural processing, construction, garments, tourism, cement
Infant mortality rate total: 6.07 deaths/1,000 live births


male: 6.96 deaths/1,000 live births


female: 5.14 deaths/1,000 live births (2003 est.)
total: 83.31 deaths/1,000 live births


male: 92.95 deaths/1,000 live births


female: 73.26 deaths/1,000 live births (2006 est.)
Inflation rate (consumer prices) 2.7% (2002 est.) 7% (2005 est.)
International organization participation ABEDA, ANZUS (US suspended security obligations to NZ on 11 August 1986), APEC, ARF (dialogue partner), AsDB, ASEAN (dialogue partner), Australia Group, C, CP, EBRD, ESCAP, FAO, IAEA, IBRD, ICAO, ICC, ICCt, ICFTU, ICRM, IDA, IEA, IFAD, IFC, IFRCS, IHO, ILO, IMF, IMO, Interpol, IOC, IOM (observer), ISO, ITU, NAM (guest), NSG, OECD, OPCW, PCA, Sparteca, SPC, SPF, UN, UNAMSIL, UNCTAD, UNESCO, UNHCR, UNIDO, UNMIK, UNMISET, UNMOP, UNTSO, UPU, WCO, WFTU, WHO, WIPO, WMO, WTrO ACCT, APT, ARF, AsDB, ASEAN, CP, EAS, FAO, G-77, IBRD, ICAO, ICRM, IDA, IFAD, IFC, IFRCS, ILO, IMF, Interpol, IOC, IPU, ITU, MIGA, NAM, OIF, OPCW, PCA, UN, UNCTAD, UNESCO, UNIDO, UPU, WFTU, WHO, WIPO, WMO, WToO, WTO (observer)
Internet Service Providers (ISPs) 36 (2000) -
Irrigated land 2,850 sq km (1998 est.) 1,750 sq km (2003)
Judicial branch High Court; Court of Appeal 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 1.92 million (2001 est.) 2.8 million (2002 est.)
Labor force - by occupation services 65%, industry 25%, agriculture 10% (1995) agriculture: 80%


industry and services: 20% (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: 5.8%


permanent crops: 6.44%


other: 87.76% (1998 est.)
arable land: 4.01%


permanent crops: 0.34%


other: 95.65% (2005)
Languages English (official), Maori (official) Lao (official), French, English, and various ethnic languages
Legal system based on English law, with special land legislation and land courts for the Maori; accepts compulsory ICJ jurisdiction, with reservations based on traditional customs, French legal norms and procedures, and socialist practice
Legislative branch unicameral House of Representatives - commonly called Parliament (120 seats; 69 members elected by popular vote in single-member constituencies including 7 Maori constituencies, and 51 proportional seats chosen from party lists, all to serve three-year terms)


elections: last held 27 July 2002 (next to be held NA 2005)


election results: percent of vote by party - NA%; seats by party - NZLP 52, NP 27, NZFP 13, ACT New Zealand 9, Green Party 9, UF 8, other 2
unicameral National Assembly (115 seats; members elected by popular vote to serve five-year terms)


elections: last held 30 April 2006 (next to be held in 2011)


election results: percent of vote by party - NA; seats by party - LPRP 113, independents 2
Life expectancy at birth total population: 78.32 years


male: 75.34 years


female: 81.44 years (2003 est.)
total population: 55.49 years


male: 53.45 years


female: 57.61 years (2006 est.)
Literacy definition: age 15 and over can read and write


total population: 99% (1980 est.)


male: NA%


female: NA%
definition: age 15 and over can read and write


total population: 66.4%


male: 77.4%


female: 55.5% (2002)
Location Oceania, islands in the South Pacific Ocean, southeast of Australia Southeastern Asia, northeast of Thailand, west of Vietnam
Map references Oceania Southeast Asia
Maritime claims continental shelf: 200 NM or to the edge of the continental margin


exclusive economic zone: 200 NM


territorial sea: 12 NM
none (landlocked)
Merchant marine total: 9 ships (1,000 GRT or over) 69,685 GRT/106,627 DWT


ships by type: bulk 3, cargo 2, container 1, petroleum tanker 2, roll on/roll off 1


note: includes a foreign-owned ship registered here as a flag of convenience: Australia 1 (2002 est.)
total: 1 ship (1000 GRT or over) 2,370 GRT/3,110 DWT


by type: cargo 1 (2006)
Military - note - Laos is one of the world's least developed countries; the Lao People's Armed Forces are small, poorly funded, and ineffectively resourced; there is little political will to allocate sparse funding to the military, and the armed forces' gradual degradation is likely to continue; the massive drug production and trafficking industry centered in the Golden Triangle makes Laos an important narcotics transit country, and armed Wa and Chinese smugglers are active on the Lao-Burma border (2005)
Military branches New Zealand Army, Royal New Zealand Navy, Royal New Zealand Air Force Lao People's Army (LPA; includes Riverine Force), Air Force
Military expenditures - dollar figure $605.7 million (FY02) $11.04 million (2005 est.)
Military expenditures - percent of GDP 1% (FY02) 0.4% (2005 est.)
Military manpower - availability males age 15-49: 1,021,770 (2003 est.) -
Military manpower - fit for military service males age 15-49: 859,505 (2003 est.) -
Military manpower - military age 20 years of age (2003 est.) -
Military manpower - reaching military age annually males: 26,803 (2003 est.) -
National holiday Waitangi Day (Treaty of Waitangi established British sovereignty over New Zealand), 6 February (1840) Republic Day, 2 December (1975)
Nationality noun: New Zealander(s)


adjective: New Zealand
noun: Lao(s) or Laotian(s)


adjective: Lao or Laotian
Natural hazards earthquakes are common, though usually not severe; volcanic activity floods, droughts
Natural resources natural gas, iron ore, sand, coal, timber, hydropower, gold, limestone timber, hydropower, gypsum, tin, gold, gemstones
Net migration rate 4.26 migrant(s)/1,000 population (2003 est.) 0 migrant(s)/1,000 population (2006 est.)
Pipelines gas 2,213 km; liquid petroleum gas 79 km; oil 160 km; refined products 304 km (2003) refined products 540 km (2006)
Political parties and leaders ACT New Zealand [Richard PREBBLE]; Alliance (a coalition of the New Labor Party, Democratic Party, New Zealand Liberal Party, and Mana Motuhake) [James (Jim) ANDERTON]; Green Party [Jeanette FITZSIMONS and Rod DONALD]; National Party or NP [Don BRASH]; New Zealand First Party or NZFP [Winston PETERS]; New Zealand Labor Party or NZLP [Helen CLARK]; United Future or UF [Peter DUNNE] Lao People's Revolutionary Party or LPRP [CHOUMMALY Sayasone]; other parties proscribed
Political pressure groups and leaders NA noncommunist political groups proscribed; most opposition leaders fled the country in 1975
Population 3,951,307 (July 2003 est.) 6,368,481 (July 2006 est.)
Population below poverty line NA% 34% (2005 est.)
Population growth rate 1.09% (2003 est.) 2.39% (2006 est.)
Ports and harbors Auckland, Christchurch, Dunedin, Tauranga, Wellington -
Radio broadcast stations AM 124, FM 290, shortwave 4 (1998) AM 7, FM 13, shortwave 2 (2006)
Railways total: 3,898 km


narrow gauge: 3,898 km 1.067-m gauge (506 km electrified) (2002)
-
Religions Anglican 24%, Presbyterian 18%, Roman Catholic 15%, Methodist 5%, Baptist 2%, other Protestant 3%, unspecified or none 33% (1986) Buddhist 60%, animist and other 40% (including various Christian denominations 1.5%)
Sex ratio at birth: 1.04 male(s)/female


under 15 years: 1.05 male(s)/female


15-64 years: 1.01 male(s)/female


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


total population: 0.99 male(s)/female (2003 est.)
at birth: 1.04 male(s)/female


under 15 years: 1.01 male(s)/female


15-64 years: 0.98 male(s)/female


65 years and over: 0.81 male(s)/female


total population: 0.98 male(s)/female (2006 est.)
Suffrage 18 years of age; universal 18 years of age; universal
Telephone system general assessment: excellent domestic and international systems


domestic: NA


international: submarine cables to Australia and Fiji; satellite earth stations - 2 Intelsat (Pacific Ocean)
general assessment: service to general public is poor but improving; the government relies on a radiotelephone network to communicate with remote areas


domestic: radiotelephone communications


international: country code - 856; satellite earth station - 1 Intersputnik (Indian Ocean region)
Telephones - main lines in use 1.92 million (2000) 90,067 (2006)
Telephones - mobile cellular 2.2 million (2000) 520,546 (2006)
Television broadcast stations 41 (plus 52 medium-power repeaters and over 650 low-power repeaters) (1997) 7; note - including one station relaying Vietnam Television from Hanoi (2006)
Terrain predominately mountainous with some large coastal plains mostly rugged mountains; some plains and plateaus
Total fertility rate 1.79 children born/woman (2003 est.) 4.68 children born/woman (2006 est.)
Unemployment rate 5.3% (2002 est.) 2.4% (2005 est.)
Waterways 1,609 km


note: of little importance in satisfying total transportation requirements
4,600 km


note: primarily Mekong and tributaries; 2,897 additional km are intermittently navigable by craft drawing less than 0.5 m (2005)
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