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Compare Saudi Arabia (2006) - Cook Islands (2002)

Compare Saudi Arabia (2006) z Cook Islands (2002)

 Saudi Arabia (2006)Cook Islands (2002)
 Saudi ArabiaCook Islands
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 none
Age structure 0-14 years: 38.2% (male 5,261,530/female 5,059,041)


15-64 years: 59.4% (male 9,159,519/female 6,895,616)


65 years and over: 2.4% (male 342,020/female 302,005) (2006 est.)
0-14 years: NA%


15-64 years: NA%


65 years and over: NA%
Agriculture - products wheat, barley, tomatoes, melons, dates, citrus; mutton, chickens, eggs, milk copra, citrus, pineapples, tomatoes, beans, pawpaws, bananas, yams, taro, coffee; pigs, poultry
Airports 208 (2006) 7 (2001)
Airports - with paved runways total: 73


over 3,047 m: 32


2,438 to 3,047 m: 13


1,524 to 2,437 m: 24


914 to 1,523 m: 2


under 914 m: 2 (2006)
total: 1


1,524 to 2,437 m: 1 (2002)
Airports - with unpaved runways total: 135


over 3,047 m: 1


2,438 to 3,047 m: 7


1,524 to 2,437 m: 75


914 to 1,523 m: 40


under 914 m: 12 (2006)
total: 6


1,524 to 2,437 m: 3


914 to 1,523 m: 3 (2002)
Area total: 1,960,582 sq km


land: 1,960,582 sq km


water: 0 sq km
total: 240 sq km


land: 240 sq km


water: 0 sq km
Area - comparative slightly more than one-fifth the size of the US 1.3 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. A son of ABD AL-AZIZ rules the country today, 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. As part of this effort, the government permitted elections - held nationwide from February through April 2005 - for half the members of 179 municipal councils. A burgeoning population, aquifer depletion, and an economy largely dependent on petroleum output and prices are all ongoing governmental concerns. Named after Captain Cook, who sighted them in 1770, the islands became a British protectorate in 1888. By 1900, administrative control was transferred to New Zealand; in 1965 residents chose self-government in free association with New Zealand. The emigration of skilled workers to New Zealand and government deficits are continuing problems.
Birth rate 29.34 births/1,000 population (2006 est.) NA births/1,000 population
Budget revenues: $143.7 billion


expenditures: $89.65 billion; including capital expenditures of $NA (2005 est.)
revenues: $28 million


expenditures: $27 million, including capital expenditures of $3.3 million (FY00/01 est. )
Capital name: Riyadh


geographic coordinates: 24 38 N, 46 43 E


time difference: UTC+3 (8 hours ahead of Washington, DC during Standard Time)
Avarua
Climate harsh, dry desert with great temperature extremes tropical; moderated by trade winds
Coastline 2,640 km 120 km
Constitution governed according to Shari'a law; the Basic Law that articulates the government's rights and responsibilities was introduced in 1993 4 August 1965
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: none


conventional short form: Cook Islands


former: Harvey Islands
Currency - New Zealand dollar (NZD)
Death rate 2.58 deaths/1,000 population (2006 est.) NA deaths/1,000 population
Debt - external $36.78 billion (2005 est.) $141 million (1996 est.)
Dependency status - self-governing in free association with New Zealand; Cook Islands is fully responsible for internal affairs; New Zealand retains responsibility for external affairs and defense, in consultation with the Cook Islands
Diplomatic representation from the US chief of mission: Ambassador James C. OBERWETTER


embassy: Collector Road M, Diplomatic Quarter, Riyadh


mailing address: American Embassy, 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)
none (self-governing in free association with New Zealand)
Diplomatic representation in the US chief of mission: Ambassador TURKI al-Faysal bin Abd al-Aziz Al Saud


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


telephone: [1] (202) 342-3800


FAX: [1] (202) 944-3113


consulate(s) general: Houston, Los Angeles, New York
none (self-governing in free association with New Zealand)
Disputes - international despite resistance from nomadic groups, the demarcation of the Saudi Arabia-Yemen boundary established under the 2000 Jeddah Treaty is almost complete; Saudi Arabia still maintains the concrete-filled pipe as a security barrier along sections of the border with Yemen in 2004 to stem illegal cross-border activities; Kuwait and Saudi Arabia continue discussions on a maritime boundary with Iran; the United Arab Emirate 2006 Yearbook published a map and text rescinding the 1974 boundary with Saudi Arabia, as stipulated in a treaty filed with the UN in 1993, on the grounds that the agreement was not formally ratified 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 $230 million to development in Afghanistan; pledged $1 billion in export guarantees and soft loans to Iraq; pledged $133 million in direct grant aid, $187 million in concessional loans, and $153 million in export credits for Pakistan earthquake relief -
Economic aid - recipient - $13.1 million (1995); note - New Zealand continues to furnish the greater part (1995)
Economy - overview This is an oil-based economy with strong government controls over major economic activities. Saudi Arabia possesses 25% of the world's proven petroleum 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 5.5 million foreign workers play an important role in the Saudi economy, particularly, in the oil and service sectors. The government is encouraging private sector growth to lessen the kingdom's dependence on oil and increase employment opportunities for the swelling Saudi population. The government has begun to permit private sector and foreign investor participation in the power generation and telecom sectors. As part of its effort to attract foreign investment and diversify the economy, Saudi Arabia acceded to the WTO in 2005 after many years of negotiations. With high oil revenues enabling the government to post large budget surpluses, Riyadh has been able to substantially boost spending on job training and education, infrastructure development, and government salaries. Like many other South Pacific island nations, the Cook Islands' economic development is hindered by the isolation of the country from foreign markets, the limited size of domestic markets, lack of natural resources, periodic devastation from natural disasters, and inadequate infrastructure. Agriculture provides the economic base with major exports made up of copra and citrus fruit. Manufacturing activities are limited to fruit processing, clothing, and handicrafts. Trade deficits are offset by remittances from emigrants and by foreign aid, overwhelmingly from New Zealand. In the 1980s and 1990s, the country lived beyond its means, maintaining a bloated public service and accumulating a large foreign debt. Subsequent reforms, including the sale of state assets, the strengthening of economic management, the encouragement of tourism, and a debt restructuring agreement, have rekindled investment and growth.
Electricity - consumption 134.9 billion kWh (2003) 22.32 million kWh (2000)
Electricity - exports 0 kWh (2003) 0 kWh (2000)
Electricity - imports 0 kWh (2003) 0 kWh (2000)
Electricity - production 145.1 billion kWh (2003) 24 million kWh (2000)
Electricity - production by source - fossil fuel: 100%


hydro: 0%


nuclear: 0%


other: 0% (2000)
Elevation extremes lowest point: Persian Gulf 0 m


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


highest point: Te Manga 652 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 NA
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, Law of the Sea


signed, but not ratified: none of the selected agreements
Ethnic groups Arab 90%, Afro-Asian 10% Polynesian (full blood) 81.3%, Polynesian and European 7.7%, Polynesian and non-European 7.7%, European 2.4%, other 0.9%
Exchange rates Saudi riyals per US dollar - 3.747 (2005), 3.75 (2004), 3.75 (2003), 3.75 (2002), 3.75 (2001) New Zealand dollars per US dollar - 2.3535 (January 2002), 2.3776 (2001), 2.1863 (2000), 1.8886 (1999), 1.8632 (1998), 1.5083 (1997)
Executive branch chief of state: King and Prime Minister ABDALLAH bin Abd al-Aziz Al Saud (since 1 August 2005); Heir Apparent Crown Prince SULTAN bin Abd al- Aziz Al Saud (half brother of the monarch, born 5 January 1928) note - the monarch is both the chief of state and head of government


head of government: King and Prime Minister ABDALLAH bin Abd al-Aziz Al Saud (since 1 August 2005); Heir Apparent Crown Prince SULTAN bin Abd al- Aziz Al Saud (half brother of the monarch, born 5 January 1928) 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: none; the monarch is hereditary
chief of state: Queen ELIZABETH II (since 6 February 1952), represented by Frederick GOODWIN (since NA); New Zealand High Commissioner Kurt MEYER (since NA), representative of New Zealand


head of government: Prime Minister Dr. Robert WOONTON (since 12 February 2002); Deputy Prime Minister Sir Geoffrey HENRY (since 12 February 2002)


cabinet: Cabinet chosen by the prime minister; collectively responsible to Parliament


elections: none; the monarch is hereditary; the UK representative is appointed by the monarch; the New Zealand high commissioner is appointed by the New Zealand Government; following legislative elections, the leader of the majority party or the leader of the majority coalition usually becomes prime minister
Exports 7.92 million bbl/day (2003) $9.1 million (2000)
Exports - commodities petroleum and petroleum products 90% copra, papayas, fresh and canned citrus fruit, coffee; fish; pearls and pearl shells; clothing
Exports - partners US 16.4%, Japan 16.1%, South Korea 9.1%, China 6.9%, Singapore 5.1%, Taiwan 4.2% (2005) Australia 34%, Japan 27%, New Zealand 25%, US 8% (2000)
Fiscal year 1 March - 28 February 1 April - 31 March
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 blue, with the flag of the UK in the upper hoist-side quadrant and a large circle of 15 white five-pointed stars (one for every island) centered in the outer half of the flag
GDP - purchasing power parity - $105 million (2001 est.)
GDP - composition by sector agriculture: 3.3%


industry: 61.3%


services: 35.4% (2005 est.)
agriculture: 17%


industry: 8%


services: 75% (2000 est.)
GDP - per capita - purchasing power parity - $5,000 (2001 est.)
GDP - real growth rate 6.5% (2005 est.) NA%
Geographic coordinates 25 00 N, 45 00 E 21 14 S, 159 46 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 the northern Cook Islands are seven low-lying, sparsely populated, coral atolls; the southern Cook Islands consist of eight elevated, fertile, volcanic isles where most of the populace lives
Heliports 6 (2006) -
Highways - total: 320 km (1992)


paved: NA


unpaved: NA
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; improving anti-money-laundering legislation and enforcement -
Imports 0 bbl/day (2003) $50.7 million (2000)
Imports - commodities machinery and equipment, foodstuffs, chemicals, motor vehicles, textiles foodstuffs, textiles, fuels, timber, capital goods
Imports - partners US 13%, Germany 9.5%, Japan 7.9%, China 7.3%, France 4.7%, Italy 4.2% (2005) NZ 61%, Fiji 19%, US 9%, Australia 6%, Japan 2% (2000)
Independence 23 September 1932 (unification of the kingdom) none (became self-governing in free association with New Zealand on 4 August 1965 and has the right at any time to move to full independence by unilateral action)
Industrial production growth rate 5.3% (2005 est.) NA%
Industries crude oil production, petroleum refining, basic petrochemicals; ammonia, industrial gases, sodium hydroxide (caustic soda), cement, fertilizer, plastics; metals, commercial ship repair, commercial aircraft repair, construction fruit processing, tourism, fishing
Infant mortality rate total: 12.81 deaths/1,000 live births


male: 14.71 deaths/1,000 live births


female: 10.83 deaths/1,000 live births (2006 est.)
NA deaths/1,000 live births
Inflation rate (consumer prices) 0.4% (2005 est.) 3.2% (2000 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, IPU, ISO, ITU, LAS, MIGA, NAM, OAPEC, OAS (observer), OIC, OPCW, OPEC, PCA, UN, UNCTAD, UNESCO, UNIDO, UNRWA, UPU, WCO, WFTU, WHO, WIPO, WMO, WTO, WToO ACP, AsDB, ESCAP (associate), FAO, ICAO, ICFTU, IFAD, IFRCS (associate), IOC, OPCW, Sparteca, SPC, SPF, UNESCO, WHO, WMO
Internet Service Providers (ISPs) - 3 (2000)
Irrigated land 16,200 sq km (2003) NA sq km
Judicial branch Supreme Council of Justice High Court
Labor force 6.76 million


note: more than 35% of the population in the 15-64 age group is non-national (2005 est.)
8,000 (1996)
Labor force - by occupation agriculture: 12%


industry: 25%


services: 63% (1999 est.)
agriculture 29%, industry 15%, services 56%


note: shortage of skilled labor (1995)
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% (2005)
arable land: 17.39%


permanent crops: 13.04%


other: 69.57% (1998 est.)
Languages Arabic English (official), Maori
Legal system based on Shari'a law, several secular codes have been introduced; commercial disputes handled by special committees; has not accepted compulsory ICJ jurisdiction based on New Zealand law and English common law
Legislative branch Consultative Council or Majlis al-Shura (120 members and a chairman appointed by the monarch for four-year terms); 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 held nationwide from February through April 2005 unicameral Parliament (25 seats; members elected by popular vote to serve five-year terms)


elections: last held NA June 1999 (next to be held by NA 2004)


election results: percent of vote by party - NA%; seats by party - CIP 12, DAP 12, NAP 1


note: the House of Ariki (chiefs) advises on traditional matters and maintains considerable influence, but has no legislative powers
Life expectancy at birth total population: 75.67 years


male: 73.66 years


female: 77.78 years (2006 est.)
total population: NA years


male: NA years


female: NA years
Literacy definition: age 15 and over can read and write


total population: 78.8%


male: 84.7%


female: 70.8% (2003 est.)
definition: NA


total population: 95%


male: NA%


female: NA%
Location Middle East, bordering the Persian Gulf and the Red Sea, north of Yemen Oceania, group of islands in the South Pacific Ocean, about one-half 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
continental shelf: 200 NM or to the edge of the continental margin


exclusive economic zone: 200 NM


territorial sea: 12 NM
Merchant marine total: 60 ships (1000 GRT or over) 837,272 GRT/1,064,377 DWT


by type: cargo 5, chemical tanker 15, container 4, passenger/cargo 8, petroleum tanker 18, refrigerated cargo 1, roll on/roll off 9


foreign-owned: 9 (Egypt 2, Kuwait 5, Sudan 1, UAE 1)


registered in other countries: 55 (Bahamas 12, Comoros 3, Dominica 3, French Southern and Antarctic Lands 1, Liberia 24, Marshall Islands 1, Norway 3, Panama 8) (2006)
-
Military - note - defense is the responsibility of New Zealand, in consultation with the Cook Islands and at its request
Military branches Land Forces (Army), Navy, Air Force, Air Defense Force, National Guard, Ministry of Interior Forces (paramilitary) -
Military expenditures - dollar figure $18 billion (2002) -
Military expenditures - percent of GDP 10% (2002) -
National holiday Unification of the Kingdom, 23 September (1932) Constitution Day, first Monday in August (1965)
Nationality noun: Saudi(s)


adjective: Saudi or Saudi Arabian
noun: Cook Islander(s)


adjective: Cook Islander
Natural hazards frequent sand and dust storms typhoons (November to March)
Natural resources petroleum, natural gas, iron ore, gold, copper NEGL
Net migration rate -4.94 migrant(s)/1,000 population (2006 est.) -
Pipelines condensate 212 km; gas 1,880 km; liquid petroleum gas 1,183 km; oil 4,531 km; refined products 1,150 km (2006) -
Political parties and leaders none Cook Islands People's Party or CIP [Geoffrey HENRY]; Democratic Alliance Party or DAP [Terepai MAOATE]; New Alliance Party or NAP [Norman GEORGE]
Political pressure groups and leaders none NA
Population 27,019,731


note: includes 5,576,076 non-nationals (July 2006 est.)
20,811 (July 2002 est.)
Population below poverty line NA% NA%
Population growth rate 2.18% (2006 est.) NA% (2002 est.)
Ports and harbors - Avarua, Avatiu
Radio broadcast stations AM 43, FM 31, shortwave 2 (1998) AM 1, FM 2, shortwave 0 (1998)
Radios - 14,000 (1997)
Railways total: 1,392 km


standard gauge: 1,392 km 1.435-m gauge (with branch lines and sidings) (2005)
0 km
Religions Muslim 100% Christian (majority of populace are members of the Cook Islands Christian Church)
Sex ratio at birth: 1.05 male(s)/female


under 15 years: 1.04 male(s)/female


15-64 years: 1.33 male(s)/female


65 years and over: 1.13 male(s)/female


total population: 1.2 male(s)/female (2006 est.)
NA
Suffrage adult male citizens age 21 or older


note: voter registration began in November 2004 for partial municipal council elections held nationwide from February through April 2005
NA years of age; universal adult
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: the individual islands are connected by a combination of satellite earth stations, microwave systems, and VHF and HF radiotelephone; within the islands, service is provided by small exchanges connected to subscribers by open wire, cable, and fiber-optic cable


international: satellite earth station - 1 Intelsat (Pacific Ocean)
Telephones - main lines in use 3.8 million (2005) 5,000 (1997)
Telephones - mobile cellular 13.3 million (2005) 0 (1994)
Television broadcast stations 117 (1997) 2 (plus eight low-power repeaters) (1997)
Terrain mostly uninhabited, sandy desert low coral atolls in north; volcanic, hilly islands in south
Total fertility rate 4 children born/woman (2006 est.) NA children born/woman
Unemployment rate 13% among Saudi males only (local bank estimate; some estimates range as high as 25%) (2004 est.) 13% (1996)
Waterways - none
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