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Compare Qatar (2005) - Benin (2005)

Compare Qatar (2005) z Benin (2005)

 Qatar (2005)Benin (2005)
 QatarBenin
Administrative divisions 10 municipalities (baladiyat, singular - baladiyah); Ad Dawhah, Al Ghuwayriyah, Al Jumayliyah, Al Khawr, Al Wakrah, Ar Rayyan, Jarayan al Batinah, Madinat ash Shamal, Umm Sa'id, Umm Salal 12 departments; Alibori, Atakora, Atlantique, Borgou, Collines, Kouffo, Donga, Littoral, Mono, Oueme, Plateau, Zou
Age structure 0-14 years: 23.7% (male 104,453/female 100,295)


15-64 years: 72.9% (male 437,118/female 191,830)


65 years and over: 3.4% (male 21,599/female 7,756) (2005 est.)
0-14 years: 46.5% (male 1,752,243/female 1,719,458)


15-64 years: 51.2% (male 1,868,630/female 1,948,610)


65 years and over: 2.3% (male 70,367/female 100,717) (2005 est.)
Agriculture - products fruits, vegetables; poultry, dairy products, beef; fish cotton, corn, cassava (tapioca), yams, beans, palm oil, peanuts, livestock (2001)
Airports 4 (2004 est.) 5 (2004 est.)
Airports - with paved runways total: 2


over 3,047 m: 2 (2004 est.)
total: 1


1,524 to 2,437 m: 1 (2004 est.)
Airports - with unpaved runways total: 2


914 to 1,523 m: 1


under 914 m: 1 (2004 est.)
total: 4


2,438 to 3,047 m: 1


1,524 to 2,437 m: 1


914 to 1,523 m: 2 (2004 est.)
Area total: 11,437 sq km


land: 11,437 sq km


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


land: 110,620 sq km


water: 2,000 sq km
Area - comparative slightly smaller than Connecticut slightly smaller than Pennsylvania
Background Ruled by the Al Thani family since the mid-1800s, Qatar transformed itself from a poor British protectorate noted mainly for pearling into an independent state with significant oil and natural gas revenues. During the late 1980s and early 1990s, the Qatari economy was crippled by a continuous siphoning off of petroleum revenues by the amir, who had ruled the country since 1972. His son, the current Amir HAMAD bin Khalifa Al Thani, overthrew him in a bloodless coup in 1995. In 2001, Qatar resolved its longstanding border disputes with both Bahrain and Saudi Arabia. Oil and natural gas revenues enable Qatar to have one of the highest per capita incomes in the world. 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.
Birth rate 15.54 births/1,000 population (2005 est.) 41.99 births/1,000 population (2005 est.)
Budget revenues: $10.17 billion


expenditures: $7.61 billion, including capital expenditures of $2.2 billion (2004 est.)
revenues: $869.4 million


expenditures: $720.4 million, including capital expenditures of NA (2004 est.)
Capital Doha Porto-Novo is the official capital; Cotonou is the seat of government
Climate arid; mild, pleasant winters; very hot, humid summers tropical; hot, humid in south; semiarid in north
Coastline 563 km 121 km
Constitution ratified by public referendum on 29 April 2003, endorsed by the Emir on 8 June 2004, effective on 9 June 2005 December 1990
Country name conventional long form: State of Qatar


conventional short form: Qatar


local long form: Dawlat Qatar


local short form: Qatar


note: closest approximation of the native pronunciation falls between cutter and gutter, but not like guitar
conventional long form: Republic of Benin


conventional short form: Benin


local long form: Republique du Benin


local short form: Benin


former: Dahomey
Death rate 4.61 deaths/1,000 population (2005 est.) 13.76 deaths/1,000 population (2005 est.)
Debt - external $18.62 billion (2004 est.) $1.6 billion (2000)
Diplomatic representation from the US chief of mission: Ambassador Chase UNTERMEYER


embassy: Al-Luqta District, 22 February Road, Doha


mailing address: P. O. Box 2399, Doha


telephone: [974] 488 4101


FAX: [974] 488 4298
chief of mission: Ambassador Wayne NEILL


embassy: Rue Caporal Bernard Anani, Cotonou


mailing address: 01 B. P. 2012, Cotonou


telephone: [229] 30-06-50


FAX: [229] 30-06-70
Diplomatic representation in the US chief of mission: Ambassador Nasir bin Hamad bin Mubarak al-KHALIFA


chancery: 4200 Wisconsin Avenue NW, Suite 200, Washington, DC 20016


telephone: [1] (202) 274-1600 and 274-1603


FAX: [1] (202) 237-0061


consulate(s) general: Houston
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; accuses Burkina Faso of moving boundary pillars; much of Benin-Niger boundary, including tripoint with Nigeria, remains undemarcated, and the states expect a ruling in 2005 from the ICJ over the disputed Niger and Mekrou River islands; a joint task force was established in 2004 that resolved disputes over and redrew the maritime and the 870-km land boundary with Nigeria, including the sovereignty over seven villages along the Okpara River; a joint boundary commission continues to resurvey the boundary with Togo to verify Benin's claim that Togo moved boundary stones
Economic aid - recipient NA $342.6 million (2000)
Economy - overview Oil and gas account for more than 55% of GDP, roughly 85% of export earnings, and 70% of government revenues. Oil and gas have given Qatar a per capita GDP about 80% of that of the leading West European industrial countries. Proved oil reserves of 16 billion barrels should ensure continued output at current levels for 23 years. Qatar's proved reserves of natural gas exceed 14 trillion cubic meters, more than 5% of the world total and third largest in the world. Long-term goals feature the development of offshore natural gas reserves to offset the ultimate decline in oil production. In recent years, Qatar has consistently posted trade surpluses largely because of high oil prices and increased natural gas exports, becoming one of the world's fastest growing and highest per-capita income countries. 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 six 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. The 2001 privatization policy should continue in telecommunications, water, electricity, and agriculture in spite of initial government reluctance. The Paris Club and bilateral creditors have eased the external debt situation, while pressing for more rapid structural reforms. Benin continues to be hurt by Nigerian trade protection that bans imports of a growing list of products from Benin and elsewhere. As a result, smuggling and criminality along the Benin-Nigeria border has been on the rise.
Electricity - consumption 9.046 billion kWh (2002) 565.2 million kWh (2002)
Electricity - exports 0 kWh (2002) 0 kWh (2002)
Electricity - imports 0 kWh (2002) 300 million kWh (2002)
Electricity - production 9.727 billion kWh (2002) 285.2 million kWh (2002)
Elevation extremes lowest point: Persian Gulf 0 m


highest point: Qurayn Abu al Bawl 103 m
lowest point: Atlantic Ocean 0 m


highest point: Mont Sokbaro 658 m
Environment - current issues limited natural fresh water resources are increasing dependence on large-scale desalination facilities inadequate supplies of potable water; poaching threatens wildlife populations; deforestation; desertification
Environment - international agreements party to: Biodiversity, Climate Change, Climate Change-Kyoto Protocol, Desertification, Endangered Species, Hazardous Wastes, Law of the Sea, Ozone Layer Protection


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


signed, but not ratified: none of the selected agreements
Ethnic groups Arab 40%, Pakistani 18%, Indian 18%, Iranian 10%, other 14% African 99% (42 ethnic groups, most important being Fon, Adja, Yoruba, Bariba), Europeans 5,500
Exchange rates Qatari rials per US dollar - 3.64 (2004), 3.64 (2003), 3.64 (2002), 3.64 (2001), 3.64 (2000) Communaute Financiere Africaine francs (XOF) per US dollar - 528.29 (2004), 581.2 (2003), 696.99 (2002), 733.04 (2001), 711.98 (2000)
Executive branch chief of state: Amir HAMAD bin Khalifa al-Thani (since 27 June 1995 when, as crown prince, he ousted his father, Amir KHALIFA bin Hamad al-Thani, in a bloodless coup); Crown Prince TAMIM bin Hamad bin Khalifa al-Thani, third son of the monarch (selected Heir Apparent by the monarch on 5 August 2003); note - Amir HAMAD also holds the positions of Minister of Defense and Commander-in-chief of the Armed Forces


head of government: Prime Minister ABDALLAH bin Khalifa al-Thani, brother of the monarch (since 30 October 1996); Deputy Prime Minister MUHAMMAD bin Khalifa al-Thani, brother of the monarch (since 20 January 1998); First Deputy Prime Minister HAMAD bin JASIM bin JABIR al-Thani (since 16 September 2003; also Foreign Minister since 1992); Second Deputy Prime Minister Abdallah bin Hamad al-ATTIYAH (since 16 September 2003; also Energy Minister since NA 1992)


cabinet: Council of Ministers appointed by the monarch


elections: none; the monarch is hereditary


note: in April 2003, Qatar held nationwide elections for a 29-member Central Municipal Council (CMC), which has consultative powers aimed at improving the provision of municipal services; the first election for the CMC was held in March 1999
chief of state: President Mathieu KEREKOU (since 4 April 1996); note - the president is both the chief of state and head of government


head of government: President Mathieu KEREKOU (since 4 April 1996); note - the president is both the chief of state and head of government


cabinet: Council of Ministers appointed by the president


elections: president reelected by popular vote for a five-year term; runoff election held 22 March 2001 (next to be held March 2006)


election results: Mathieu KEREKOU reelected president; percent of vote - Mathieu KEREKOU 84.1%, Bruno AMOUSSOU 15.9%


note: the four top-ranking contenders following the first-round presidential elections were: Mathieu KEREKOU (incumbent) 45.4%, Nicephore SOGLO (former president) 27.1%, Adrien HOUNGBEDJI (National Assembly Speaker) 12.6%, and Bruno AMOUSSOU (Minister of State) 8.6%; the second-round balloting, originally scheduled for 18 March 2001, was postponed four days because both SOGLO and HOUNGBEDJI withdrew alleging electoral fraud; this left KEREKOU to run against his own Minister of State, AMOUSSOU, in what was termed a "friendly match"
Exports NA NA
Exports - commodities liquefied natural gas (LNG), petroleum products, fertilizers, steel cotton, crude oil, palm products, cocoa
Exports - partners Japan 41.9%, South Korea 15.8%, Singapore 9.1%, India 5.4% (2004) China 28.7%, India 18.4%, Ghana 6.3%, Thailand 6%, Niger 5.8%, Indonesia 4.2%, Nigeria 4.2% (2004)
Fiscal year 1 April - 31 March calendar year
Flag description maroon with a broad white serrated band (nine white points) on the hoist side two equal horizontal bands of yellow (top) and red (bottom) with a vertical green band on the hoist side
GDP - composition by sector agriculture: 0.3%


industry: 58.2%


services: 41.5% (2004 est.)
agriculture: 36.3%


industry: 14.3%


services: 49.4% (2004 est.)
GDP - per capita purchasing power parity - $23,200 (2004 est.) purchasing power parity - $1,200 (2004 est.)
GDP - real growth rate 8.7% (2004 est.) 5% (2004 est.)
Geographic coordinates 25 30 N, 51 15 E 9 30 N, 2 15 E
Geography - note strategic location in central Persian Gulf near major petroleum deposits sandbanks create difficult access to a coast with no natural harbors, river mouths, or islands
Heliports 1 (2004 est.) -
Highways total: 1,230 km


paved: 1,107 km


unpaved: 123 km (1999 est.)
total: 6,787 km


paved: 1,357 km (including 10 km of expressways)


unpaved: 5,430 km (1999 est.)
Household income or consumption by percentage share lowest 10%: NA


highest 10%: NA
lowest 10%: NA


highest 10%: NA
Illicit drugs - transshipment point for narcotics associated with Nigerian trafficking organizations and most commonly destined for Western Europe and the US; vulnerable to money laundering due to a poorly regulated financial infrastructure
Imports NA NA
Imports - commodities machinery and transport equipment, food, chemicals foodstuffs, capital goods, petroleum products
Imports - partners France 26.6%, US 9.5%, Saudi Arabia 9.4%, UAE 6.3%, Germany 5.2%, Japan 5.2%, UK 5.1% (2004) China 32.2%, France 13%, Thailand 6.7%, Cote d'Ivoire 5.3% (2004)
Independence 3 September 1971 (from UK) 1 August 1960 (from France)
Industrial production growth rate 10% (2003 est.) 8.3% (2001 est.)
Industries crude oil production and refining, ammonia, fertilizers, petrochemicals, steel reinforcing bars, cement, commercial ship repair textiles, food processing, construction materials, cement (2001)
Infant mortality rate total: 18.61 deaths/1,000 live births


male: 21.95 deaths/1,000 live births


female: 15.11 deaths/1,000 live births (2005 est.)
total: 85 deaths/1,000 live births


male: 90 deaths/1,000 live births


female: 79.86 deaths/1,000 live births (2005 est.)
Inflation rate (consumer prices) 3% (2004 est.) 2.8% (2004 est.)
International organization participation ABEDA, AFESD, AMF, FAO, G-77, GCC, IAEA, IBRD, ICAO, ICC, ICRM, IDB, IFAD, IFRCS, IHO (pending member), ILO, IMF, IMO, Interpol, IOC, ISO, ITU, LAS, MIGA, NAM, OAPEC, OAS (observer), OIC, OPCW, OPEC, UN, UNCTAD, UNESCO, UNIDO, UPU, WCO, WHO, WIPO, WMO, WTO, WToO ACCT, ACP, AfDB, AU, ECOWAS, Entente, FAO, FZ, G-77, IAEA, IBRD, ICAO, ICCt, ICFTU, ICRM, IDA, IDB, IFAD, IFC, IFRCS, ILO, IMF, IMO, Interpol, IOC, IOM, ISO (correspondent), ITU, MIGA, MINUSTAH, MONUC, NAM, OIC, ONUB, OPCW, UN, UN Security Council (temporary), UNCTAD, UNESCO, UNIDO, UNMIL, UNOCI, UPU, WADB (regional), WAEMU, WCL, WCO, WFTU, WHO, WIPO, WMO, WToO, WTO
Irrigated land 130 sq km (1998 est.) 120 sq km (1998 est.)
Judicial branch Court of Appeal


note: under the new judiciary law issued in 2003, the former two court systems, civil and Islamic law, were merged under a higher court, the Court of Cassation, established for appeals
Constitutional Court or Cour Constitutionnelle; Supreme Court or Cour Supreme; High Court of Justice
Labor force 140,000 (2004 est.) NA (1996)
Land boundaries total: 60 km


border countries: Saudi Arabia 60 km
total: 1,989 km


border countries: Burkina Faso 306 km, Niger 266 km, Nigeria 773 km, Togo 644 km
Land use arable land: 1.64%


permanent crops: 0.27%


other: 98.09% (2001)
arable land: 18.08%


permanent crops: 2.4%


other: 79.52% (2001)
Languages Arabic (official), English commonly used as a second language French (official), Fon and Yoruba (most common vernaculars in south), tribal languages (at least six major ones in north)
Legal system discretionary system of law controlled by the amir, although civil codes are being implemented; Islamic law dominates family and personal matters based on French civil law and customary law; has not accepted compulsory ICJ jurisdiction
Legislative branch unicameral Advisory Council or Majlis al-Shura (35 seats; members appointed)


note: no legislative elections have been held since 1970 when there were partial elections to the body; Council members have had their terms extended every four years since; the new constitution, which came into force on 8 June 2004, provides for a 45-member Consultative Council, or Majlis al-Shura; the public would elect two-thirds of the Majlis al-Shura; the amir would appoint the remaining members
unicameral National Assembly or Assemblee Nationale (83 seats; members are elected by direct popular vote to serve four-year terms)


elections: last held 30 March 2003 (next to be held March 2007)


election results: percent of vote by party - NA%; seats by party - Presidential Movement 52, opposition (PRB, PRD, E'toile, and 5 other small parties) 31
Life expectancy at birth total population: 73.67 years


male: 71.15 years


female: 76.32 years (2005 est.)
total population: 52.66 years


male: 51.53 years


female: 53.82 years (2005 est.)
Literacy definition: age 15 and over can read and write


total population: 89%


male: 89.1%


female: 88.6% (2004 est.)
definition: age 15 and over can read and write


total population: 33.6%


male: 46.4%


female: 22.6% (2002 est.)
Location Middle East, peninsula bordering the Persian Gulf and Saudi Arabia Western Africa, bordering the Bight of Benin, between Nigeria and Togo
Map references Middle East Africa
Maritime claims territorial sea: 12 nm


contiguous zone: 24 nm


exclusive economic zone: as determined by bilateral agreements or the median line
territorial sea: 200 nm
Merchant marine total: 22 ships (1,000 GRT or over) 525,051 GRT/772,635 DWT


by type: cargo 3, chemical tanker 5, container 8, liquefied gas 2, petroleum tanker 3, roll on/roll off 1


foreign-owned: 6 (Kuwait 6) (2005)
-
Military branches Qatari Amiri Land Force (QALF), Qatari Amiri Navy (QAN), Qatari Amiri Air Force (QAAF) Army, Navy, Air Force
Military expenditures - dollar figure $723 million (FY00) $96.5 million (2004)
Military expenditures - percent of GDP 10% (FY00) 2.4% (2004)
National holiday Independence Day, 3 September (1971) National Day, 1 August (1960)
Nationality noun: Qatari(s)


adjective: Qatari
noun: Beninese (singular and plural)


adjective: Beninese
Natural hazards haze, dust storms, sandstorms common hot, dry, dusty harmattan wind may affect north from December to March
Natural resources petroleum, natural gas, fish small offshore oil deposits, limestone, marble, timber
Net migration rate 15.17 migrant(s)/1,000 population (2005 est.) 0 migrant(s)/1,000 population (2005 est.)
Pipelines condensate 319 km; condensate/gas 209 km; gas 1,024 km; liquid petroleum gas 87 km; oil 702 km; oil/gas/water 41 km (2004) -
Political parties and leaders none African Congress for Renewal or DUNYA [Saka SALEY]; African Movement for Democracy and Progress or MADEP [Sefou FAGBOHOUN]; Alliance of the Social Democratic Party or PSD [Bruno AMOUSSOU]; Coalition of Democratic Forces [Gatien HOUNGBEDJI]; Democratic Renewal Party or PRD [Adrien HOUNGBEDJI]; Front for Renewal and Development or FARD-ALAFIA [Jerome Sakia KINA]; Impulse for Progress and Democracy or IPD [Bertin BORNA]; Key Force or FC [leader NA]; Presidential Movement (UBF, MADEP, FC, IDP, and four small parties); Renaissance Party du Benin or PRB [Nicephore SOGLO]; The Star Alliance (Alliance E'toile) [Sacca LAFIA]; Union of Tomorrow's Benin or UBF [Bruno AMOUSSOU]


note: approximately 20 additional minor parties
Political pressure groups and leaders none NA
Population 863,051 (July 2005 est.) 7,460,025


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 2005 est.)
Population below poverty line NA 33% (2001 est.)
Population growth rate 2.61% (2005 est.) 2.82% (2005 est.)
Ports and harbors Doha Cotonou
Radio broadcast stations AM 6, FM 5, shortwave 1 (1998) AM 2, FM 9, shortwave 4 (2000)
Railways - total: 578 km


narrow gauge: 578 km 1.000-m gauge (2004)
Religions Muslim 95% indigenous beliefs 50%, Christian 30%, Muslim 20%
Sex ratio at birth: 1.05 male(s)/female


under 15 years: 1.04 male(s)/female


15-64 years: 2.28 male(s)/female


65 years and over: 2.78 male(s)/female


total population: 1.88 male(s)/female (2005 est.)
at birth: 1.03 male(s)/female


under 15 years: 1.02 male(s)/female


15-64 years: 0.96 male(s)/female


65 years and over: 0.7 male(s)/female


total population: 0.98 male(s)/female (2005 est.)
Suffrage 18 years of age; universal 18 years of age; universal
Telephone system general assessment: modern system centered in Doha


domestic: NA


international: country code - 974; tropospheric scatter to Bahrain; microwave radio relay to Saudi Arabia and UAE; submarine cable to Bahrain and UAE; satellite earth stations - 2 Intelsat (1 Atlantic Ocean and 1 Indian Ocean) and 1 Arabsat
general assessment: NA


domestic: fair system of open-wire, microwave radio relay, and cellular connections


international: country code - 229; satellite earth station - 1 Intelsat (Atlantic Ocean); fiber optic submarine cable (SAT-3/WASC) provides connectivity to Europe and Asia
Telephones - main lines in use 184,500 (2003) 66,500 (2003)
Telephones - mobile cellular 376,500 (2003) 236,200 (2003)
Television broadcast stations 1 (plus three repeaters) (2001) 1 (2001)
Terrain mostly flat and barren desert covered with loose sand and gravel mostly flat to undulating plain; some hills and low mountains
Total fertility rate 2.87 children born/woman (2005 est.) 5.86 children born/woman (2005 est.)
Unemployment rate 2.7% (2001) NA
Waterways - 150 km (on River Niger along northern border) (2004)
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