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Compare Saudi Arabia (2004) - Tonga (2004)

Compare Saudi Arabia (2004) z Tonga (2004)

 Saudi Arabia (2004)Tonga (2004)
 Saudi ArabiaTonga
Administrative divisions 13 provinces (mintaqat, singular - mintaqah); Al Bahah, Al Hudud ash Shamaliyah, Al Jawf, Al Madinah, Al Qasim, Ar Riyad, Ash Sharqiyah (Eastern Province), 'Asir, Ha'il, Jizan, Makkah, Najran, Tabuk 3 island groups; Ha'apai, Tongatapu, Vava'u
Age structure 0-14 years: 38.3% (male 5,039,578; female 4,845,937)


15-64 years: 59.3% (male 8,810,705; female 6,494,770)


65 years and over: 2.3% (male 327,047; female 277,901) (2004 est.)
0-14 years: 37.1% (male 20,873; female 20,050)


15-64 years: 58.7% (male 32,018; female 32,707)


65 years and over: 4.2% (male 2,005; female 2,584) (2004 est.)
Agriculture - products wheat, barley, tomatoes, melons, dates, citrus; mutton, chickens, eggs, milk squash, coconuts, copra, bananas, vanilla beans, cocoa, coffee, ginger, black pepper; fish
Airports 204 (2003 est.) 6 (2003 est.)
Airports - with paved runways total: 72


over 3,047 m: 32


2,438 to 3,047 m: 13


1,524 to 2,437 m: 23


914 to 1,523 m: 2


under 914 m: 2 (2004 est.)
total: 1


2,438 to 3,047 m: 1 (2004 est.)
Airports - with unpaved runways total: 129


over 3047 m: 1


2,438 to 3,047 m: 5


1,524 to 2,437 m: 72


914 to 1,523 m: 39


under 914 m: 12 (2004 est.)
total: 5


1,524 to 2,437 m: 1


914 to 1,523 m: 3


under 914 m: 1 (2004 est.)
Area total: 1,960,582 sq km


land: 1,960,582 sq km


water: 0 sq km
total: 748 sq km


land: 718 sq km


water: 30 sq km
Area - comparative slightly more than one-fifth the size of the US four times the size of Washington, DC
Background In 1902, ABD AL-AZIZ bin Abd al-Rahman Al Saud captured Riyadh and set out on a 30-year campaign to unify the Arabian Peninsula. Today, the monarchy is ruled by a son of ABD AL-AZIZ, and the country's Basic Law stipulates that the throne shall remain in the hands of the aging sons and grandsons of the kingdom's founder. Following Iraq's invasion of Kuwait in 1990, Saudi Arabia accepted the Kuwaiti royal family and 400,000 refugees while allowing Western and Arab troops to deploy on its soil for the liberation of Kuwait the following year. The continuing presence of foreign troops on Saudi soil after Operation Desert Storm remained a source of tension between the royal family and the public until the US military's near-complete withdrawal to neighboring Qatar in 2003. The first major terrorist attacks in Saudi Arabia in several years, which occurred in May and November 2003, prompted renewed efforts on the part of the Saudi government to counter domestic terrorism and extremism, which also coincided with a slight upsurge in media freedom and announcement of government plans to phase in partial political representation. A burgeoning population, aquifer depletion, and an economy largely dependent on petroleum output and prices are all ongoing governmental concerns. The archipelago of "The Friendly Islands" was united into a Polynesian kingdom in 1845. It became a constitutional monarchy in 1875 and a British protectorate in 1900. Tonga acquired its independence in 1970 and became a member of the Commonwealth of Nations. It remains the only monarchy in the Pacific.
Birth rate 29.74 births/1,000 population (2004 est.) 24.87 births/1,000 population (2004 est.)
Budget revenues: $78.77 billion


expenditures: $66.76 billion, including capital expenditures of NA (2003 est.)
revenues: $39.9 million


expenditures: $52.4 million, including capital expenditures of $1.9 million (FY99/00 est.)
Capital Riyadh Nuku'alofa
Climate harsh, dry desert with great temperature extremes tropical; modified by trade winds; warm season (December to May), cool season (May to December)
Coastline 2,640 km 419 km
Constitution governed according to Shari'a (Islamic law); the Basic Law that articulates the government's rights and responsibilities was introduced in 1993 4 November 1875, revised 1 January 1967
Country name conventional long form: Kingdom of Saudi Arabia


conventional short form: Saudi Arabia


local long form: Al Mamlakah al Arabiyah as Suudiyah


local short form: Al Arabiyah as Suudiyah
conventional long form: Kingdom of Tonga


conventional short form: Tonga


former: Friendly Islands
Currency Saudi riyal (SAR) pa'anga (TOP)
Death rate 2.66 deaths/1,000 population (2004 est.) 5.45 deaths/1,000 population (2004 est.)
Debt - external $39.16 billion (2003) $63.4 million (2001)
Diplomatic representation from the US chief of mission: Ambassador James Curtis OBERWETTER


embassy: Collector Road M, Diplomatic Quarter, Riyadh


mailing address: American Embassy Riyadh, Unit 61307, APO AE 09803-1307; International Mail: P. O. Box 94309, Riyadh 11693


telephone: [966] (1) 488-3800


FAX: [966] (1) 488-3989


consulate(s) general: Dhahran, Jiddah (Jeddah)
the US does not have an embassy in Tonga; the ambassador to Fiji is accredited to Tonga
Diplomatic representation in the US chief of mission: Ambassador BANDAR bin Sultan bin Abd al-Aziz Al Saud


chancery: 601 New Hampshire Avenue NW, Washington, DC 20037


telephone: [1] (202) 342-3800


consulate(s) general: Houston, Los Angeles, and New York
chief of mission: Ambassador Sonatane T. T. TUPOU


chancery: 250 East 51st Street, New York, NY 10022


telephone: [1] (917) 369-1025


FAX: [1] (917) 369-1024


consulate(s) general: San Francisco
Disputes - international nomadic groups on border region with Yemen resist demarcation of boundary; Yemen protests Saudi erection of a concrete-filled pipe as a security barrier in 2004 to stem illegal cross-border activities in sections of the boundary; Kuwait and Saudi Arabia continue discussions on a maritime boundary with Iran; because the treaties have not been made public, the exact alignment of the boundary with the UAE is still unknown and labeled approximate none
Economic aid - donor pledged $100 million in 1993 to fund reconstruction of Lebanon; since 2000, Saudi Arabia has committed $307 million for assistance to the Palestinians; pledged $240 million to development in Afghanistan; pledged $1 billion in export guarantees and soft loans to Iraq -
Economic aid - recipient - Australia $5.5 million, New Zealand $2.3 million (FY01/02)
Economy - overview This is an oil-based economy with strong government controls over major economic activities. Saudi Arabia has the largest reserves of petroleum in the world (25% of the proved reserves), ranks as the largest exporter of petroleum, and plays a leading role in OPEC. The petroleum sector accounts for roughly 75% of budget revenues, 45% of GDP, and 90% of export earnings. About 40% of GDP comes from the private sector. Roughly five and a half million foreign workers play an important role in the Saudi economy, for example, in the oil and service sectors. The government in 1999 announced plans to begin privatizing the electricity companies, which follows the ongoing privatization of the telecommunications company. The government is encouraging private sector growth to lessen the kingdom's dependence on oil and increase employment opportunities for the swelling Saudi population. Priorities for government spending in the short term include additional funds for education and for the water and sewage systems. Economic reforms proceed cautiously because of deep-rooted political and social conservatism. Tonga, a small, open, South Pacific island economy, has a narrow export base in agricultural goods. Squash, coconuts, bananas, and vanilla beans are the main crops, and agricultural exports make up two-thirds of total exports. The country must import a high proportion of its food, mainly from New Zealand. Tourism is the second-largest source of hard currency earnings following remittances. The country remains dependent on external aid and remittances from Tongan communities overseas to offset its trade deficit. The government is emphasizing the development of the private sector, especially the encouragement of investment, and is committing increased funds for health and education. Tonga has a reasonably sound basic infrastructure and well-developed social services. High unemployment among the young and the continuing upturn in inflation are major issues facing the government.
Electricity - consumption 113.8 billion kWh (2001) 25.36 million kWh (2001)
Electricity - exports 0 kWh (2001) 0 kWh (2001)
Electricity - imports 0 kWh (2001) 0 kWh (2001)
Electricity - production 122.4 billion kWh (2001) 27.27 million kWh (2001)
Elevation extremes lowest point: Persian Gulf 0 m


highest point: Jabal Sawda' 3,133 m
lowest point: Pacific Ocean 0 m


highest point: unnamed location on Kao Island 1,033 m
Environment - current issues desertification; depletion of underground water resources; the lack of perennial rivers or permanent water bodies has prompted the development of extensive seawater desalination facilities; coastal pollution from oil spills deforestation results as more and more land is being cleared for agriculture and settlement; some damage to coral reefs from starfish and indiscriminate coral and shell collectors; overhunting threatens native sea turtle populations
Environment - international agreements party to: Biodiversity, Climate Change, 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, Desertification, Law of the Sea, Marine Dumping, Marine Life Conservation, Ozone Layer Protection, Ship Pollution


signed, but not ratified: none of the selected agreements
Ethnic groups Arab 90%, Afro-Asian 10% Polynesian, Europeans about 300
Exchange rates Saudi riyals per US dollar - 3.745 (2003), 3.745 (2002), 3.745 (2001), 3.745 (2000), 3.745 (1999) pa'anga per US dollar - NA (2003), 2.1952 (2002), 2.1236 (2001), 1.7585 (2000), 1.5991 (1999)
Executive branch chief of state: King and Prime Minister FAHD bin Abd al-Aziz Al Saud (since 13 June 1982, but largely incapacitated since late 1995); Crown Prince and First Deputy Prime Minister ABDALLAH bin Abd al-Aziz Al Saud since 13 June 1982, also Saudi Arabian National Guard Commander since 1963 and de facto ruler since early 1996; note - the monarch is both the chief of state and head of government


head of government: King and Prime Minister FAHD bin Abd al-Aziz Al Saud (since 13 June 1982, but largely incapacitated since late 1995); Crown Prince and First Deputy Prime Minister ABDALLAH bin Abd al-Aziz Al Saud since 13 June 1982, also Saudi Arabian National Guard Commander since 1963 and de facto ruler since early 1996; note - the monarch is both the chief of state and head of government


cabinet: Council of Ministers is appointed by the monarch and includes many royal family members


elections: note - in October 2003, Council of Ministers announced its intent to introduce elections for half of the members of local and provincial assemblies and a third of the members of the national Consultative Council or Majlis al-Shura, incrementally over a period of four to five years; in November 2004, the Ministry of Municipal and Rural Affairs initiated voter registration for partial municipal council elections scheduled nationwide for February through April 2005
chief of state: King Taufa'ahau TUPOU IV (since 16 December 1965)


head of government: Prime Minister Prince Lavaka ata ULUKALALA (since NA February 2000) and Deputy Prime Minister James C. COCKER (since NA January 2001)


cabinet: Cabinet, appointed by the monarch, consists of 12 members


note: there is also a Privy Council that consists of the monarch, the Cabinet, and two governors


elections: none; the monarch is hereditary; prime minister and deputy prime minister appointed for life by the monarch
Exports 7.92 million bbl/day (2003) NA (2001)
Exports - commodities petroleum and petroleum products 90% squash, fish, vanilla beans, root crops
Exports - partners US 20.6%, Japan 15.4%, South Korea 9.8%, China 5.5%, Taiwan 4.5%, Singapore 4.1% (2003) US 50%, Japan 35.7%, Italy 3.6% (2003)
Fiscal year calendar year 1 July - 30 June
Flag description green, a traditional color in Islamic flags, with the Shahada or Muslim creed in large white Arabic script (translated as "There is no god but God; Muhammad is the Messenger of God") above a white horizontal saber (the tip points to the hoist side); design dates to the early twentieth century and is closely associated with the Al Saud family which established the kingdom in 1932 red with a bold red cross on a white rectangle in the upper hoist-side corner
GDP purchasing power parity - $287.8 billion (2003 est.) purchasing power parity - $236 million (2001 est.)
GDP - composition by sector agriculture: 4.7%


industry: 58.8%


services: 36.5% (2003 est.)
agriculture: 26%


industry: 12%


services: 62% (2002 est.)
GDP - per capita purchasing power parity - $11,800 (2003 est.) purchasing power parity - $2,200 (2001 est.)
GDP - real growth rate 5.3% (2003 est.) 3% (2001 est.)
Geographic coordinates 25 00 N, 45 00 E 20 00 S, 175 00 W
Geography - note extensive coastlines on Persian Gulf and Red Sea provide great leverage on shipping (especially crude oil) through Persian Gulf and Suez Canal archipelago of 169 islands (36 inhabited)
Heliports 5 (2003 est.) -
Highways total: 151,470 km


paved: 45,592 km


unpaved: 105,878 km (1999)
total: 680 km


paved: 184 km


unpaved: 496 km (1999 est.)
Household income or consumption by percentage share lowest 10%: NA


highest 10%: NA
lowest 10%: NA


highest 10%: NA
Illicit drugs death penalty for traffickers; increasing consumption of heroin, cocaine, and hashish; not a major money-laundering center, improving anti-money-laundering legislation -
Imports 0 bbl/day (2003) NA (2001)
Imports - commodities machinery and equipment, foodstuffs, chemicals, motor vehicles, textiles foodstuffs, machinery and transport equipment, fuels, chemicals
Imports - partners US 9.4%, Japan 7.7%, Germany 7.3%, UK 6.2%, China 4.4%, France 4.1% (2003) New Zealand 43.4%, Fiji 22.2%, Australia 11.1%, US 6.1% (2003)
Independence 23 September 1932 (unification of the kingdom) 4 June 1970 (from UK protectorate)
Industrial production growth rate 7.7% (2003 est.) 8.6% (FY98/99)
Industries crude oil production, petroleum refining, basic petrochemicals, cement, construction, fertilizer, plastics tourism, fishing
Infant mortality rate total: 13.7 deaths/1,000 live births


male: 15.72 deaths/1,000 live births


female: 11.58 deaths/1,000 live births (2004 est.)
total: 12.99 deaths/1,000 live births


male: 14.36 deaths/1,000 live births


female: 11.54 deaths/1,000 live births (2004 est.)
Inflation rate (consumer prices) 0.5% (2003 est.) 10.3% (2002 est.)
International organization participation ABEDA, AfDB, AFESD, AMF, BIS, FAO, G-77, GCC, IAEA, IBRD, ICAO, ICC, ICRM, IDA, IDB, IFAD, IFC, IFRCS, ILO, IMF, IMO, Interpol, IOC, ISO, ITU, LAS, MIGA, NAM, OAPEC, OAS (observer), OIC, OPCW, OPEC, PCA, UN, UNCTAD, UNESCO, UNIDO, UPU, WCO, WFTU, WHO, WIPO, WMO, WToO, WTrO (observer) ACP, AsDB, C, FAO, G-77, IBRD, ICAO, ICFTU, ICRM, IDA, IFAD, IFC, IFRCS, IHO, IMF, IMO, Interpol, IOC, ITU, OPCW, PIF, Sparteca, UN, UNCTAD, UNESCO, UNIDO, UPU, WHO, WIPO, WMO, WTrO (observer)
Irrigated land 16,200 sq km (1998 est.) NA sq km
Judicial branch Supreme Council of Justice Supreme Court (judges are appointed by the monarch); Court of Appeal (consists of the Privy Council with the addition of the chief justice of the Supreme Court)
Labor force 6.43 million


note: more than 35% of the population in the 15-64 age group is non-national (2003)
33,910 (1996)
Labor force - by occupation agriculture 12%, industry 25%, services 63% (1999 est.) agriculture 65% (1997 est.)
Land boundaries total: 4,431 km


border countries: Iraq 814 km, Jordan 744 km, Kuwait 222 km, Oman 676 km, Qatar 60 km, UAE 457 km, Yemen 1,458 km
0 km
Land use arable land: 1.67%


permanent crops: 0.09%


other: 98.24% (2001)
arable land: 23.61%


permanent crops: 43.06%


other: 33.33% (2001)
Languages Arabic Tongan, English
Legal system based on Islamic law, several secular codes have been introduced; commercial disputes handled by special committees; has not accepted compulsory ICJ jurisdiction based on English law
Legislative branch Consultative Council or Majlis al-Shura (120 members and a chairman appointed by the monarch for four-year terms) unicameral Legislative Assembly or Fale Alea (30 seats - 12 reserved for cabinet ministers sitting ex officio, nine for nobles selected by the country's 33 nobles, and nine elected by popular vote; members serve three-year terms)


elections: last held 7 March 2002 (next to be held NA 2005)


election results: percent of vote - HRDMT 70%; seats - HRDMT 7, traditionalist 2
Life expectancy at birth total population: 75.23 years


male: 73.26 years


female: 77.3 years (2004 est.)
total population: 69.2 years


male: 66.74 years


female: 71.79 years (2004 est.)
Literacy definition: age 15 and over can read and write


total population: 78.8%


male: 84.7%


female: 70.8% (2003 est.)
definition: can read and write Tongan and/or English


total population: 98.5%


male: 98.4%


female: 98.7% (1996 est.)
Location Middle East, bordering the Persian Gulf and the Red Sea, north of Yemen Oceania, archipelago in the South Pacific Ocean, about two-thirds of the way from Hawaii to New Zealand
Map references Middle East Oceania
Maritime claims territorial sea: 12 nm


contiguous zone: 18 nm


continental shelf: not specified
territorial sea: 12 nm


exclusive economic zone: 200 nm


continental shelf: 200-m depth or to the depth of exploitation
Merchant marine total: 66 ships (1,000 GRT or over) 1,306,706 GRT/1,963,191 DWT


by type: cargo 5, chemical tanker 11, container 4, livestock carrier 2, passenger 1, petroleum tanker 23, refrigerated cargo 4, roll on/roll off 10, short-sea/passenger 6


foreign-owned: Egypt 3, Greece 4, Norway 2, Sudan 1, United Kingdom 3


registered in other countries: 54 (2004 est.)
total: 40 ships (1,000 GRT or over) 136,977 GRT/200,751 DWT


by type: bulk 3, cargo 21, chemical tanker 2, container 1, liquefied gas 4, petroleum tanker 5, refrigerated cargo 1, roll on/roll off 1, specialized tanker 1, vehicle carrier 1


foreign-owned: Albania 1, Australia 4, Brazil 1, Cyprus 1, Egypt 1, Greece 1, Lebanon 1, Liberia 1, Marshall Islands 1, Norway 1, Panama 2, Romania 1, Russia 1, Saudi Arabia 1, Switzerland 3, Syria 1, United (2004 est.)
Military branches Land Force (Army), Navy, Air Force, Air Defense Force, National Guard, Ministry of Interior Forces (paramilitary) Tonga Defense Services: Ground Forces (Royal Marines, Royal Guard), Maritime Force (including Air Wing)
Military expenditures - dollar figure $18 billion (2002) NA
Military expenditures - percent of GDP 10% (2002) NA
Military manpower - availability males age 15-49: 8,240,714 (2004 est.) -
Military manpower - fit for military service males age 15-49: 4,725,514 (2004 est.) -
Military manpower - reaching military age annually males: 246,343 (2004 est.) -
National holiday Unification of the Kingdom, 23 September (1932) Independence Day, 4 June (1970)
Nationality noun: Saudi(s)


adjective: Saudi or Saudi Arabian
noun: Tongan(s)


adjective: Tongan
Natural hazards frequent sand and dust storms cyclones (October to April); earthquakes and volcanic activity on Fonuafo'ou
Natural resources petroleum, natural gas, iron ore, gold, copper fish, fertile soil
Net migration rate -2.71 migrant(s)/1,000 population (2004 est.) 0 migrant(s)/1,000 population (2004 est.)
Pipelines condensate 212 km; gas 1,780 km; liquid petroleum gas 1,191 km; oil 5,068 km; refined products 1,162 km (2004) -
Political parties and leaders none there are no political parties
Political pressure groups and leaders none Human Rights and Democracy Movement Tonga or HRDMT [Rev. Simote VEA, chair]
Population 25,795,938


note: includes 5,576,076 non-nationals (July 2004 est.)
110,237 (July 2004 est.)
Population below poverty line NA NA
Population growth rate 2.44% (2004 est.) 1.94% (2004 est.)
Ports and harbors Ad Dammam, Al Jubayl, Duba, Jiddah, Jizan, Rabigh, Ra's al Khafji, Mishab, Ras Tanura, Yanbu' al Bahr, Madinat Yanbu' al Sinaiyah Neiafu, Nuku'alofa, Pangai
Radio broadcast stations AM 43, FM 31, shortwave 2 (1998) AM 1, FM 2, shortwave 1 (2001)
Railways total: 1,392 km


standard gauge: 1,392 km 1.435-m gauge (with branch lines and sidings) (2003)
-
Religions Muslim 100% Christian (Free Wesleyan Church claims over 30,000 adherents)
Sex ratio at birth: 1.05 male(s)/female


under 15 years: 1.04 male(s)/female


15-64 years: 1.36 male(s)/female


65 years and over: 1.18 male(s)/female


total population: 1.22 male(s)/female (2004 est.)
at birth: 1.05 male(s)/female


under 15 years: 1.04 male(s)/female


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


65 years and over: 0.78 male(s)/female


total population: 0.99 male(s)/female (2004 est.)
Suffrage none adult male citizens age 21 or older


note: voter registration began in November 2004 for partial municipal council elections scheduled nationwide for February through April 2005
21 years of age; universal
Telephone system general assessment: modern system


domestic: extensive microwave radio relay, coaxial cable, and fiber-optic cable systems


international: country code - 966; microwave radio relay to Bahrain, Jordan, Kuwait, Qatar, UAE, Yemen, and Sudan; coaxial cable to Kuwait and Jordan; submarine cable to Djibouti, Egypt and Bahrain; satellite earth stations - 5 Intelsat (3 Atlantic Ocean and 2 Indian Ocean), 1 Arabsat, and 1 Inmarsat (Indian Ocean region)
general assessment: NA


domestic: NA


international: country code - 676; satellite earth station - 1 Intelsat (Pacific Ocean) (1996)
Telephones - main lines in use 3,502,600 (2003) 11,200 (2002)
Telephones - mobile cellular 7,238,200 (2003) 3,400 (2002)
Television broadcast stations 117 (1997) 2 (2001)
Terrain mostly uninhabited, sandy desert most islands have limestone base formed from uplifted coral formation; others have limestone overlying volcanic base
Total fertility rate 4.11 children born/woman (2004 est.) 3 children born/woman (2004 est.)
Unemployment rate 25% (2003) 13.3% (1996 est.)
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